thyroid and UC

[Idalmis]

hi, I was just wondering whether the thyroid affects the bowels? My TSH and T4 are out of sync and I suffer from ulcerative colitis. I have been in remission for a long time but 3 days ago I started having problems. I feel so exhausted with it. I am seeing an endocrinologist Wednesday. I can’t believe the cost to go private but I don’t care. I need to be sorted.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Last October, my TSH went up. 9.03 range (0.3-5.0) so I was told to stop the carbimazole and retest in November.

It went back within range at 0.86. The consultant whom I have never seen told me to restart carbimazole and test again at the end of February.

Today, I had some more results as I feel really tired. TSH is 5.78 (0.3-5.0) . T4 was tested in October 12.8 range (11.5-22.7) and again today 10.6. 

These results show you are hypothyroid again

Being hypothyroid results in hundreds of different symptoms, but one of the most common is constipation

Symptoms of hypothyroidism 

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

You need vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 levels tested too

ideally you would have tested before blood test

You can test after via Medichecks if it’s cheaper than getting endocrinologist to test

[PurpleNails Administrator]

Recommend you have full test so you have all the information you need before you see best doctor, wether they be private or NHS. 

It’s unusually that you were on low dose carbimazole for a long time and then become hypothyroid.

The hyper is thought to be from nodules and not autoimmune so the question is what has caused you to become hypo after so long.

Were you taking slight too much carbimazole for a while causing a gradual hypo.  As nodules rarely reduce of stop over producing.  

Testing antibodies may help explain if something autoimmune is happening.

TSI - Thyroid-Stimulating Immunoglobulin (signifies hyper Graves) 

TRab - TSH receptor antibodies (TRAb) (signifies Graves) 

TPOab (Thyroid Peroxidase antibodies) (autoimmune, both Hashimoto’s & Graves)

 TGab (Thyroglobulin antibodies) (autoimmune, both Hashimoto’s & Graves) 

As UC is autoimmune is increases the possibility for other autoimmune issues occuring.

[tattybogle]

yes very definitely .. thyroid hormone levels affect the bowels .. basically 'too much' thyroid hormone and they speed up ~ to the point of diarrhea if it's 'much too much' .

'too little' and they slow down ~ to the point of total constipation if it's 'much too little' .. obviously having UC will add a whole other layer of complexity/ unpredictability to that rather oversimplified explanation.

[Hidden in reply to tattybogle]

I second this; Bowels 🤝 Thyroid

[Staffsgirl in reply to Hidden]

Me too. My bowel problems have greatly subsided since I have been properly medicated for thyroid. I’m almost normal again now, having had a number of bowel investigations. NHS endo told me the two are likely related in my case.

[Idalmis in reply to Staffsgirl]

I am seeing an endocrinologist on Wednesday. Hope to be sorted.

[bantam12]

I have UC but haven’t found my thyroid levels cause a flare up. Are you on meds for UC ? It could just be a flare up and you need to increase or change your meds, I would contact your IBD nurse or Consultant.

Also be careful if you are taking any supplements as they can be a trigger for us with UC.

[Idalmis in reply to bantam12]

yes I think it is a flare but why I don’t know. Seeing an endocrinologist Wednesday. I hope s/he can explain things to me.

[bantam12 in reply to Idalmis]

There isn’t always a reason for a flare, it’s just how it goes with UC.

[Hrosmund]

I had an ileostomy 35 years ago due to U C, I didn't start on Levo till around 5 years ago and even then not my choice. My understanding is they are both auto immune problems, but not necessarily connected. Either can wipe you out, together I sympathise!

[Idalmis in reply to Hrosmund]

thank you.