Gastric acid secretion in hyperthyroidism among Chinese patients

Abstract

The effect of hyperthyroidism on gastric secretion in Chinese subjects was studied. Basal and pentagastrin-stimulated peak acid outputs were measured before commencing anti-thyroid therapy and repeated when euthyroid state was achieved. Each patient therefore acted as its own control. The results were also compared to Chinese control subjects who had no gastrointestinal or thyroid diseases. There was a significant increase in both basal and peak acid outputs with the control of hyperthyroidism. However the gastric secretory capability in both the toxic and euthyroid phases were significantly greater than the controls. This is contrary to previous reports of normal or hyposecretion in thyrotoxic patients. Increased acid secretion in patients with hyperthyroidism may be peculiar to the Chinese.