Elevated Levels of Circulating Biomarkers Related to Leaky Gut Syndrome and Bacterial Translocation Are Associated With Graves' Disease.

Background: A growing number of studies have found dysbiosis of the intestinal microbiota in patients with Graves' disease (GD). The intestinal epithelial barrier serves as the first line of defense, protecting the immune system from excessive stimulation of microbiota and toxins. Most autoimmune diseases are associated with a gut barrier dysfunction (leaky gut) which allows bacterial translocation.