Psyllium Husk - strange bowel movements

[5678sar]

I have an underactive thyroid gland (hashimotos) and struggle with constipation even though I’m on levothyroxine and my blood shows my levels are fine. About two weeks ago I started taking psyllium husk capsules - 2 per day with a glass of water as per the instructions. For the first week it made a huge improvement and I was really happy. The second week (Sorry I know this is probably too much info!!) I have been experiencing something I have never had before - yellow mucus!? Sometimes I feel like I urgently need to go to the toilet but just the mucus comes out. Has anyone experienced this with psyllium husk? I am tempted to stop taking it, but then the constipation will probably start again!!

[spongecat]

The mucous is normal, it's just that we don't often notice it because of the poo!

Maybe this article can help put your mind at rest a bit, lots of stuff on Google too. Sounds like you have had a good clear out (for want of a better term!).

drugs.com/medical-answers/i...

[Mamapea1]

I found magnesium citrate powder mixed into weak fruit juice or water was wonderful for my severe and life long constipation. I take viridian powder but there are many others. We need to supplement magnesium anyway, so all good. I also found golden linseeds helped with transition of stools through the system, with the added bonus of being rich in omega 3. x

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Constipation suggests you are still hypothyroid

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 tested.

Also EXTREMELY important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 regularly

[5678sar in reply to SlowDragon]

Thanks, I’ll post my latest results here tomorrow. If you can review them i would really appreciate it.

[5678sar in reply to SlowDragon]

My results -

B12 491 (>200)

Folate 7.61 (2.7- 18.6)

Ferritin 119 (10-320)

TSH 0.25 (0.40 - 4.90)

T4 13.8 (9- 19)

T3 5 (2.60 - 5.70)

Do they look okay?

Thanks

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to 5678sar]

What thyroid hormones are you taking?

Just levothyroxine?

Always same brands of levothyroxine/T3

What vitamin supplements are you currently taking?

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)

If/when also on T3, or NDT make sure to take last 1/2 or 1/3rd of daily dose 8-12 hours prior to test, even if this means adjusting time or splitting of dose day before test

Is this how you do your tests?

[5678sar in reply to SlowDragon]

Yes that’s how I do my test - fasting and first thing in the morning without my levo on that morning. I can’t take TEVA because it gives me a rash but I take all others - just which ever the pharmacy have available. I currently take vitamin d and folic acid (trying to conceive)

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to 5678sar]

Ft4 is 48% through range

Ft3 is 78% through range

Presumably you are taking T3 alongside levothyroxine

[5678sar in reply to SlowDragon]

Thanks. No I only take levothyroxine.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to 5678sar]

Your conversion of Ft4 to Ft3 is extremely good

Have you tested your vitamin D?

vitamindtest.org.uk

[5678sar in reply to SlowDragon]

I have but it was a while ago - April 2019 and my results were

Vitamin d 66.8 (>49.90)

TSH 0.1

T4 15.5

T3 5.1

(Ranges as before)

[5678sar]

Just as an update - I have reduced the psyllium husk to one capsule per day and things are perfect! Hopefully this continues!