Gastric reflux and thyroid problems related?

[Lois71]

Since my thyroid was removed I started with something called pathological reflux, since then this has been getting worse, I have taken proton pump inhibitors, pepsane, natural supplements, etc. but they have helped little, I had three endoscopies, Ph meteria, manometry , they told me that I did not have a hiatal hernia large enough to be operated on, my question is if thyroid problems are related to this. Yes, I have Helicobacter pylori but I can't stand the treatment.

[PurpleNails Administrator]

What are your FT4 & FT3? In your post 2 months ago they were around 30% of range.

Did you increased your dose? Many are not well until FT4 in top 3rd or range & FT3 over 50%.

What was outcome of PH levels & pressure tests?

Low thyroid often levels causes low stomach acid, was that the case?

Absorption can be affected too, how are your nutrients, folate, ferritin, B12 & vitamin D?

Would also explain Helicobacter pylor, thriving in less acidic environment.

[Lois71 in reply to PurpleNails]

These are my latest results

[I have removed that image as it contains personal information identifying you]

Please can you crop, or type out results

[Lois71 in reply to PurpleNails]

These are my recent lab resultsTotal T3. .82. . Ref. .84. - 1.72

Free T3. 4.16. Ref. 2.08- 4.3

Total T4. 7.60. Ref. 4.5- 12.5

Free T4. 1.11. Ref. .89- 1.76

TSH. .57 Ref. .4- 4.0

I am taking 112.5mcg Monday, wednesday and friday an the 100 mcg the rest of te week

[Nanaedake]

Can you get a referral to a dietitian? The main thing that's helped me is slowly but vastly increasing fibre so that I no longer eat any processed or 'white' grains. It's taken over a year to get everything on track. Also ensuring plenty of water every day. That might not be good for you. Everyone is different so getting expert advice is best. I wonder uf gut problems are affecting thyroid meds absorption too. So one affects the other.

[Lois71 in reply to Nanaedake]

Thanks for you reply, I am on the process to be diagnosed with cushings too, so I am not sure if this syndrome contributes to get the reflux worsen due to the abdominal inflamation

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Lois71]

High cortisol common when under medicated on inadequate dose Levo

Low stomach acid can be a common hypothyroid issue

Thousands of posts on here about low stomach acid

healthunlocked.com/search/p...

Web links re low stomach acid and reflux and hypothyroidism

nutritionjersey.com/high-or...

stopthethyroidmadness.com/s...

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

How to test your stomach acid levels

healthygut.com/articles/3-t...

meraki-nutrition.co.uk/indi...

huffingtonpost.co.uk/laura-...

lispine.com/blog/10-telling...

Useful post and recipe book

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Ppi Like Omeprazole will lower vitamin levels even further

gov.uk/drug-safety-update/p...

webmd.com/heartburn-gerd/ne...

pharmacytimes.com/publicati...

PPI and increased risk T2 diabetes

gut.bmj.com/content/early/2...

Iron Deficiency and PPI

medpagetoday.com/resource-c...

[Lois71 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you. I'll take a look to the links 👍

[Lois71 in reply to Nanaedake]

Did you quit rice aswell?

[Nanaedake in reply to Lois71]

I have brown rice only. Also, I never reheat it. I don't know if this helps other people. You also have to introduce very slowly with plenty of fluids as the gut has to adjust.

I haven't had helicobactor pylori and I imagine you'd need to clear that up first before getting advice from a dietitian for making dietary changes.

[jimh111]

In hypothyroidism there is reduced lower oesophageal sphincter pressure which allows acid to travel up. Is your hypothyroidism under medicated?

[Lois71 in reply to jimh111]

These are my recent lab resultsTotal T3. .82. . Ref. .84. - 1.72

Free T3. 4.16. Ref. 2.08- 4.3

Total T4. 7.60. Ref. 4.5- 12.5

Free T4. 1.11. Ref. .89- 1.76

TSH. .57 Ref. .4- 4.0

I am taking 112.5mcg Monday, wednesday and friday an the 100 mcg the rest of te week

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Lois71]

Was test done as recommended

Recommended that all thyroid blood tests early morning, ideally just before 9am, only drink water between waking and test and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test

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

On T3 - day before test split T3 as 2 or 3 smaller doses spread through the day with last dose 8-12 hours before test

FT4: 1.11 pmol/l (Range 0.89 - 1.76)

Ft4 only 25.29% through range

FT3: 4.16 pmol/l (Range 2.08 - 4.3)

Ft3 93.69% through range

You look like you are taking T3 as well as Levo …..or NDT

[Lois71 in reply to SlowDragon]

I am just taking levo (eutirox) am I overdosed?

