Is there a link between low gut immunity and thyroid issues?

[healthiskey]

Does thyroid issues cause low gut immunity or is it the other way around?

[Marz]

Good question - wish I knew the answer. I have Crohns and Hashimotos.

[Samy3]

I'm looking for the answers but from the past two years since I got graves disease I do read everyday on different forums that with thyroid problem patients got some sort of stomach problem I never had any gut issue but when I got thyroid issue I been diagnosed with stomach gastritis too

[Ari3]

I think mostly every hashi or hypo have some degree of stomach issues weather it is gastritis low stomach acid (most likely) slow metabolism which slows down muscle contractions to pass the “bad stuff” out leaky gut syndrome IBS etc

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Recent research suggests all autoimmune disease may start with leaky gut.

amymyersmd.com/2017/10/leak...

jillcarnahan.com/2014/07/07...

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

[Hashi-Monster]

I was diagnosed coeliac as a toddler and was fine as long as I stuck to my gluten free diet.

It wasn’t until my thyroid went on the blink that I developed chronic gastritis and leaky gut.

[Hidden]

How can you tell if you have "Leaky gut"? I was diagnosed with acid reflux several years ago, and seem not to need so many antacids since started laevothyroxine. Since being warned by someone on here that hypothyroidism tends to lower stomach acid I have managed to keep off Omeprazole and only take a few Gaviscon tablets (2-4) per day (nowhere near time of taking thyroxine!)

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Hidden]

You need to know if cause of being hypothyroid is due to autoimmune thyroid disease also called Hashimoto's

Has GP tested TPO and TG thyroid antibodies? If results are high then this confirms cause is autoimmune. In UK by far the majority of primary hypothyroidism is due to autoimmune thyroid disease

Low vitamins are more likely, due to low stomach acid. Leaky gut and then gluten intolerance

Hence it's very important to know, but because there's no specific medical treatment for the autoimmune aspect, many patients are never test or even if tested, not told cause is due to Hashimoto's

Yet there is much we can do to improve our health. Asking GP to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12. Making sure results are optimal, not just somewhere in range. And high percentage with Hashimoto's find strictly gluten free diet helps or is essential.

Low stomach acid can be often be an issue

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

drmyhill.co.uk/wiki/hypochl...

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

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

pulsetoday.co.uk/clinical/m...

For full Thyroid evaluation we need TSH, FT4, TT4, FT3 plus TPO and TG thyroid antibodies.

Plus very important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

Private tests are available. Thousands on here forced to do this as NHS often refuses to test FT3 or antibodies

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.

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

About 90% of all hypothyroidism in Uk is due to Hashimoto's. Low vitamins are especially common with Hashimoto's. Food intolerances too, especially gluten. So it's important to get both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested at least once.

Link about antibodies and Hashimoto's

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

List of hypothyroid symptoms

thyroiduk.org/tuk/about_the...

NHS guidelines saying standard starter dose is 50mcgs unless over 50, heart issues or very frail

beta.nhs.uk/medicines/levot...

Blood will be retested 6-8 weeks after each dose increase. Dose increased in 25mcg steps maximum at any one time.

[Hidden]

Thanks, a lot of reading material there!

I do have thyroid antibodies, though only TPO was tested last time, plus FT4 (within range but nearer the low end). TSH slightly high, but still less than 6 in the two tests I've had so far. I'm on folic acid and ferrous fumarate already. The rest seem fine, except they didn't test for vitamin D. Test again in 8 weeks. Only on 25 mcg thyroxine so far as I'm over 50.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Hidden]

Ask GP to test vitamin D

hypothyroidmom.com/92-of-ha...

What's your actual results and ranges for B12, folate and ferritin?

[Marz in reply to Hidden]

25mcg is a very low starting dose. Usually 50mcg. Could make you feel worse before you feel better - it happened to me 😊

[Hidden in reply to Marz]

because I'm older apparently. Maybe the effects of too much can have a greater effect than in younger folk, so the official start dose is 25 for us old fogeys. Also I'm still "Subclinical" in theory

[Beachytoes2u]

I've had horrible problems w stomach & timing w vitamins-supplements. This I learned ONLY from this site, thankfully knowledgeable people take their own time (for free) to help. This, is human kindness😊. My belly issues come/go has since I was a kid, sure it's food=vitamin, how, when, timing, of it all. Read, read, read here. You'll learn more, than a dr., can tell you, or a pill can cover up, you aren't alone

[healthiskey in reply to Beachytoes2u]

If it is hypothyroidism then the medication will help me i'm sure of that. Obviously i'd change my diet too as well though.

[Beachytoes2u]

Yes, to if? Is in my opinion what we all face, then how to feel better, cuz it's terrible feeling so bad for so long, with so many issues, why go to any event or party? If you eat anything you'll feel bad for days, hopefully you brought your own drink, and Lord help ya if you get drunk!!! Research, read ALL you can about hypo hyper, it's the blood testing, speaks to you and common sense. This site will save you with information, how to, and other sites for info, plus people who understand how you feel. I've learned more here in a few months, than years on drs., advice, no lie. Drink a lot of water, peace.

[userotc]

I believe it's the gut causing health conditions including thyroid since I've read that around 80% of issues stem from that. Hence sorting out the gut could resolve such conditions.