I just wanted to ask for some advice as recently (over last 10 months) I’ve been experiencing real discomfort in my stomach and was prescribed omeprazole. This seems to really help but recently it’s got a lot worse if I forget to take it. I ended up going for an endoscopy and they diagnosed Oesophagitis and hiatus hernia. I take two x 20 omeprazoles a day but recently I’ve been experiencing heart palpitations and symptoms of hypo. I got a blood test and the results show my TSH is 4.8. Could the omeprazole be interfering with my levo?
I’ve also read that maybe the stomach symptoms might be a sign of LOW acid not high, in which case, am I wrong to take it at all? If the symptoms are therefore caused by low acid, what can I do to correct this?
any advice gratefully received
Thanks
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Proton pump inhibitors have a lot of negative side effects, including reducing nutrient absorption. Try a little apple cider vinegar in water before meals to see if that helps, or add lemon juice to your food & the water you take your T4 with.
I experienced indigestion for a few weeks when I started to Metavive. Balsamic vinegar on my lunchtime salad or a grapefruit before meals resolved the problem. I also avoid trigger foods that disagree with me.
PPIs are known to reduce the effectiveness of thyroid hormone so you will need to adjust your thyroid medication dose. Your doctor should have informed you and requested a retest 6 weeks after starting the PPI. As you have a hernia you will need to take advice on whether its wise to increase stomach acidity if low acidity is a result of thyroid dysfunction. When you are on the correct thyroid dose again you may find it clears up.
PPIs do have side effects and are not normally advised long term so you need to discuss options with your doctors.
Many people with thyroid conditions on this forum do seem to find that reduced stomach acid causes reflux. There is a lot of advice on trying a gluten free diet. You should also check Vitamin levels if you have not already done so.
Thanks very much. Going back to gp tomorrow to ask for the tests and the ones they won't do I'll go private... Need to go through it all with gp... Just feel like a right hypochondriac when I talk to them...
A year ago your results were missing the FT3 result and you were advised by SlowDragon of its importance. Am wondering if you have a result now. T3 needed in every cell of the body and when low in range can be the cause of so many symptoms.
I haven't, I'm so bad... Going to get the private tests done. But the cost is an issue at the moment... (Got my father in law on chemo at the moment and things are crazy busy with family)
Sorry to hear about your father-in-law. Try and get the Private Testing done so you can be well enough to care for others as well as yourself ... it will be money well spent ... 🎁
If you take the ppi close to the levo it will interfere. I take 40mg twice a day with food but the levo before bed. I had the same diagnosis as you but also stomach ulcers which turned out to be caused by lymphoma. I tried the low acid theory often mentioned here but it was wrong and wasted time getting to the real cause. Seeing GP next month to reduce the ppi as the long term effects are not good.
It looks like you need more levo to get TSH near to 1 or below but you also need to know FT3 ,B12,D3, folate and ferritin results.
PPI's will deplete b12 levels causing similar symptoms to thyroid problems. Read sister site Pernicious Anaemia on here. Take advice to get off anti-acids.
I weaned off Omeprazole by taking Gaviscon at night (when the reflux was at its worst) and kept off caffeine (this, incedentally, was before I knew about Hashi's) and stopped eating any fried foods and pastries (again, this is before I went gluten free but I was beginning to suspect gluten was an issue as my father's grandmother and my sister couldn't manage wheat). Coeliac screens are not terribly reliable unless you're very far gone with intestinal damage, so trying gluten free is a worthwhile experiment. Also, make sure you are converting properly in your labs. A lot of us suspect low t3 when digestion is an issue and rightly so. Try rubbing Magnesium Gel or lotion on areas where you get any cramps or digestion pain as it is anti spasmotic.
Caffeine is something I've recently had to give up... I've noticed my heart feels funny lately when I have it.. I can't say it races as my heart rate is always on the lower end of normal and my blood pressure is always low... Caffeine normally increases it all doesn't it so not sure why I get these feelings when I drink caffeine... Alcohol is also another killer for me... I have heart palpitations for 12 hours after drinking! Crazy!
I'm going to get some magnesium tomorrow... Thanks for the advice.
