Some members have reported bloating when thyroid meds/dosages are changed, but, typically, this subsides after a couple weeks.
I find that taking probiotics and digestive enzymes helps considerably. Recommended is one probiotic in the morning, another in the evening. Enzymes before each meal to help with digestion. Yogurt, kefir and other fermented foods are also good probiotics; just make sure the label says something about having "live cultures".
Your symptoms (swollen thyroid, tired all the time and weight gain) indicate that you could use an increase in your thyroid med dose. TSH is a pituitary hormone and neither causes, nor alleviates symptoms... while doctors use it as the "gold standard" in thyroid treatment, usually, it becomes totally irrelevant when one is on a thyroid replacement medication.
You need to be tested for Free T3 and Free T4, which are the actual thyroid hormones. Free T4 is a storage hormone, which must be converted to Free T3, which is the hormone used by individual cells.
If your doctor refuses to test FT3 and FT4, s/he's doing you a great disservice and will keep you ill. You might want to think about finding a new one, who will test adequately. If you've had those tests, please post the results, here, so we can better assess your situation. Be sure to include reference ranges, which vary lab to lab and have to come from your own report.
Do you know if you have Hashimoto's?
I was told I have a goiter no other diagnoses. My doctor sent me to a vascular surgeon to have it removed. I choose meds first as the surgeon said after having it removed I would be on meds the rest of my life, so better to try the meds to see if it would shrink with the meds. I haven't changed my meds since starting in April, could I now just start having problems with severe bloating? Also, I am low in vitamin D, as I read more information I am finding this is normal. I have appt. with surgeon on Friday, very confused on what route to take.
Yes, you could just now start having trouble. If you have a goiter, chances are pretty good that you have Hashimoto's, which is a disease in which the body sees the thyroid as foreign, so produces antibodies to destroy it.
The antibodies are continually destroying healthy thyroid tissue and as this happens the thyroid is not able to make the necessary amount of hormones. If you have Hashimoto's, it's very possible that there is now enough damage to your thyroid that renders it incapable of producing enough hormones.
"Also, I am low in vitamin D, as I read more information I am finding this is normal." Normal? Aren't you supplementing to bring your levels up?
It probably doesn't really matter what route you choose to take. Obviously, with removal, your thyroid will be gone. If you have Hashimoto's, the antibodies will eventually "kill" it, so it produces nothing, anyway. Either way, you end up hypo and on medication for the rest of your life.
You should ask to get tested for antibodies to determine if you do have Hashimoto's.
I am taking a multivitamin and have been for 5 years. I had the Lapland placed 5 years ago so it's a must. With this severe bloating it has been painful with the band. Talked to doctors office this morning and they will be doing blood work so I guess we will go from there. If anyone has a remedy for the bloating I would really appreciate it.
Just one more question, I have become very cold intolarate to the point of shaking even just by drinking cold drinks. Never had this before.
"Just one more question, I have become very cold intolarate to the point of shaking even just by drinking cold drinks. Never had this before."
That's a symptom of hypothyroidism, along with others, including constipation, weight gain/inability to lose, hair loss, dry skin, muscle/joint aches/pains, insomnia, anxiety, fatigue, etc.
The probiotics and enzymes helped me with the bloating/constipation; maybe someone else will have suggestions. I'm not sure what all is safe to do with the band.
Thanks Barb, I can do yogurt if that is considered probiotics.
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.
Blood work back
Free T4 102
T3 total 101
Tsh which was normal on the 7th is 5.70
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?
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.
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 :)
Yes he is.will that help? Getting ultra-sound on Tuesday he thinks might have a cyst.
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.
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.
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.
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...
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?
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?
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.
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
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 |
That's all I have Barb, does it help?
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.
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.