Low Stomach Acid

[Cat-222]

Does anyone have low stomach acid and wake with a sore throat and chest? I get a lot of indigestion, not sure if it is age, hypothyroidism or thyroxine. How do you treat it?

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Low stomach acid extremely common when under medicated or poor conversion of Ft4 to Ft3

On levothyroxine we must have GOOD vitamin levels

Just testing TSH is completely inadequate

Did you get full private test including vitamins done yet?

Or see if you can get GP to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 levels first

Come back with new post once you get results

Previous post

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

[Cat-222 in reply to SlowDragon]

I had private blood test with Thrive last year and with my doctor. My vitamin D was 86. B12 60. Folate and Ferritin was in the normal range cannot remember the numbers.I have been on HRT for 7 Months, bled continuously for 3 Months so had to stop a month ago. Haven’t felt right since. Have headaches everyday, bad anxiety, sinus congestion and palpitations.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Cat-222]

Palpitations frequently linked to low iron and ferritin

Insist GP do full iron panel test for anaemia

What were exact results for folate and ferritin previously

Active B12 is too low if under 70

What vitamin supplements are you currently taking

[Cat-222]

I had blood test done with Thriva July 2021 and they wereTSH 2.09 - FT4 21.3 - FT3 4 - TPOAB 18.6 - T4 123 - TgAB 12.6

Folate 14.7 - B12 65 - Ferritin 132

I was having B12 injections but didn’t notice any difference.

I take Vitamin D, Omega 3, vitamin C and probiotics.

A lot of supplements do not agree with me eg magnesium I have spent a fortune on supplements.

Thank you for advice I really appreciate it.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Cat-222]

TSH 2.09 -

FT4 21.3 - (12-22)

FT3 4 - (3.1-6.8)

TPOAB 18.6 -

T4 123 -

TgAB 12.6

Was this test done early morning before 9am and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test

Which brand of levothyroxine are you currently taking

FT4: 21.3 pmol/l (Range 12 - 22)

FT4 was 93.00% through range

FT3: 4 pmol/l (Range 3.1 - 6.8)

Ft3 a pitiful 24.32% through range

Assuming last dose levothyroxine was 24 hours before test, shows really terrible conversion rate

HRT frequently results in needing dose increase in levothyroxine

Bloods should be retested 6 weeks after starting or stopping HRT

What’s the range on folate result

B12 too low

Are you still having B12 injections

If not, why not and when were they stopped

No vitamin D result

Ferritin was good ….but you need new test via GP after 3 months of blood loss

Optimal ferritin is ESSENTIAL on levothyroxine

[Cat-222 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you.I did do the test early morning because I posted it straight away.

I still took my thyroxine that morning.

I am taking 25mg Almus and 50mg Wockhardt. I get them from Boots and have to take what’s available.

No I run out of the B12, I didn’t notice any difference in my energy levels while using it. I got the injections from a private doctor. My GP won’t test for B12.

I have more recent blood tests but don’t have the results. I do know my TSH was 1.6 and vitamin D was 86.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Cat-222]

So you have falsely high Ft4

Never take levothyroxine before blood test

Always get test done early morning, ideally before 9am and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test

Obviously next step is to retest thyroid correctly and include getting all four vitamins tested as well

Medichecks often on offer at £59

Request GP do full iron panel test including ferritin now

[Cat-222 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you I will try Medichecks. Not sure if Doctor will do any blood test had iron checked in March and they said it was in the normal range. I did not see the results.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Cat-222]

You are legally entitled to printed copies of your blood test results and ranges.

The best way to get access to current and historic blood test results is to register for online access to your medical record and blood test results

UK GP practices are supposed to offer everyone online access for blood test results.

Ring and ask if this is available and apply to do so if possible, if it is you may need "enhanced access" to see blood results.

Link re access

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

In reality many GP surgeries still do not have blood test results online yet

Alternatively ring receptionist and request printed copies of results. Allow couple of days and then go and pick up.

Important to see exactly what iron or ferritin results were …..

Important to see exactly what has been tested and equally important what hasn’t been tested yet

[Anthea55]

Hi, you mentioned low stomach acid. The NHS doesn't recognise it, but we do. Here's a couple of links which may be helpful.

drmyhill.co.uk/wiki/Hypochl...

healthline.com/health/hypoc...

Have you done the burp test to see if you have it?