Constipation and magnesium supplements - Thyroid UK

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Constipation and magnesium supplements

Suzi_ profile image
11 Replies

Has anyone got constipation and hard stools problems in hypothyroid / Hashimoto? Stools are very hard despite a good diet and fiber consumption.

I only take vitamin D3 and Calcium 400 mg, should magnesium be added to my diet, if so, which one and how much? My hip density bone scan is 666, not so good!

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SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering

Suzi_

If you look back at your previous post asking about calcium and magnesium, it was explained that as you are taking D3 then you should also be taking it's important cofactors - magnesium and Vit K2-MK7

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

I gave you links which explained what the different forms of magnesium help with and said you should check which would suit you best. If you read them you will see that Magnesium Citrate is good for constipation. The best form is the powdered form as you can start low then gradually increase until you find the right dose. If it gives you diarrhoea then drop back to the previous dose which worked but didn't give diarrhoea. I use Natural Calm Original powder which is unflavoured, I dissolve the required amount in a little warm water, then add some orange juice and it makes quite a pleasant flavoured drink.

Suzi_ profile image
Suzi_ in reply toSeasideSusie

Thanks Susie. Yes I remember now. As a matter of fact I just finished K2- MK7 drops. My vitamin D level is 32 despite me taking good amount of Vitamins D.

Range( 30-100) I think I have to increase my Vitamin D intake. I will try magnesium. Do u take magnesium at a certain time?

I space out my thyroid meds from calcium supplement. Thanks again

SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering in reply toSuzi_

Suzi_

I take my magnesium in the late evening, as it tends to be calming it's best not taken in the daytime in case it makes you sleepy.

Magnesium helps D3 to work, it converts the D3 into it's usable form, so you might find your level improves. But, are you taking enough D3 anyway? How much are you taking?

D3 should be taken 4 hours away from thyroid meds.

Magnesium should be taken 4 hours away from thyroid meds.

Calcium should be taken 4 hours away from thyroid meds.

Calcium should not be taken at the same time as magnesium - see slide 6 here:

webmd.com/vitamins-and-supp...

Suzi_ profile image
Suzi_ in reply toSeasideSusie

I was told by the dr to increase my vitamin D intake by 2000 iu as my lab results for D are not optimal and I often am low on vitamin D. I take my thyroid meds at 7 am ( USA ) vitamins D at lunch time, 12 noon and calcium at dinner 7 pm. I finished one bottle of drops of vitamin k2 Mk7 but my hip bone mass still needs improvement. Have ordered another bottle of k2 drops and calm magnesium citrate to be taken at dinner. Bone up sounds interesting!

Thanks so much everyone for the feedbacks. Love u all!

SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering in reply toSuzi_

Suzi_

I was told by the dr to increase my vitamin D intake by 2000 iu

What is the total amount of D3 you are taking daily?

The level recommended by The Vit D Society and Grassroots Heath is 40-60ng/ml, with a recent Grassroots Health blog post recommendeding at least 50ng/ml.

To raise your level of 32ng/ml to the recommended level you'd be looking at taking possibly 3,000iu D3. Retest in 3 months and if it hasn't improved try 4,000iu for 3 months. Once you've reached the recommended level then you'll need to find your maintenance dose by trial and error, it may be 2,000iu daily, maybe more, maybe less, maybe more in winter than summer.

Bone up sounds interesting!

It wasn't me that mentioned Bone Up but as it contains calcium and magnesium it goes against the advice to not take these two minerals together so it's not something that I would suggest. That's the trouble with multi vitamin or multi mineral supplements, they put lots of stuff in and some aren't compatable and compete for absorption.

RockyPath profile image
RockyPath

There's a product available from Jarrow called Bone Up. It contains calcium, magnesium, vitamins C, D and K, and other bone-building co-factor minerals. I find the magnesium in this makes for easy bowel movement. The dose is 6 tablets per day, spread over lunch and dinner. I also take another magnesium supplement for the injured brain, and the combination makes for really easy movements.

I take the magnesium with the Bone Up. You always want to keep the calcium away from your thyroid hormone, but I take NP Thyroid twice a day and the second dose is right next to the Bone Up and it doesn't seem to have any adverse effect on the plasma levels of T3 and T4.

Take care of your bones!

guysgrams profile image
guysgrams in reply toRockyPath

What other supplements do you take other than this bone up then?

CatsofCatford profile image
CatsofCatford

I religiously take 200 to 400 mg of magnesium citrate every night before bed snd no longer have any problems with constipation, I’m happy to report

Starfish123 profile image
Starfish123

I’ve been taking magnesium supplements for almost 4 years, best supplement ever as it’s good for the thyroid, constipation, anxiety and it also lowers blood pressure. I’m sure it’s good for other issues too. It’s been brilliant for me.

Suzi_ profile image
Suzi_ in reply toStarfish123

Which magnesium were u taking

Runedrun26 profile image
Runedrun26

I had the same problem I was taking to much iron and mag , I cut down on both and feel better.

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