Constipation & Bloating/Pregnancy

[Charlottewiff91]

Hi everyone I'm completely new to this so thought I'd give it a go, even though I'm very nervous to do anything like this! I've had underactive thyroid for 4 years now since having my son. I have had constant issues with constipation, bloating and excessive wind (sorry if too much detail!) the whole time but over the Christmas period it has been getting considerably worse and more painful (to the point where I ended up in bed one day with sickness). Any tips on making this discomfort go away?? Also, we are considering trying for another baby next year - has anyone had any problems whilst pregnant with their thyroid symptoms? Thank You! X

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Bloating and constipation can be signs you are not correctly medicated

Do you have any recent blood test results and ranges you can add?

How much Levothyroxine are you currently taking?

Is it always the same brand?

Do you have Hashimoto's also called autoimmune thyroid disease diagnosed by high thyroid antibodies?

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 plus both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested. Also extremely important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

Low vitamin levels are extremely common, especially if Thyroid antibodies are raised

About 90% of all hypothyroidism in Uk is due to Hashimoto's.

Low vitamins are especially common with Hashimoto's. Food intolerances are very common too, especially gluten. So it's important to get TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested at least once .

All thyroid blood tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and fasting. Do not take Levothyroxine dose in the 24 hours prior to test, delay and take immediately after blood draw. This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, best not mentioned to GP or phlebotomist)

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 special offers, Medichecks usually have offers on Thursdays, Blue Horizon its more random

Ask GP to test vitamins, antibodies and retest thyroid levels if not been done recently

TSH should be around one and FT4 in top third of range and FT3 at least half way in range, before considering TTC

Essential for good vitamin levels too

[MaisieGray]

As you've been advised by SlowDragon, your symptoms can be indicative of being inadequately medicated; and if this is the case you would be strongly advised to put pregnancy plans on hold until you are optimally medicated and euthyroid. Even in well women, the net effect of pregnancy is a thyroid drain; but optimal levels of the mother's thyroid hormones are critical to the proper development of the baby's brain, and other aspects of its health & growth in utero. During the first trimester the foetus can make no thyroid hormones of its own, and is therefore wholly dependent on that of its mother.

[MissFG]

Try these from amazon £16.45 incl postage.

Settle my stomach so much. I think we have very low good bacteria and these really help me. I researched probiotics and these were the best!

MicroBiotic Plus 7.5 billion Probiotics (7 strains) with 250mg Prebiotics. 60 vegan capsules.

Oh and make sure your gluten free x