Underactive thyroid, levothyroxine and wind, stomach problems

[paulnelson197]

Hi, I'm guessing this is a post that is seen repeatedly on here but i've been taking Levothyroxine now for well over a year and experience constant problems with wind. I'm literally belching all day, my stomach feels bloated and the associated problems with going to the toilet.

I'm taking lanzoprazole for acid reflux and I've also had all the test for digestive issues, cameras both down and up, breath test, speed of digestion test and everything is clear. I'm currently trying a low fodmap diet but nothing seems to work or help my symptoms.

Now looking through various research (and there's loads to go at) I'm come to the conclusion that its something to do with the levothyroxine or maybe low stomach acid. I really would like to get this sorted as its been a pain for a couple of years now. I would appreciate any help from anyone who has had similar issues.

[jimh111]

It sounds like you are undermedicated. What dose are you on and do you have some blood tests results?

[paulnelson197 in reply to jimh111]

Thanks for replying, I'm on 100mg I've not got blood test results but will have them later this week.

[elwins]

Post your blood test results on this site when you have them, for members to comment on, make sure you get a printed copy from your doctors if you live in the uk you are legally allowed a copy. Then keep it for your records.

[Peanut31]

Hi

Have you been tested for an autoimmune disease (Hashimoto’s)?

This can affect the gut, I had awful wind, bloating stomach pains.

I’ve gone gluten free and this helped me so much.

Best wishes

Peanut31

[paulnelson197 in reply to Peanut31]

I've been tested for glutton intolerance, pylori bacteria, I think they've run out of tests to do 😕. I am type 1 diabetic as well and have been for 20 years. Can't remember a hashimotos test to be fair just feels like it's been labelled a gut problem when it's something else.

[Peanut31 in reply to paulnelson197]

Here is a link from Medi Checks for autoimmune disease (Hashimoto’s) testing.

medichecks.com/thyroid-func...

I presume you tested negative for gluten intolerance?

I did too, but, another food sensitivity test showed I couldn’t tolerate gluten amongst other things.

Maybe try cutting out gluten for a while and see if it helps the bloating.

As mentioned before Hashimoto’s causes leaky gut.

hypothyroidmom.com/leaky-gu...

If your GP will not test for antibodies then privately test for this.

Best Wishes

Peanut31

[paulnelson197 in reply to Peanut31]

Thanks I now have a plan of attack 😊

[Bystander]

Hi. I had lots of bloating and acid reflux.

Things that set it off are white bread, red wine, chocolate and rich food or takeaways. Try to cook from scratch so no additives. I take bisodol tablets that can be bought in most supermarkets and chemists which act quickly and taste a lot better than most rennies etc

[paulnelson197 in reply to Bystander]

Hi, thanks for the reply, did you have problems with wind, I'm constantly belching it seems all day. The amount of wind and bloating is a constant which leads to stomach problems and going to the toilet is a test.

I've got a few things to go at, the first being low stomach acid which gives the symptoms of acid reflux.

Then the levothyroxine is the next step.

[Bystander]

Yes I was burping a lot too and racing to the toilet. I just control what I eat now and as many people have said, gluten free helps. I don't think you can do anything about the low stomach acid but you can take charge of what you put in it lol!

Also, they put me straight on 100mg of levothyroxine instead of building me up.

Other symptoms that suddenly appeared were:-

Hard to get my breath after running full pelt (I play sport) I was breathing heavily but it was if the oxygen wasn't getting to where it was supposed to leaving me light headed and clammy.

Another thing is now wanting to clear my throat all the time and apparently I also "snore like a warthog" lol according to my husband!

Had ECG and chest X-ray but everything was normal.

I asked if there was an alternative to levothyroxine and was told no.

I probably shouldn't have but cut down to 50mg and symptoms have lessened.

Hope this was helpful.

[paulnelson197]

I've been doing the low stomach acid test for 3 days now and have belched around 4 minutes which indicates positive. Not sure how accurate this can be, this morning I drank the same amount of water without the baking soda and belched within a minute.

I've also separated taking the levothyroxine and pantaprozale by an an hour in the morning which has had no effect so far.

I wondered if anyone else had done the low stomach acid test and how they'd gone with it.

[paulnelson197]

Those were my thoughts, I shall see the doctor on tuesday about it. Initially, probably about 3 years ago now, I went to the doctors with an occasional burning throat and spitting blood first thing in the morning. Various tests later and it was a diagnosis of acid reflux disease. The hyperthyroidism followed soon after.

I'm getting the full thyroid and vitamin profile done this week but to my thinking it's low stomach acid.