Severe bloating and thyroid meds

[tracey1057]

I have hypo thyroid and was put on synthoroid generic in April. Levels back to normal and goiter had shrunk. For the last 2 weeks I have been bloating so bad I can't wear my pants by the end of the day. I can fast on liquids or eat doesn't matter I blow up! Ironically a friend on fb is having the same problem. She has been through more tests than I have, and they haven't figured out why she looks 6 months pregnant by the end of the day. We started sharing our mutual SEVERE bloating stories and come to find out we both our taking thyroid meds.

Along with this severe bloating my thyroid has grown back to its huge size Iam tired all the time and have gained about 10 pounds. TSH is in the low side of normal now.

Any suggestions or anyone have the same problems?

[Barb135]

Red rice yeast is used to lower cholesterol, too.  I took it for a while, but it didn't do anything.  I've also read that it can be as dangerous as prescription meds.  Research it before you buy it.

Happy  to be able to help.

[tracey1057]

Barb, I was on a different cholesterol med which was working then started experiencing muscle weakness/ pain so he switched me to Crestor, now Iam wondering if the leg pain might have been from my thyroid.  

Not on any hormone replacement but he did suggest red rice something, guess I should check on that one.

Barb thank you for your wealth of information and being kind enough to take the time to share it with me.

[Barb135]

Some side effects of Crestor are:      unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness; fever, unusual tiredness, and dark colored urine; swelling, weight gain, urinating less than usual or not at all; or     nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Less serious side effects may include: headache, depressed mood;      mild muscle pain; joint pain;  sleep problems (insomnia), nightmares;
constipation;  mild nausea; or  stomach pain or indigestion.

I'd say that could be a major issue for you.  If you have to be on cholesterol medication, maybe you should ask your doctor for one without so many side effects.

Whether or not your thyroid is removed, because of the cysts, will depend on their characteristics.  With the increase in med, again, the swelling might go down.  

I'd guess the anger issue might be more related to menopause than it is to thyroid.  Are you taking replacement hormones to help offset the loss of your own?  You might talk to your doctor about black cohosh... I took that for a while and it actually quelled symptoms better than the estrogen patch I'd been on.

[tracey1057]

Previous comment is suppose to be to Barb not Beth. Sorry!

[tracey1057]

Beth he upped my dose of generic Sybthroid from 50 to 75.
I am not going to take the Crestor for a couple of weeks and see if that helps with the bloating  and muscle weakness, tiredness. Guess its a good one for that too. Wednesday is my colonoscopy. Should hear about having the right side of thyroid removed on Monday. I was hoping upping the dose would shrink it again but with a few cysts on it Iam sure he will want to remove it. Is it normal to be having anger issues? I hate that I am such a ***** and fly off the handle so easily. Not sure if it's from my hypo or menopause which Iam in now. 56 is beginning to feel like 55, I was really praying things would get better.

[Barb135]

Yes, those help; too bad, there's no Free T3.  Total T3 is obsolete and of little value, because it gives the total amount of T3 in your blood (both bound and unbound).  

That said, your Total T3 is only 21% of its range; we can figure that approximately 95-99% of that will be bound to protein and not usable, so it's safe to figure that your FT3 would be equally low.  Rule of thumb is that FT3 be maintained in the upper half to upper third of its range.

Your FT4 is also quite low in the range, at only 40%.  Rule of thumb to maintain FT4 at about mid range.

Combining your FT3, TT3 results, along with TSH of 5.70, you're still hypo and need an increase in med.  

By the way, I looked back in the thread and don't see what med or dosage you're on.  

Yes, for sure look into Crestor as the cause of your bloating.. Some cholesterol meds have some nasty side effects.  Too bad using them, doesn't really protect your heart, like they tell us they will.  

While high cholesterol can be caused by various factors, it is a symptom of hypothyroidism and it's entirely possible that getting your thyroid levels up to the "rule of thumb" levels, might bring your cholesterol back down.  My cholesterol goes hand in hand with my thyroid med and the amount of exercise I get.  The more exercise, the lower my cholesterol levels.

[tracey1057]

Also having colonocscopy on Wednesday for the bloating issues, fun fun.

I changed to Crestor for cholesterol so looking at that as possible culprit for bloating. Otherwise all meds are pretty much the same.

[tracey1057]

That's all I have Barb, does it help?

[tracey1057]

TSH - Drawn: 09-27-2013 10:10am - Revision #0 Status: F
Click to Show Notes
Test Normal Abnormal Ref.Range Units Status Options
TSH  
5.70 H
0.27-4.20 uIU/mL Final View Recent |  
Treatment of adult patients with a TSH level
between 3.50 -10.00 uIU/mL should be patient
specific based on clinical symptoms and
cardiovascular risk factors.

