abdominal bloating

Hi I was wondering if anyone else has this problem, I have gained weight over the last few years but have never had this high abdominal football look just wondering if this is connected to thyriod. thanks

[shaws Administrator]

I don't know if this link will help. Some of the links within may not work but there are other topics at the top of the page which may interest you.

web.archive.org/web/2010103...

You may not be on enough thyroid gland hormones and if you post your most recent blood test results complete with ranges, someone will comment.

[Hidden in reply to shaws]

Thanks for that it was very interesting I will try and get my results from my GP and post them.

[marmaris in reply to shaws]

Many thanks for that information Shaws, I have often wondered if I was undermedicated. When I was on 150mcgs of Levo (before taking T3) I weighed under 10stone now 13stones and feel pretty bad with elasticated trousers.

[mirandathompson in reply to marmaris]

Hi marmaris, as Jackie says, it could be your liver and that is something I assume you got a doctor to check out. How did that go?

Chris Kresser's article about the thyroid-gut connection (chriskresser.com/the-thyroi... recommends the GAPS diet (gapsdiet.com/The_Diet.html). It may be that the bloating is unrelated to your medication and merely occurring at the same time - it affects a lot of people without thyroid issues. If you don't mind me asking, are you passing stool at least once per day?

This article on bloating (innercleansingclinics.com.a... recommends having some leafy greens 20 minutes before eating to stimulate stomach acid production. Another suggestion is a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar mixed with water (the water is important to protect your teeth enamel). I have friends who swear by apple cider vinegar for gut issues. The main thing is getting the balance of bacteria back into check and often that takes a bit of experimentation to figure out what works for you. Good luck on your journey!

Best wishes, Miz

[marmaris in reply to mirandathompson]

Hi mirandathompson I have bought and used some apple cider vinegar and yes it does help thank you. I read about it on this wonderful site, learning so much.

[Jackie]

Hi It may be, make sure you have the TSH, T4 and Free T3 tested, you may need Levo ( T4) and T3, and be under treated. Make sure you drink enough ,especially water, is it fluid retention? Called ascites there, more usual to be the ankles and legs, Oedema, It it goes down at night , then OK If thyroid treatment correct, check with a doc but do not be palmed off with Diuretics without knowing the cause.Which may possibly be something serious, kidney or heart. kidney especially ascites common.Unlikely but best to be sure.

Best wishes,

Jackie

[marmaris in reply to Jackie]

Hi Jackie I have spoken to you before and put my tests on here endlessly. This has all come about because I completly came off my Levo for 3 months and took T3 only. TSH went from 0.07 to 29, doc put me back on Levo currently been back on a few weeks upto 100mcgs now and reduced T3 to 1/2 cynomel per day. It frightened me to come off and see that result.

[Jackie in reply to marmaris]

Hi yes , I remember. If you can feel a hard lump in your middle, like a football, almost,protruding. this would be the liver, need not be too serious but needs looking at. The liver is the primary place for all blood test, even thyroid and diabetes. Liver our, all out. You do need to ask for L.F.T`s ,liver function, they can be slightly out.As regards thyroid, I know a lot of people like T3 on its own, but personally I do not think it balances the body correctly, unless a dire reason for taking it like that. My choice, same as my good Endo`s is T4 + T3, if bloods show needed, then second choice, armour etc, third and last choice is T3 on its own.I know not everyone thinks like that, but if you look at it logically then makes sense too.T3 of course is also synthetic and a lot of people cannot cope with it, especially if the thyroid out.I would also ask for U`s and E`s, kidney function..

You definitely need to be under a really good Endo, electrolytes etc are also them., I cannot remember if you are. If not, find a really good one, research carefully and then check with their sec on their prescribing ie T3 and armour etc. Then ask for a referral. It does need to be an Endo as I really think it is a little more than thyroid.

Best wishes,

Jackie

[polly3]

Discuss this with your doc first to make sure there is nothing else wrong I fully believe this to be related to hypothyroid. I have suffered for years. Check food intolerances and optimal level of thyroid meds. Mine us much improved with t4/t3 combo but..........I still do have to avoid fruit, dairy, sugar, gluten and wheat and stay away from processed foods. This was along learning curve for me. I can give you one tip......fennel tea, hot or cold helps massively and is great for water retention but yes all linked!!

[marmaris in reply to polly3]

Thanks polly I have some fennel tea I will keep trying it.

[polly3]

One more thing....if you are gluten/wheat intolerant this will cause water retention and weight gain and mood swings the lot...foid intolerance can have a big effect on our bodies.if you sre not optimally treated yoyr system will still be sluggish.