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Lois71]

Seems an odd result

Ft4 is very low but Ft3 high

On just levothyroxine its normally the other way around

Retest again in another 6 weeks

Last dose Levo 24 hours before test

[Stills in reply to jimh111]

What does id mean in this context please

[Beads in reply to Stills]

acid, the ‘c’ is missing.

[Stills in reply to Stills]

Thank you. I’m not yet diagnosed but have symptoms, gastric issues and a long term autoimmune condition of rheumatoid ilk, so I’m learning about thyroid issues here . So much terminology to tasks on board, thanks again.

[Anthea55]

You may find this link about low stomach acid useful.

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

[Lois71]

Thank you so much

[BonnieG123 in reply to Lois71]

You’re welcome! Merry Christmas!

[BonnieG123]

Hi, Lois. I have a hiatal hernia for about 30 years or more and an underactive thyroid. I’ve never heard of any correlation between them. I also occasionally get acid reflux and I take Pepcid at bedtime when I do. Usually within a week it resolves itself. I also have been told not to take it all the time. I try to stay away from foods I know will bother me. Best wishes for a resolution for you.

[Lois71 in reply to BonnieG123]

Thanks so much

[BlueKeith]

I've had acid reflux , IBS, GERD for 20 years until they put me on levothyroxine and now I have an iron stomach. Mine definitely was thyroid related.

[Bristolians2]

I have just been reading how the thyroid aids the production of lactase in the intestines. Maybe switch to raw dairy as it will contain lactase naturally. To fight h pylori try manuka honey, mastic gum and slippery elm powder. If you must use something for reflux choose milk of magnesia.

[Lois71 in reply to Bristolians2]

Thanks for your reply and advice😊

[Wantie in reply to Bristolians2]

Hi, I don't want to butt in on this thread its just that I would really like to read any of the material you have found about thryroid/lactase/intestines. All the best Lois71 and thanks in advance, Bristolians2.

[Bristolians2 in reply to Wantie]

I literally just read it-but it's a random sentence in the article. I think there are some truths in what Mercola has to say. Maybe buy lactase enzymes?

Text

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to Bristolians2]

Raw dairy pretty much does not contain lactase.

Things like the bacteria used to produce yogurt do break down lactose. But if they were present and sufficiently active, you would find raw milk having a poor shelf life - turning into yogurt even before using the milk!

[Bristolians2 in reply to helvella]

I guess it contains what is needed for it to be digested and absorbed and this plus some vitamins are destroyed by heat.

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to Bristolians2]

The whole point bout our digestive systems is that we produce what is necessary to digest the foods we eat.

Rather than the foods themselves containing enzymes.

Exceptions occur for fermented foods but, in most cases, those are bacterial in origin and not intrinsic to the original substance.

[Ellie-Louise]

Mastic Gum is said to kill Helicobacter Pylori.

It certainly helped my insides some years ago.

[Batty1 in reply to Ellie-Louise]

Really is it actually a gum?

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to Batty1]

Wiki article gives a decent intro.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Masti...

The rest of the internet has millions of hits - pretty much all of which are in some way trying to sell it or at least sound interesting so you visit their site, see the ads, maybe buy anything from them.

[Ellie-Louise in reply to Batty1]

You can get capsules or it comes in grains that you chew, then they stick together like gum. Those are good for plaque.

[Lois71 in reply to Ellie-Louise]

I 'll get it asap thank you

[Batty1]

Helicobacter pylori this is your answer and problem…. My sister suffers terribly with this because her old doctor refused to treat it and now she has so many problems because of it …. Most recent scope in her stomach revealed blood red lining and wavy stomach lining instead of smooth… now must be monitored for stomach cancer…. She has heartburn attacks (her words) no matter what she eats…. Horrible

[Lois71 in reply to Batty1]

Actually, I supposedly have Helicobacter but I have not been able to tolerate the treatment since my stomach, duodenum and esophagus are very upset. In fact, I was in the hospital for four days for drug gastritis (antibiotics for another reason), helicobacter treatment is very aggressive.

[Batty1 in reply to Lois71]

No suggestions but Helicobacter pylori is a monster.

[Stills]

Thank you, will do and deleted

[Buxon]

I have underactive thyroid, sliding hernia and gastric problem. I too was treated for H pylori bacteria. The treatment of several anti biotics was absolutely awful. Eventually, I was admitted to hospital. Fortunately, the H pylori has not returned. I am prescribed Esomeprazole for gastric problem and Levothyroxine for thyroid. Best wishes.