Back on T4 only with Endocrinologist. Feel good but still bloated daily 😞

[Boon79]

So I’m being monitored by an Endocrinologist in South Wales. I’ve decided to drop my NDT (was on Thai Thiroyd which is no longer available). I’m now only on Accord Levothyroxine. The specific brand is named on my prescription, and the Endocrinologist said I should not be on different brands (hurrah for her), but unfortunately cannot prescribe T3 in any form.

On the whole I feel good. HOWEVER this damn bloating will not go away! I was also bloated on NDT, hence why I decided to try Levo alone.

I did a finger prick gluten allergy/ intolerance test, which was negative. I’m fairly sure that lactose is the culprit, along with low stomach acid. So going to cut out dairy and take Hydrochloric acid with pepsin with meals.

Has anyone on here managed to get rid of bloating successfully?

I’ve tried Apple cider vinegar, peppermint capsules, and am currently taking oil of oregano.

I’m a slim person who looks 6 months pregnant 🤰

[shaws Administrator]

I'm sorry you are experiencing bloating. It seems it might be more common than we think and this is a link, which may be helpful. Excerpt from following link:-

everlywell.com/discover/blo...

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Can see on previous posts you have Hashimoto’s (Diagnosed high thyroid antibodies)

Food intolerances and low vitamin levels are EXTREMELY common with Hashimoto’s

Essential to regularly retest vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

What vitamin supplements are you currently taking

When were vitamins last tested?

Add results and ranges if you have them

Or come back with new post once you get results

Hashimoto's affects the gut and leads to low stomach acid and then low vitamin levels

Low vitamin levels affect Thyroid hormone working

Poor gut function can lead leaky gut (literally holes in gut wall) this can cause food intolerances. Most common by far is gluten. Dairy is second most common.

According to Izabella Wentz the Thyroid Pharmacist approx 5% with Hashimoto's are coeliac, but over 80% find gluten free diet helps, sometimes significantly. Either due to direct gluten intolerance (no test available) or due to leaky gut and gluten causing molecular mimicry (see Amy Myers link)

Changing to a strictly gluten free diet may help reduce symptoms, help gut heal and slowly lower TPO antibodies

While still eating high gluten diet ask GP for coeliac blood test first or buy test online for under £20, just to rule it out first

Assuming test is negative you can immediately go on strictly gluten free diet

(If test is positive you will need to remain on high gluten diet until endoscopy, maximum 6 weeks wait officially)

Trying gluten free diet for 3-6 months. If no noticeable improvement then reintroduce gluten and see if symptoms get worse

chriskresser.com/the-gluten...

amymyersmd.com/2018/04/3-re...

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

drknews.com/changing-your-d...

restartmed.com/hashimotos-g...

Non Coeliac Gluten sensitivity (NCGS) and autoimmune disease

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/296...

The predominance of Hashimoto thyroiditis represents an interesting finding, since it has been indirectly confirmed by an Italian study, showing that autoimmune thyroid disease is a risk factor for the evolution towards NCGS in a group of patients with minimal duodenal inflammation. On these bases, an autoimmune stigma in NCGS is strongly supported

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/300...

The obtained results suggest that the gluten-free diet may bring clinical benefits to women with autoimmune thyroid disease

nuclmed.gr/wp/wp-content/up...

In summary, whereas it is not yet clear whether a gluten free diet can prevent autoimmune diseases, it is worth mentioning that HT patients with or without CD benefit from a diet low in gluten as far as the progression and the potential disease complications are concerned

restartmed.com/hashimotos-g...

Despite the fact that 5-10% of patients have Celiac disease, in my experience and in the experience of many other physicians, at least 80% + of patients with Hashimoto's who go gluten-free notice a reduction in their symptoms almost immediately.

If you are lactose intolerant you will need to be prescribed LACTOSE FREE levothyroxine....Tablets or liquid

Teva and Aristo are ONLY lactose free tablets

[SlowDragon Administrator]

How much levothyroxine are you currently taking

What were most recent results including Ft3

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)

[Boon79]

Thanks for all of your replies. My TSH is suppressed (Endocrinologist not concerned) and T3 and T4 high in the range.

Literally EVERYTHING makes me bloat- lettuce, garlic,onions, cucumber, coffee etc. etc.. I feel as though I’m too frightened to eat anything!

I’m going to try gluten and lactose free for 6 weeks to see if my symptoms improve.

If I’m lactose free though, can I take accord/ actavis which has lactose in it? I don’t do well with Teva.

[greygoose in reply to Boon79]

You probably have low stomach acid. Have a look at this article, and try the home test at the end:

healthygut.com/articles/3-t...

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Boon79]

Aristo is new lactose free levothyroxine....perhaps try that at next prescription

Recommend getting vitamin levels tested ASAP

Medichecks - JUST vitamin testing including folate - DIY finger prick test

medichecks.com/products/nut...

Medichecks often have special offers, if order on Thursdays

[Bertwills]

Try having a look at the Low Fodmap diet. I’ve found it helpful with my digestion.