SIBO diagnosis

[Griffo_]

Hi all,

Wondering if anyone else with hypo/hashis has been diagnosed with SIBO? I’ve started Rifaximin today for a SIBO diagnosis (private, of course, my NHS GP said “what’s SIBO” when I took the test result to her).

Seems like it’s super common for people with thyroid issues to have SIBO, so for those of you with gut problems I think it’s worth checking out.

This video has been amazing explaining how it’s connected:

youtu.be/q0Iz_S_m1c0?si=W0Z...(Not working as expected?)

Just wanted to get other people’s experiences with it. Hopefully the antibiotics work and get rid of it. Though I guess I need to have my thyroid working on point to keep it from coming back?

[Star13]

Yes been there done that! Did well for a year and then had to repeat the process which I’ve learnt is pretty much par for the course although I think I’ve done a bit better than average. This time round I’ve decided to try the biocidical herbs which I’m told do just as well.

As you have just started your course just be warned you might have a couple of days feeling a bit off and even have a flare on the third or so day which I read might be getting rid of die off (don’t know how correct this is). After that I felt bloody brilliant and could have stayed on those tablets forever! I was regular every day and had no gastric symptoms at all not even any wind. If you get any you can take ginger tablets as that’s supposed to help.

I hope you get the results I did.

[Griffo_ in reply to Star13]

Thank you so much for putting up your experience! Yeah I was advised to do the antibiotics rather than the anti microbials due to the practitioner saying they weren’t sure whether any of them would interact with what’s going on with my thyroid, but knew the antibiotics wouldn’t.

Hopefully only have to do them once or twice!

You’re right about the anti microbials due- in studies they do just as well as antibiotics.

Is your sibo back now? Is it as bad as it was?

[elaar in reply to Griffo_]

The problem with the antibiotic approach to SIBO is it's the Scattergun approach, and will wipe out many strains of good bacteria as well, and as the immune system is so closely linked to the gut microbiome/mucosal layer, it's difficult to know if it's going to benefit you, or make your gut worse in the longer term.

If the SIBO is caused by Thyroid/gut dysfunction, then isn't it likely the SIBO will return in time?

[Star13 in reply to elaar]

Actually the antibiotic mentioned and used specifically for SIBO does not have a scatter gun approach and that’s why it’s used. It stays in the part of the gut where it’s needed and is good at only wiping out the bad guys.

[Griffo_ in reply to Star13]

As Star13 said above. Rifaximin is effective against SIBO due to its targeted action within the gut. As a poorly absorbed antibiotic, it remains primarily in the gastrointestinal tract, concentrating its effects where needed and minimising systemic side effects. This allows it to reduce bacterial overgrowth in the small intestine without significantly disrupting the beneficial bacteria in the large intestine.

The private gp initially wanted me to try Metronidazole due to how expensive Rifaximin is (I’ve paid £210 for 30 tablets) but that is a more traditional antibiotic so I opted for the Rifaximin despite the cost.

Hopefully I can get rid of it and keep it away. I know I still need to work on my thyroid health and nutritional deficiencies. I’m due bloods for it all to be honest so will get that done soon.

[Star13 in reply to Griffo_]

No mine if deffo not as bad as before and I could possibly not bother with treating but I don’t want to let it build up so decided to treat.

[Griffo_ in reply to Star13]

Sounds like a good plan. I kind of got used to being bloated all the time and thinking it was normal. Then I realised I have pretty much no fat on my body so my theory that I’ve always just “had a bit of a gut” was wrong.

It’s all made worse with the gaslighting by my NHS GPs. Before Christmas the gp told me to just “try not think about it” when I asked about my gut pain.

[Star13 in reply to Griffo_]

😧🙄

[Griffo_ in reply to Star13]

That was from a partner of the surgery as well not even just a salaried GP or whatever!

[Fizzyinch]

I found a podcast called SIBO made simple which I found helpful when my functional medicine practitioner thought I might have SIBO.

[Coppernob]

Great video! Shame even results from Genova showing maldigestion, maabsorption, metabolic imbalance, and infection can't persuade my GI to investigate or treat SIBO. They really do know NOTHING!

[Griffo_ in reply to Coppernob]

Could you get a private SIBO test? They can be done for less than £200, which I know is still a lot, but could give you peace of mind. Then if positive and your GPs or GI wont treat, you can upload a positive SIBO test to Roseway Labs and they’ll prescribe you the Rifaximin.

[Coppernob in reply to Griffo_]

Wow, that's really helpful, thanks. Yes, I could do all that. I'll bear it in mind. I'm actually contemplating consulting a functional doctor who can hopefully look at the whole picture. I'm also trying a digestive product containing high fixed of prebiotic to see if that helps.

[Griffo_ in reply to Coppernob]

Sounds like a good plan. Not sure about prebiotics, but I know probiotics can make SIBO worse. Kind of makes sense, really - you’re adding more bacteria to what is already an overgrowth of bacteria. Not sure if it’s the same with a prebiotic, though.

[Coppernob]

I meant probiotics actually. I hear what you say. The difference with these is that they're super high dose. Worth a try. Only an initial 6-day course. Elixa is the brand.