What is the best acid reflux tablets to take wi... - Thyroid UK

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What is the best acid reflux tablets to take with hasimotos desease????

Cassie101 profile image
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Hi all i have gerd and its really playing up iv been on a couple of acid tablets but nun seem to be agreeing with 😫me any help would be appreciated x

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Cassie101 profile image
Cassie101
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jimh111 profile image
jimh111

First make sure you are not under-medicated as hypothyroidism is a cause fo acid reflux (there is reduced lower oesophagel sphincter pressure allowing acid to reflux into the gullet). I'm not sure you can get it now but I would use milk of magnesia or a magnesium based antacid since it is gentler and we tend to be magnesium deficient (although magnesium hydroxide is poorly absorbed).

LynneG profile image
LynneG in reply to jimh111

You made me think Jimh111,

Just maybe we could turn that around. Maybe low stomach acid could be the cause in some cases of thyroid issues not the other way around. Low stomach acid results in the food in your stomach not being broken down adequately before it leaves the stomach into the small intestine. This food then (kind of rotting) attracts bacteria/micro organisms in your intestinal microbiome to migrate up further into the small intestine. These are often gas producing bacteria that should be further down in the colon. This gas is what creates the pressure on the sphincters to open and allow reflux. Ok so far?

This inbalance in the gut microbiome caused by poor diet, meds , antibiotics, whatever creates an environment in the intestines not suitable for the beneficial health promoting bacteria/ organisms but tips the balance to more of the undesirable organisms which are normally kept in check from reproducing out of control by the good guys, now severely depleted. These harmful bacteria when in such numbers create lots of LPS (lipo polysaccherides), bacteria waste which destroys the lining of your intestines, along with gluten etc hence you get intestinal permeability (leaky gut) large proteins are then able to get through the lining of the gut wall (which should never be able to) and your immune system sees these too large , unbroken down proteins in your blood/organs and attacks and create antibodies against which ever proteins get through. As this is going to be proteins from anything that you have just eaten while the lining is leaky then your immune system is going to be fighting tissue molecules from, well whatever you have eaten. As lots of people eat grains containing gluten, every few hours then gluten proteins are a probable candidate for getting through. Added to that, gluten proteins damage the gut lining in everyone anyway and are there ready and waiting to get through. Gluten proteins look remarkably like Thyroid tissue proteins hence the confused immune system all fired up to defend, will often see the thyroid as the enemy and blitz it - hence a multitude of thyroid antibodies in the serum of thyroid patients. So I would say that we turn the statement 'undermedicated hypothyroid is a cause of acid reflux' presumably because seen in many patients and we turn it on it's head and say that acid reflux can be the cause of thyroid issues, hypo or hyper. As when the thyroid is being attacked there will be lots of thyroid hormone in the blood and later when enough thyroid tissue has been destroyed then hypo results when not enough thyroid hormone can be made.

jimh111 profile image
jimh111 in reply to LynneG

I think you are stretching it too far, literally. A damaged gut may allow more pathogens into the bloodstream and possibly trigger Hashimoto's. However, in general we tend to have too little challenges to our immune system leading to all sorts of allergies. Small intesting bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) may produce discomfort but I would have thought is unlikely to lead directly to oesophagel reflux, much more likely is excess acidity, reduced lower oesphagel sphincter pressure and slow motility. The latter two are direct consequences of hypothyroidism. I found my gut function much better when my hypothyroidism was treated, it seems that the extra motility allows the gut to churn much better producing much better function.

The proof of the pudding is that when patients are given sufficient levothyroxine their acid reflux resolves. If the cause of reflux was disruption in the lower gut which is very difficult to resolve the patients with reflux would have a very pessimistic future.

LynneG profile image
LynneG in reply to jimh111

Brilliant to read your points and your understanding. I love to learn from others. And I am sure you have a better understanding of medicating thyroid issues than I have or indeed ever hope to have - I was just going down the slippery slope of climbing TSH but last March blood tests (I have autoimmune RA) showed TSH had fallen from 3.8 to 2.8 when it has not fallen in yrs. I do realise the blood level is just a snap shot in time but hopeful that my interventions of near infra red light use daily at home and frankicense sacra application to the thyroid area was/is responsible for a better throid function.

