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HELP! under active thyroid linked to digestive problems??

Posted , 4 users are following.

Guest
Guest

Hi,

I don't know whether anyone can help me but i really need some advice.

This is quite a long story but i'll try and cut it short, but my main question is: CAN DIGESTIVE PROBLEMS BE RELATED TO AN UNDER ACTIVE THYROID??

I am a 21 year old young woman and have been feeling like absolute rubbish for 2 years now. I have had to give my full time job and my hobby up because i feel so ill.

My main symptoms are related to Irritable bowel syndrome mainly stomach pain and nausea, but i have recentley noticed when the symptoms flare up really bad i get other feelings of being unwell. The other symptoms are as follows:

really heavy periods, feeling as if i could sleep for 24 hours solid, overweight and can't shift a pound!, i feel really really cold, adult acne, dry and itchy skin, constant sore throat.

I have had every test known to man for my digestive problems and it all points to ibs. I have cut dairy and wheat out of my diet and only a slight change. Nothing i've tried is working. I feel ill every day.

I have been to my gp loads of times and nothing has come out of it until the other day i'd had enough and went to my gp to ask for further investigations. She took some blood and she says she \"will check my thyroid as it hasn't been checked for 5 years!!\" well duh why not!!

I have researched as much as i can on hypothyroidism and the symptoms i have are remarkably similar to this condition.

If anyone can give me any info i would be so grateful, i will get the blood test results next week, until then i'm trying to find out as much as i possibly can so my gp doesn't pull the wool over my eyes once again.

Many Thanks.

2 likes, 5 replies

5 Replies

  • mookiemoomoo
    mookiemoomoo

    Posted

    well hi i have underactive thyroid and stomach problems as well i cant remember what came first, i have ibs also i am loads better now but i know how you feel , i thought i was dying before they found out i had thyroid problem . all your symptoms was the same as mine , i now go to the gym 2 times a week let me know how you go on
  • Guest
    Guest

    Posted

    Thanks mookiemoomoo for that, it makes me feel that i'm not totally going mad afterall and there is other people in the same position!!

    I rang for my blood test results today and according to the receptionist my thyroid levels are normal!! I did get my readings though which are as follows:

    TSH: 1.09

    FREE T4: 12.8

    I'm sorry but i haven't got a clue what they mean!! If anyone can shed any light on these and if they seem normal or not i would be really grateful as i think my gp is past caring now!!

    Meanwhile, i still feel rubbish so it looks like i'll just have to get used to feeling ill every day.

    Thanks a lot,

    Vicky

  • Guest
    Guest

    Posted

    I was diagnosed with myxoedma in Sept o5. I had painfull hip joints, ankles, and knees. Was feeling so tired that after breakfast I just wanted to go back to bed and not to work. Some days the pain was so bad but I just thought I was getting old and didn`t know I had thyroid peoblems. I got by bloods tested and two hours later the GP called me and I got an urgent appt that day and started on levothyroxine. Now two and a half years later I have the painfull hips and knees again, but I also have very sore legs from the knee to the thigh like large muscle pain. Going to see Doc next week . Also put on 2stone and have been to weight watchers and slimming world which was useless.
  • babsuk
    babsuk

    Posted

    [quote:082e558082=\"vj\"]

    really heavy periods, feeling as if i could sleep for 24 hours solid, overweight and can't shift a pound!, i feel really really cold, dry and itchy skin, constant sore throat.

    I rang for my blood test results today and according to the receptionist my thyroid levels are normal!! I did get my readings though which are as follows:

    TSH: 1.09

    FREE T4: 12.8

    I'm sorry but i haven't got a clue what they mean!! If anyone can shed any light on these and if they seem normal or not i would be really grateful as i think my gp is past caring now!!

    Vicky[/quote:082e558082]

    Hi Vicki, all those symptoms are those of hypothyroidism. Your results will be classed as 'normal' because they fall within the range but the range is fairly wide and a free T4 of 12.8 is low down in most ranges. Ask your GP what the ranges are for your area. You could well benefit from an increase in your thyroxine and still remain within the range, particularly if it has remained the same since you were in your mid-teens. I would suggest going back to your doctor and ask for an increase to see if it helps with your symptoms. The official guidelines say that

    \"The primary target of thyroxine replacement therapy is to make the patient feel well and to achieve a serum TSH that is within the reference range. The corresponding FT4 will be within or slightly above its reference range.\" Pages 25 to 26 http://www.acb.org.uk/docs/TFTguidelinefinal.pdf

    [quote:082e558082=\"vj\"]

    Meanwhile, i still feel rubbish so it looks like i'll just have to get used to feeling ill every day.

    [/quote:082e558082]

    You don't have to get used to feeling ill Vicky, it is possible to get very well again if your hypothyroidism is properly treated so don't give up whatever you do. You might have to fight to get the treatment you need but it is your life and believe me it is worth fighting for. Hopefully your GP will be sympathetic but if she isn't then see another GP at the practice and/or ask to see an endocrinologist.

  • Guest
    Guest

    Posted

    Just to let you know that coeliac disease (an autoimmune disease treated by diet) is very often mistaken by docs as IBS it affects 1 in 100 people and in families 1 in 10 I have cd and was originally IBS! only by asking doc for coeliac blood test was I diagnosed,Cd is linked to hypothyroidism as they are both autoimmune as is diabetes type1, If you are still having tummy problems ask for coeliac test as if it goes undiagnosed can lead to aneamia osteoporosisand bowel cancer, hope you get sorted if u need more info go to coeliac uk on web.
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