Autoimmune gastritis Hashimoto’s

[Flecmac]

I have been so ill with some kind of hashi flare up relating to chronic abdo pain every night, changing bowel habit, fatigue, no appetite etc etc. I was in A and E all day Wednesday and came home with Gabapentin. Also previously seen two gastroenterologists who just discharged me, last one reluctantly referred me for SIBO test which is next Wed. I’m seeing Endo tomorrow and need advice as to how I can explain the connection between hashi’s and autoimmune gastritis????!!!! Advice please.

Thanks 🤯

[Buddy195 Administrator]

The first person who suggested I had a thyroid problem was a gastroenterologist & she said link was very common. This link is also discussed in ‘Hashimoto Protocol’ & lots of other literature.

I had lost weight, had abdominal pain etc. Endoscopy showed gastritis and I was given PPIs. However, omeprazole didn’t really help me, so was referred to an Endo. Once my thyroid medication and vitamins became more optimal, my stomach issues resolved. Going Gluten Free has really helped. I’m also trialling dairy free- but still undecided about that! Are you gluten free?

[Flecmac in reply to Buddy195]

Thanks. Yes I’ve been GF for two years but it hasn’t made any difference, also use lactose free milk. I followed the FODMAP diet earlier this year which made no difference. I’m at the end of my tether with this and my only hope will be with my Endo tomorrow but I don’t think he will know about the connection. This last flare had been awful as is at its worst through the night, so no sleep! xx

[Buddy195 Administrator in reply to Flecmac]

I hope your Endo knows about the connection. Let me know how you get on. Really hope things improve soon!

[Flecmac in reply to Buddy195]

Thanks, me too! 🙏🏻 xx

[GHughes2 in reply to Flecmac]

Hi

I too had gastritis before I was diagnosed with Hashi's. I was put on an SSRI with helped considerably. I still get the odd flare up but not as bad. I have found that local full fat yoghurt and oats help. When suffering, plain foods, no alcohol and fresh veg like broccoli, cabbage etc keep it from escalating.

[Flecmac in reply to GHughes2]

Is that yes or no to veg? I find veg sometimes can be problem although never sure.

[Flecmac in reply to GHughes2]

SSRI?

[Flecmac in reply to GHughes2]

Oh anti depressants!!! I had loads of those in past and was hooked took ages to get off, wasn’t ill like now then though, but they didn’t help IBS.

[GHughes2 in reply to Flecmac]

Oh and keep processed foods to a minimum. I find anything pickled will start it off!

[Flecmac in reply to GHughes2]

Yes I do avoid those. Thanks.

[GHughes2 in reply to Flecmac]

IBS and gastritis 😕 I have a friend with IBS and she went on what I would call a white diet. Fish, rice, apple sauce and potato diet, just introducing foods gently. She is able to tolerate a lot more food now but I think stress sets her back from time to time. Which is probably understandable. I can see why veg might be an issue for IBS sufferers. You have my sentiments.

[Flecmac in reply to GHughes2]

Thanks.

[Clarrisa]

I can’t Recall the connection but recommend with abdominal pain (based on own experience & observations) throwing out any questionable food especially condiments you are using, & start fresh preferably with different brands.

The E.R. doctor documented in my chart I have a allergy to vitamin E. I later read in the newspaper the brand of frozen waffles I had been eating at the time were contaminated at the factory. I had a infection another doctor later thought.

[HashiFedUp]

Have they tested for or ruled out Crohn’s disease or colitis? If you have one autoimmune disease, it’s very common to develop others.

[Flecmac in reply to HashiFedUp]

Not sure if had pathalogical tests for each but I have had quite a few colonoscopies with 5 polyps being removed and lots of scans. Thanks

[Chocaholic7]

Have you been tested for Coeliac disease? This would involve eating around 10 grams of gluten per day, every day for a minimum of 6 weeks prior to serology and gastroscopy.

[Flecmac in reply to Chocaholic7]

Sorry, no it was only a blood test, never had serology only gastroscopy but I wasn’t this bad then .

[Flecmac]

I had test few years ago and was told ok. I have been gluten free for two years with no difference. Thanks

[JennaShi]

I don’t have any information other than hearing that the two are commonly seen together. Might try looking up on pub med?

