Mix of symptoms....: I've had stomach issues for... - Thyroid UK

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Mix of symptoms....

jojojowilts43 profile image
24 Replies

I've had stomach issues for cpl of years now but since gaining weight its gotten worse. Docs said at the time that it was probably IBS/ excess acid.. But this is getting me really down and last time I saw doc she didn't do a lot.

I feel constantly bloaated in upper stomach/middle of abdomen. Feels likesomething stuck there all the time. I've also had toilet probs. Was suffering with really yucky looking/smelly toilets that looked fatty. But started to b constipated( recently diagnosed with hypothyroidism) which I'm on levo for

Stomach has burning sensation and it feels it's rising Into chest. Also get these random needle type quick stab pain in same place left and right breast(inner areas)..which will leave a redness there for a bit. I' have gained a lot of weight. This stomach issue getting me down. I also get same type of pain in tops of arms(top inner part in one specific spot).. If I bend over or even brush hair etc it makes my stomach/chest worse and I feel puffedout!.. It's tender in stoamch if pressed as well.

Does anyone have any ideas what could be causing this?. I also get these hot and cold sweats/chills ..

And it is worse when my tummy/chest is playing me up... Sometimes even just standing up it feels as if something in stomach is pushing upwards into chest.. And it's horrible :( 

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jojojowilts43 profile image
jojojowilts43
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humanbean profile image
humanbean

For help with treating your stomach, perhaps these links will help :

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

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

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

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

Another good set of articles is by Chris Kresser - he explains why the problems arise in the first place :

1) chriskresser.com/what-every...

2) chriskresser.com/the-hidden...

3) chriskresser.com/more-evide...

4) chriskresser.com/how-your-a...

5) chriskresser.com/how-your-a...

6) chriskresser.com/get-rid-of...

Other things to consider - perhaps you have a helicobacter pylori infection, or parasites, or a hiatus hernia, or systemic candida or candidiasis. All of these would require help from doctors to identify and treat, if you could get anyone to take an interest. They are far too keen on diagnosing IBS and kicking you out of the surgery door though.

jojojowilts43 profile image
jojojowilts43 in reply tohumanbean

Hi and thank you for all the links. I will have a look through all of them. I wondered as well if I have a hiatus hernia. I been getting sudden shooting pain in my left groin area too and into my underneath area(vagina)..

I feel so miserable.. I literally just bent over slightly to give my son something who was sat on floor and soon as I stood upright again that familiar feeling in stomach /chest was there again. And I felt freezing cold with it. WTF IS IT?? ARGHH.. And I felt a bit light headed for a second ...:( 

Marz profile image
Marz in reply tojojojowilts43

If you are Hypo then you are possibly suffering with LOW stomach acid which cause all this discomfort ....

jojojowilts43 profile image
jojojowilts43 in reply toMarz

Hi, I have had this stomach issue for years now but only recently been told I have hypothyroidism.. I am on levo 100mcg. My tsh was at 16 but since being on the 100mcg Its now at 7 .. My doc basically said I'm almost within range.. But I don't feel any different since being on this tablet... 

Marz profile image
Marz in reply tojojojowilts43

There are receptors for the thyroid hormone T3 in the gut lining - only second to the brain - so good levels are needed.  Do you know your level ?

Click onto my name and read my Profile - so if you want to ask any questions then maybe I can help ....

Angel_of_the_North profile image
Angel_of_the_North in reply tojojojowilts43

Most people feel well with TSH around 1, so there's a long way to go yet.

jojojowilts43 profile image
jojojowilts43 in reply toAngel_of_the_North

Hi, how long will it take to reach ' 1' ? It hasn't taken me long to drop from tsh 16 to 7.. My doc said levels should be between 0.3- 6 and is saying I'm almost there. Hmmm.. But I'm hearing a lot that it being at 1 is what's best.. So my doc will probably think I'm 'fine once my level gets to 6 or so.. 

Marz profile image
Marz in reply tojojojowilts43

...at that point you will have to take charge !!

Angel_of_the_North profile image
Angel_of_the_North in reply toMarz

Precisely. The range is set by looking at people who are only diagnosed as healthy or not by the same range ... but even so it's a skewed distribution - meaning that most people are further towards the left (low) end and only a few at the right (high end). So a very few people might be well at 5 or so, but most won't be. But most will be well at around 1.

shaws profile image
shawsAdministrator in reply tojojojowilts43

You don't feel much different as your TSH should be around 1 or lower. Not 7 which is above the range.

shaws profile image
shawsAdministrator

Yes, stomach issues can be due to hypothyroidism. Most doctors aren't aware of low stomach acid which is the most probably cause if hypothyroid and they give us antacids which may make us feel worse.

Due to everything slowing down with hypo, i.e. pulse, temp etc, so digestion can be slow also and without sufficient acid in stomach, protein isn't dissolved and there can be a build up. I shall give you some links. I myself take Betaine/Pepsin tablets or Apple Cider Vinegar (the best has Mother in it - a technical term) mixed with water or juice.

sott.net/article/222698-Goo...

stopthethyroidmadness.com/s...

hypothyroidmom.com/strangel...

hypothyroidmom.com/strangel...

Always mix ACV with water as it's not good to take it straight.