Levothyroxine dose needs increasing in 25mcg steps until TSH is around one and FT4 towards top of range and MOST important to get FT3 tested - privately if necessary
You need vitamin levels testing
PPI tend to lower vitamins, especially magnesium and B12
Are you still on strictly gluten free diet?
Previous post showed low folate and no B12 test
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
Ask GP to test vitamin levels
Recommended on here that all thyroid blood tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and before eating or drinking anything other than water .
Last dose of Levothyroxine 24 hours prior to blood test. (taking delayed dose immediately after blood draw).
This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, best not mentioned to GP or phlebotomist)
Is this how you do your tests?
Private tests are available. Thousands on here forced to do this as NHS often refuses to test FT3 or antibodies or all vitamins
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
As others have said this may be LOW stomach acid. But you can't just stop omeprazole suddenly
Getting thyroid dose increased and vitamins optimal should help
Thanks SlowDragon! Im going to get some magnesium tomorrow. Thanks for advice...
I don't seem to have many other symptoms other than feeling what I can only describe as really quivery! And heart fluttering... Which is a very bizarre feeling (On top of the stomach issues of course... )
And I will go back to gp for the vitamin tests again and it's been a year since they were last done and I can argue that I'm symptomatic. They don't seem to like doing the vitamin d tests.... If not I'll have to get the private tests done...
If I were you, I would get private tests done...check out Medichecks on Thursdays to see if they have one of their offers on ~ Thyroid Check Ultra or Thyroid Check Ultra Vit. GP's will not do an ACTIVE B12 test, which is really what you need, and this will be included ~ as will T3.
You really need to get all the thyroid hormones tested together so you get an accurate picture.
Since you have previously been Vit D deficient, with low folate, etc., combined with the fact you're taking Omeprazole, (which inhibits nutrient absorption) it is very likely your B12 is also too low. I suffered terribly with B12 deficiency, when GP had said all was 'fine' ~ it's really not worth it.
It only came to light because of this forum, even though I had loads of symptoms. I also had a 'quiver' in the chest, which quite rapidly turned to serious tremors, and I developed such an abnormal gait that I couldn't walk out alone. I thought I had MS or Parkinson's, but I'm fine now that thyroid and nutrients are optimal 😊
Unfortunately, being hypo means we have to continue to take good quality supplements, and have regular checks, or our health nose dives. I definitely recommend taking the magnesium, and I would continue to take the Vit D, especially as the winter is approaching, with K2 MK7.
I find Better You Vit D mouth spray really good, as it avoids absorption issues. Perhaps when everything is optimal, you will be able to come off the Omeprazole, and will be a lot better for it. Good luck🍀 x
Fascinating. Thanks so much for taking time to reply. Everyone on here is wonderful.
What is K2 MK7? Is it a vitamin supplement?
Out of curiosity, Where do you get your supplements from? I’ve just bought some magnesium from Holland and Barrett today to tide me over whilst I research where to get the best ones from.
I’m going to order the thyroid check ultra vit! Get it all done in one hit!thanks for the tip. they are doing a 15% off at the moment so it is £85.
Thanks so much. It’s hard feeling rubbish isn’t it, and I’ve got two little ones to look after...
Sorry, I should have said Vitamin K2 Mk7... it's best to take Vit K2 when you're supplementing Vit D, as it's a co factor, as is magnesium. Vit D raises calcium levels and K2 helps to direct the calcium to your bones and teeth where it's needed. GP or specialists didn't tell me anything about cofactors when my Vit D was very low and I began supplementing, and I think it's very important.
I buy most of my supplements from my local Revital store, but my daughters order a few that aren't available there from various sites. SeasideSusie usually posts good links for supplements in her replies. I'm so glad you're ordering the test ~ members will advise when results are in👍 x
I'm so sorry your having to experience this very unpleasant issue. Would you have your most recent FT3 FT4 TSH values ?
I found that when I was not optimally dosed with my thyroid meds I experienced many digestive issues . Once my thyroid levels where optimal for me the digestive issues resolved for me.
This is interesting... Now maybe I've increased my dose I may start to feel a bit better.... Takes a while to feel the difference doesn't it? I'm trying not to take the omeprazole as much...
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