6. Digestive disorders
Thyroid hormones are involved in the regulation of motor, secretory and trophic functions of the gastrointestinal tract. They increase the motility of the digestive tract, that is, the speed with which stool moves through the intestine.
People with hypothyroidism related to iodine deficiency often have problems with constipation, as low thyroid hormone levels slow down bowel motility. These hormones are also involved in the release of gastric secretions; if these are in insufficient quantity, the whole digestive system will be disturbed; a lot of gas, belching, bloating, stomach pains, constipation, decrease in appetite, atrophy of the gastric mucosa, nausea, vomiting, dyskinesia of the colon, bile ducts, hepatomegaly and other highly unpleasant symptoms.
