Stomach issues

[RunnerK8]

Hello,

I'm a 28 year old female and got diagnosed with Hypothyroidism 6 months ago and i'm after some advice.

One of the conditions prior to my diagnosis was that I get a windy but empty feeling in my stomach (yet i'm eating normally) and an achey lower back, this starts a few days after my period has ended and lasts 4-5 days then seems to disappear. These symptoms subsided after taking levothyroxine, however the conditions have now returned.

I did have a pelvic scan 5 months ago and nothing was found.

I am now close to my correct level, so don't really understand it, any help would be great as it's stopping me from running because of the stitch/stomach cramps which occur simultaneously with the conditions noted above.

Latest levels as of 11th March

T4: 25.7

TSH: 0.39

Serum C: <3

Thanks

[shaws Administrator]

If you have the ranges of your results (they are in brackets) it would be helpful. The reason being labs differ and so do their ranges.

If hypothyroid (which means low) everything slows down, heart/temp etc and we are apt to get low acid rather than high (symptoms very similar) and I will give you a link:

All blood tests for hypothyrid patients should be the very earliest possible, fasting (you can drink water) and allow a gap of 24 hours approx between last dose and test and take afterwards. This keeps TSH at its highest and may prevent doctor adjusting unnecessarily our hormones.

Also ask for B12, Vit D, iron, ferritin and folate as deficiences can also cause symptoms.

Always get a print-out with the ranges for your own records.

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

[RunnerK8 in reply to shaws]

Thanks for your reply. Yes, I do seem to get those symptoms, but I don't understand why it only happens once a month rather than all the time.

Ah sorry, I didn't know there were different ranges!

T4: 25.7 pmol/L (9.00-26.00)

TSH: 0.39 mu/L (0.27-4.20)

Serum C: <3 mg/L (<11.00mg/L)

Thanks.

[shaws Administrator in reply to RunnerK8]

Your results seem fine but it is how we (the patient) feels on a particular dose is the best judge.

If you've not had a B12, Vit D,iron, ferritin and folate maybe get these tested as deficiencies can also cause unpleasant symptoms.

[RunnerK8 in reply to shaws]

Thanks really appreciate your help. I will make sure I get them tested.

[greygoose]

What makes you think you're close to your 'correct' dose? Doesn't sound correct at all, to me, if you still have all those symptoms. Besides, you have no idea what your FT3 is. And, it's low T3 that causes symptoms, nothing to do with the T4 or TSH.

[RunnerK8 in reply to greygoose]

The doctor suggested my levels were okay. Yes, I'm not aware what my T3 level is.

Thanks for your response, it helps me ask specific things when I next see the doctor, as it's all still very new to me.

[greygoose in reply to RunnerK8]

Yes, well, doctors know very little about thyroid. Tell him that 'optimal' is when all your symptoms have gone, it's not a number on a page. It wouldn't surprise me at all if you were having problems converting T4 to T3.

[Kitti1]

Hi K8

May I ask if you are gluten free ? As the empty / windy tummy symptom sounds like a possible response to gluten. I was diagnosed hypo 30 years ago and ceoliac 20 years ago. So no doubt hashimotos. I'm very strict gluten free as I'm very sensitive ( separate toasters and spread from the other half and can't tolerate eggs either ) If / when I do accidentally get a little cross contamination I get a achy empty / starving feeling. As well as some of the other symptoms like stomach cramps, extra fatigue ect.

Apparently 90% of hypo patients are hashimotos so your best sticking to a gluten free diet.

Hope that helps.

[RunnerK8 in reply to Kitti1]

Thanks, it's worth a try, I will test this out as I will try anything to get it sorted!