I have hashimoto Thyroid
Have been experiencing very hard stools lately. My blood test all seem normal though I am often deficient in vitamin D but this time they r better.
I take Brazil nuts for sellinium,
What vitamins are recommended for hashi and constipation
Thanks
Constipation is a symptom of hypothyroidism. I know you say your blood tests are normal but are they optimal for you? What were your most recent results: TSH, FT4, FT3?
What about vitamins D3 and B12? Ferritin and folate?
I agree with Localhero, For me a reduction in only 12.5 mcg /day Levothyroxine proved to be enough to cause chronic constipation, and within 5 days of raising it again the constipation was gone. This does mean my FT4 is over range, and i had to argue my case with GP, but so be it.
I don't know if it's the same for everyone, but for me too litttle levo =constipation and too much =several bowel movements a day. I find it quite a reliable guide to correct dose for me.
From your post of two months ago it would appear you are on a very low dose of T4 and T3.
Taking magnesium and VitC to bowel tolerance can be helpful with constipation. Check out magnesium - there are many types !
Suzi_
Magnesium citrate is the form for constipation. If you buy the powder form (Natural Calm Original is the one I use) you can start low and gradually build up to the dose that relieves your constipation, if it causes diarrhoea reduce the dose a bit.
I take Brazil nuts for sellinium,
Brazil nuts only contain selenium if they have to have been grown in selenium rich soil. Then it depends on which area the nuts were grown in because the amount of selenium in soil varies. Eastern Amazon and Central Brazil have the highest amounts:
honey-guide.com/2012/11/19/...
The packaging needs to say "Grown in selenium rich soil" and preferably the area and possibly the amount of selenium.
Some members have given us the following information:
Apparently Sainsburys SO organic brazil nuts contain 50mcg selenium per 30g serving of nuts
sainsburys.co.uk/gol-ui/pro...
and their Fairtrade ones have 75mcg selenium per 30g serving
sainsburys.co.uk/gol-ui/pro...
One member has said that M&S Natural Brazil Nuts say "harvested by hand in the Amazon forest and naturally high in selenium".
Also, check out Aldi's "The Foodie Market" Brazil nuts, the packaging is said to show selenium content as 79mcg per 30g serving.
Another one is 'My Garden of Eden' Brazil nuts from Home Bargains.. They say "High in Selenium and high in vitamin E" on the front of the packet and the Nutritional Information says "one serving (25g) gives 63ug of Selenium".
I take I am a nut Brazil nut from Amazon USA. Thanks for the feedback, I live in USA.
Dr suggested Miralax powder for constipation- takes 1-3 days to take effect. I didn’t like the taste plus slow, so I didn’t Take it.
Should I be taking zinc, vitamin D in Hashimoto thyroid. Blood test seem normal.
Thanks again
Wanted to send a photo of Brazilnut, don’t know if the app will let me do it.
Suzi_
Should I be taking zinc, vitamin D in Hashimoto thyroid. Blood test seem normal.
Depends on what you mean by normal.
From what I understand zinc should be about half way through range.
Vit D is recommended to be 40-60ng/ml (100-150nmol) according to the Vit D Council and Vit D Society.
Wanted to send a photo of Brazilnut, don’t know if the app will let me do it.
I don't use the app so can't help but one picture can be added to the opening post of a thread, that's all.
my go to is Milk of Magnesia - works a treat, but best not to plan on going too far from home until it has worked. Trust me!!
Thanks
Liquid or tablets? Pink tongue?
liquid. Usually take about 20mls. Usually works in 3/4 hours for me. We use it for broodmares after foaling - often they don't want to poop because they are sore after foaling, so we use lots of MOM to soften up the poop to make it easier for them. That's how I got the idea!!
Pity, I don't drink coffee!!
I drink Starbucks green tea Frappuccino, only drink coffee when badly constipated ( only when I remember)
Hashi can also lead to IBS.
Do you have constipation daily or some good days and some bad?
If it’s every day it could be too low a dose of thyroxine or it could be diet-related.
Magnesium is great, but also certain foods like beetroot and prunes can help. If your only symptom is constipation I would doubt its thyroid related. Are you eating enough veg? Do you eat a lot of meat, cheese and processed food including bread?
Try diet first before you try any increase on meds that you may not need.
Also consider seeing a nutritionist as they may uncover food related issues which again is better than more thyroxine and/or a laxative which are going to be your doctor’s 2 options.
Thanks for your helpful reply.
I eat lot of lentils and veggies, not much processed food, diet is pretty good. Take one or two prunes at night or teaspoon in water of psyllium husk to keep me regulated. It’s when the stools are too hard to pass that I get worried. I do have hemorrhoids and sometimes rectum bleeds and gets sore. Preparation H suppositories help but are expensive. I had colonoscopy in the past, had polyps but last time there were none.
My father was constipated regularly, my mother gave him hot milk with oil at night.
What I know from seeing a very good gastroenterologist is that if you’re constipated your stools get hard and dry, which makes them even more difficult to pass and prolongs the problem as the old dry poo blocks up the new poo.
So of course we need to prevent that in the first place.
Your diet seems pretty good, I do wonder if perhaps the lentils are giving you IBS as some people cannot tolerate lentils/beans/pulses.
If it’s thyroid then of course you need more thyroxine, especially if diet changes don’t work.
Try beetroot; works wonders for me but doesn’t work for my partner. We have to find what works for each of us.
Magnesium is brilliant too.
Psyllium is a mixed bag. It’s supposed to be good for constipation, but again the Gastro told me for some people it can cause bloating and discomfort, which defeats the purpose. Doesn’t seem to be working for you so I’d suggest try something else.
PS if you’re taking iron supps they can also constipate.
Constipation!
Iron and constipation
Digestion and constipation
Constipation 
