Hashimotos

[Mannequin18]

Hi all, I am new to this very interesting site.

I have hypothyroidism and take 150mg daily. I have B12 injections every 3 months.

I recently had a gastroscopy test with the results being inflammation and erosion at the stomach base. My GP put me one Omeprosole prior to the test, one a day. The surgeon said not to take them every day. My understanding of the stomach problem is that with Hashimotos you produce low acid and that to reduce it further could be detrimental.

I would like to know what help I should ask my GP for with this problem.

I am worried because he has already.said that he does not refer patients over the age of 74.

I would be grateful for any advice. I am seeing my GP on Wednesday.

[Gambit62]

Likely that you have pernicious anaemia as well as hashimotos - PA is the most likely cause of B12 absorption problems - that will give you low stomach acidity but its also an auto-immune disease that attacks the gut, resulting in low stomach acidity.

I think you need to try and find out exactly what damage is going on and if it is related to PA or to high stomach acidity. Omeprazole can interfere with the absorption of B12 from food but this is rather irrelevant as you are getting your B12 from injections. Omeprazole can be useful in treating the symptoms of excessive production of gastrin that results from low acidity.

I am a little confused as you mention a surgeon as well as GP - was the surgeon the person who did the gastroscopy test.

How has your GP responded to the surgeon's remark about not taking omeprazole daily.

Generally it isn't recommended that you use omeprazole for more than a few months at a time.

You might find that pharmacist that dispensed the omeprazole can help with clarifying.

[Gambit62 in reply to Gambit62]

Please note there is a forum specifically about PA

healthunlocked.com/pasoc

[Mannequin18 in reply to Gambit62]

Thank you for your reply. I do have PA. Yes it was the surgeon who said to take occasionally. When I went to the GP he just confirmed what I already knew about the erosion and inflammation. Because of that he said to take Omeprazole daily. After what I have read on here, I am assuming that that would not be good to reduce the acid, if I already don't produce enough. I also would like some information about do I need to take vitD, and if so would I absorb it. I have never had any information on this, or if I need a special diet.

I also take Atorvastin, and I have Glaucoma, which is under control with Lumigan.

Any help would be most welcome. Thank you again.

[Gambit62 in reply to Mannequin18]

I am not medically qualified and this would probably be a good point at which to say that HU isn't a substitute for professional medical advice.

It does sound as if the damage you have is probably down to the pernicious anaemia but it also sounds as if your GP probably isn't that clued up on PA.

I suggest you talk to the pharmacist who is dispensing your medications as they are often more aware of medications and how they work - particularly about the omeprazole.

As I said above - it can be useful in treating some of the symptoms of low stomach acidity and the impact of omeprazole on B12 absorption is a bit irrelevant if you are on B12 injections. Any absorption issues you have are more likely to be more directly related to PA than the hypothyroidism. PA will give you low stomach acidity and that can interfere with the absorption of other vitamins and minerals.

Current advice in the UK is to supplement vitamin D at least during the winter. As you get older the mechanisms that allow you to make vit D from exposure to the sunshine can also get less efficient so it may well be a good idea to supplement anyway but suggest you talk to the pharmacist about that.

[Mannequin18 in reply to Gambit62]

Thank you.