Constipation - suggestions please!

[Tpdnotts]

Hello all. I have underactive thyroid and take 100 mg thyroxine daily. I also now take Citalopram and on occasion other medication for chronic back pain. I’ve had constipation for years and understand that all of the medication above plus being hypothyroid are factors in this. I eat a fibre rich diet, try to drink enough fluids etc. I take Laxido powder sachets every few days but when I finally go for a poo it’s ‘all or nothing’. I’d like to take something that keeps me regular rather than getting constipated then I really go and it’s very loose. Does anyone use a laxative or suggest something that helps them stay regular like a ‘normal’ person? I’m about to start taking a prebiotic powder daily and wonder if this may improve my bowel habits as well as proving good gut bacteria! Thanks in advance.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Welcome to the forum

Perhaps you’re not on high enough dose of levothyroxine

Constipation is common hypothyroid symptom

Which brand of levothyroxine are you currently taking

Do you always get same brand at each prescription

First thing is, do you have any actual blood test results? if not will need to get hold of copies. 

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 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 has been tested and equally important what hasn’t been tested yet

Bloods should be retested 6-8 weeks after each dose change or brand change in levothyroxine

 

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 plus both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested.

Very important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 at least once year minimum

If not had blood test in last 6 months request full thyroid and vitamin testing via GP

About 90% of primary hypothyroidism is autoimmune thyroid disease, usually diagnosed by high thyroid antibodies 

Autoimmune thyroid disease with goitre is Hashimoto’s

Autoimmune thyroid disease without goitre is Ord’s thyroiditis. 

Both are autoimmune and generally called Hashimoto’s.

Low vitamin levels are extremely common when hypothyroid, especially with autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto’s or Ord’s thyroiditis)

20% of autoimmune thyroid patients never have high thyroid antibodies and ultrasound scan of thyroid can get diagnosis 

In U.K. medics hardly ever refer to autoimmune thyroid disease as Hashimoto’s (or Ord’s thyroiditis)

Recommended on here that all thyroid blood tests early morning, ideally just before 9am and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test 

This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip)

Private tests are available as NHS currently rarely tests Ft3 or all relevant vitamins

List of private testing options and money off codes

thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

Medichecks Thyroid plus antibodies and vitamins

medichecks.com/products/adv...

Blue Horizon Thyroid Premium Gold includes antibodies, cortisol and vitamins

bluehorizonbloodtests.co.uk...

If you can get GP to test vitamins then cheapest option for just TSH, FT4 and FT3

£29 (via NHS private service ) and 10% off down to £26.10 if go on thyroid uk for code

thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

monitormyhealth.org.uk/

Monitor My Health also now offer thyroid and vitamin testing, plus cholesterol and HBA1C for £65 

(Doesn’t include thyroid antibodies) 

monitormyhealth.org.uk/full...

10% off code here 

thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

NHS easy postal kit vitamin D test £29 via

vitamindtest.org.uk

Only do private testing early Monday or Tuesday morning. 

Watch out for postal strikes, probably want to pay for guaranteed 24 hours delivery 

Link about thyroid blood tests

thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

Link about Hashimoto’s

thyroiduk.org/hypothyroid-b...

Symptoms of hypothyroidism 

thyroiduk.org/wp-content/up...

Approx how much do you weigh in kilo

Guidelines on dose levothyroxine by weight is approximately 1.6mcg levothyroxine per kilo of your weight per day

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Levothyroxine must be taken on its own, on empty stomach and then nothing apart from water for at least an hour

No other medications or vitamins within 2 hours

[Tpdnotts in reply to SlowDragon]

I do this. Take at night. I have had recent blood tests which GP insists are within limits! As many of your members say, GPS are not eager to offer help if they see your results as ‘normal’.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Tpdnotts]

please add actual results

Frequently GP only tests TSH and Ft4 which is completely inadequate

When were vitamin levels last tested

[Tpdnotts in reply to SlowDragon]

I am due to have blood test’s shortly and will post results. How do you get the GP to other testing apart from TSH and FT4 as when I suggested T3 my GP insisted that as these levels were normal I did not require T3. Is private testing the answer?

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Tpdnotts]

Yes thousands of people here in U.K. forced to test privately

ESSENTIAL To test vitamin levels once year

See if you can get GP to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

What’s the cause of your hypothyroidism,

do you have autoimmune thyroid disease also called Hashimoto’s, usually diagnosed by high thyroid antibodies?

if you haven’t had thyroid antibodies tested get these tested too

Examples of Medichecks results

healthunlocked.com/search/p...

examples of Monitor My Health results

healthunlocked.com/search/p...

Examples of Blue Horizon results

healthunlocked.com/search/p...

[DippyDame]

Test as SlowDragon advises to optimise levo dose

You could try magnesium citrate

Magnesium citrate is one of the most popular types of magnesium supplements and easily absorbed by your body. It's mainly used to raise magnesium levels and treat constipation.

[Feelingrubbish]

I was constipated or ‘not regular’ for years. Following advice here, I have had my levo increased and also take magnesium every night. What a difference this has made and a relief!! Good luck

[humanbean]

I use Magnesium Citrate powder (food grade or pharmaceutical grade). I bought a 500g bag of it from Ebay or Amazon, can't remember which, and it lasts a very long time (years - I should have bought a much smaller bag). If I use a generous quarter teaspoon in orange juice every day it keeps things moving, but obviously the dose can be tailored as necessary.

If I miss a few days of magnesium citrate and get blocked up I use "Pico Liquid" aka sodium picosulfate, which can be bought from pharmacies without prescription.

bnf.nice.org.uk/drugs/sodiu...

[humanbean in reply to humanbean]

I forgot to say...

Before I bought Magnesium Citrate powder I bought some in tablet form. They were absolutely huge and incredibly difficult to swallow - never again!

[Hidden]

You could try Triphala- made a huge difference for me. I take a level teaspoon as tea every night. It has gentle detoxing laxative effect. Been on it 6 months, my alternating constipation/diarrhea has gone, or very rare. I am coeliac though, so you could also try going gluten free.