Hi everyone, I have been diagnosed with Hypochlorhydria due to autoimmune gastritis. This means I don't produce any stomach acid and don't absorb protein.
I was told this was quite uncommon and my GP couldn't help much apart from referring me to gastroenterologist which can take up to 18 months.
It seems there is no replacement therapy available for stomach acid.
I have heard about HCL supplements but it is unclear how many I need and whether it can cause ulcer.
I wonder if anyone had the same issue and found a way to improve the situation. Thank you, Sasha
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I have no clue as to how to help you other than type no stomach acid Dr Berg into YouTube.
He has a wealth of information when it comes to helping ourselves get better. You may have to search through a lot of his videos but we'll worth the insight.
Hi Sasha I have Type 1 Diabetes and PA and also struggle to digest protein and fats. I know some people take a shot of apple cider vinegar diluted when they are eating to help with digestion. In my case I just found out that I can't digest protein or fat because I also have Pancreatic Exocrine Insufficiency as well as PA - my pancreas is not producing the digestive enzymes it should. The treatment is a tablet of replacement digestive enzymes with every meal and snack. Might be worth checking out?
Hi, yes you are right. I have ordered enzymes. I also go amino acids in powder form that I mix with water. I hope this will make up for lack of protein. Thank you for your reply!
Through internet searches found Betaine HCL. Brands vary in effect and strength, so does advice .
For me this worked best: I ate for about 5 mins. ( to line stomach) then took B' HCL. (taking before food hurt an inflamed stomach lining; towards or at end of meal didn't work well).
It's trial to see how many you need. I never got burning sensation that was supposed to mean you had taken enough.
Within week or so was taking 5, or 7 with main meals. Settled at 7 occasionally 8, of the highest strength available with pepsin.
Suggest you eat smaller meals, you will find out which foods are more difficult to digest. At least I could eat and absorb food again.
I do not know, have not heard anything about it causing ulcers. I always took care to protect my stomach lining with a little food b4 taking them.
After nearly 3 years the Betaine HCL stopped working completely, suddenly.. This has happened to others. Do not know why.
However the alternative solutions are cheaper and more effective for me:
Now I take 1 tablespoon of lime juice with a little water just b4 breakfast. Take 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar with mother with some water before lunch. If stomach bloating or uncomfortable feeling occurs take an extra dose then. Sometimes the extra dose b4 bedtime. Stress I find affects the stomach.
The lime juice and ACV with mother are acidic, to protect my teeth i rinse my teeth/mouth several times.
As my Mantra says regarding PA “IT AINT JUST B12!” and my other one is “the Pernicious in Pernicious Anemia, is alive and well!”
The lack of stomach acid is not caused by lack of B12 but rather the destruction of the hydrochloric acid producing proton pumps in the Parietal Cells. Both Gastric acid and Intrinsic Factor also produced by the Parietal Cells are lost once enough of the PCs have been destroyed. They are related only in the sense they both come from the Parietal Cells. Although it is known that low/no gastric acid caused by overuse of PPIs can inhibit absorption of B12.
Proper stomach acid powers your entire digestive process from sterilizing your food as you ingest not only the food but also bad bacteria along with it, the breaking down of your food in the stomach to, the proper functioning/closing of the esophageal sphincter, opening of the pyloric sphincter, at the base of your stomach, to allow food or now chime to enter your small intestine, acid also, as it enters the small intestine excites cells that release a hormone called CCK which is a messenger to your gallbladder saying “hey buddy, time to contract” thus releasing bile into your small intestine. So, without stomach acid your entire digestive engine comes to a screeching halt!
At some point I, like you, I started feeling very full especially after I ate meat protein. It felt like I just ate a huge meal when I would only eat something small. Then I would get nauseas and eventually after about 30 minutes I would vomit. This went on until I had withered away to nothing, I lost 90 pounds and most of my muscle mass was in bed for 16 hours a day and unable to walk. Then during my research, I read about PA and achlorhydria. I went and had my stomach acid pH measured during my next endoscopy and it measured at a pH of 6 or basically zero stomach acid (achlorhydria). Now I take three things with each meal, two about 15 minutes before I eat and one after. It’s important not to just take Betaine HCI but also at least the digestive enzymes. These solved my digestion issues and now I’ve gained 40 pounds back and am doing well. See
Here are those supplements that I highly recommend for you…although I was prescribed these by my doctor, they are over the counter, and you can order them from Amazon.
1) The first is Betaine HCL from Integrative Therapeutics is a synthetic plant-based acid. Take one 1.3g capsule before each meal. It’s important to take it before your meals. If you take after meals it will sit on top of the food you’ve just eaten, and you will experience some acid reflux. It’s very acidic. If this is too acidic for you, you’ll know’ then they do have a lower dose of 0.3g you may want to try taking a couple of those to start.
2) Then second is PanPlex 2-phase from Integrative Therapeutics. Take two capsules before each meal. This has all the digestive enzymes that may not be being produced by your system due to achlorhydria.
Another important thing, with achlorhydria is to keep your eye on is your serum ferritin. At each blood test ask to have this checked. If it drops below 100 ng/mL (normal range 30 - 400 ng/mL) then ask your doctor/GP to run a complete iron panel.
See my post on Iron Deficiency Without Anemia (IDWA) here
Hi Rexz, thank you do much for the valuable information! I am so glad to hear that your situation improved! This gives great hope to me as well! Otherwise, I felt dishearten. Thank you!
I was fast-tracked to a gastro and this route has a 2 week turnaround time, so I initially had a phone appointment within that time. A supportive GP would do that for you.
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