Acid reflux - related to thyroid?

[jamesie26]

Hello I have been diagnosed 10 years now with an underactive thyroid. Have just recently started really suffering with acid reflux and been put on lansaprazole for it. Could it be related to my thyroid?

[Clutter]

Jamesie, many hypothyroid patients have low stomach acid which can cause reflux as high stomach acid does. You've been prescribed a PPI which is for high stomach acid and if your stomach acid is already low it will make it worse and you will be less able to breakdown and absorb nutrients.

Many here take Betaine Pepsin before meals to raise stomach acid and aid digestion. A couple of teaspoons of raw apple cider vinegar in fruit juice or honey sweetened water also raises stomach acid. You may want to try either or both before using a PPI.

[jamesie26 in reply to Clutter]

Oh gosh someone else recommended apple cider vinegar with mother in it too! Why has my GP not realised this then? Why have they prescribed me lansaprazole? Been on it a month now and they have just given me another month but I'm not seeing a lot of improvement? Why could I have the reflux in the first place? Thanks so much for your help? Do you work for Thyroid UK? x

[Clutter in reply to jamesie26]

Jamesie, I don't think there is a test to determine whether stomach acid is low or high but doctors routinely prescribe PPIs for reflux. I think reflux occurs because food isn't properly digested due to low stomach acid and slower metabolism due to hypothyroidism. This is only an opinion after reading up, I'm not medically trained, nor do I work for TUK

[jamesie26 in reply to Clutter]

Thanks for your advice that's really helpful. Just feel like it never stops with this, if I'm not suffering with my stomach its now acid so my oesophagus feels like its bubbling all the time!

[shaws Administrator in reply to jamesie26]

The symptoms for low or high acid are similar. GPs are unaware we most probably have low acid thus the PPIs.

A helpful link:-

stopthethyroidmadness.com/s...

[jamesie26 in reply to shaws]

Thanks so much

[shaws Administrator in reply to jamesie26]

You most probably have to buy your own low acid tablets. I buy mine from Amazon. I also take Apple Cider Vinegar at times too.

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

[Piret]

I have Hashimoto's and am currently being investigated to establish if I have acid reflux. I was given Gaviscon but I'm not taking it. I am waiting what the other tests say and if they insist I have high acid I will ask them to test it. I don't want to take any medication based on their speculations. As people with thyroid problems often suffer from low acid it is very important to know which problem you have. Do you just have burning sensation? I have constant sore throat for the last 13 months and recently started having choking sensation and food getting stuck in my throat. What investigations did they do for you?

[shaws Administrator in reply to Piret]

This is a link which may be helpful:-

stopthethyroidmadness.com/s...

[jamesie26]

I vomited blood a month ago, went to A & E and they diagnosed it after listening to my symptoms and feeling my abdominal area. They said they thought acid reflux but could be ulcer but not likely... GP just given me more lansaprazole but I get the feeling she was rushing me as was busy in waiting room! I will go back as its not getting much better. Yes just burning and bubbling sensation not a sore throat. I feel ata bit of a loss as to what to eat/drink etc but after reading bits on here I think maybe I haven't been looking after myself as much as I should. I'm on 175 of levothyroxine but I always feel like i get hardly any info from GP, feel like I don't really understand my condition.

[shaws Administrator in reply to jamesie26]

Unfortunately, neither do GPs or many Endocrinologists, so if we want to recover our health we have to read and learn as much as possible. The guidelines in the BTA are not conducive for those of us who cannot get well on levothyroxine. Also, doctors nowadays have little knowledge of clinical symptoms and diagnose only on the TSH level. Tough if you have a myriad of symptoms but TSH doesn't rise sufficiently - you are then diagnosed or given medication for symptoms rather than thyroid hormones.

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK]

Suggest you have a search back here (I know the search tool isn't very good). For example:

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

There I posted about the Russian paper of some interest.

Rod

[Hidden]

I found that ACV didn't work for me so I take Molkosan first thing every morning.

avogel.co.uk/food/molkosan-...

[winschild]

Have you been tested for pernicious aneamia which many who have antibodies against their thyroid also have. I'm no expert but a long time sufferer of both and have awful reflux. One explaination is that if you have low stomach acid the food can ferment in your stomach and gas can cause the food to rise just as stomach acid does. One test which is not 100% proof but may give an indication of levels is, first thing in morning take one quarter a teaspoon of bicarbinate of soda in 200 mls of water. Try not to take in too much air as you swallow. If you burb quickly you have low acid if you dont burp within half an hour its high. Do it three morning to get an average.

[Spareribs in reply to winschild]

Thanks, I was also going to mention the bicarb (or baking powder) test too!- also explained here...

scdlifestyle.com/2012/03/3-...

[winschild in reply to winschild]

Yes, sorry, I put that the wrong way round. The longer it takes to burp the less acid you have.

[humanbean]

Some more useful links from the SCD Lifestyle site (to add to the link given by Sparerib) :

scdlifestyle.com/2012/06/hy...

scdlifestyle.com/2012/03/ho...

scdlifestyle.com/2013/10/4-...

The third one is particularly important to read before embarking on self-help methods for low stomach acid.

[jellynpain]

Hi,

I am currently undergoing continued thyroid/hormone tests.

I belch so much. Even after a sip of water or without eating or drinking. I also have on/off swallowing problems & gurgling which feels around throat or upper oesophagus. Had barium shallow, results 'within range'.

My diet is good and healthy.

Looks like I may need to try and read up.x

[Fethiye]

I have much less acid reflux since I gave up foods containing gluten. It might be worth trying gluten free diet for a month to see if it makes any difference to you.

[Hidden]

Jamesie,

You may have a hiatus hernia, I would probably get that ruled out by having an endoscopy done.

In the mean time, try eating only alkaline foods, keep away from the acid foods, they will only exacerbate

the reflux.

[natwhit]

hello im new to this and have come across your post and its the exact thing im suffering from, i have underactive thyroid, and got this relux for a few months now, also taking lanprozole, which is not helping much or gaviscon, my gp also doesnt know the route of the problem? it says your post was 4 years ago, just wanted to ask you what has happened since then and are you better, and what was the treatment or self help in the end.

the only relief can say is eating natural yogurt but most of the time its just so uncomfortable, was so happy to see your post and know not alone

thanking you