T3- acid reflux : Hey lovely people Has anyone... - Thyroid UK

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T3- acid reflux

Faith442024 profile image
24 Replies

Hey lovely people

Has anyone experienced excessive acid production after starting T3? If so, how did you manage it? I’m taking a very small dose of T3, and it’s the only new medication I’ve introduced recently. I’ve never had this type of side effect before. Initially, it caused stomach pain, which has since subsided, but now I’m dealing with acid reflux, with acid coming up my throat.

I’m not sure what to do, especially since my appointment with my private doctor is still seven weeks away. I’m considering waiting another day before trying omeprazole.

Any insights or advice would be greatly appreciated!

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24 Replies
Hypopotamus profile image
Hypopotamus

I prefer to take apple cider vinegar before my main meal. If we are digesting our food properly, our body will not need to make more acid. It's better to try and fix the problem than take something to mask it such as Omperazole.

Rosebud1955 profile image
Rosebud1955 in reply toHypopotamus

hi there hypo: if you don’t mind me asking, how much Apple cider vinegar you take? Do you take before every meal? I’m suffering very badly, no heart burn, just the acid coming up into my throat. Copious amounts of mucus in my throat and throat clearing all day. Yes, the ppi’s don’t work for me. All this started after my thyroidectomy. Thank you!

Hypopotamus profile image
Hypopotamus in reply toRosebud1955

I usually take it just before my main meal of the day, but sometimes before my lunch as well if I fancy it. I suggest starting with a couple of teaspoons in about half a tumbler of water. See how you get on and then adjust it as necessary. It isn't too critical and I no longer measure how much I put in.

Water Kefir has also considerably improved my stomach/gut situation, and I strongly recommend it. You can make your own as I describe at

decdun.me.uk/Kefir/Water_ke...

Rosebud1955 profile image
Rosebud1955 in reply toHypopotamus

Thanks for such a prompt reply. I shall start with the Apple cider vinegar and will consider getting water kefir.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply toRosebud1955

Drink it with a straw…..otherwise acid in vinegar can damage your teeth

Rosebud1955 profile image
Rosebud1955 in reply toSlowDragon

Thank you! I definitely will.

Faith442024 profile image
Faith442024 in reply toHypopotamus

I will definitely try apple cider vinegar. Thank you so much!

Puddleperson profile image
Puddleperson

I definitely would not recommend omeprazole. It is hard to discontinue once you’ve been on it a while. Also, if you’re hypo you’re more likely to have too little stomach acid than too much and the symptoms are similar. The best tip I had was to chew chewing gum when you get heartburn and reflux. It works and no side effects. Long term is harder, dr’s will tell you to keep taking ppi’s as they don’t think low stomach acid even exists. Like so many things thyroid we’re on our own with this and have to do our own research and make our own decisions. Good luck.

Faith442024 profile image
Faith442024 in reply toPuddleperson

Chewing gum it is then! Thank you so much!

Floracat profile image
Floracat

I had the same issue with T3 when I was taking it. It gave me severe indigestion and acid reflux, which at the time was very unusual. I almost have up taking the T3 because it was so bad, but then read that taking it with milk helped, and somewhat surprisingly it really made a difference. The milk completely stopped the heartburn. I took it for a few months with out any issues, but then moved onto NDT.

It sounds like yours is far more severe, but it might be worth trying taking it with milk if you haven't tried it already. Of course there might be other issues around milk but it did work for me.

Bertwills profile image
Bertwills in reply toFloracat

I’ve found that Rude Health hazelnut milk has the same effect after a meal. I always have a glass. Might work with T3 too.

Faith442024 profile image
Faith442024 in reply toFloracat

I'll try it with milk then, thank you so much!Are you OK on NDT?

Floracat profile image
Floracat

Yes, I'm much happier in NDT. I don't have any side effects. It hasnt reversed the changes made by just having Levothyroxine and being under dosed for so long but it has made a huge difference to my life and I can function again. For me there is no comparison between Levothyroxine and NDT. I hope the milk helps you as well or try NDT. Good luck.

Faith442024 profile image
Faith442024 in reply toFloracat

That’s wonderful to hear NDT has helped you feel so much better! Happy for you 👏

I just started T3 last week, so my doctor might move me to NDT later. Interestingly, I didn’t eat for 16 hours fearing acid reflux, and after taking T3 3x today on an empty stomuch, I didn’t experience any! Whatever that means it did work to take T3 on an empty stomuch which l don't understand.

I'm hoping, my stomach settles down eventually and lll be able to take it with food 🙌

WildDeer profile image
WildDeer

I agree that Omeprazole is something to avoid. I tend to get acid reflux when I'm a bit underdosed.Also when stressed. I find Aloe Vera Complex tablets very soothing, and I take Betaine Hcl and Pepsin with every protein meal to maintain my level of stomach acid, which is low , like so many other bodily functions. It works for me, but may not for you.

Faith442024 profile image
Faith442024 in reply toWildDeer

Is there a test to check if I have too little or too much acid in my stomach?

Faith442024 profile image
Faith442024 in reply toWildDeer

Thank you so much for your insights l greatly appreciate 💐

mandy-white profile image
mandy-white

I used to get it. Now I take t3 then half hour later make sure I eat something........that works for me.

Faith442024 profile image
Faith442024 in reply tomandy-white

That's great to hear Mandy 👏I've been advised to take T3 three times a day. My morning dose, which I take on an empty stomach, works fine, but when I take the other two doses with food, things go terribly wrong. I really hope my stomach settles down soon!

I might eventually go for 2x doses a day but for now l need to stick to Drs orders.

mandy-white profile image
mandy-white in reply toFaith442024

I take mine 3 times a day aswell. I always have to have food within half an hour of taking them though or I get bad acid reflux. We are all different though.

Faith442024 profile image
Faith442024 in reply tomandy-white

That's crazy lm the opposite. We're all different indeed x

serenfach profile image
serenfach

Mix a pudding spoon full of cider vinegar with a teaspoon of honey, and stir well, and down in one. This stops it burning as it goes down. Worked for me when taking T3, and I now take NDT without any heartburn

mstp profile image
mstp

I take Nutrigest.

goatheard profile image
goatheard

This could be low stomach acid instead. It is common with hypo and the symptoms are the same. Search online for an easy home test using baking soda to determine this. I've been taking 600 mg Betaine Hcl before meals for 15 years for low stomach acid.

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