Lansaprazole

[Calceolaria]

My GP prescribed this PPI a month ago. I have been coughing since before Christmas, when I had a virus of some sort, not covid. My chest X-ray is clear but I did think it might be my thyroid being irritable? Or reflux. I’m on 75mcgs levothyroxine and my tsh was 1 point something quite low on last test about 5 weeks ago but I’ve stopped taking the PPI as I believe it is affecting the effectiveness of the levo -tired and mood issues again . The doc said it would be fine if I took it at night and levo as usual in morning. I don’t think so. I will be scheduling an appt after my next tsh, next week.

The cough did reduce with the PPI but I still have bloating and discomfort. Although I’ve lost a small amount of weight - 3lbs - my clothes feel very tight, bra and waistband. Any suggestions please as to what else I can take/do to help with the acid/digestive symptoms that won’t interfere with my thyroid med ? Many thanks.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Which brand of levothyroxine are you taking

Do you always get same brand at each prescription

Approx how much do you weigh in kilo

ALWAYS test thyroid levels early morning, ideally just before 9am and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test

Just testing TSH is completely inadequate

you must have TSH, Ft4 and Ft3 tested together

When were vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 last tested

Do you have autoimmune thyroid disease (hashimoto’s)

[Calceolaria in reply to SlowDragon]

Thanks Slowdragon. I always get Accord and Wockhardt. They seem fine. I do have Hashimoto’s, at least, I say I have - my antibodies were very high at Medichecks about 5 months ago. I will have another of those in about a month.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Calceolaria]

if you ever test high for thyroid antibodies that confirms Hashimoto’s ……even if antibodies eventually drop below range…..you still have Hashimoto’s

[Jaydee1507 Administrator]

75mcgs is a fairly low dose unless you are a small person? Many people here get private tests to show full thyroid results to include FT3, also full vitamins 0- ferritin, folate B12 & D3.

Bloating is often due to IBS and low thyroid levels. The low FODMAP diet can really help wi this while your levels are low. monashfodmap.com/ibs-centra...

[Calceolaria in reply to Jaydee1507]

Thanks Jaydee. I’m not especially small, no. I started on 50mcgs and TSH dropped to 5. something, so I was put on 75mcgs and it’s dropped to 1. something, which I’m happy with, as far as TSH goes. I have had private tests by Medichecks and will have a follow up next month, as that will be @ 6 months since last one. I wondered about IBS - I have had it before.

[Miffie]

I appreciate you are concerned about taking a PPI whilst on levo. However I have been using a prescription PPI for over a decade due to HH and Barrett’s oesophagus. No choice but to make it work. I take both levo and ndt as well as around 10 other prescription items. It just needs planning to fit it all in. I have to take the PPI twice daily, morning and evening before food. I take my thyroid tablets between 3 and 4am when up to spend a penny. PPI is then at least 3-4 hours later or 6-7 hours earlier . Originally I set an alarm for early morning but now it’s not needed. Granted sometimes it’s between 2 and 5am depending on how I feel. I always get up at least twice a night so times vary. Other meds are less sensitive so fit in as and when. It’s worth the effort as I’d be in constant discomfort/ pain 24/ 7 without the PPI. Good luck

[Calceolaria in reply to Miffie]

Thanks Miffie. That’s quite reassuring. Suddenly life seems to be pills on top of pills and working out when to take, as well as what to eat, is troubling, as I’m not really used to it.

[StanleyThyroid]

I am very cautious of PPIs as from my personal experience they fall in to the category of easy to prescribe medication to fix a symptom not the cause. I also had bad reactions to them and have not taken them for a long time.

I would recommend that you look at your diet. Gf is advocated here and may be helpful. PPIs also reduce stomach acid which may actually be too low.

Finally if you have reflux issues at night stick 1 or 2 bricks under the bed head to raise your head above the stomach. Yes really.

[Calceolaria in reply to StanleyThyroid]

Thank you Stanley. I think gf is the way to go. I find breakfast a problem as I always used to have Oatibix with milk and at that stage, I didn’t know why I was ready to sleep almost straight away. Then after diagnosis and info re fibre and calcium after taking the dose of levo, I dropped it and try to remember to have it as supper instead.

I am finding it helpful to have a teaspoonful of cav in water in the morning, an hour after levo.