I do believe though that autoimmune is initiated by intestinal permeability (leaky gut) Zonulin creates the opening of the tight junctions of the intestinal wall and any increase in Zonulin decreases the effectiveness of the tight junctions to prevent leakage of food proteins which have not been sufficiently broken down/digested. Which will therefore trigger the immune system to determine enemy, resulting in allergy or full blown autoimmune. To date gluten and bacterial tissue LPS have been identified to trigger zonulin release. See Professor Alessio Fasano's work (Harvard Medical School) Any too large protein can get through whether it be from food , bacterial, microbial tissue etc. It is known that gluten is one such protein that cannot be broken down and actually damages the cell wall which is only a one cell layer, other chemicals , meds, bacterial tissue (LPS) also damages the intestinal barrier (if you like) These epethelial cells are one of the fastest growing cells we have, however if we are permanently damaging them we will permanently have a leaky gut. In addition I have read that specific strains of gut bacteria are required to message this cell repair and if we don't have them then we are 'up the creek without a paddle' so to speak. A balanced gut microbiome is crucial to health and life. As gluten proteins are often at the site of the damage in the lining they are extremely likely to get through. Gluten proteins look almost identcal to thyroid cell protein resulting in autoimmune thyroid damage (Hashimotos) See Dr Datis Kharrazian' s book, 'Why is my thyroid still not working' and 'Why is my brain not working' This triggering of the immune system via intestinal permeability is believed to be responsible for autoimmune conditions which is why people with autoimmune are advised to be on a grain free diet and support the diversity of their gut microbiome. Gluten may be similar and so confuseable with thyroid tissue but many proteins look very similar to other cell tissue - many in the brain. See Dr Kharrazian's current research and papers.

Our Vagus nerve running through the brain stem and neck is responsible for motility (see you tube and books Dr Kharrazian)

As there are thyroid hormone receptors on most cells it is certain that low thyroid function will affect most everything. To me it is about stepping one step back at a time and looking at what causes something in the body to function poorly. It's certainly not a deficiency in lab created hormone (although this is required once damage is irreversible) Microbiome balance and also Mitochondrial function (ATP sufficiency) and epigenetics are the root causes of failure that we can personally affect and have an impact on and so impact our health. Looking at increasing meds can be an answer but understanding the personal interventions as above may possibly mean less meds and more control

So I think that both your post and experiences and mine will have hopefully helped Cassie x

SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering

Cassie101

Looking at your profile and other posts, it would seem that you are pregnant.

Are you sure this is true acid reflux rather than heartburn which is very common during pregnancy?

I had awful heartburn with my first pregnancy, that was 50 years ago and they used to say you'd have a baby with lots of hair if you have heartburn. Well, that turned out to be true, she did have lots of hair!

As so many things need to be avoided during pregnancy (medication-wise I mean) then I would discuss this with your doctor.

Cassie101 profile image
Cassie101 in reply to SeasideSusie

Hi im not pregnant any mre lost my baby at 12 weeks x

Cassie101 profile image
Cassie101 in reply to Cassie101

And i have always had acid reflux (gerd) x

SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering in reply to Cassie101

Oh no, I am so very sorry, that is truly devastating for you and your husband. I am the grandmother of 4 babies lost during pregnancy due to undiagnosed hypothyroidism so I understand the heartbreak. I will delete my second post with link.

Cassie101 profile image
Cassie101 in reply to SeasideSusie

Thank you!! Iv been heartbroken!! Im jst stuck with wht is the best meds to take for acid reflux gerd im diagnosed with it iv tryed so many but none so far are agreeing with me x

LynneG profile image
LynneG in reply to Cassie101

Lots of love and lots of hope and blessings Cassie. Maybe it is as Jimh111 outlined oesophagel sphincter pressure re thyroid, but more often cases of acid reflux are due to too little stomach acid rather than too much. This is an area that sadly GP's and other medical professionals are lacking in knowledge. Please google Chris Kresser and GERD. He has vast experience with his patients with this condition. He has written an ebook on this very subject. Reading it may help you determine your course of action. Also Pure Health Clinic ( in Cornwall UK) Here's what Micki Rose the clinician has to say purehealthclinic.co.uk/acid...

