Thanks for looking at my post. Just had a coclonoscopy and endoscopy and gastroenterologist prescribed PPIs. But my dilemma is that I'm certain I have LOW stomach acid!
I have hashi's since 2015. I'm gluten and dairy free. 75 mg of levothyroxin. I'm 49 years old.
My symptoms are occasional fatigue where i literally lie for two whole days on the settee. My pulse feels really thumpy sometimes. I get anxiety which is worse when i am driving and i feel like i'm on the edge of a panic attack. There is no reason for my anxiety. I have no stress in my life. My T4 is in upper quarter but my T3 is in the lower quarter. I've got my vit D up to 53 (30-100) by supplementing 8000IU a day. Iron saturation in June was 18% and ferritin was 33 (10-232) ( up from 16 Nov 2017). Have been taking iron Bigycinate and three months ago started Dessicated Liver.
14 years ago i developed a sensitivity to trace amounts of bacteria on food- i will get food poisoning reaction. It's foods like unwashed salad and stuff left under a heat lamp, that trigger a reaction.
Recently, coffee, decaf coffee, high fiber foods, yoghurt gives me bloating, pain, loose stools.
I have had psoratic arthritis for 30 years but don't take meds for it as it's not too bad.
if i don't eat marmite on a regular basis i get a sore tongue, so i think i have a B12 deficiency.
I thought the gastroenterologist would diagnose low stomach acid but she gave me a prescription for PPIs. I've never had heartburn, trouble swallowing, in fact, I crave jalapenos, curry and spicy food. I was also hoping she would help with why i have trouble absorbing nutrients from my food as I eat really healthily.
Any comments or suggestions welcome
Thanks
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Chickenlady2009
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Hello Chickenlady2009, I would think your doc might want to do more. i would complain if things are getting worse. my mother had her thyroid taken out years ago. she grown a goiter. she had hyperthyroid. i have Hypothyroid and i get up and down readings being on cheap pills. Yes to the prob swallowing . That can come from the thyroid problem or having to much acid in stomach can burn your esophagus and shrink it. i have that as well. i wish you the best
As symptoms of low acid are so similar to high and I don't believe doctors are aware that people with hypothyroidism are more likely to have 'low' stomach acid rather than 'high.
As symptoms of low and high are so similar they will opt to diagnose 'high' acid and prescribe PPIs. This is an excerpt from the following link:-
"CONCLUSION:
To our best knowledge, this is the first study in humans with hypothyroidism demonstrating the effect of PPIs on serum TSH levels. PPIs should be added to the list of medications affecting the level of thyroid hormone in patients with hypothyroidism treated with LT4 replacement. Patients with hypothyroidism and normal TSH values during LT4 replacement therapy may need additional thyroid function testing after treatment with PPIs and may need adjustment of their LT4 dose."
The fact is that most of us (on this forum as far as I know) with hypo take Betaine/pepsin tablets with a meal and some take Apple Cider Vinegar mixed with juice or water.
If we, patients, can look on the internet I do not know why the Professionals cannot do the same but provide medications which may have the opposite effect to what we, hypothyroid, need. Due to hypo, everything slows down as does our digestion.
Why did the gastro say she was prescribing PPIs? What did she diagnose from the results of colonoscopy and endoscopy? i wouldn't take anything unless I knew why I was taking it. You are entitled to see your results. I'd also ask for a SIBO breath test and test for bile acid diarrhea. I found that taking a "worming" herbal mixture really helped my digestion, so might be worth a try.
Chickenlady, I think you are right to question the PPIs, and if you think you have low stomach acid, it's likely you do. You seem to eat healthy and are aware of your symptoms.
Personally I would not take the PPIs. I'm assuming you had the procedures done because you feel you have some sort of gut issue, but doctors don't seem to look into much, they just want to give out pills.
Many good suggestions here.
I self-treated for H Pylori including Olive Leaf Extract. I take digestive enzymes as Shaws mentioned.
This lady has some good info to help narrow things down:
The Gastroenterologist came back with a diagnosis- No cancer, no celiacs, no colitus or crohns, no Hpylori, no inflammation, no absorption issues. Which was nice, 'n all. but i pretty much knew that anyway (apart from the inflammation). I asked her why i get food poisoning so much and could no longer eat high fiber foods and what my stomach PH value was. She said she couldn't tell me. I asked her why i have to take massive doses of vitamins because i have absorption issues. She couldn't tell me.
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