Betaine HCL - How Long For?: I suspect I have low... - Thyroid UK

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Betaine HCL - How Long For?

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I suspect I have low stomach acid and will do the bicarb test in the morning.

If you do have low hcl, how long do you stay on hcl supplements for? Is it a long term supplement or generally a shortish term fix?

Hope everyone is well!

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12 Replies

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galathea8 years ago

You stay on it until your stomach starts mking enough stomach acid. Depending on the reasons for the low acid, this may mean staying with betaine forever.

I found that eventually you get to know which food is going to be a problem to digest, so you take betaine only when you need it.

in reply to galathea8 years ago

Thanks galathea (I love your name btw)!

Do you still have to take the odd bit of Gaviscon? Are you okay lying down and not having reflux? Been a part of my life for so long now!

galathea in reply to 8 years ago

Absolutely no gaviscon or any other acid supressants at all. Never ever. My husband was in a terrible state and on proton pump inhibitors when we worked it out about the low acid. He ditched the ppi's and everything else about 5 years ago. Has never loojed back or had any problems. He doubles up the betaine when he works abroad and has managed to travel around Brazil without getting food poisoning. ( he used to be terrible and would spend days sitting on the loo whilst being sick in the bath....)

Galathea is a species of Lobster, i needed a name and had a book of fish on my desk.... Its kind of stuck and i have used the name for years.

g. X

in reply to galathea8 years ago

...[ a book on fish... ] ... ? ? ..

To catch ?

To eat ?

To keep in an aquarium/pond ?

Flo

helvellaAdministratorThyroid UK in reply to 8 years ago

Ian Fleming had a book on birds on his desk when he was writing a book about a spy...

Possibly an early edition of:

amazon.co.uk/Birds-Indies-C...

in reply to helvella8 years ago

Yes the REAL James Bond ( as opposed to a "fake" 007) was a keen bird watcher.

Is galathea writing a spy book ? ? .. Perhaps a spy (with thyroid problem ) book ! ...

Flower

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James...

8 years ago

I read recently that people with blood type A often have low levels of stomach acid, and therefore should not eat meat at all as meat requires a lot of stomach acid to be properly digested...I am type A, but do not feel like going 100% vegetarian. I have just received a big bottle of Betaine HCL and am anxious to see the results...good luck to you!

in reply to 8 years ago

Good luck to you too! I'm O neg - not sure what that means in terms of diet. Seems counteriintuitive to take acid for reflux but looking forward to not have to rely (hopefully) on PPIs anymore!

Good luck again! x

in reply to 8 years ago

Your meals should be protein based, mainly from animal protein, and leafy vegetables. You can eat shellfish, poultry and cheese made from sheep and goat milk. You should avoid wheat based products as well as dairy (from cow's milk). From my book

8 years ago

PrimroseStar,

I have been taking Betaine HCL for about 11 months and am just finding that warm feeling when you know you have had too much.

When I initially started my stomach had trouble tolerating them and I had to introduce ACV first. I assume this down to not having had adequate stomach acid for so many years. However, within about three weeks I was up to four high strength tablets and feeling so much better.

Now I am down to one or two tablets believing this to indicate my own stomach acid has started secreting ... yay .

Betaine HCL should always be taken with Pepsin as this helps in breaking down proteins into the peptides required for proper absorption. If we are low on stomach acid, we will be low on pepsin too. Many Betaine HCL supplements come with pepsin already in them.

Don't take if you are medicating anti-inflammatories or have stomach ulcers.

Good luck to happy tummys !

Flower

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

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Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional and this information is not intended to be a substitute for medical guidance from your own doctor. Please check with your personal physician before applying any of these suggestions.

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Marz8 years ago

As you have mentioned PPI's I am wondering if your B12 levels are good - apparently I have read PPI's can interfere with the absorption.

helvellaAdministratorThyroid UK6 years ago

When you see a user name of Hidden, it means that the person is no longer a member of this forum.

We often close posts that were originated by people who have left - there is no point in wasting our time making replies. Occasionally, the thread might still be active and popular and will be left. More often, it is simply a case of none of the admins noticing!

I shall now be closing this post to replies.

You have posted a response onto an old thread.

This forum is not the place to campaign about the dairy industry. It is a thyroid support forum. If you continue to post in that way, you will be restricted.

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