LynneG profile image
LynneG in reply to Cassie101

I agree with Boba, Dr Michael Ash is brilliant and stewed apples with peel on is a must to help the microbiome, heal leaky gut and help with reflux. If your microbiome is not in balance this often leads to reflux. Eat to feed your gut bugs Cassie. Trust your body to heal itself, given the right mindset and nutrients and get rid of the stuff that is not good for you. I presume you have stopped eating gluten and most grains if you have Hashimotos. We kill off billions of cells everyday and have to build billions of new ones every day. A builder given shoddy building materials will build a shoddy house. Make sure your building materials are a nutrient rich diet. ( plenty of good natural fats eg butter from grass fed herds, cold olive oil, avocados, free range duck eggs. hard cheese or Brie. And plenty of organic berries, organic fruit and lots of organic veg, wild salmon, and grass fed meat and No veg/seed oils lining the supermarket shelves or sugar or food that digest rapidly to sugar such as grains and fruit juice and soft drinks and no low fat foods. Skimmed and semi skimmed milk is just sugar waterxx

McMurtagh profile image
McMurtagh in reply to Cassie101

Bless you 😢 x

DIYqueen profile image
DIYqueen in reply to Cassie101

That is so sad, I am so sorry.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

Very sorry for your loss

As others have said, GERD is frequently a hypothyroid symptom

How much Levothyroxine are you currently taking?

Previous posts suggest only 25mcg?

Have you had vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 tested?

Blood loss can cause low ferritin

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

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 plus both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested. Also 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).

Private tests are available. Thousands on here forced to do this as NHS often refuses to test FT3 or antibodies or all vitamins

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

Cassie101 profile image
Cassie101 in reply to SlowDragon

Hi i have been diagnosed with hasimotos desease also GERD i have a goiltre but thyroid levels are normal... i have been put on 25 levo been on it for a year due to swelling of the goiltre... i jst need to no wht is best meds for GERD ? Thank you x

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply to Cassie101

50mcg Levothyroxine is standard starter dose of Levothyroxine and dose is typically increased in 25mcg steps upwards until TsH is under 2 (often TSH needs to be under one) and essential for FT4 to be in top third of range and FT3 at least half way in range

Bloods should be retested 6-8 weeks after each dose increase

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

nhs.uk/medicines/levothyrox...

If you have been left on only 25mcg you need to see different GP

TSH should be under 2.5 before TTC and dose of Levothyroxine immediately increased as soon as any pregnancy is confirmed as detailed here

See pages 7&8

btf-thyroid.org/images/docu...

TTC

verywellhealth.com/infertil...

Other Pregnancy guidelines

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

gp-update.co.uk/files/docs/...

GERD is very likely due to be left on tiny dose of Levothyroxine

Miscarriage and hypothyroidism is strongly linked

Boba profile image
Boba in reply to Cassie101

Mastika is great for gerd . Take evening before bed time. Please avoid Omeprazol as it is full of aluminium. You can fond on Amazon . Manuka honey( gold or

silver too ) but definitely try Mastika.

Also, check Medical Medium detox fb page. Drinking celery juice first thing in the morning 40 min before anything else, detoxify and cluster salts from celery are bio available and liver does amazing job when we drink it. Celery must be organic . One glass freshly squeezed every morning. There is a his book Celery Juice( Medical Medium). Many people healed thyroid and chronic illnesses with cj.

In the evening if you stew 2 bramley apples , cored , make sure no seeds, sliced and with skin, and when apple skin gets shiny them add some raisins and organic cinnamon ( the true one , NOT cassia cinnamon) then you can eat it with yogurt unsweetened live ( few spoons) 28 days eating apples

this way repairs gut and microbiome.