Pastille profile image
Pastille

Hi , jojojowilts43  I have had all the symptoms which you mention. It took me a long time to work out that it was low stomach acid that was causing it all. I just put up with feeling so uncomfortable and miserable thinking it was just part and parcel of being hypo and gaining weight. I had a constant blocked tight feeling in my chest too which went down to the top of my stomach, awful. Anyway it is low stomach acid or GERD and apple cider vinegar does help a lot as shaws   suggested. A good raw organic one with 'the mother'. I have also changed my diet and cut out gluten and am now trying low carb high fat diet to see how that goes, and I drink a lot of filtered water. Since gradually increasing levo and helping my gut it is improving. Keep looking for the answers and they will come, I know what you mean though it isn't pleasant

jojojowilts43 profile image
jojojowilts43 in reply toPastille

Hi thanks for reply. Yep that's how I am feeling with the tight and stuck feeling. It drives me crazy at times. Where can I get the apple cider vinegar from ? Sorry just never used it before...

Pastille profile image
Pastille in reply tojojojowilts43

There are some good ones on Amazon. I made the mistake of just buying them from Tesco and Holland and Barrett but you need a good raw organic one with the mother ( which is the name for the gunky bits at the bottom where all the goodness is ) . A lot of people take it with honey and water. But do cut out gluten as well if you haven't already, it really is worth it and drink plenty of water. Hope you feel better soon. Apple cider vinegar speeds up your metabolism so it's good for helping with weight loss too.

jojojowilts43 profile image
jojojowilts43 in reply toPastille

Thanks. I can't get from Amazon as I don't have a credit card or anything to order online so will have to try buying it from a supermarket for now .. Does it help then?. Sounds good to me. And if it helps then I'm all for it... I know a lot of it is down to what I eat. If I eat crap I feel crap.. But if I eat good I feel better tummy wise.. Thanks very much for your msgs 

X

Pastille profile image
Pastille in reply tojojojowilts43

No problem, you could do with the raw one though, there may be a health shop near you? Also can I just say that if you have these gut problems the chances are that your nutrient levels are low as you can't absorb them properly, you will also struggle to absorb the thyroid medication. You have to treat your gut, supplement what you need such as B12, Vitamin D, Ferritin and folate and get the most from your thyroid medication to feel better. It takes a while to sort it all out but step by step you will get there. Better than feeling crap all the time and no energy     

jojojowilts43 profile image
jojojowilts43 in reply toPastille

My doc gave me ppi's ( omperazole)  reduces excess acid.. But I'm reading that this what I have is through lack of acid as opposed to too much so now I'm confused as doctor told me I need to take them if my stomach is playing me up.... Do I take them or not is the question lol

Pastille profile image
Pastille in reply tojojojowilts43

I'd re post and ask about that if I was you as a lot of people on here know a lot about ppi's. Apparently a good way to test is to use the vinegar though, if it helps it's low acid and if it makes it worse it's too much acid. Being hypo though it is more than likely low acid and the doctors do get the two mixed up at times unfortunately. Acid reflux can be caused by either

jojojowilts43 profile image
jojojowilts43 in reply toPastille

Also and dunno if it's anything to do with it but I had a total hysterectomy 4 yrs ago(aged 39) and it's gradulaly happened about a year after that..I've gained about 4.5/5 stone in weight I reckon since that.. My sigmoid colon was stuck to uterus (endometriosis) and I wonder if my bowel has been affected in somee way?..I'm basically in early menopause but take Hrt for that.. And now I'm hypothyroidism as well .the weight gain has really gone up the last cpl yrs ID say.. But past bloods were always okay. Had scan done ages ago and told I had a fatty liver but maybe that's due to my thyroid as well? Arghh stress ha...

Pastille profile image
Pastille in reply tojojojowilts43

I know hypothyroidism can affect the liver but sorry I don't know about the rest. If you re post some one might know more about the connection if there is one 

Pastille profile image
Pastille in reply tojojojowilts43

Remember you really need to get your TSH levels down too. 7 is too high, you need an increase of levothyroxine    

jojojowilts43 profile image
jojojowilts43 in reply toPastille

Yes I'm now upped to 125mcg. Blood will b re tested in 8 weeks time. 

Pastille profile image
Pastille in reply tojojojowilts43

Ah hope it takes it down then and you feel better soon. It's hard to take all the info in and start sorting it all out  when you're exhausted, I know. I've just got mine to 125mcg 3 weeks ago and starting to feel a bit better I think. Only with the help of people on here though, I'd just be dying a slow fat death otherwise. Good luck

denvajade profile image
denvajade

Hi there I have been really ill for nearly 4 years with all the symptoms you describe, I have spent thousands of dollars and had so many tests and no one could work it out, I looked nine months pregnant with twins. Finally when moving country I saw once again another specialist and within 24 hours he diagnosed me with a condition called dysobiosis it is where food does not get digested properly and finally ferments causing weight gain, and then you get infection in your gut and small intestine. I have been put on an antibiotic that only goes to your gut it is hospital supplied then 2 weeks hospital supplied probiotic. I am half way thru the antibiotics so hoping it works. (Feeling a lot better already) If you have this you are affected by carbohydrates in particular so that included fruit and some Vegas. I would suggest you speak to your gp. Hope this helps

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