levothyroxine and bloating

[Browne123]

Hi Does anyone on here know of a link between levothyroxine and bloating/indigestion?

I am on 75mcg of levothyroxine and am 5years diagnosed. Im UK so just UK please as drugs etc very different to USA and other countries.

Thankyou in advance xx

[Clutter]

Browne123, there is a link between hypothyroidism and bloating/indigestion. Hypothyroid patients may have low stomach acid and food ferments in the gut causing gas, bloating and indigestion. Try taking Betaine Pepsin before meals, or raw apple cider vinegar in fruit juice or honeysweetened water before meals, to raise stomach acid and aid digestion.

[Browne123 in reply to Clutter]

Thanks Clutter I will look into this. Do you happen to know if Levothyroxine has an alternative??

[Clutter in reply to Browne123]

Browne123, it's probably not the Levothyroxine causing it. There are members taking T3 and NDT who still have low stomach acid and use Betaine or ACV.

Levothyroxine is the 'preferred' UK therapy and there are 3 makes of Levothyroxine prescribed in the UK, Mercury Pharma, Actavis (also known as Almus) and Wockhardt. Ask your pharmacist to dispense one of the others if you want to see whether there is any improvement.

Liothyronine (T3) can be prescribed in addition to, or instead of, Levothyroxine. It often needs recommendation by an endo before GPs can prescribe.

Natural dessicated thyroid (NDT) is combination T4+T3. The T4+T3 is derived from pig thyroid. It isn't licensed for UK use and is rarely prescribed on the NHS. Most members using NDT have private prescriptions or buy on the internet and self medicate.