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Myxedema and intestinal malabsorption (nontropical sprue?) with severe hypo motility of the gastrointestinal tract

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Summary

A case of malabsorption syndrome developing in a 43-year-old woman with primary hypothyroidism is reported. Her major symptoms were related to severe hypomotility of the gastrointestinal tract and impaired intestinal absorption. The generalized failure of propulsive action of the gut was probably secondary to both the thyroid and intestinal disease. There is a possibility that development of myxedema precipitated manifestations of overt sprue in a predisposed person with hitherto unrecognized latent sprue.

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References

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. From the Department of Medicine, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, N. Y.

    Maurice L. Kelley Jr. M.D. & James M. Stewart M.D.

Authors
  1. Maurice L. Kelley Jr. M.D.
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  2. James M. Stewart M.D.
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Additional information

Supported by Research Grant AM-04097 from the National Institute of Arthritis and Metabolic Diseases.

Appreciation is expressed to Dr. Roger Terry for interpretation of the duodenal biopsy and the photomicrograph and to Dr. Victor W. Logan and Dr. Eric E. Wollaeger for their helpful comments regarding the preparation of this report. We are indebted to Dr. James C. Harberson for the details of the operative findings. Determinations for plasma hydrocortisone and urinary corticoids were done by Dr. John E. Plager.

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Kelley, M.L., Stewart, J.M. Myxedema and intestinal malabsorption (nontropical sprue?) with severe hypo motility of the gastrointestinal tract. Digest Dis Sci 9, 79–86 (1964). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02232684

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02232684

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