TSH below 2.50 uIU/mL is optimal for pregnancy.

FREE T4 - Drawn: 09-27-2013 10:10am - Revision #0 Status: F
Click to Show Notes
Test Normal Abnormal Ref.Range Units Status Options
FREE T4   1.02 0.80-1.80 ng/dL Final View Recent |  

T3 TOTAL - Drawn: 09-27-2013 10:10am - Revision #0 Status: F
Click to Show Notes
Test Normal Abnormal Ref.Range Units Status Options
T3 TOTAL   101 80-200 ng/dL Final View Recent |  

[Barb135]

Really??   I tend to have more bloating when I eat strawberries, but then I have diverticulitis, and with that, strawberries are usually not recommended.

We're all different, and I'm all for whatever works... lol

[AJWS6]

Hi Tracey, I alway's have digestive bloating with med adjustment.  I read the other night, strawberries help relieves bloating.  So, I went out and bought some, ate 4 to 5 large ones daily, amazingly 4 day's later, after expelling tons of gas, bloating has subside.  I was in shock how much gas was stuck in my digestive system.  Give it a try.  

[Barb135]

I can't imagine that the increase in dosage would cause your stomach to increase in size after only one dose, since it takes up to 4-6 weeks for the dose to even take effect.  

What are the reference ranges for your FT4 and TT3?

[tracey1057]

Had a ultrasound on my thyroid yesterday. Tech said it was large and showed me the difference between the two sides. Also have cysts on the enlarged thyroid. He did raise my meds from 50 to 75, hopefully this will help with me freezing. Already have the 8 month size stomach back after first increase in dose. Is that even possible?

[Barb135]

No --- TSH is counter intuitive... higher TSH would indicate more hypo, lower TSH would indicate more hyper..  theoretically, when TSH goes high, thyroid hormones are low.

Your higher TSH indicates that you've become more hypo and really need a greater dosage of med...

[tracey1057]

Barb so doesn't that make my thyroid high now? I am confused. I am sitting in my living room with a sweatpants and sweatshirt a fleece blanket and I am still shivering! Everyone in my house is to warm in capris and tshirts, is this thyroid related or should I be looking else where too? Oh yeah,  I don't have a fever.

[Barb135]

What were the reference ranges for the FT4 and TT3?  Ranges vary lab to lab and have to come from your own report.

An increase in dosage might be called for. 5.70 if not normal, even though it might be on your lab report.  For TSH, AACE recommended, about 10 yrs ago, that the range for TSH be changed to 0.3-3.0... Most labs have not complied with that.

[tracey1057]

I started levo in April and just started bloating the last 2 weeks. I have had some milk intolerance but I haven't noticed it lately, don't know if it's cause I am already bloated or what.

[tracey1057]

Yes he is.will that help? Getting ultra-sound on Tuesday he thinks might have a cyst.

[AJWS6]

Barb, I had read the same, that apple cider vinegar, does wonders for bloating.  I may give it a try.  Also read, baking soda does to, but not to comfy with baking soda in my system.  

I used to drink a ton of pickle juice, and chomp on pickles, love the taste.  But, also ran for the bathroom, pickle juice cleans out the system.  I still love pickles/juice :)  

[AJWS6]

Know exactly how you feel, sorry your experiencing.  I have severe bloating, every dose change.  I have not found anything that helps.  Most times, otc products, simithicone, charcoal, mylax, etc..... aggravates symptom, makes it worse.  So, I just ride it out, goes away 2-3 weeks after dose change.

What did help though, but cannot eat is ice cream (diabetic), I was told because ice cream has ingredient guar gum.  Last year, after eating ice cream, I would pass major gas, talk about relief, Lol !!!        

I had read, that synthroid/levo has lactose.  Do you know if your lactose intolerant ?  If you are, discuss with dr/endo, about alternative treatments.  Good luck.    

    

[Barb135]

Hypo, huh?  What's the reference range for the FT4?  Unfortunately, Total T3 is obsolete, but just for kicks and giggles, what's its reference range, too?  You should ask for Free T3, every time you have TSH and FT4.  FT3 is the amount of active hormone in you blood and is a better indicator of thyroid levels.

Is your doctor willing to increase your levo dosage?

[tracey1057]

Blood work back

Free T4 102
T3 total 101
Tsh which was normal on the 7th is 5.70

[Barb135]

I read an article, just this morning that said bloating is often caused by too little stomach acid and that drinking 8 oz of water with 1 tbsp cider vinegar can help alleviate it.   I know I used to drink dill pickle juice when I had acid reflux really bad.  Talk to your doctor about sipping a glass of water with cider vinegar; it might help... Be sure to use the vinegar found in health food stores, because the processed vinegar doesn't work as well.  

[tracey1057]

Thanks Barb, I can do yogurt if that is considered probiotics.