Hypothyroidism and GERD

[McMurtagh]

Hi

I was diagnosed with GERD some years ago and prescribed medication to address it including PPIs.

I learned that long term use is bad so weaned myself off and now manage to keep the problem in check by watching what I eat/drink and using Gaviscon and Ranetidine when needed.

When my stomach is bad I get a weird heart beat ie it ‘skips’ every so many beats .... it definitely isn’t an extra beat because I’ve taken my pulse and can feel it skip. I read that GERD can irritate the vagus nerve.

When my stomach settles down so does my funny beat.

Does anyone else have experience of this?

I take only T3 and have been stable on my dose for about 20 years.

[greygoose]

Stable, maybe, but is your dose optimal? Not the same thing.

It sounds as if you have low stomach acid, like so many hypos. And the trick is to raise the acid level, not lower it.

[BadHare in reply to greygoose]

A little apple cider vinegar or lemon juice in water before meals helps.

[McMurtagh in reply to BadHare]

I’ll try that, thank you 👍

[McMurtagh in reply to greygoose]

I’m on 90mcg of T3 a day and I doubt the GP will agree to increase that.

Given the problems so many people have had getting T3 I’m reluctant to ‘rock the boat’ by asking for more.

I’m no longer ‘me’ when I’m under medicated so the prospect of being messed about terrifies me! 😱

[greygoose in reply to McMurtagh]

Well, I wouldn't suggest you mess with your dose without seeing any labs. I just don't like the use of the word 'stable'. I find it pretty meaningless as far as thyroid is concerned. That comes from the way some doctors use the word, and I can understand that with some illnesses it's a very good thing. But they try to get you 'stable' rather than being 'optimal'.

But, even if you are optimal, you can still have low stomach acid.

[McMurtagh in reply to greygoose]

‘Stable’ is my term.

I look okay, I feel okay, I can do my extremely busy, stressful job, I haven’t had a ‘sick day’ for well over a year and I can, generally, engage with my life so ...... ‘stable’

[greygoose in reply to McMurtagh]

OK

[BadHare in reply to McMurtagh]

Try it with your TH water, too. If it improves digestion & absorption, you might find your present dose works better for you.

[McMurtagh in reply to BadHare]

What’s TH water?