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]

"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.  

[tracey1057]

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.

[Barb135]

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.

[tracey1057]

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.

[Barb135]

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?