Bloating major issue.: I have an underactive... - Thyroid UK

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Bloating major issue.

katehugh profile image
9 Replies

I have an underactive thyroid so does both my daughters.My 18 year old sufferes from severe bloating rarely gets periods low body temperature aches trouble sleeping.She is on T4 but not sure if thats enough.NHS hasnt been much help and having done all dietary tests its not food relatrd plus her breasts have grown alot recently.anyone got any advice on where i go now to get her help? thinking trying T3 might help shes 6ft and slim but bloating is a problem shes an athelete so eats very pure diet and is very fit

She drinks peppermint tea has tried everything to get rid of it.

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katehugh
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SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

Presumably you both have Hashimotos also called autoimmune thyroid disease diagnosed by high thyroid antibodies

Post results and ranges of TSH, FT4 and FT3 plus vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

Majority of Hashimoto’s patients need to be strictly gluten free

Ideally ask GP to test for coeliac test first

5% are coeliac, 80% find strictly gluten free diet improves symptoms and lowers antibodies

Low vitamin levels are extremely common

TSH needs to be low in range (most need it under 1)

katehugh profile image
katehugh in reply toSlowDragon

Hi yes both underactive.Shes been tested for coeliac,gluten, she did the fobmap diet doesn't eat yeast or refined sugar and takes a pre/prebiotic every day. Shes been tested for so many things all negative.They said IBS but felt they were just saying that to get rid of us as once she sorted her diet her stools etc were normal. We did blood test for food intolerances and had her Stool analyised and then followed instructions to balance her gut.

Shes on 125 of levo thyroxine same dose as me sadly its really affecting her body image which isn't ideal. She said today she said when shes bloated she tries to suck it in and gets a sharp pain below her ribs.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply tokatehugh

Majority of Hashimoto's patients are not coeliac, but are gluten intolerant.

She is extremely under medicated to have TSH so high. Most patients need it between 0.2 and 2.0 (max) Many need it under one

What dose is she currently taking?

Official NHS guidelines saying TSH should be between 0.2 and 2.0 when on Levothyroxine

See box

Thyroxine replacement in primary hypothyroidism

pathology.leedsth.nhs.uk/pa...

Print out and take to GP and ask for 25mcg dose increase. Retesting after 6-8 weeks. Dose may need further increases

All thyroid tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and fasting and don't take Levo in the 24 hours prior to test. This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, GP will be unaware)

Essential to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12.

Always get actual results and ranges.

Post results when you have them, members can advise

Hashimoto's affects the gut and leads to low stomach acid and then low vitamin levels

Low vitamin levels affect Thyroid hormone working

Poor gut function can lead leaky gut (literally holes in gut wall) this can cause food intolerances. Most common by far is gluten

According to Izabella Wentz the Thyroid Pharmacist approx 5% with Hashimoto's are coeliac, but over 80% find gluten free diet helps significantly. Either due to direct gluten intolerance (no test available) or due to leaky gut and gluten causing molecular mimicry (see Amy Myers link)

But don't be surprised that GP or endo never mention gut, gluten or low vitamins. Hashimoto's is very poorly understood

Changing to a strictly gluten free diet may help reduce symptoms, help gut heal and slowly lower TPO antibodies

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

amymyersmd.com/2017/02/3-im...

chriskresser.com/the-gluten...

scdlifestyle.com/2014/08/th...

drknews.com/changing-your-d...

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

Has your daughter seen her GP about the bloating. If it has been consistent for (I think) 3 weeks or more then the GP will do a CA125 blood test.

Does she have her most recent blood tests results to share? Have you all been tested for Thyroid Antibodies and the following nutrients levels : Vitamin D, Calcium, B12, Folate and Ferritin?

If not ask for these blood tests asap.

GP might do other tests - maybe a Full Blood Count.

katehugh profile image
katehugh

yes done a full blood count TSH level 4.9

T4 21.50pmol/L

didnt see results for the last things you mntioned on it Vit D Ferritin etc but will go back and check.Said her hormone levels were normal.

Mary-intussuception profile image
Mary-intussuception in reply tokatehugh

Her TSH is far too high. Shows she is undermedicated.

Has she lost weight? She should see a different GP and have the CA125 blood test. Read NHS choices. 3 weeks of bloating most days requires this test and possibly other investigation.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply tokatehugh

Her FT4 is high - but so is TSH

This suggests she has conversion problem. Possibly due to low vitamin levels

Essential to test FT3 at same time as FT4 and TSH

NHS unlikely to agree to this

Majority have to test privately

Essential to test thyroid antibodies plus vitamins

Private tests are available

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

Medichecks Thyroid plus ultra vitamin or Blue Horizon Thyroid plus eleven are the most popular choice. DIY finger prick test or option to pay extra for private blood draw. Both companies often have money off offers.

katehugh profile image
katehugh in reply toSlowDragon

thank you i have sent off for tests she home in a few weeks so will do them then.thank you for all your help.

lolajone profile image
lolajone

Lactose as a filler in tablets caused me to bloat I looked 7 months pregnant

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