The Thyroid Gallbladder Connection

This doesn’t mean you can never have another milkshake again, or any other foods which consist of “bad fats”, but you do need to minimize your consumption of such foods. This is why it can take some detective work in order to detect an underlying gallbladder problem. While the current symptoms the patient are experiencing is important, it’s also necessary to find out if the patient at one time had symptoms indicative of a gallbladder dysfunction, so that this could be addressed. When someone has a gallbladder problem and begins experiencing the common symptoms (bloating, gas, stomach pain, etc.), what frequently happens is that they avoid the foods which exacerbate the malfunctioning gallbladder. This of course helps with the symptoms, but does nothing to address the actual cause of the disorder.

• Based on the risk factors above, you will see that there are certain risk factors that you cannot change.
• However, hypothyroidism induces cholesterol gallstone formation by promoting cholesterol biosynthesis.
• Cholelithiasis was defined as previous history of cholecystectomy or current, sonographically diagnosed gallstones.
• And when someone has this condition they will need to follow a specific natural treatment protocol to correct the hormone imbalance.
• The state of raised thyroid stimulating hormone causes numerous effects, ultimately leading to the precipitation of gallstone disease.

Can Hypothyroidism Be Cured?

In contrast, Lxrα, Rxr, and Cyp7α1 were up-regulated and Fxr down-regulated in the mice with hyperthyroidism. In conclusion, thyroid dysfunction, either hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism, promotes the formation of cholesterol gallstones in C57BL/6 mice. Gene expression differences suggest that thyroid hormone disturbance leads to gallstone formation in different ways. Hyperthyroidism induces cholesterol gallstone formation by regulating expression of the hepatic nuclear receptor genes such as Lxrα and Rxr, which are significant in cholesterol metabolism pathways. However, hypothyroidism induces cholesterol gallstone formation by promoting cholesterol biosynthesis.

6. Macroscopic and microscopic observations of gallbladders

While some people have obvious symptoms, many dismiss these symptoms as being “normal”. Most people’s digestive systems are so screwed up that we mistakenly assume having constant synthroid hypocalcemia gas, nausea, and/or indigestion is the norm. Sometimes they’ll even dismiss any pain they’re having, whether it be stomach pain, or pain between the shoulder blades, which are both possible symptoms for gallbladder issues.

• But if the problems persist then I very well might turn to a gallbladder flush.
• Sandy stones, which were irregularly shaped, were easily disintegrable agglomerates of ChM crystals embedded in mucin gel.
• The authors conclude that when treating patients with CBD stones or microlithiasis, clinicians should be aware of the possible hypothyroid background.

Ultrasound is typically the first-line imaging test, as it effectively detects gallstones and inflammation. A CT scan may be performed for more detailed imaging, providing comprehensive views of the gallbladder and adjacent structures. A HIDA scan (Hepatobiliary Iminodiacetic Acid) is used to assess the functional capacity of the gallbladder, while MRCP (Magnetic Resonance Cholangiopancreatography) evaluates the bile ducts for potential blockages or abnormalities. ERCP (Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography) is used to diagnose and treat bile duct stones. Hypothyroidism is typically managed with thyroid hormone replacement therapy, where synthetic hormones are prescribed to normalize hormone levels.

In fact, when I know someone has been supplementing with vitamin D, but still tests as deficient, I view that as an important clue that they may have fat malabsorption issues. The lack of key vitamins along with fatty acid deficiencies, can cause a whole host of additional symptoms and further impact thyroid hormone conversion (T4 to the active T3 hormone). People with Hashimoto’s and hypothyroidism often experience fat malabsorption issues and have an increased risk for gallbladder problems, as the thyroid can affect the composition of bile and its ability to flow. Many people with gallbladder problems will eventually develop gallstones, and if this pattern persists, and it frequently does, then gallbladder surgery very well might be recommended. While removing the gallbladder might help with some of the symptoms, it of course doesn’t do anything for the thick, sluggish bile.

• Note that you can have difficulty losing weight or difficulty gaining weight with Hashimoto’s.
• While eating well and taking supplements alone won’t restore someone’s health back to normal, these factors are important to the recovery process.
• Maintaining a healthy gallbladder involves adopting certain lifestyle changes.
• Conversely, when thyroid hormone levels are high, gallbladder contraction and bile secretion may increase.

Although they have distinct functions, recent studies have shown that imbalances in thyroid hormone levels can impact gallbladder health and vice versa. If you are experiencing pain, or if your practitioner suspects gallbladder issues such as gallstones or common bile duct stones, they may use ultrasound testing or an abdominal X-ray to look for stones or other problems. Experiments with hypothyroid rats have confirmed the thyroxine effect on bile composition, decreased bile flow, and relaxation of the sphincter of Oddi. Research in rats has also shown that the administration of thyroid hormone improves bile flow – suggesting that there is a strong correlation between developing gallbladder issues and hypothyroidism.

Although having a gallbladder condition won’t necessarily lead to a thyroid condition, or vice versa,  having a gallbladder problem can exacerbate one’s thyroid symptoms. In addition, for someone who is looking to restore their health back to normal through a natural thyroid treatment protocol, having gallbladder problems can affect one’s recovery. The primary reason for this is because having a properly functioning gallbladder is essential for proper digestion, which is important in the recovery process. I’ll cover this shortly, as when someone has had their gallbladder removed then there are things they will need to do to help them better digest the fats and oils they eat. To illustrate the sequences of gallstone formation, we observed cholesterol crystallization and gallstone formation in mice from each group for 10 weeks whilst they were fed the lithogenic diet (Table 1).

If you’re experiencing several of these symptoms, it might be worth discussing the possibility of thyroid or gallbladder issues with your healthcare provider. One often overlooked aspect of the thyroid gallbladder connection is the role of dietary fat. Many people with thyroid issues are advised to follow low-fat diets, but this approach can actually exacerbate gallbladder problems.

They have been categorized into three types, which are pigment stones, cholesterol stones, and mixed types of stones with varying incidence. The condition may be asymptomatic for significantly long durations and in most cases, the presence of gall stones is an incidental finding. The patients may present with pain in the abdomen in stages of cholecystitis or advanced stages or cases of gall stones causing the obstruction. Hypothyroidism itself is a significantly common endocrine disorder that affects almost every nucleated cell in the body. The serum T3 and T4 levels might be found on the lower side whereas thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) values are found to be high.

Although thyroid tissue is not actually an invader, the immune system perceives it as such, leading to the destruction of healthy thyroid cells. I’d also recommend people provide an extra dose of support for their liver by following the two-week Liver Support Protocol in my book, Hashimoto’s Protocol. In just two weeks, you will learn how to remove potentially triggering foods, add supportive foods, reduce your daily toxic exposure, and support your detoxification pathways. The conventional treatment for a gallbladder attack is often gallstone surgery. Those who have symptoms of low stomach acid and see improvement after eliminating these proteins from their diet, may have a fat malabsorption issue. Furthermore, poor bile flow can lead to a recirculation of toxins such as heavy metals and excess hormones.