. This is recipe from Dr. Michael Ash (UK), who claims that latest research in apples

is major breakthrough in healing gut and that way immunity and lessen chronic illnesses. ( Episodes Autoimmune diseases - Betrayal)

Best wishes

LynneG profile image
LynneG in reply to Boba

I agree Boba, Dr Michael Ash is brilliant and stewed apples with peel on is a must to help the microbiome, heal leaky gut and help with reflux. If your microbiome is not in balance this often leads to reflux. Trust your body to heal itself, given the right mindset and nutrients

I try and have baked apple with peel on quarters with most eve meals (steamed with the veg or roasted or baked in the oven. I also for lunch sometimes, slice an organic apple with peel on v thinly , put in a pudding basin , sprinkle with frozen organic cranberries or blueberries. Slice up a piece off the block of Biona organic creamed coconut (solid bar-amazon) and cover the apple and berries. Splash of water. Bake in the oven 150/175c for 25- 30 mins (check so don't burn ) While baking - melt some 70-85% organic dark chocolate (extremely good for your heart and blood vessels) melt in a bowl over boiling water. When the apple mixture is baked add to the melted chocolate. Heaven in a bowl, v filling, v healthy and great for your gut bugs.

Thanks for the celery juice tip. I eat celery most lunch times and eve meals, good to know it helps the thyroid. Would putting in a smoothie be as effective eg nutribullet, I don't have a juicer?

Boba profile image
Boba in reply to LynneG

Hi Lynne, Thank you for the recipe , definitely will try it .

It seems that most helpful is strained and liquid. Please join Medical Medium detox group on fb and search for Medical Medium podcasts , or up in search put Celery Juice detox - Medical Medium and you will find really well explained. He suggests if blended celery that it should be strained w muslin cloth and drunk liquid. It has amazing healing properties , as it is contains bio available cluster salts and loads of vitamin C. I see regularly people posting that they healed chronic illnesses and share new with the group and often move on and leave the group. Also, Hashimoto patients as Medical Medium claims that EBV is cause for Hashimoto as it hides in thyroid gland and creates chaos , and it is the reason for antibodies. Basically body creates antibodies to attack EBV in thyroid and not body attacks itself as we are told by GPs.

MM ( Anthony Williams) claims that EBV attracts heavy metals and pathogens it all creates loads of toxins and that is culprit for chronic diseases.

He also insists that Lyme disease is not caused by tick and that only can be triggered by tick, bee sting or any accident, injury, emotional stress.. Insisting that Lyme disease is viral as that bacteria Borelia , babesia , ‘culprits’ for Lyme are not superbugs and that it is all caused by viruses (esp EBV) and that viruses only can cause neurological issues.

His book are very helpful. Medical Medium ( cause of chronic illness),

Liver rescue, Thyroid Healing, Celery Juice are all amazing.

But if you decide to get one of his books ( Amazon) then I would suggest go for ‘Celery Juice ‘ ( latest) as it is so helpful and it changes lives. Another one is Liver Rescue.

Or there are loads of his podcasts on SoundCloud .

Best wishes :)

LynneG profile image
LynneG in reply to Boba

Thanks so much Boba. I will definitely buy the book :)

Boba profile image
Boba in reply to LynneG

I set now to follow his protocol and stop taking Levo.

Already have much less joint pain , with little trial , better energy and much calmer mood. I spent 1000s of hours doing research and lots of money too and I feel

now that circle will close, honestly, shame that people are suffering so much. There is no pill to heal us, but a good detox , and right food , the natural food that is given by God and Nature.

At the start you might have toxins coming up when they are shifted by celery juice. The best if you persist as healing will be amazing . You can ask any question in the group and also to admins who work close with Anthony Williams . I would love to hear how it goes after some time 😊

Best wishes

LynneG profile image
LynneG in reply to Boba

Ok, I will if I can make the juice x

NWA6 profile image
NWA6

Hey Cassie. GERD is also a symptom of Hyperparathyroidism. Have you had your calcium levels checked?

