As I have Reflux I sometimes take Gaviscon at night. I then take my Levothyroxine at 3/4 am when I wake for the first time.
I know the Gaviscon causes a "raft" over the stomach so acid cannot move up but what I wanted to know is if the T4 would still absorb?
Thanks in advance!
Reflux can occur from reduced motility in hypothyroidism and antacids can reduce levothyroxine absorption. This might lead to variable absorption. Is there any reason why you can't take your levothyroxine in the evening, a few hours after your last meal? If you took it around 21:00 you will have absorbed most of it by 23:00 and so could then take Gaviscon if you needed to. This will give you more stable hormone levels and you could then see if you are undermedicated. Possibly a small increase in levothyroxine might eliminate the reflux, but you need to have stable absorption before altering your dose.
If hypothyroid it is usually more common for us to have low acid, due to low metabolism. Clinical symptoms are practically identical so doctors give us antacids instead of encouraging acid in the stomach which is necessary to digest food.
One of the effects of hypothyroidism is low stomach acid. Because of the way this affects the stomach it increases the chance that the acid you do have will rise into the oesophagus, and cause acid reflux.
Also, separately from hypothyroidism, stomach acid production reduces the older people get. And yet people take more and more acid-suppressing medicines the older they get. The obvious conclusion is that it is low stomach acid that produces acid reflux, not too much stomach acid.
Some links for you to read - they are all quite short :
scdlifestyle.com/2012/06/hy...
scdlifestyle.com/2012/03/3-...
scdlifestyle.com/2012/03/ho...
scdlifestyle.com/2013/10/4-...
Thanks for the reply.
I've done the Betaine HCL test and it showed I had high levels of stomach acid.
Do you get the same result i.e. apparently high levels of acid when you try the bicarbonate of soda test?
You might have problems with betaine HCL if you have gastritis or a hiatus hernia. It doesn't necessarily mean that your stomach acid is high.
I've only done it once but I'll try it again and also the bicarbonate of soda test.
Hi I just was told by my dr. I had silent acid reflux. It caused stomach ulcers and Barrett's esophagus. I am also hypothyroid. Had a lousy stomach since I'm 14 years old. Was surprised I had reflux disease cause I never get heartburn only bad stomach pain very confusing.
I think anyone who has stomach ulcers may need to keep acid levels down with PPIs and other treatments for lowering and neutralising acid while the ulcers heal. You should also get yourself checked for Helicobacter Pylori. But it shouldn't have been necessary to stay on them for ever. And once the oesophagus is damaged I'm not sure what options are available, if any.
People with a history of ulcers or who have gastritis may never be able to cope with Betaine HCL. There are other options people can try, such as diluted apple cider vinegar (search for mentions on the forum), or Swedish Bitters, but I don't know how well people cope with those.
Anyone who takes NSAIDs like ibuprofen, aspirin or naproxen has to keep stomach acid levels low too, so should avoid Betaine HCL.
Sadly, it's a case of trial and error, being very careful, and abandoning any experiments which make things worse.
Have you tried raising the head of your bed by putting blocks under the legs?
Yes, I have. Unfortunately I've tried everything. Reflux pillow, alkaline water, no acid diet.
Jeez. Only six days on 50 mg levothyroxine and had to stop cos of acid tummy....I called my doc....
Thyroxine is crippling my stomach, been taking Gaviscon but shouldn't?
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