Low stomach acid - home test reliable?

hi there, does anyone know if the low stomach acid home test is reliable at all? (basically bicarb of soda first thing, if you don't burb within 5 mins, it's low).

I did it out of curiosity after coming across the issue of low stomach acid during a boredom google (always a bad idea). I had absolutely zero response to the bicarb (either within the 5 minutes or later). Does this mean I likely have low stomach acid, or is it a bit of an online myth?

I have well-managed (at the moment it seems) hashi, coeliac disease and bile acid malabsorption, but still have occasional bad stomach days, though things hugely better than they were.

I just wondered if this might be some miracle answer to the dodgy days (call me an optimist). Does HCL Betain actually work does anyone know? Any risks?

thanks in advance - posted here as apparently low stomach acid related to thyroid - but maybe better elsewhere?

[Lalatoot]

You could try apple cider vinegar with mother - that is unfiltered with the scummy bits in. Can be bought in supermarket or health food shop. I have seen it recommended for low stomach acid.I have taken a little in a mug with a tsp honey and topped up with hot water. Don't know if thats how its done but i liked it!

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Previous post suggests under medicated and/or poor conversion

Poor conversion common with coeliac disease as well as hashimoto’s

Are you still currently on 200mcg levo

Low FT3 often leads to low stomach acid

was on 250 a year ago

TSH 0.02 (was 0.013 a year ago) (0.27-4.2)

Free T3 4 (was 5.7 a year ago) (3.1-6.8)

Free Thyroxine 15.8 (was 22.2 a year ago) (12-22)

Ferretin 130 (13-150)

Folate 6.1 (2.9-14.5)

B12 active - 105 (25.1-165)

Vit D - 92 (50-200)

[Hidden in reply to SlowDragon]

thanks SlowDragon. I'm still on 200mcg but actually feel fine at the moment (other than the dodgy guts occasionally). Do you think it would be a good idea to get another medicheck done, I'm not sure I've ever thought about being a poor converter (does that mean considering t3)?

I was vaguely hoping I could simply pop some Hcl and all would be well (tho realise things are rarely that simple).

Interesting that previous post of mine is only 5 months ago and I obviously felt awful. Surprising how quickly I forget once I'm ok again 🙄.

thanks again for your wealth of knowledge

[Anthea55]

Hi Tilly, the burp test worked for me. Since then I've had the Salivary VEGF test which agreed with the burp test result.

See Dr Myhill's page about low stomach acid.drmyhill.co.uk/wiki/Hypochl...

[Serendipitious]

Stomach acid really is the foundation to digestion. Digestion begins in the brain, starts off in mouth where saliva mixes with your food and that’s why being mindful and slowing chewing food is essential for that process. However it is the acidity in your stomach that kicks off protein breakdown and mineral absorption and the correct pH will then stimulate the release of digestive enzymes from the pancreas, bile from the gall bladder and enzymes in the small intestine when that acidic chyme (food) passes through. If the pH is too high or alkaline it compromises everything else.

Yes it is related because low stomach acid and poor digestion can be as a result of low thyroid function but then the low stomach acid function and compromised digestion further aggravates the thyroid because it reduces nutrient absorption. It’s a self perpetuating cycle for some but there’s so much you can do.

[Hidden in reply to Serendipitious]

thanks Serendipitous - it's all very interesting - i can't believe that I've never really thought about HOW i eat (as well as obviously, as a coeliac/BAM sufferer, WHAT i eat). I am 57 with a 12 year old daughter (😱😀) working full time, chasing my tail as we all do, so am the worst offender at eating on the hoof, the opposite of mindful etc. I hadn't even THOUGHT about chewing properly, never mind doing it. I made a resolution yesterday to mend my ways, let's see how that goes 😂. Thanks so much for the info, very motivating.

[Serendipitious in reply to Hidden]

Excellent glad I could help you!