Cassie101 profile image
Cassie101 in reply to NWA6

Hi ya yh iv had every test done possible and all come back normal... just need to no what medications are best to take and are going to agree with me for gerd x

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply to Cassie101

Can you add these "normal" results

For full thyroid testing you need bloods tested as early as possible in morning and fasting and last dose Levothyroxine 24 hours prior to blood test

Results and ranges for

TSH, FT3 and FT4

Vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

TSH should be low, under 2 (often lower)

FT4 in top third of range

FT3 at least half way in range

Vitamin D at least around 80nmol

B12 at least over 500

Folate at least over 10

Ferritin at least half way in range

Thousands of posts on here about how to improve low stomach acid

healthunlocked.com/search/p...

Links

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

stopthethyroidmadness.com/s...

scdlifestyle.com/2012/03/3-...

naturalendocrinesolutions.c...

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

theinvisiblehypothyroidism....

stopthethyroidmadness.com/s...

knitwitty profile image
knitwitty

Hi Cassie I'm so very sorry for your loss.

I too have hashimoto's and suffer from GERD from time to time.

My Gp originally put me on tablets to reduce my stomach acid, way before I was diagnosed hypothyroid, but something did not feel quite right.

I did a lot of research and found out that GERD can result from low stomach acid, particularly if you have hashimoto's .

I decided that I would try taking Apple Cider vinegar diluted with water before meals and if I was suffering from reflux. This seems to do the trick as the increased stomach acid enables the sphincter between the stomach and oesophagus to close more efficiently thus preventing any reflux.

I weaned myself off The stomach acid reducing tablets very slowly as I was told by a nurse that to stop them suddenly would cause a big reaction and result in even more reflux. When I was completely off them I started taking the ACV. Some days I still take it, sugary foods tend to cause reflux in me, and sometimes I take it before I go to bed to prevent reflux when lying down.

I echo all that has been said earlier with regard to under treated hypothyroidism too.

Good luck, I hope you are feeling much better very soon.

RosamundG profile image
RosamundG in reply to knitwitty

See my post below-- private message me and I'll e-mail the details to you

Carna profile image
Carna in reply to knitwitty

Me too. ACV stops my acid reflux. Buy the better brands as they taste milder and take in water or apple juice. I have also used ACV capsules and found they worked well too.

knitwitty profile image
knitwitty in reply to Carna

Thanks Carna, I take Bragg's which is organic and contains the mother, I have tried an organic one from ALDI which was a lot cheaper but I didn't think it was anywhere near as good. Where do you get ACV capsules, and do you take them before meals like the vinegar? :)

Carna profile image
Carna in reply to knitwitty

Hi I have started taking Natural Umber. I find it even better tasting than Braggs. I bought the ACV capsules from a health shop - they were 500mg. Initially I took them before meals then I switched to 2 tablespoons of ACV in a pint of water and had that throughout the day. My reflux was awful (I didn't want to go out!) when I was switched back to Levo from NDT when my GP had a panic about my low TSH. I wasn't particularly well so I agreed but later found it was probably a low strength batch and I should have persevered rather than let me GP take me off it. The TSH was fine. I have just been started on T3 by a private endo but my reflux had been controlled with ACV before then. Worth a try.

knitwitty profile image
knitwitty in reply to Carna

Thank you. Good luck with your health.:)

Carna profile image
Carna in reply to knitwitty

You too!

RosamundG profile image
RosamundG

First of all let me say how sorry I was to hear about your loss. This may seem a bit left field but I've been seeing a nutritionist who strangely enough also has Hashimotos as have I and she suggested I take digestive enzymes which are brilliant -- private message me and I'll tell you the brand.

Gingernut44 profile image
Gingernut44 in reply to RosamundG

Why don't you share it with the forum - there is no need to make it a PM

RosamundG profile image
RosamundG in reply to Gingernut44

Hi Gingernut, Sorry about that but I thought you weren't allowed to mention brand names on the site. The digestive enzymes I take are BioCare's Spectrumzyme. I can't remember how much they cost. You're supposed to take one before each meal but I've taken them after and they seem to work. You can buy them on Amazon or through a health food store.

