loose stools

[Ghillykarp]

Hi I am a hypothyroid and always have loose stools and urgency. I have looked at my diet and altered a few things. But the problem remains. Just wondering if it’s a thyroid problem if not then I will pursue and allergy with the gp

[Buddy195 Administrator]

Are you Gluten Free? If not, I’d consider a GF trial for 2-3 months

[SlowDragon Administrator]

How much levothyroxine are you taking

Which brand of levothyroxine

Is it always same brand at each prescription

When were vitamin levels last tested

Exactly what vitamin supplements are you taking

Is your hypothyroidism autoimmune

If not on gluten free diet get coeliac blood tests BEFORE trialing strictly gluten free

Have you considered lactose or dairy intolerance

Approx 50% of autoimmune thyroid patients benefit from or find it essential to be dairy free……including lactose free levothyroxine

ALWAYS test 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)

[inthedoldrums]

My experience was fairly unusual but I was over medicated on T4 and not converting properly to T3 so remained extremely hypothyroid. However, it did speed my bowel up considerably enough to be very difficult to have enough time between wanting to go and finding a toilet, sometimes only a couple of minutes! I knew where every toilet was in the town - pubs, coffee shops, art galleries. museums etc were all necessary at one time or another.

I recovered normality with my bowel when not over medicated with Levo.

This just what happened to me but, of course, it is possible it may be something completely different for you.

Best wishes to you for a resolution.

[SmallBlueThing in reply to inthedoldrums]

Did you have any other "over-treatment" symptoms? Care to share your test results?

[inthedoldrums in reply to SmallBlueThing]

Hi and thanks for your interest. Most of it is in my bio and previous posts show some of my later blood tests.

[SmallBlueThing in reply to inthedoldrums]

I couldn't find results for when you were on levothyroxine, solely. My FIT screen came back OK, just have to wait three weeks until my GP appointment and see if it's coeliac disease. I reverted from levo + DTE (NDT) back to levo, solely, a couple of years ago, and do take a high dose. I did experience a brief period of over-replacement about a week ago but, apart from increase motility, don't notice any other symptoms. I wanted to test privately before seeing my doctor, but the provider's website caused problems.

[SmallBlueThing]

Are you old enough to have had a FIT bowel cancer screen?

Did the problem start years and years ago, or more recently with sudden onset?

My surgery seems quite keen on coeliac screens these days, but they really should check whether patients are already gluten-free.

[Obsdian]

I don't have urgency but keeping my bowels right is a challenge. The main culprit for me is dairy. I try and be dairy free but have one medication that doesn't come lactose free.

My second thing is artificial sugars, mostly I can avoid these but sometimes they sneak in.

Third, hot liquid, hot drinks, soups, etc. Don't know what it is but loosens everything up.

I also think there is another occasional dietary thing I haven't pinpointed yet.

[posthinking01 in reply to Obsdian]

Natures Best do a tablet for lactose intolerance called Lactase 9000 - it is amazing and really works by adding back the missing enzyme which causes lactose intolerance.

[posthinking01 in reply to Obsdian]

Arla now do lactose free milk - spreadable - yoghurts and cream which is a godsend to me as I just couldn't do without my cream in my coffee.

[Calceolaria]

Have you had a colonoscopy?

[posthinking01]

Agree with others - your dosage might be too high or could be a gluten issue or lactose intolerance which cause those symptoms - you might need lactose/sugar free levo medication - there are tablets you can take when eating lactose that work really well - if you are losing your medication via the loo you have to be careful !

[malancy]

Hello Ghillykarp, I had years of the same types of symptoms as you. After reading on this forum about going gluten free I thought I'd give it a go. My symptoms improved but didn't go away so I decided to go lactose free, which really did help.Unfortunately anxiety can play a big part in all this. After years of being terrified I'd not find a toilet in time l found that any upset or anxiety set the symptoms off again temporarily.

I do hope changing your diet and reducing stress levels helps you. Good luck.

[BigBlueBear55]

Have you been tested for h pylori, i found out i had it probably ages going by my symptoms, got treated for it and now i think could be getting it again, won't go into too many details.

[Willowluv]

look at your dose, is it too high. have a celiac test if you are not gluten free x

[3-T1AM]

Was just reading about "inert" ingredients in Synthroid and 2 potential culprits are magnesium stearate and glycerin--both can cause GI issues. There are people in this group who seemed to know a lot about the fillers by brand.

[Sharoosz]

Do you take magnesium citrate? That can cause problems with loose stools. Apparently magnesium glycinate has the opposite effect.