Small intestinal histology, radiology and absorption in hyperthyroidism

In a series of 20 patients with entreated hyperthyroidism malabsorption was found in 13, by estimation of faecal fat excretion, vitamin A tolerance test, and D-xylose tolerance test. Biopsy of the small intestine and light microscopy revealed round-cell infiltration and oedema in 16 cases. X-ray of the small intestine showed wide circular folds, a decreased transit time, and/or enlarged coils, in 19 cases. After treatment the steatorrhoea subsided in 5, the D-xylose tolerance returned to normal in all, whereas the histological and radiological appearances showed a tendency to normalization in 6 and 11 patients, respectively.