Bloating - iron or Quorn?

[AnneEvo]

I started getting bloated about 3 months ago. I've also been burping more - though this has lessened. I've been wondering if it may be a coating on a supplement causing the problem so have not taken any for a few days. Then I read that Quorn can cause issues with some people, though I've been eating Quorn since October last year and as I said I've only been bloated about 3 months. I'm now wondering whether it may be iron. I take Gentle Iron (bisglycinate) from Holland and Barrett; I haven't taken iron for about 3 days either.

I don't have any pain or anything, just a distended stomach.

I usually take iron on an empty stomach but am wondering if it might be better to take it at night or use a liquid form? Does anyone have any suggestions? TIA

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Just looked through most of your previous posts...couldn't see that you have ever had TG thyroid antibodies tested ......

Can see TPO antibodies were negative

Ever had ultrasound scan of your thyroid for Hashimoto's!

Extremely low vitamin D

Has this been retested?

What were Thyroid results after improving very low vitamin D?

Are you on strictly gluten free diet or ever tried it?

Gluten intolerance is extremely common when hypothyroid especially if you have Hashimoto's

[AnneEvo in reply to SlowDragon]

I can't lay my hands on results just now showing both antibodies as negative. I have thought about gluten but don't really think that's the problem. I want to rule out other things first but would consider trying gluten free.

Vitamin D level is ok now I'm supplementing

[AnneEvo in reply to SlowDragon]

Sorry I didn't respond to your question about thyroid results after supplementing vitamin D. I'll have to look for my results but last tine doctor tested my TSH had actuslly gone up. After going doen to under 2 it was just over 3. But I had very few symptoms to start with; luckily for me I feel very well; and I don't feel any different from when TSH was under 2 to when it was over 11.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to AnneEvo]

The aim of Levothyroxine is to increase the dose slowly in 25mcg steps upwards until TSH is under 2 (many need TSH significantly under one) and most important is that FT4 in top third of range and FT3 at least half way in range

All four vitamins need to be regularly tested and frequently need supplementing to maintain optimal levels

NHS guidelines on Levothyroxine including that most patients eventually need somewhere between 100mcg and 200mcg Levothyroxine.

nhs.uk/medicines/levothyrox...

Suggest you get FULL Thyroid and vitamin testing asap via GP or privately

[greygoose]

I've been wondering if it may be a coating on a supplement causing the problem

What supplement is that?

Do you take vit C with your iron?

[AnneEvo in reply to greygoose]

The zinc, iron and magnesium are all capsules. I don't take vitamin C with the iron, would that help? I stopped taking the zinc about a week ago as I think it was that that made me feel sick at times but I was taking it with the magnesium - not sure if it should be taken alone. I'm reluctant to stop taking the magnesium as I think it's helping me sleep better, but I could try a liquid one perhaps?

[greygoose in reply to AnneEvo]

Vit C with iron would probably help a lot, yes. It would protect your stomach and help you absorb the iron.

I don't think there's any reason not to take zinc and magnesium at the same time - I always do. It's iron that needs to be taken two hours away from everything except vit D - four hours away from thyroid hormone.

[AnneEvo in reply to greygoose]

Thank you.

[AnneEvo in reply to greygoose]

The iron does give me extremely loose stools, would taking vitamin C with it help with that do you think? Or is it worth trying iron in liquid form?

[greygoose in reply to AnneEvo]

That's strange. Iron usually causes constipation. But, even if you try liquid iron, you still need vit C for absorption.

[AnneEvo in reply to greygoose]

I know, but my stools are fine since I stopped taking the iron 🤔 and the same thing happened when I stopped taking iron a short while ago. I do need it though as doc checked back and said even 5 years ago my iron was a little low and in the past I've been slightly anaemic.

[greygoose in reply to AnneEvo]

That's the first time I've heard that. Don't know what to make of that.

[AnneEvo in reply to greygoose]

I have read it can cause either but the bisglycinate form is supposed to be ok in that regard. 😕

[greygoose in reply to AnneEvo]

Have you tried taking the bi-glycinate form?

[AnneEvo in reply to greygoose]

Do you mean bisglycinate? That's what I've been taking.

[greygoose in reply to AnneEvo]

Yes. My spell check didn't like bisglycinate. lol OK, so you still get loose stools even though that form of iron is supposed to prevent it? So, have you tried any other form?

[AnneEvo in reply to greygoose]

😁

No. The Gentle Iron from H+B is supposed to be ok. I was thinking if there's a liquid form it may be better. I'll have to look further into it.

[greygoose in reply to AnneEvo]

Good idea.

[Joiebee]

Yes Quorn did that to me after about 6 months so can longer eat it, I take Iron supplements and don’t have a problem with them. Try eliminating one or the other for a few weeks and see how you go

[AnneEvo in reply to Joiebee]

I hope it is the quorn then, I mean the issue is easily solved if it's that.

[vocalEK in reply to Joiebee]

I had to look up "quorn" (I am a carnivore. No wonder I had never heard of it.) Anyhow, Dr. Google says that quorn is high in fiber. What are the digestive effects of too much fiber? cspinet.org/tip/dangers-quo...

[vocalEK in reply to vocalEK]

Correction: Actually I am an omnivore.

[AnneEvo in reply to vocalEK]

Thanks for the link 🙂

[Vickijw]

I can,t eat quorn, it gives me indigestion and i get a fungal rash from it. It,s can cause alot of issues

[AnneEvo in reply to Vickijw]

I had read that. Thanks

[Hidden]

Quern can definitely cause digestive problems. I can tolerate a little, eaten infrequently. My daughter gets bloating and stomach cramps.

