I have had Hashimotos for about 12 years, could not tolerate Levo and began taking NDT about 5 years ago. Also now in the menaupause.
My question is does anybody else who has Hashimoto’s and is hypo thyroid suffer from gall stones? Do these problems tend to be associated I am wondering as I know hypothyroid can slow metabolism and even digestive processes; my stomach can be very slow to empty.
The Thyroid problem seems to be hereditary (mum, grandmother and aunt).
And both my mum and aunt had gallstones too, sadly they both died not very many years after diagnosis.
I have received conformation via my GP (after ultrasound) that I have a large 3cm gallstone and a chronically inflamed gallbladder today. I have been referred as urgent to a general surgeon. I have had a lot of pain for a long time now getting attacks once a week. Feeling a bit silly but given my family history am quite scared about it all.
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Aleahcim
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Hypothyroidism causes gallstones by slow metabolism and elevated cholesterol. It's the small stones that can cause extra pain because they can pass down the duct. Pain is mostly caused by a diseased gallbladder going into spasms. I had a diseased gallbladder in spite of not being in a high risk group (fair, fat, female, forties). I had a cholesystectomy which is a very successful operation.
It's a good idea to move around a little the day after the operation (take care) as this helps avoid adhesions and helps recovery. Assuming they are able to do keyhole surgery you get very little pain although the belly button can be sensitive to pressure. Alas, the scars completely disappear after a few years so you have nothing to show off. The operation is incredibly successful except when it is done for vague pains that are not due to gallbladder problems. Your sysmptoms suggest it is gallbladder problems. About half the population eventually get stones so the presence of stones is not very informative.
Thanks for your reply slow dragon, I was completely gluten free for 6 months last year but didn’t resolve digestive problems. Then had to have gluten again prior to celiac test. This was negative. I now have very small amounts of gluten since test negative. GP prescribed Mebeverine which helps.
I have Hashi's, and I had the small-type gall stones discovered by accident - although dark, female, not very fat and fifyish - and low cholesterol. I didn't have any of the usual pain at all. But, surgeon said best to whip it out. So we did. Keyhole surgery, nothing to it - well, not as far as I was concerned, anyway. lol I was in hospital for two days after the op, living on cabbage soup to reawaken my sleepy gut. Then went home. That was in around 2003? Can't really remember, and have hardly ever thought about it since. So, don't be scared. It's pretty routine.
Hi I went un diagnosed for a long time and developed stones. Had mine taken out and umbilical hernia and cyst on liver all done at once. One day in the hospital no problem. Glad I did ........the doctor said it was really in bad shape.... and it was ready to burst. Don't want that to happen for sure..... Don't worry. Also never had to change anything with my diet. Good Luck.
Thank you so much everyone for your replies. Yes the fact that my gallbladder seems in very bad shape from the results of the ultrasound and the fact it may burst is my concern. I have been advised when I get another gallbladder attack if my temperature goes up to take myself to A& E.
I am allergic to every antibiotic I’ve ever taken and as I was on antibiotics for most of my childhood that’s an awful lot. So another concern is that I am likely to need antibiotics after the Op and I have no idea what they’re going to give me 😳🙄. Sorry to sound like such a moaner!
Slow dragon, thank you so much for all the links you included, they have been invaluable and reminded me of information I read six years ago and had forgotten regarding my hypo thyroid situation.
Thank you again everyone, the kindness of complete strangers is humbling bless you all 😘
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