ABSTRACT
Bile acid kinetics in thyroid dysfunction attracted the attention of many investigators but the reports were confilicting. To analyze the mechanisms behind this controversy serum conjugated bile acid profile was examined, 18 hyperthyroid, 21 treated thyroid patients and 34 healthy controls were studied. The treated patients were euthyroid. Bile acid concentration was estimated by reverse phase liquid chromatography. Total bile acid was not significantly different in all groups. A marked shift of bile acid DCA to CDCA was observed with increased thyroid activity. The serum bile acid profile of medically treated patients was similar to that of control group. The ratio of cholic acid and its secondary bile acid deoxycholic acid/chenodeoxycholic acid and its secondary bile acid lithocholic acid is a good indicator of the shift in bile acid synthesis as it accounts for changes in bowel conditions. Thyroid hormone seems to have a specific action on the enzyme responsible for bile synthesis rather than changing total bile acid production