[AnneEvo in reply to Hidden]

If not eating it resolves the issue I may try eating it infrequently like you and see if it's ok - my son does some delicious meaks using quorn.

[Hidden in reply to AnneEvo]

I’d cut it out for a couple of months, then try a meal and see what results ! If bloating occurs you know it’s time to say goodbye to Quorn.

[tj61]

Hi, if you stop eating the quorn and find symptoms still there, may be worth getting checked for H. pylori infection - low stomach acid from Hypothyroid makes it easy for it to become established and the infection can cause bloating, nausea, pain, lots of wind and gurgling. The 'triple therapy' they treat it with is a bit harsh and doesn't always work. I am in that situation now and trying different ways to increase good flora and make H. pylori unwelcome.

[AnneEvo in reply to tj61]

Thanks for that. I will do that if symptoms don't go after not eating quorn for a while. Did you get tested privately?

[tj61 in reply to AnneEvo]

No, GP picked up on symptoms & did blood test

[Jivedancer]

Hi what about trying a good probiotic I find it helps plus the fact I'm trying to go gluten free also drinking lots of water helps I found as am getting older have more digestive issues!

[AnneEvo in reply to Jivedancer]

I did start probiitic capsules but they didn't help. I thought I should notice some improvement after taking them for weeks but am wondering if I should take them longer term.

[tj61 in reply to AnneEvo]

From my reading, prebiotics are more important than probiotics. I am trying to make my stomach less friendly to H. pylori by drinking green tea and eating berries & sprouting broccoli. I tried kefir but don't like it much, but I think it would be helpful for increasing the right kind of flora. I am having Yakult but I don't think it has anywhere near the quantity of bacteria needed. I think it is hard for the bacteria to be there in sufficient quantities to make it into the part of the digestive system where they are needed most. I don't want to take the triple therapy again so I'm going to keep trying for now - main concern is that untreated H. pylori can increase cancer risk in some people.

[AnneEvo in reply to tj61]

Thanks for the info. I tried kefir years ago but didn't like it. I did make some fermented cabbage but it was too salty, I drained some of the brine and added more water. It's still in the fridge after quite a few months and looks fine, I just haven't got round to tasting it again but I should!! Dr Rangan Chatterjee said 2 apples a day is good for gut bacteria but even better stewed. I keep eating them in fits and starts but have decided to stew a lot of them and freeze some so they're always to hand.

[Jivedancer in reply to AnneEvo]

Another good thing to try is Aloe Vera and i think with most things it takes time for any improvement maybe a month or so !

[sarosent in reply to tj61]

H pylori doesn't like garlic - I know when mine is coming back, I burp more after eating garlic!

Also Mastic Gum, but the one I like is expensive. But last time I stopped it as I thought I was better, H Py came back.

There's a probiotic called Symprove on Amazon that someone mentioned in another post, but that is really expensive but it's potent.

[DIYqueen in reply to tj61]

If you want to try kefir again (I use milk kefir and make my own as not yet AIP), you can sweeten it with honey or berries and make a smoothie. I drink about 300-500ml day.

I also found a recipe for homemade red cabbage saurkraut (loads of recipes on-line). Full of probiotics (millions in both) and the prebiotics from the cabbage. I love it and have about 3 tbsp a day.

[AnneEvo in reply to DIYqueen]

What's AIP?

I don't know about the kefir but I'll definitely make sauerkraut again - I'll get a cabbage tomorrow 😃

[Camomile1]

Hiya! You should always take an iron supplement after a meal/food and not at the same time as indigestion remedies as they interfere with absorption. A good source of gentle iron is Feroglobin liquid. Feroglobin Plus also has Vit D and CoQ10. Quorn is fungal so that could be influencing your distension? Not sure!

[AnneEvo in reply to Camomile1]

Thanks. I'll look into Feroglobin Plus. On the iron I've got it says to take with a meal but I read you should take it on an empty stomach.

[NWA6]

I’ve had a bout of bloating and burping before I gave up Gluten and then my meds were sorted so I’m on the correct dose and type. I used to feel full all day but also burping. I used Turmeric spray in the mornings. But ultimately it was no gluten and optimal meds.

[AnneEvo in reply to NWA6]

If not eating Quorn doesn't work I'll look at going gluten free.

I don't actually feel full but my stomach is distended. And it does subside a bit.

[LuluCops]

Feroglobin plus is a good one, spatone is quite good too, it has a bit of a metallic taste to it so I used to add mine to orange juice (Vit C aids absorption, two birds one stone 😊)

Brewers yeast is good for gut health too, as well as garlic and turmeric. Although if using turmeric, make sure it has black pepper in it (or add it) as this helps the bioavailability of it and helps the body absorb it better (by up to 10,000 times what it can without it apparently!)

Hope some of this helps and you get some help and answers soon xx

[AnneEvo in reply to LuluCops]

I have a little turmeric every day, I add a dash to my porridge 😁 (it's fine, the honey disguises it, I add seeds too) I figured a little every day would be good. And often have turmeric, ginger, lemon and honey in hot water. I'll have to find some way of having it with black pepper.

[LuluCops]

Porridge, that’s a new one 😂 I don’t think I’d recommend adding black pepper to that though! Or the water. You can however buy the capsules xx

[AnneEvo]

I didn't know that. Thanks 🙂