Betaine Hydrochloride

[Carri3]

Hi everyone, Could anyone please explain why I get severe stomach pains after taking HCL, even at a very low dose. I tried it on the recommendation in the hypothyroid hub (re-low stomach acid) I also have to avoid acidic foods and drinks for the same reason. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[Rexz]

Carri3,

Not sure why, at a very low dose you're feeling pain?

As you know the dose depends on how much natural acid you're stomach is producing and your tolerance for Betaine HCL. I am achlorhydria or zero stomach acid. I take 3grams of Betaine HCL before each meal. Along with digestive enzymes. It also depends on what you are eating. Protein requires gastric acid to denature and digest in the gut where carbs no so much.

Suggestion... If you have this available in UK try getting a serum Gastrin test done. It's a simple blood test. I'm not sure you'll get this through NHS so you may need to go to a private clinic for this one. This is not a precise measurement but will give you a good idea. If serum Gastrin levels are very high say around 900 to 1000 then you may have very low or no stomach acid. If it's within normal range then you should be OK or maybe supplement before meals with a very small dose of Betaine HCI, something like 100 or 200 mg. Also gastric acid is necessary to convert Pepsinogen to Pepsin. Without this conversion your stomach will not be able to break the peptide bonds of the denatured proteins. So maybe take a digestive enzymes with Pepsin to help this process.

Hope this helps a little. Let me know if you've questions. I'm no doctor but I know a thing or two about a thing or two.

Best wishes, Rexz

[Carri3 in reply to Rexz]

Thank You for your reply Rexz I really appreciate it, I am taking Enzymedica Digest Basic, one capsule before each meal. I have taken your suggestions on board and hope to get to the bottom of this problem soon. Wishing you good health. C3

[Rexz in reply to Carri3]

Hi C3, one other suggestion. If you haven't done so already, of course. But you have hypothyroid. Have you been tested for thyroid antibodies? In other words is your hypothyroid, autoimmune hypothyroid aka Hashimoto's Thyroiditis. If so I would suggest getting tested for autoimmune gastritis (AIG)/Pernicious Anemia (PA) Studies have shown that 40-50% of those with Hashimoto's also have AIG/PA....since you are having gut issues.

Best wishes, Rexz

[Carri3 in reply to Rexz]

Hi Rexz I don't have PA but don't know about AIG, I'm having my thyroid blood draw tomorrow so perhaps I should I ask if they can check for AIG (if this is how they test for it) Kind Regards.

[Rexz]

C3, Pernicious Anemia is a late stage manifestation of AIG. AIG is a decades long process so might be good to check if your thyroid antibodies show positive. Two blood tests for AIG antibodies you can ask for are Parietal Cell Antibodies and Intrinsic Factor Antibodies. I would toss in serum Gastrin also.

Good luck, Rexz