Taking Omeprazole with Levothyroxin

[Sunnydevon]

If I need to take Omeprazole when is best time to take Levothyroxine? I’ve tried to avoid taking Omeprazole but have lax oesophageal sphincter which I think is letting acid through.

[Marz]

Sorry I do not know the answer to your qustion - wondered if you have seen recent post by Heloise - and digestion ?

[Sunnydevon in reply to Marz]

Thank you for your response Marz. I will have a look.

[Marz in reply to Sunnydevon]

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu....

Now on PC so can do links

[Heloise]

Hi Sunny, try reading up on low stomach acid as it such a pervasive problem. For some relief have you tried DGL licorice. It is soothing. You don't want to take PPIs for long. I've read that thyroid hormones are 20% digested in the stomach so I don't know the half life of your PPI but it may be there is no good time because you just aren't producing enough acid to break down the thyroxine. But your liver and kidneys may make up the difference. You also aren't getting the best from your food without acid and they tend to ferment which isn't good. I posted an article about bitters earlier so maybe that can help you.

[Sunnydevon in reply to Heloise]

Hi Heloise, thank you for your reply. I will look into the low stomach acid and the DGL liquorice. Have you had issues with reflux? I’m going to see a gastroenterologist next Wednesday. I’ve seen an general surgeon to talk about getting valve fixed but I’m a bit nervous about having an op. Just swallowing saliva in bed at night at the moment causes pain. That is a recent thing though so hopefully it eases soon. Warm wishes- Sunny

[Heloise in reply to Sunnydevon]

I was ignorant twenty years ago and in bad shape with a very high TSH before diagnosis. Then I got the little pamphlet about hypothyroidism and the first ramification of low thyroid is smooth muscle problems. This is what covers your organs and everything in your digestive tract from throat to anus. My bowels seized up and horrendous pains down my spine. I had problems swallowing at times. I didn't personally have a problem with any other digestion really but plenty of the smooth muscle issues. But these can all recover once you get your thyroid issues straightened out. I know about this surgery if you mean to tighten the sphinctor and really think you should wait until you are stable. Even pepto bismol can be helpful but try to get off the ppi whenever you can as long as you aren't suffering too much.

You need to get your TSH down to 1.0 and FT3 high in the range. You have a lot of postings so I can't catch up but if you stop gluten which has probably been mentioned plus all the other good advice I'm sure you have received. I know you can feel better (without surgery).

youtube.com/watch?v=SDphVgA...(Not working as expected?)

[Sunnydevon in reply to Heloise]

Thank you Heloise. I had Graves’ disease and was treated with RAI which then caused me to go hypothyroid. I’m not sure if I would have same issues as someone who has always been hypothyroid. It’s all very confusing. Sunny

[Heloise in reply to Sunnydevon]

You know, I need to find out about your circumstances and also for those of us who don't have much function left even though the gland is there. Do you know what your test results are for TSH, FT3 and FT4? You definitely seem to have symptoms of low thyroid and need to address them.

[Sunnydevon in reply to Heloise]

TSH 0.015 0.27-4.20

Free T3 4.13 3.10-6.80

Free Thyroxine 24.5. 12-22

[Heloise in reply to Sunnydevon]

You probably noticed that your FT4 is over range. That's wouldn't be terrible if your FT3 was at least over 5.0 but it isn't. What are you taking for your treatment?

[Sunnydevon in reply to Heloise]

125mcg Levothyroxin. I was on 175mcg for years until the beginning of the year. I have lost weight since the beginning of the year and been quite anxious. Kind regards Sunny.