dose anyone have a underactive thyroid and colitis

I do, although I was diagnosed the other way round, diagnosed with UC about 2 years ago, then when I finally got that under control about October last year I started getting underactive thyroid symptoms (think the active UC probably masked lots of the thyroid symptons) and got diagnosed with that, am still trying to get the right level of levothyroxine sorted, up to 100mg but need more bloods taken soon to see what my levels are - I seem to be doing ok on the levothyroxine for it - how do you find it? 

Laura

I have had colitis for 2.5yrs now(currently under control with meds). One of my ongoing symptoms even when colitis under control is fatigue & getting physically tired more easily than Mr or Mrs average. Underactive thyroid can often cause fatigue/tiredness too. Last year I had my thyroid levels checked when I had a routine blood test, & one of the 2 levels they test was at the high end of normal. I've just had it rechecked a year later & one of the 2 levels they test has risen again to "elevated" level, but the other one they check is still normal. So I am borderline now, & have to have it rechecked in 6mths. My gp said my current levels should not cause symptoms, but it needs to be monitored. I read I think on wiki pedia page for underactive thyroid that people with inflammatory bowel disease (colitis, chrohns etc) do often develop thyroid problems. Also colitis is an autoimmune condition & so is underactive thyroid so there are links. I'm no doctor, but this is what I've found out myself for my own health problems. Hope this helps.

1st symptoms of colitis were blood/mucus in stool & continuing diarrhea. That is what led me to go to gp initially who referred me to gastroenterology at my local hosp. I had several scopes - sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy with biopsies which confirmed it. I also got bloating, stomach pain which radiated to back when before during & after having a bowel movement, & very noticeable fatigue & physical tiredness (which I still have even though its clinincally under control-the tiredness). If you haven't been referred to a gastroenterologist, maybe you should ask your doc to do this so they can investigate for you to confirm if you have it. I also have ibs-d , fructose malabsorption (just diagnosed & waiting to see dietician for help with diet), & bile acid malabsorption-bam for short (just diagnosed). regarding bile acid malabsorption - I was tested for this due to chronic diarrhea & stomach pain with a sehcat test at hosp. bile acid malabsorption mimics the symptoms of ibs-d & is as common as 1 in 3 ibs-d sufferers. the sehcat test involves taking a safe mildly radioactive tracer capsule that mimics bile acid & then having a quick scan. you go back 7 days later & they scan you again. from this they can tell if too much "free bile acid" is leaving your body via your colon which causes diarrhea, irritation, & stomach ache. I have been put on medication for this(sachets dissolved in water) 4wks ago, & my diarrhea & stomach ache & rectal soreness have improved by about 80%. Hope this helps.

I think you can have it for a while, but you would notice changes, & maybe just try & live with it hoping it will settle. Only when you realise its ongoing & not really normal do you tend to think "maybe I ought to get this checked out". I think I probably had it for at least 18mths before actually being diagnosed, due to change in bowel movements - chronic (explosive frequently) diarrea, & feeling of incomplete emptying often, excessive tiredness, & random stomach pain. It was only once I started getting blood & mucus I went to docs - they initially thought it might be internal hemerroids & treated me for that! but when the bleeding didnt improve they referred me to colorectal surgeon initially who did a rigid sigmoidoscopy, & said it looked like colitis & then referred me on to gastroenterology for further investigation. which turned out to confirm colitis. Stomach pain can range from random to almost constant, mild , moderate, intense, dull aching to sharp or intense aching/cramping. everyone is different, & one day can be different to another(ok to terrible). It is not a black & white condition - it varies from person to person, & there can be other complications- my consultant told me it is common for patients with inflammatory bowel disease (colitis & crohns) to also have ibs. It can make you feel weak because of the fatigue it causes in most sufferers. & often nauseus & erratic appetite. Best you see your gp & get referred to gastroenterolgy at your local hosp, & maybe mention the sehcat test I mentioned previously too. Hope this helps.

I inherited both conditions from my mother.  Her father's side of the family had the colitis, while her mother's side of the family had a history of hypothyroidism, most likely caused by some form of Hashimoto's Autoimmune thyroid disease, though we're not entirely sure if it is actually that.  Because of the colitis, doctors kept missing my thyroid disease for years. You can get both problems, and an endocrinologist told me that autoimmune diseases tend to come in clusters. I have to be treated for both diseases with different medications.  If the colitis isn't treated, then the thyroid supplement isn't absorbed properly, so it is imperative if you have both, to be treated for both diseases to avoid complications.