Omeprazole, T3 & acid issues-advice appreciated

[ATVMWF]

Hello everyone,

Advice/observations appreciated on any of the following from you knowledgeable people.

I know that PPIs can cause issues with T4 and are advised for short term use only and should be taken at least 4 hours away from Levo but what about T3, any restrictions on leaving a time lapse? Asking as I take 3XT3 per day and obviously that would cause difficulties trying to schedule.

Back ground of why the PPI is being advised even though I am not really keen to take it as just masking the problem not getting to the root cause. G.P. wants to prescribe me Omeprazole (Losec) as having some issues with pain in stomach area near bottom of left rib. This has been going on since Dec last year and I have had little success controlling it via diet by restricting or cutting out various food/drinks. IE: tomatoes, alcohol, cream, any pastry products and I never eat fried food etc. I have been strictly GF for 5 years. Have noticed cream and wine, particularly white wine, can be a trigger.

Have previously had an hiatus hernia operation (20 years ago) and G.P. thinks the site of incision may be causing some issues. I have a visible 'lump' about the size of a two fingers where it is sore. Not getting acid reflux and have been tested for H Pylori (1st test inconclusive, 2nd test negative). Tests ran for pancreas issues-all negative.

Vitamins are in range-checked 2 months ago via Medichecks and I take the usual VitD3+K2, B12, Methyfolate etc as advised on H.U.

Any info, or advice welcome.

Thanks,

ATVMWF

[greygoose]

Have you tried raising your stomach acid, instead of lowering it? Hypos very often have low stomach acid and that can cause a lot of problems, and a PPI will just make it worse.

Do you have the actual numbers for your nutrients? Because being in-range is not the same as being optimal.

[ATVMWF in reply to greygoose]

Hi Greygoose,

No, I haven't tried raising my stomach acid. Would I do this my taking Apple cider vinegar with mother and if so, how is it best to take it and when?

Quick look at my test results I noticed my folate levels dipped a bit in Jan so upped Methylfolate in May.

Folate- 45 (8.83-60.8)

Vit B12 -74( 37.5-188)

Vit D - 136 (50-250)

Ferritin- 229 (30-650) Strangely this was over the top of range last year but has now settled.

G.P. is pushing me to try the PPI and I know it will possibly help a bit but very reticent to take it because of the interaction with Levo.

I am a little concerned about the 'lump' as I didn't have that when I had the hiatus hernia, even though I had horrendous acid reflux and bending over resembled a scene from the Exorcist with green stuff coming out of Linda Blairs mouth-pretty horrific!

Thanks for advice

ATVMWF

[greygoose in reply to ATVMWF]

Your B12 is quite low. And, that will lower your stomach acid even further.

If you are taking one B vit, you need to take them all. So, I would recommend a B complex with methylcobalamin (B12) and methylfolate.

Ferritin- 229 (30-650) Strangely this was over the top of range last year but has now settled.

Was your CRP (an inflammation marker) tested at the same time when your ferritin was over-range? Because inflammation can falsely raise ferritin levels.

You could try taking ACV, yes. I think you take it 20 mins before a meal, in water, with honey if liked, and drink it through a straw to protect your teeth. But, I've never done it myself, so not an expert.

Doctors don't believe in low stomach acid. If there are problems they always assume it's high acid levels and prescribe PPIs. They don't really know what they're doing.

[ATVMWF in reply to greygoose]

Yes, CRP was out of range at same time as Ferritin.

Would you recommend the B complex and methylfolate from Jarrow as I take separately at the moment and if so, what strength?

[greygoose in reply to ATVMWF]

OK, so that's why your ferritin was high, and - presumably - the inflammation levels have dropped now.

I don't know about Jarrows, I usually take Thorne Basic B complex. And, I don't think you get a choice of strengths.

[ATVMWF in reply to greygoose]

Yes, CRP dropped but it tends to go up and down with Sjogrens, I find. I also cut back on consumption of red meat and only have it every 7-10 days, or so. I replaced with fish and chicken.

Will order some Thorne Basic and give that a try. I'll stall the appointment with G.P. and try out the apple cider as well. Fingers crossed something will work as pain is starting to get on my nerves.

[greygoose in reply to ATVMWF]

Fingers crossed!

[Walrus4402]

I am in the same boat. GP has prescribed Omeprozole for pain I have left hand side under bottom of ribs. No explanation as to what it could be. Waiting for a scan but who knows how long that will take. Uncomfortable taking medication without knowing the cause. Also on thyroxine.

[ATVMWF in reply to Walrus4402]

Hi Walrus4402,

Snap! I am not that happy about G.P. just prescribing Losec (Omeprozole) but she has run a series of tests, all negative and has booked a scan but goodness knows how long I'll wait for that. The pain is getting me down. It's like an intense stinging over an area of 3inches X 4 inches when it starts then it proceeds to a burning pain. No acid reflux. Lasts from anywhere from 5 days to 5 weeks before it settles down a bit. Does that sound familiar? My immediate thought was pancreas as I have had a hiatus hernia before and not the same.

ATVMWF

[Walrus4402 in reply to ATVMWF]

Yes sounds very familiar, mine has been months and it wakes me about 3am every day in agony, my GP said it was liver (wrong side i believe so I don’t trust her 😆) I too thought pancreas or spleen. Had blood test today and have to take in urine and stool samples so see what happens. I don’t have acid reflux/heartburn with it. Just an intense pain

[ATVMWF in reply to Walrus4402]

HI Walrus4402,

I've done all the urine and stool samples-all negative, well apart from the H Pylori had to be repeated because it came back as 'inconclusive'. Think the lab messed it up. It was negative the second time. I was hoping it would be positive because they can treat that fairly quickly nowadays, simply a course of antibiotics and Bismuth .

Like you I thought pancreas; gastritis or spleen, as on wrong side for gall bladder. With having Sjogrens as well as Hashi's my immediate thought was Autoimmune Pancreatitis but G.P. reckons not.

Funny thing is that I have cut out some types of food/drink from my diet and am really watching what I eat I have not lost any weight at all-strange.....

It will be interesting to see what comes out of both of our test results/scans

ATVMWF

[greygoose in reply to ATVMWF]

Have you had your gallbladder check out?

[ATVMWF in reply to greygoose]

Hi Greygoose,

No, haven't been checked for that presumably because on wrong side but could that be a red herring? About the only check G.P. hasn't done.

ATVMWF

[greygoose in reply to ATVMWF]

Well, you can't be too careful - referred pain and all that?

[ATVMWF in reply to greygoose]

Hmmm something to bear in mind. I'll mention it to her.

Thanks.

[Walrus4402]

Yup my diet changes make no difference, impossible to lose weight, GP doesn’t believe i have a healthy diet, the more I stress about it the more weight goes on.

Fingers crossed you get a diagnosis or it goes away.

Will keep you updated if I have anything to report.

[ATVMWF in reply to Walrus4402]

Likewise, I'll keep you posted...