which is best gi map testing for my gut health? any recommendations. have had problem thyroid and terrible indigestion

[Sstt]

any companies to go to? any other tests? got burning stomach, hiatus hernia and indigestion.

thank you so much

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Are diagnosed as hypothyroid?

If so how much Levothyroxine are you currently taking?

Can you add most recent blood test results and ranges

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

Recommended on here that all thyroid blood tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and fasting. This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, best not mentioned to GP or phlebotomist)

Last Levothyroxine dose should be 24 hours prior to test, (taking delayed dose immediately after blood draw).

Do you have raised Thyroid antibodies? If so this confirms cause is autoimmune thyroid disease also called Hashimoto's

Hashimoto's affects the gut and leads to low stomach acid and then low vitamin levels

Low vitamin levels affect Thyroid hormone working

Poor gut function can lead leaky gut (literally holes in gut wall) this can cause food intolerances. Most common by far is gluten. Dairy is second most common.

According to Izabella Wentz the Thyroid Pharmacist approx 5% with Hashimoto's are coeliac, but over 80% find gluten free diet helps, sometimes significantly. Either due to direct gluten intolerance (no test available) or due to leaky gut and gluten causing molecular mimicry (see Amy Myers link)

Changing to a strictly gluten free diet may help reduce symptoms, help gut heal and slowly lower TPO antibodies

While still eating high gluten diet ask GP for coeliac blood test first or buy test online for under £20, just to rule it out first

Assuming test is negative you can immediately go on strictly gluten free diet




(If test is positive you will need to remain on high gluten diet until endoscopy, maximum 6 weeks wait officially)




Trying gluten free diet for 3-6 months. If no noticeable improvement then reintroduce gluten and see if symptoms get worse

chriskresser.com/the-gluten...

amymyersmd.com/2018/04/3-re...

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

scdlifestyle.com/2014/08/th...

drknews.com/changing-your-d...

restartmed.com/hashimotos-g...

healthcentral.com/article/t...

Other gut issues due to being hypothyroid

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Low stomach acid is extremely common hypothyroid symptom

[userotc]

To answer your question, I would say GI Map from Diagnostic Solutions (Euro agent Invivo). This has been recommended by Isabella Wentz and came top when I recently assessed 5 labs. I've just had my 3rd test (1st 2 by Genova Diagnostics) and so far service has been good - consultation pending.

As with all, you need a practitioner - not sure if TUK qualify as they do for thyroid testing? Oh and it's not cheap at £335!

[userotc in reply to userotc]

If you decide to proceed and need help or further info, feel free to PM me.

Good luck

[Decisions]

Hi. Have you tried apple cider vinegar with mother? Check out this as you may find it will sort your problems.

[Sstt]

thank you for your message. I have and it made it worse. The best thing i have found is a low fodmap diet. But my stomach can still burn up or clamp up amd i am doing everything I. Can ???? Any other suggestions. I take probiotics and kefir.

[ling in reply to Sstt]

Could the probiotics and kefir be causing the burning etc? I get discomfort pain and "burning" in my intestines when I overdo probiotics and fibre

[vocalEK]

Have your doctors considerred that you might have an h. pylori infection? webmd.com/digestive-disorde...

[Catseyes235]

I had bad acid reflux for years and endoscopy just led to suggestions for increased doses of omeprazole. I knew certain things set it off so changed my diet which was already pretty good .. Very simple really and maybe take Omeprazole once a month if going out somewhere I’m not sure what is on offer. The biggest change is absolutely NO refined flours and sugars so no highly processed anything - cake, biscuits and certainly no pastry. Look for refined sugars and flours in sauces. I never had ready meals but I know they contain refined ingredients. I buy a good organic tomato sauce, mayonnaise etc and choose the frozen oven chips that don’t have coatings ...just potato and oil is all that is needed! So just keep reading those ingredients! I have found I can tolerate a few sourdough breads and only have a little anyway and wheat based meals only once a day so have rice, potato and always have brown rice pastas in and oats for breakfast. It’s not been that difficult and an enjoyable voyage of discovery! Hope you find a way