Regards

Roz

Gingernut44 profile image
Gingernut44 in reply to RosamundG

Thanks for that - it's useful info for forum members who like to look but don't post. I think it's only Doctors and Endos names you shouldn't publish without their consent but supplements etc are Ok unless, of course, you're selling them yourself 😋

McMurtagh profile image
McMurtagh

I’ve used Ranitidine successfully over the years - sometimes supplemented by Gaviscon.

cabisore profile image
cabisore

I have gerd. I tried three different types of anti acids which really upset my digestion system but the last one did the trick, Pantoprazole. The help it gave was immediate. A friend told me they try you on the cheapest first. The GPS told me they only had four types to offer me. Anyway I found you have to take them first thing in the morning but for them to be really effective you must give at least an hour if not more before you eat breakfast. I used to give it 1.5 hours before eating. I cut down on all greasy spicy food, no alcohol, reduced carbs, no acidic food, no chocolate or cream, lost 1.5 stones and my pot belly disappeared. Also did not eat any later than 6pm and cut out all snacks suppers ect. Started to feel better so reduced dosage from 40 to 20mg and then half a tablet and now a third of a tablet. Have reintroduced all the above foods slowly and can tolerate them well but I am conscious that I cannot overdo it, so everything is eaten with moderation.

Ossuryak profile image
Ossuryak

Try SLIPPERY ELM CAPSULES TAKE 8 , OR GET THE POWDER PLACE A DESERT SPOON IN SMALL GLASS OF WARM WATER STIR QUICKLY SWALLOW DOWN QUICKLY AS IT SETS LIKE A JELLY VERY FAST . I would not be with out it .

Myro profile image
Myro

It is knotted. Refluks or too much acid. If mscule is weak it allow stomach juice to go up. Expecially when laying. It can be becouse of hipotiroditis. It is good to check level of iodine too. Lack of iodine has similar symptoms. Chack symptoms of hipotiroditis hipertiroidis and lack of iodine and conseqvences of each. It is good for general knowledge. 24 hours urine iodine test is only good method.

For reflux, stomach pain or discomfort I use sofa bikarbonate. 1 tea spoon in plenty of cold weather. If it is better and not good take another one. I don't have any bad symptoms from soda. Chack for yourself trought internet. All stuff from official medicine is only money taking. It is good to do Helikobacter pilory test. This is treated by antybiotics. Another medicine in that one like Ultop wich reduce acid production. But my opinion is that couses should be treated. I guess that bacteria, mold, parasites cause problem. Soda helps. Hope that You will succeed in calming your stomach. I crossed fingers for You.

hjh88 profile image
hjh88

I have hashimotos and had awful acid reflux up until being properly medicated. I would also add that my hashimotos was diagnosed and is now treated with my test result having never been out of range - they have always been “normal” according to the doctor.

Before that I’d spent many years taking all sorts of other medications to treat the various symptoms of hypothyroidism, including reflux. They would help to a degree or maybe for a while but ultimately they just helped to mask a larger problem - my poor thyroid function which was causing the other symptoms.

Your 25mcg dose is usually what is prescribed to children and the elderly. It’s very low and could in fact worsen your symptoms. I would definitely encourage you to get your results. Perhaps they will show that you’re correctly medicated in which case you can rule it out, but they may show that you need an uplift in your thyroid meds in which case the best drug for your acid reflux will be thyroid medication.

DIYqueen profile image
DIYqueen

I have similar advice to knittwitty. My Dr started me on lansoprazole a PPI to reduce stomach acid. I took it for a while but something didn't fit right. I know that reduced stomach acid can also reduce digestion in the stomach - particularly protein, so slowing emptying into small intestines. Both low acidity and slow emptying add to GERD IMO.

(there can also be a weak muscle due to hypothyroidism so I do recommend you post your actual results as others suggest. 'Normal' is not necessarily 'optimal'.)

It may seem counter-intuitive, but NOT reducing acidity and increasing acidity could help. For me this meant stopping the PPI and I take kefir and homemade saurkraut to make things more acid. It may seem odd but my reflux has improved to point of being 'gone' most of time. I assume this is because the stomach can do it's job better and more efficiently, digesting and allowing food to empty out quicker, thus reducing backward pressure.

Definitely wear loose clothing round middle for same reason.

Obviously this would not be an overnight fix if you decided to try it, it took about two weeks for me.

