L-Glutamine, friend or foe for undiscovered tumours? Indigestion feeling in throat, other supplements I could try?

[Highland49]

Since starting on thyroxine back in May this year, I've had increasing problems with an indigestion feeling in my throat. I've read about l-glutamine and gut healing, so definitely think I need something to help this but don't want to risk any tumours that I don't know about growing in size. My Dad died of stomach cancer.

Does anyone else have this indigestion feeling in their throat? It's not severe but reminds me that I'm probably not doing enough to heal my gut. I take digestive enzymes and probiotics when I remember but it's now more difficult to fit more supplements in as I take two doses of T3. The symptom seems to be worse again after starting T3.

I've taken apple cider vinegar with mother twice a day for months and find this easier to fit into my schedule. Hopefully it's helped digestion in general but hasn't helped this symptom. Has anyone had reduction in these symptoms with another supplement?

Thanks in advance for any advice and sharing of experiences.

[shaws Administrator]

Instead of Apple/Cider you could try taking Betaine/Pepsin tablets before your meals.

[Highland49 in reply to shaws]

Thanks shaws, I need to try and take them more regularly. Some days I felt the betaine/pepsin ones were making me worse but difficult to say for definite.

[shaws Administrator in reply to Highland49]

Keep some in your handbag so you have them to hand if you are eating out. You can also put them on your table so that it is easier to remember. Also as SlowDragon suggests, it could be the Teva (if you take that make).

If not, it's time to ask GP to get your stomach checked.

[Highland49 in reply to shaws]

I definitely want to try Mercury Pharma next time round. It's working out for taking my second T3 as I have that in my pill box when I'm out and about but I now need another phone reminder for the probiotics!

[shaws Administrator in reply to Highland49]

Maybe when on optimum hormones that make you feel well again, you'll not need any reminders

[Highland49 in reply to shaws]

Fingers crossed 😊

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Can see from your excellent profile details, you take Teva Levothyroxine

Is this recent change?

Are you lactose intolerant?

If not it might be the Teva

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

[Highland49 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thanks for your reply SlowDragon. I've only taken Teva as I was prescribed 75mcg and this dose hasn't changed (except my reduction when I started T3).

I don't believe I'm lactose intolerant but any dairy eaten fairly recently made my breathing worse so have gone dairy free for the last 3 months at least. I'm hoping when I return to endo in December that he reduces my levo dose then I can take a different brand and see if that is any better. Maybe Mercury Pharma will be better. I am right in thinking that 75mcg is only manufactured by Teva?

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Highland49]

Many, many people really do not get on with Teva. Others love it, especially obviously if lactose intolerant. It's a Marmite brand.

Posts mentioning Teva (some will refer to Teva T3)

healthunlocked.com/search/p...

You can always take 50mcg plus 25mcg to get 75mcg

Not all brands make 25mcg

But even on 75mcg you could take 50mcg one day and 100mcg next. Or take 50mcg plus cut a 50mcg into half.

Your more likely to need dose increase than decrease

List of UK brands available and dose sizes

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/treatm...

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Highland49]

Many Hashimoto's patients find they become dairy intolerant

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

drbradshook.com/Hashimotos/...

naturalendocrinesolutions.c...

If you are lactose or casein intolerant then you will only have two options, stay on Teva or try liquid Levothyroxine.

Liquid Levothyroxine is expensive so they are very reluctant to offer it

Cheaper than T3 though!

[Highland49 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thanks for your reply and all that information SlowDragon. Saying about needing a dose increase, I've increased my levo back to the 75mcg from the 50 as felt more lethargic.

I'm definitely improving but I do wonder if I would do better on a different brand.

To help with my next battle of T3 on the NHS, my results are available on the DIO2 gene test so I just need to see if my endo will have the results sent to him or whether I'll need to pay for the independent practitioner through Regenerus. It's good that they have their code of conduct but I just want the answer, yes or no!

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Highland49]

Personally I wouldn't involve the endo in Regenerus test results at this stage

[Highland49 in reply to SlowDragon]

Unfortunately I've already emailed the secretary but of course, they might not be happy to be involved. What's your reason for advising against it SlowDragon?

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Highland49]

If you do NOT have the genetic variation it might be used as an excuse NOT to prescribe

It's not the only reason people might need T3

Many endocrinologists are unaware of DIO2 as well

[Highland49 in reply to SlowDragon]

I'm very lucky that he's already prescribed T3 so let's hope it doesn't affect his future prescribing if I don't test positive. So not straightforward all this, eh?

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Highland49]

I was prescribed T3 privately first.

Getting DIO2 gene test, definitely helped strengthen my argument to be prescribed on NHS. I think it also got me a slightly higher dose than might have been prescribed otherwise

[Highland49 in reply to SlowDragon]

That's really good news. So pleased you had success.

[Angel_of_the_North]

It's a difficult one. Glutamine is definitely good for IBS, but some say that certain tumours use it to grow.

[Highland49 in reply to Angel_of_the_North]

Yes, definitely. I need to continue with the digestive enzymes and probiotics for safety. Hopefully a change of levo will help.