Abdominal pain

[Rufty10]

Lower abdominal pain for months now. Was like a cheese wire across the bottom, now widened to a rope. Doc kept saying I had to wait to see a gyno for a cyst even though I insisted the pain wasn't where the cyst is. Guess what - highly unlikely it's a cyst. Waiting for the consultant to write his letter now, but what do I do now? What specialism should I be seeing? It's getting worse every day. Seeing an endo end of next week but is he the one to get me sorted?? Thanks

[annnsandell]

I have had this intense pain like wind but in lower stomach, trouble passing urine but not an infection as tested for this, so far put it down to a lack of bulk because I had cut out carbohydrates. Happened twice. Could it possibly be anything to do with thyroid?

[PiggySue]

Have you had any cortisol 9am blood tests? Low cortisol can give you bad tummy pain and should be checked with a 9am blood test (and depending on the result referred on for further testing).

IBS is also common with hypothyroidism and Hashi's. I believe that there is some symptomatic relief and diet changes can help with this.

Or do you take iron? I mention iron, because apparently long term iron tablets can have an affect on the stomach.

I hope you get the help you need soon.

[Rufty10 in reply to PiggySue]

Just on levo and B12 tablets. Had it for 8 months now but over the last month it's worse each day. GP says I don't have hashi even though I have antibodies. Been tested for TT IgA for coeliac & that was negative.

[PiggySue in reply to Rufty10]

What is your antibody count? Do you have the results of the blood test?

You may benefit from cutting gluten even if you don't have coeliac disease....

[Rufty10 in reply to PiggySue]

Cant seem to paste them all, so a select few:

Anti TPO antibodies 46.2. TTG 0.3. IgA 1.8. Viscosity high at 1.99, CRP 10

[SlowDragon Administrator]

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

In these earlier posts your B12 and folate were dire

Did you get tested for Pernicious Anaemia before starting B12 injections and folic acid supplements?

Your TSH to high and FT4 too low

You needed a dose increase in Levothyroxine

What supplements are you now being prescribed or self supplementing?

Your GP is clueless

Have you had any newer results?

If not suggest you get full private testing

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4, FT3 plus TPO and TG thyroid antibodies and also 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 or vitamins

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. When on Levothyroxine, take last dose 24 hours prior to test, and take next dose straight after test. This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, GP will be unaware)

[Vjdhkf in reply to SlowDragon]

Am I able to forward you my test results, I don’t understand them at all.

[Rufty10]

Thanks SlowDragon & well remembered. They gave me B12 tablets and refused me folate (2.7) and B12 injections even though I argued that I am clearly not absorbing through diet so tablets wont help. Not been tested for anaemia or any other vitamins or minerals. They did retest B12 though......... Don't know if he was stitching me up or didn't realise it was pointless. Put on 50mcg levo & when I went back & asked for an increase I was also refused 'because it might make you feel better'. I played merry hell to another GP & got another 25 of levo (diff brand to the 2 I've had already) for 3 months only.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Rufty10]

So, like thousands on here you need to self supplement a good quality daily vitamin B complex, one with folate in not folic acid

If you are taking vitamin B complex, or any supplements containing biotin, remember to stop these 3-5 days before any blood tests, as biotin can falsely affect test results

endo.confex.com/endo/2016en...

endocrinenews.endocrine.org...

Many people find Levothyroxine brands are not interchangeable.

Once you find a brand that suits you, best to make sure to only get that one at each prescription. Watch out for brand change when dose is increased or at repeat prescription.

Many patients do NOT get on well with Teva brand of Levothyroxine.

Though it is the only one for lactose intolerant patients

After 3 months on increased dose you need For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4, FT3 plus TPO and TG thyroid antibodies and also 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. When on Levothyroxine, take last dose 24 hours prior to test, and take next dose straight after test. This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, GP will be unaware)

[nightingale-56]

I have pain like that sometimes Rufty10 , and seems to be when my back is playing up. I have two slipped vertebrae, L4 and L5, which can affect bladder and bowel. I have also wondered if it could be pelvic floor weakness. Diverticulosis has also been suggested to me, and a couple of years ago I was taken into hospital for this, but came out 10 days later still with a bit of pain after having intravenous antibiotics for that time.

[Rufty10 in reply to nightingale-56]

Thank JB. I saw my back consultant last week & it's not related to that (sacroiliac joint issues & coccydynia). He did stresss how important the B complex vitamins are though - & said it would help though not remove my back pain. He said I should be on injections.

[nightingale-56 in reply to Rufty10]

Hope he tells your GP to prescribe injections for you then.