Correlation Between Thyroid Disorders and Rate of Helicobacter Pylori Infection

Hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism are common thyroid disorders. Thyroid hormones have a great role in regulating mucosal cells and the growth of the gastrointestinal tract. In this study, we investigated the presence of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection in various types of thyroid disorders.

Our study included 297 patients whose thyroid status was identified by evaluation of thyroid hormones; triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4), and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) using Roche Electrochemiluminescence (ECL). H. pylori antibodies and antigen were evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits in all cases.

Hypothyroidism had a significant correlation with H. pylori infection (p < 0.001). Hyperthyroidism was not related to H. pylori infection (p = 0.171). Also, in hypothyroidism, female sex more than male sex had a significant correlation with H. pylori infection (p = 0.004).

Decreasing thyroid hormones can result in dysregulation of gastric mucosal cells, therefore hypothyroidism can lead to more chance of having H. pylori infection.