Can proton pump inhibitors change your TSH levels on your Blood test results.

[samsung]

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK]

I cannot find evidence of a conventional direct link/interaction.

However, PPIs (e.g. omeprazole) reduce stomach acidity and that can reduce the ability to absorb levothyroxine from tablets. So, in a roundabout way, I suspect that they can cause TSH to rise.

It is also possible that PPIs will reduce the ability to absorb vitamin B12 and iron from diet and supplements. Inadequate iron certainly seems to affect ability to utilise thyroid hormone.

Is this of any use? Can you tell us more?

Rod

[Imogen in reply to helvella]

Would taking Levo sublingually by - pass the PPI effects? Imogen

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to Imogen]

We have had many discussions about sub-lingual absorption.

I tend towards the camp that says it is very difficult to know how much of a pill has been absorbed in the mouth and how much swallowed with saliva.

There is some evidence that levothyroxine does not readily cross the skin/mucosa. But I would really like to see some proper research.

I tend always to question whether PPIs are needed as many hypos have reduced stomach acid rather than too much.

[Lilypie]

I had problems with omeprazole as I did not know o take them at least 6 hours apart . Bloods all normal . But I got more and more hypothyroid symptoms. Gp did not recognise this as a problem only after I stopped the med did I realise the problem chemist said its well known among them but they dint think to tell people? Sadly I had been on them for two years and endo did not believe me when I said the symptoms were related to thyroid they are very aware of this now though. Also milk coffee taken at the same time as levothyroxine has the blocking affect so better to take meds on empty stomach for at least two hours.

Lilypie

[Jackie]

Hi I have been on them for many years, although after I started thyroid treatment. They have never effected my thyroid and I have very frequent blood tests. Although I am sure in theory they could, just have an extra blood test for the thyroid after 6 weeks.

Jackie