Your stomach issues sound very similar though to what I have been experiencing and I have autoimmune Gastritis also (and post Graves disease). Have you looked into HCL supplements? This may help you digest food better as your body is attacking the parietal cells in your stomach.

[Flecmac in reply to JennaShi]

No what are they? Thanks.

[Flecmac in reply to Flecmac]

I have reflux, so how would I know if I have low stomach acid? I avoid acidic food.

[JennaShi in reply to Flecmac]

This is the description of the ones I bought:

Betaine HCl and pepsin are gastric-juice components essential to the digestion of food and absorption of most nutrients. In particular, betaine HCl is necessary for adequate absorption of protein, calcium, vitamin B12 and iron. The low pH of the stomach's hydrochloric acid destroys ingested bacteria and microorganisms. This formula can be beneficial for anyone seeking enhanced digestive function.*

You would have low stomach acid because parietal cells produce stomach acid (and intrinsic factor) which is needed for the beginning part of the digestive process.

I have met another person who also has AIAG and also a hiatal hernia. It is possible to have more than one issue going on.

[Flecmac in reply to JennaShi]

Thank you. Where do you buy from? x

[JennaShi in reply to Flecmac]

I bout mine from Amazon and it includes betaine which some people buy Hcl without. I encourage you to do your own research and figure out what would work best for you. If you do buy this product, make sure to take them only with food by eating a couple bites first. Start slow with one and work your way up. It is also recommended to take them with meals that have more protein in them as opposed to not.

[Flecmac in reply to JennaShi]

Thank you x

[JennaShi in reply to Flecmac]

You’re welcome!

[Saya85]

Try the probiotic saccharomyces boulardii particularly when you have flare ups - it stops it straight away.

Dr wentz describes the 30 day protocol for taking it to reduce gut infections particularly blastocys hominis which often causes similar issues

I find taking vitamin C ascorbic acid, with my food really.helpsmwith digestion

Magnesium.will also.help.massively with the digestion, abdominal.pain and acid reflux problems

[Flecmac in reply to Saya85]

Thank you x

[vocalEK]

Here you go: You might want to print out the abstract to this article to take with you to your appointment: ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/305...

Autoimmune diseases in autoimmune atrophic gastritis.

Abstract

Autoimmune diseases, characterized by an alteration of the immune system which results in a loss of tolerance to self antigens often coexist in the same patient. Autoimmune atrophic gastritis, characterized by the development of antibodies agains parietal cells and against intrinsic factor, leads to mucosal destruction that affects primarily the corpus and fundus of the stomach. Autoimmune atrophic gastritis is frequently found in association with thyroid disease, including Hashimoto's thyroiditis, and with type 1 diabetes mellitus,

[Flecmac in reply to vocalEK]

Thank you x

[Marz]

Have you been tested for Pernicious Anaemia ?

[Flecmac in reply to Marz]

No, it’s never been mentioned, are there any symptoms? Thanks x

[Flecmac in reply to Marz]

I see it’s to do with vitamin B12 deficiency, my Endo did say try supplement, however my B12 results have always been very good.

[Marz in reply to Flecmac]

There is a Pernicious Anaemia Society Forum here on HU. Good information in their Pinned Posts. Also you could go to the website of the PA Society and have a read of signs and symptoms. Have you been supplementing B12 or a B Complex - both would skew results.

[Flecmac in reply to Marz]

No not taken any b’s in a while and not been tested since December ‘18 so a year and it was >2000 ng/L (191-663) but I was supplementing. Also in Oct ‘17 it was 704 (190-800) with no supplements at all. I’ve never worried about my B 12. Not sure if this helps.

Thankyou xx

[JennaShi in reply to Flecmac]

If you choose to test again it would be good to wait 4 months in which you have stopped all B12 supplementation for it to be clear of your system. The other thing worth mentioning is that once your body is clear of b12, it’s also important to look at getting an active b12 test not just a serum b12 test. Serum b12 tests look at both the active and non active form of b12 in your body and it would be good to see what your body is using in order to assess more accurately what is going on.

[Flecmac]

Thank you