Under active Thyroid & Acid reflux

[Adam40]

Good evening, it’s only my second post here and I’d like to pre thank everyone for any input, I’ve been suffering with serious acid reflux and this is progressing uncomfortably over the past week, Is this common with thyroid issues ? Or maybe a levothyroxine side effect ? Please help

[Alanna012]

I think its a very common symptom of hypothyroidism.

One theory is that the motility of the gut slows down and food hangs around and bacteria feed on stalled carbs in the gut, proliferate and give off gases. These gases cause pressure in the diaphragm which in turn puts pressure on the stomach and acid gets pushed back up the oesophagus. There's an associated theory that bacteria proliferate in the small intestine where they are not supposed to be as the intestine doesn't contract strongly enough or 'rhythmically' and sweep them out (I'm not being technical enough but giving the gist)

Lowering carbs and doing the fodmap (?) Diet to lower sugars the bacteria feed on supposedly helps.

[Steni in reply to Alanna012]

Great reply

[greygoose]

You probably have low stomach acid. Most hypos do. If you don't have enough acid to digest your food properly, it ferments in the stomach, causing a volcano effect which forces what little acid there is up into the oesophagus. Try the home test at the end of this article:

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

[Hidden in reply to greygoose]

I have been really interested in reading the posts and the links from greygoose on stomach acid. I have been experiencing terrible stomach acid for the last 6 months. I am taking omeprazole twice daily and Gaviscon Advanced twice daily and it's not touching it. It is there on waking, throughout the day and before and after meals. I have had a H-pylori test which was negative. I don't have reflux but acid in my stomach which is causing pain which radiate to my upper back. I am also getting arthritis in both hands and wonder if all of his is related. I saw one of the links mentions apple vinegar but anything acid even tomatoes has me doubled over.

My GP hasn't mentioned it could be thyroid related, which I am beginning to realise isn't unusual. I am learning so much since being in this group which I am grateful for. I wonder what tests l could ask for although I feel they may not agree to them and would be interested in any comments or advice.

[greygoose in reply to Hidden]

In the link that I posted, it talks about tests for stomach acid levels. You could try the home test before approaching your doctor. But, I don't think it would be a good idea to try and test for acid levels whilst taking omeprazole, which lowers stomach acid.

Also, it could be something other than the acid causing the pain. Have you talked about this with your doctor?

[Hidden in reply to greygoose]

Thank you greygoose you are really providing to be a fountain of knowledge.

I have had such a run of illness since March 2020. I now have a catalogue of ailments all developed in the 12 months, none of which have established a cause.

I consider it may well be something other than acid. Convincing my GP to explore the possibility is like banging my head against a brick wall. In the meantime my health is further deteriorating.

I will get a home test kit and post my thyroid blood tests results as soon as I receive them. Thank you for all your support it is much appreciated.

[greygoose in reply to Hidden]

You're welcome. Yes, I think private testing is the best way to do. Doctors know so little about thyroid.

[thyroidnodules in reply to Hidden]

i also have this condition. it started last july after i had been on a short break in blackpool. my hotel was allinclusive and i ate more and drank more that i normally do, i even had fish and chips which i dont normally eat and i ate a lot of bread coming home in the train. that night i ended up in hospital as the pain in my upper back and my chest going up to my neck and ears was excrutiating - turns out it was inflammation of the oesophogus. i was in and in pain for a week until i started taking lansoprazole which is stronger than omazoprole and it subsided after a few days. unfortunately i didnt take it for the full 6 weeks and stopped after three weeks when i felt better. i had another attack although not as severe and so started another course for the full six weeks. since then i have watched what i eat. you can research on the internet what foods to avoid - i also try not to eat large meals and space them out every four hours. i have the odd bit of indigestion but so far no more attacks. it is very painful and can mimic a heart attack that is why they took me into hospital. if i have indigestion i take bicarbonate of soda which helps. i also have to sleep with three pillows and this aso helps

[Adam40]

Thanks I so hope I can do something to help as it’s extremely uncomfortable and causing real discomfort. Just absolutely sick at the minute it’s one thing after another it really is

[tiptoes47 in reply to Adam40]

I've had digestive issues for some time with hypo. It's true what people above say that gut motility slows down, and stomach acid may be low - but there may be additional avenues you can explore to uncover some underlying issues. There are private companies who do gut testing (through the post) which can show if you have any bacterial imbalances or pathogens. It's not cheap - but for me this has been very helpful and enlightening.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Low stomach acid can be a common hypothyroid issue

Clear sign you need next dose increase in levothyroxine

Thousands of posts on here about low stomach acid

healthunlocked.com/search/p...

Web links re low stomach acid and reflux and hypothyroidism

nutritionjersey.com/high-or...

articles.mercola.com/sites/...

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

stopthethyroidmadness.com/s...

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

naturalendocrinesolutions.c...

Protect your teeth if using ACV with mother

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Many medics mistakenly think all acid reflux is high acid and usually want to prescribe PPI for high acid.

PPI tend to lower vitamin levels even further

gov.uk/drug-safety-update/p...

webmd.com/heartburn-gerd/ne...

pharmacytimes.com/publicati...

PPI and increased risk T2 diabetes

gut.bmj.com/content/early/2...

[Luchia]

Hi. Just a thought.. If you can get a blood test called gastric parental band cell antibody it could help clarify whether you have autoimmune stomach. This causes some problems as well as a tendency not to absorb vitamin b12:. It also appears to create gluten intolerance..I have this one as well as hashis.

[Hidden]

I have bouts of this. To the point where it ends up hurting my vocal cords and I can't really speak without discomfort.

Bizarrely the only thing that makes it really terrible is cold water or squash. Hot drinks are fine. 🤷🏻‍♀️

[Chicken26]

1...synthetic thyroid meds are a culprit so i see am amazing endocrinologist who is all natural..i take NP throid sublingually which bypasses the stomach and 2. buy a juicer and juice a potato and drink it..the starch coats and stops the reflux...i recently prepped for colonoscopy which i had severe reflux from the ingredient in miralax..two days of juicing did the trick...

[Charlie-Farley]

Hi Adam

I’m newbie too and learning much from this forum (thank you all from the bottom of my heart). I too have been suffering from acid reflux and have gone gluten-free. I am on omeprazole for as required, but since cutting out gluten and making sure I don’t have high-fat and/or high sugar meals, I feel a lot better. I cannot eat flapjack gluten-free, or otherwise too much fat and too much sugar in one go. Fish and chips are also off the menu as well as a few other meals, but generally feeling so much better.

Hope you get sorted 😊👍

[jamesal0]

I chew my thyroid medication (NDT (natural desiccated thyroid) or Levo) and wash it down with food or plenty of milk etc. Sorry I know everyone says no food but I dont agree. I feel the pill when washed down with a sip of water is carried whole to just inside the upper stomach sphincter where it dissolves into a concentrated puddle of stuff that burns the area. This is particularly a problem with NDT. If you are concerned about loosing a small percentage of the thyroid medication due to food. I would not be, as this will be fine tuned next time you see your GP and do blood test etc.