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Thyroid Disorders Community
This patient support community is for discussions relating to thyroid issues, goiter, Graves disease, Hashimoto's Thyroiditis, Human Growth Hormone (HGH), hyperthyroid, hypothyroid, metabolism, pituitary gland, cancers, thyroiditis, and thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH).
Hashimoto's/Abdominal pain/Gas
by jleepina, May 09, 2008 07:54PM
I am a 29 year old female and was diagnosed with Hashimoto's in February and began Levoythyroxine 25mcg in March. Immediately after starting the meds, I had chest pain daily for 2 weeks which then subsided. I felt ok for a few weeks and then about a month later (about 6 weeks after starting meds) I began feeling hypo again with dry thinning hair, dry skin and just "off. I also starting having abdominal pain (mostly on lower left side) and gas/bloating at this time. Most of these abdominal symptoms occur at night after dinner. My doc has since increased my med to 37.5mcg. So, my question is, does this have anything to do with my thyroid or the medication and has anyone else ever experienced this? I seem to feel worse since being diagnosed than ever before.
I found your post interesting. I was on Armour Thyroid for many years with no problems and in Dec 2007 I started having heart palpitations and after 4 decreases in dosage, my doctor changed me to Synthroid in March. I have not felt right since - actually basically non-functioning. I went from 50 mcg to 75 to 88 mcg because I basically could not move off the couch. Anyway, I have been having stomach and abdominal burning - not actually pain - but very uncomfortable and it has been for probably 4 weeks now. I really don't know if it is the medicine or being hypothyroid and if it will correct when stabilized. Did your doctor increase your dose because you told him you were having this symptom? I haven't told my doctor yet, thinking it was just my body adjusting. Some people say the fillers in different medications can not agree with you. I see my doctor on May 21st and have to address this issue. It is very annoying and scary. Hope someone else can post on this subject and give us both some insight.
Liz
I was in pain for almost 9 months after I finally stopped Synthroid in Oct 07. I also had terrible acid reflux. Since on Armour my IBS/ AR is minimal. If you are hypo still that definately can cause bloating and acid reflux too.
Hypo's bound magnesium - and the body needs this very important mineral to get thing moving. In addition to my Armour - I take 200mg magnesium 30mg Zinc and acidophillus,
So far so good
Stella ~ someone told me to try the acidolphillus (love that name - sounds like a character on Sesame Street!) as well. I have been having even more problems after my colonoscopy, and they suggested I may need some good bacteria back. I may give it a shot! Thanks for the reminder. Between brain fog and trying to prepare for a graduation open house, I'm surprised I remember anything these days!
This is very interesting and makes me think it may be what is going on. Everyone refers to it as bloating and gas/pain. I am not having problems with going to the bathroom particularly, but have burning in the abdomen/stomach area and the feeling I am getting a UTI, but I know I am not. I never had all of this before I started Synthroid. From what I am reading, I am thinking it must be a different version of what you all are talking about. Do you think magnesium would help this burning sensation? These side effects of either being hypo and not stabilized or from the medication are enough to drive anyone crazy - besides I don't feel well at all. I don't know if that is from still not being stabilized or the medication - who can tell?
Liz
Autoimmune diseases like Hashi's seem to be like cats - if you have one, others start showing up. Have you considered the possibility of Celiac?
Try leaving gluten (wheat, rye, barley, and sometimes oats) out of your diet for a few weeks and see if that makes you feel any better. It's difficult at first, but definitely worth the trouble if that's the problem.
I really haven't considered anything else because I never had anything like this until I started the Synthroid.....will have to see what doctor says. This is ridiculous - and besides that I haven't felt good one day since I started it. Although after all those years on Armour during which I felt good until the heart palpitations started - I never had any problems and felt great. We will see. Thanks so much for your thoughts.
Liz
Glad to see others are feeling similar. It is so frusterating. But to answer your question, I didn't tell my doc about this symptom yet. I too, thought maybe it was just my body adjusting, but unfortuanately, I have a doc who doesn't seem to want to listen and so far every side effect I have had, he tells me is not related. Therefore I am reluctant to talk to him about this. As soon as I told him I was feeling "off" again, he told me to up my med and call him in 3-4 weeks. I seem to have better luck reading others posts. I am going to be looking for another doc in the meantime and am thinking of just stopping my meds to see how I feel. At this point, anything is better than this especially since I was diagnosed at a routine physical, not because I was symptomatic.
No prrof on this but some meds (maybe Synthroid too) can rob the body of good bacteria so the evil stuff can be taking over and give you grief.
Acidophillus wouldn't hurt and may help - I don't think the magnesium would solve it - unless you are hypoT - Magnesium "bounds" in hypoT patients and releases out in urine - so our bodies become depleted. Magnesuim citrate can restore some function - but remaining hypoT will still be the issue that needs to be addressed.
All of these things are so unbelievable since I had no problems for so long on Armour - but no used to "live in the past". I guess this is the way it is for now. I am hypothyroid. But as you say - perhaps I am not stabilized and that is why I have this. I feel lightheaded when walking around too. It is maddening. Today I tried to go out and run an errand at the Mall - even though I am not feeling well. I want so bad to feel normal - I try things. When I am in a big area like a store or such I really don't feel very well and have to fight it. This is not normal - never was like this in my life. I sat down twice and feel like I am 100 years old or more. I just wanted to cry and actually did when I got in the car.
jleepina,
I haven't addressed any side effects or such on my meds as I have only seen the endo once and that was my first time to meet him. I don't know how he will handle this when I tell him how I am feeling. If my blood work turns out to be normal - it won't mean one thing to me as I don't feel better and can't function much. We will see what he says - but the idea of upping my meds and having to wait 30 more days to see - is like torture - but it seems to be the only way you can figure this thyroid thing out. I am like a new patient to this although I developed hypothyroidism in my 20's. So ,I am learning and not liking what I am learning.
If this doctor doesn't seem to be able to help me - I have another doctor who was recommended who works with all the hormone issues of women - and I will probably have to change. I have to give this a chance because changing doctors and meds opens all kinds of potential problems too.
Good luck and let me know how it goes,
Liz
Thanks, Stella,