There is not a one size fits all, if you want to use medicines to reduce acid etc there is a decent site here:

niddk.nih.gov/health-inform...

LynneG profile image
LynneG in reply to DIYqueen

It's not odd at all increasing stomach acid. Google Chris Kresser and GERD he has written an e book on the subject following his extensive experience with his patients. He is a functional nutritional clinician. Functional doctors find the root cause of the illness, issue.

Beverleyb profile image
Beverleyb

Hi , I've had acid reflux for many years and have a hiatus hernia, GP gave me ppi , I was getting worse every year until I found out being hypothyroid we tend to have less acid...I take ACV every night before bed and so much better...hope you find something that helps.

U

sually, with hashis, it's that you have too little acid, not too much. That means that the food just sits around rotting, and gives you horrible symptoms. For most people with Hashis, the best things is to take Betaine HCL or cider vinegar in water just before a meal and digestive enzymes with the meal

Pictur profile image
Pictur

I had the same problem and found if I took 2 tablespoons of organic apple cider vinegar in a glass of water every morning it stopped the germ. Have not had a problem since and it has now been 4 years.

Annkapp profile image
Annkapp

Yes increasing stomach acids should help your gerd. It helped me. Read all about Low stomach acid and how to correct in this link.

nutritiongang.com/low-stoma...

porter5 profile image
porter5

Was reading the comments section of the London Times. I came across a comment from a group of professors, from several universities.Apparently , the author of an article in the previous day's paper, referred to the need to add nutrients to the food supply. Why, the professors asked didn't the writer include iodine when more than 50 percent of women of child bearing age were deficient in this vital nutrient, according to the Dept of Health. A deficiency of iodine and it's co factors will give rise to a host of health issues as many people writing in to this site have found for themselves. It's especially important during pregnancy to have a really good diet with abundant supply of vitamins and minerals.

protein, fats,carbs, and starches.

These can be tested for to ensure a healthy mum and baby. Tests are available, but not necessarily from the NHS.

sad to read of your loss,

Teras profile image
Teras

I just heard pickle juice really helps!

humanbean profile image
humanbean

I agree with the people saying that increasing acid rather than reducing it is helpful for many people with acid reflux, indigestion and heartburn. However there are two things people need to be aware of...

Having low acid is probably hugely more common than high acid, however there are some people who do have to cope with high acid, and continuing to take extra acid (such as cider vinegar or Betaine hydrochloride) under these circumstances is not a good (or safe) long term strategy. Excess acid burning the oesophagus long term can lead to a condition called Barrett's Oesophagus.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barre...

Another thing to be careful of ... If you regularly take NSAIDs such as aspirin or ibuprofen or naproxen (there are several more) then they can irritate the stomach lining.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nonst...

In those circumstances reducing stomach acid by taking taking ranitidine or a PPI helps protect the stomach from the irritation. Adding extra acid would be a very bad idea.

DIYqueen profile image
DIYqueen

I can't cope with burning sensation of apple cider vinegar, except in dressings mixed with an oil, which is why I drink kefir (about 400ml a day) and eat saurkraut (about 4tbsp) - I especially love red cabbage one I make myself.

Shop bought ones are pasteurised so don't have probiotics). They make stomach more acid but are much gentler on the oesophagus and stomach. They also add to gut healing.

If you are dairy free you can make water kefir instead of milk kefir. Although I haven't tried as I still have dairy. They take up very little time to make each day - loads of sites on-line.

saritadelmar profile image
saritadelmar

A natural antacid is a bit of baking soda, powered Vit C and lemon juice in a bit of water. It fizzes up just like over-the-counter brands that use similar ingredients but not as natural.

Shaz26 profile image
Shaz26

I suggest homeopathic meds since they are also safe and no side effects

mimi2212 profile image
mimi2212

NONE! You need to find out if you have excess stomach acid or not enough....symptoms are the same.

LynneG profile image
LynneG

Timely, Cassie101, I received this email this morning about reflux from Functional Medical Practitioner Chris Kresser. You could read it if you wish, lots of info you may not hear from others. Once read and informed you can take on board or dismiss, up to you The link to the GERD ebook too x chriskresser.com/the-danger...

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