[marmaris in reply to polly3]

Recently been tested for gluten and coeliac and tested negative.

[Yorkshirelass]

Hi, I should get this checked out with your GP, just to be on the safe side. Just a year ago I had severe abdominal bloating (which didn't go down through the night) and it was found to be due to cancer of the peritoneum (also a symptom of other cancers such as ovarian). I don't want to alarm you, but better to get it checked out.

[Clarebear in reply to Yorkshirelass]

Great to hear from you Yorkshirelass - I've been wondering how you are xxx

[Yorkshirelass in reply to Clarebear]

Hi Clare, so much has happened since my last update post. I will blog about it later and bring everyone up to date. Sandra x

[Clarebear in reply to Yorkshirelass]

Thank you xx

[puncturedbicycle]

Yup, I had this when undertreated. I've always had a small waist - even when heavy my waist is disproportionately small and often if I can find trousers to fit my big bum, they flap about on my waist. Suddenly my belly and waist were huge and thick and all my clothes were uncomfortable. Feet, arms and legs also swollen.

Mostly resolved (on 150mcg t4, TSH pretty low, 0.13 if I remember correctly) except for a bit of swelling on the abdomen and a bit on the feet. Of course I've gone up two dress sizes too, but my body is a whole different shape, which is odd. And don't even get me started on my bosoms, which are out of control.

[puncturedbicycle in reply to puncturedbicycle]

Oops, I just read the replies above and I concur that a checkup with the GP is in order before jumping to conclusions about it being thyroid-related. But it is a common problem when you're not on enough meds.

[marmaris in reply to puncturedbicycle]

Hello puncturedbicycle this has seemed to have gotten worse because I came of levo for 3 months and was taking only T3 TSH shot upto 29 instead of 0.07 back on it 100mcgs at present and 1/2 cynomel T3.

[shaws Administrator in reply to marmaris]

I think you weren't on enough T3 but T4/T3 is preferable to T4 alone.

[Soldieress]

My abdomen looked as if I was 4 months pregnant for about 3 or 4 years. I eventually went to see a gynecologist due to heavy periods and new pain in my lower back (plus a Sri Lankan masseur asking me if my stomach had always been like that and that my body was trying to tell me something). It turned out I had a very large fibroid. I had a partial hysterectomy 9 months after the diagnosis. some websites seem to think there's a connection between hypothyroidism, Hashimoto's, fibroids, lack of iodine (apparently not good for many Hashimoto's), too much estrogen and not enough progesterone. You will need to see a gynecologist - if you do have a fibroid hopefully they will test your sex hormones. I haven't had any luck with getting my sex hormones measured yet. coincidently my large abdomen size and hypo symptoms were all happening at the same time! Best of luck

[marmaris in reply to Soldieress]

Thank you Soldieress I am taking HRT oestrogen and progesterone.

[marmaris]

Yes I have this and I feel and look pregnant. Really getting me down. I think I had acid problems reflux also but apple cider vinegar has helped that. Been tested lately for Coelic and Gluten but tests normal. I feel really depressed about it and into elasticated trousers, hate it but belly hangs over in jeans. Does anyone have any answers. Been on Levo 18 years long story, recently trialling myself with T3.

[puncturedbicycle in reply to marmaris]

I had this too and t3 was the only thing that helped. Hopefully it will help you too.

[shaws Administrator in reply to marmaris]

I have found taking hydraucolic acid tablets really helpful as I take them with each meal. Next time I will get it with pepsin added as both are enzymes required by stomach. My stomach problems only began about 6 months ago and I have investigations and everything is o.k. Low acid and high acid have similar symptoms and most GP's give you antacids and we actually need more acid otherwise our food doesn't dissolve so well.

I am sure T3 will help you and, of course, increase very gradually. It will raise your metabolism. It isn't a quick fix but slow but sure is better in the long run. Also if you now watch your diet it should come off and take supplements to keep you well. Most of us are deficient in some.

The following two links will give you helpful information but some links within may not work:-

web.archive.org/web/2010073...

This one has topics at the top of the page:-

web.archive.org/web/2010103...

[marmaris in reply to shaws]

Can these be bought over the counter or is a prescription needed?

[shaws Administrator in reply to marmaris]

No prescription is required. You can order from Amazon (thyroiduk.org get a small commission) by using the Amazon link at the right hand side of this page (here is link)

amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_ss...

You can also get HCL on its own if you wish.This is for info:-

stopthethyroidmadness.com/s...

I didn't do a trial, just took what was advised on the bottle.