Why is my 73 year old mothers stomach so swollen. Its not a weight problem as she is thin everywhere else. She has an over active thyroid.

[janeyj47]

Her gp is still trying to get her doseage of medication right, But I am alarmed at the size of her stomach. Is this to do with having an over active thyroid

[jaxnbreeze]

I would get her to go to her dr. and have this checked out. Ascetis (I think that's what it's called) can be caused by any number of things.

[nobodysdriving]

can you please tell us if she has been seen by a doctor regarding this? (ie specifically in relation to her abdomen looking so big/swollen not just 'generally' seen by a doctor)

if so what did 'they' say or do about it?

does she have any symptoms like always out of breath even on lying down/sitting and resting or pain anywhere etc?

how long has she had this problem for? years or weeks? if shorter term then does it coincide with anything else? ie change in diet/medication etc.

ps I am not trying to diagnose her as I am not a doctor nor I am her 'carer' just trying to understand a little more, thanks

[marram]

You really do need to get her to see her GP about it. As far as I am aware, hypo can cause a swollen stomach but not hyper.

[flatfeet1]

I would definitely get the doctor to check her stomach, My mother had constipation for a long time and was treated for this, not very satisfactory. She sometimes wouldn't eat much and sometimes had stomach cramps after eating.

I noticed that her stomach was very swollen (looked pregnant) and hard, but I was always reassured this was normal in the elderly. She died 1 month later of a twisted bowel due to it being impacted from the constipation.

Since being unwell myself and researching I came across an article about this being connected to being hypothyroid, (can't find article at the moment). She was never tested for thyroid, but I am convinced that this is what she had as all her symptoms pointed to this, as well as it running in the family, and the fact she was diagnosed with ME.

So I urge you to get her fully checked out, It would also be a good idea to get her results with the figures and ranges so the informative people on this site can interpret. I hope that I'm wrong but its best to be safe.

[flatfeet1]

Couple of articles found but not the original one I was thinking of;

ajronline.org/doi/pdf/10.22...

bmj.com/highwire/filestream...

[Jillymo]

I agree your mother needs to be checked out......but doe's she have any history of bowel problems ?

Diverticulitis can cause a large addomen, she could also be gluten sensitive doe's she eat a lot of bread ?

If so she could have an over growth of fungi caused by a yeast over growth......candida.

I look like a prgnant penguin if I eat gluten.

She needs to be looked out to rule things out.....................Jillymo X

[Jackie]

Hi Fluid on Tum is called Ascites, if too bad also effects chest and brain ( reversable) Main causes are heart, often a valve,in this case only if very bad does it cause Oedmea, leg and fee fluid, more common with heart. If any tum troubles, theworld is an oyster. Most commonly renal problems, common with age, not usually too serious, U`s and E`s blood test ( kidney function), they can be a bit out and be OK.Pancreatitis, various causes,often autoimmune, and gall bladder/cholocystiti if bad.. She needs it checkiig, with a good doctor? then diuretics, With or without diuretics important to have plenty of water, fluid worse without it.

Best wishes to you both ,

Jackie