Six week cycle feel dredful

[barb62]

Hi there, it seems to be that I relapse every six weeks at the moment. Started on 50 Levo in march this yeari now on 75. Is this normal?

[greygoose]

Not quite sure what you're saying, there. If you started on 50 in March, why are you only on 75 mcg now? You should be tested six weeks after an increase, and your dose increased by 25 mcg. You should be on 100 mcg by now.

Are you saying that after starting levo you felt well, then you felt the symptoms coming back, then got increased to 75 mcg and felt well, and now the symptoms are coming back again? If so, it's normal, and just means you need another increase.

[barb62 in reply to greygoose]

Thanks Greygoose. Yes I have dipped each time but this time it is much worse. Also the Doctor prescribed PPI's, I questioned it but he insisted it was ok. I need something because of another problem so I have been taking them 4 hours away from Levo. Do you think I am worse this time because PPI's are reported to inhibited the absorption of Levo?

Blood test on Thursday, but I have to insist!!!!

[greygoose in reply to barb62]

I think the PPI's probably have a lot to do with it, yes. Even taking them four hours away from levo, the purpose of a PPI is to reduce stomach acid, which will reduce absorption. These damned doctors know nothing about the horrible drugs they prescribe!

If he is prescribing them for high stomach acid, then he is way off the mark. Hypos are far more likely to have low stomach acid, but the symptoms are the same. So, taking PPIs will just make the problem worse, and you will be very low in nutrients - nutrients that are needed for you to be able to use the hormone you're taking. So, have you had your vit D, vit B12, folate and ferritin tested?

[Hellonwheels in reply to greygoose]

Do you think HCL/Betaine might help Barb with this? I take it for low stomach acid, and my "need for PPIs" went away... I don't want to suggest something to her that might be totally wrong for her, but it's helped me tremendously.

[Judithdalston in reply to Hellonwheels]

I just ordered Betaine having down the simple low stomach acid test, hoping to get better absorption on ferritin/folate pills that I can't take under the tongue! I was put on PPIs for years by Gp, I'm not even sure why as I never complained at the time about any tum problems - think it was to counteract some other tablet I was prescribed...but some time later got bile stone/ gall bladder problems...

[greygoose in reply to Hellonwheels]

Yes, it could very well help. Less side-effects than PPIs, anyway!

[barb62 in reply to greygoose]

I take them for Hiatus Hernia. My vit levels seem quite good although I have another blood test on Thursday with folate and ferritin. I was on ranitidine before the Doc switched them.

[greygoose in reply to barb62]

Well, I'm not a doctor, but my view is that PPIs are not going to cure your Hiatus Hernia. They are just supposed to lower the acid so that it doesn't go up into the oesophagus. But, if you have low acid, the same thing happens as with high acid: the food/acid rises and burns the oesophagus. However, if you have the right amount of acid, the food will not stay in the stomach as long, and therefore will not ferment causing the volcano effect that sends the acid up into the oesophagus. Just the way I see things.

PPIs are not meant to be used long-term. They cause all sorts of nasty problems. So, I don't see how they can be a solution for the treatment of your Hiatus Hernia.

[FancyPants54 in reply to barb62]

PPI's deplete Vitamin B12 and stop you absorbing more. I would not take them if I were you. I was put on them years ago for the same reason as you. After a while I decided I didn't want them long-term so I stopped them, did the stomach acid test, discovered it was low and started taking digestive enzymes and apple cider vinegar or Betaine depending where I was. I also cut out refined sugar products, and for a time white bread. Bingo. Never looked back. I don't even need the enzymes and Betaine all the time now. Just occasionally and I'm fine with refined sugars if I want them.

PPI's are a Band Aid for a medical problem festering beneath.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

As others have said most hypothyroid patients have LOW stomach acid

Hold off starting ppi until at least after your thyroid blood test

All thyroid tests should be done as early as possible in morning and fasting and don't take Levo 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)

Do you know if you have Hashimoto's also called autoimmune thyroid disease diagnosed by high thyroid antibodies?

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

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

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

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

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

gov.uk/drug-safety-update/p...

[barb62 in reply to SlowDragon]

yes I have hashimotos. I have taken ppi's for a month and have stopped today. Now taking some older pills I have 'ranitidine' I cannot not take them as I will have incredible pain after two days.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to barb62]

Suggest you do the low stomach acid test outlined on sdc lifestyle link above

Yes you can't just stop taking PPI - must be weened off slowly and other things put in place

But first getting Thyroid dose increased and becoming less hypo is essential

Likely gluten free diet may help too. Many with gut issues find strictly gluten free diet helps

[barb62 in reply to SlowDragon]

yes I am gluten free and soya, I also drink bone broth to heal the gut

[FancyPants54 in reply to SlowDragon]

I just stopped taking my PPI's after a year or so on them. At the same time I cut out refined sugars and white bread and took digestive enzymes and Betaine or Apple Cider Vinegar with each meal and I was fine. Perhaps avoid the vinegar if your oesophagus is already damaged.

[barb62 in reply to FancyPants54]

Thank you for all your advice, I have sent a big long email to my Doctor and hopefully he will read it carefully and request that I have the hernia repaired so I can eliminate at least one set of pills!!! here's hoping anyway

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to barb62]

Hiatus hernia is likely a result of being hypothyroid

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/resear...

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/166...

"The results show that one of the early signs of HT is HH and gastroesophageal reflux disease"

HT = hypothyroid

HH = hiatus hernia

naturalendocrinesolutions.c...