Re: Hypothyroidism and Acid Reflux

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

There certainly is a connection... Have a look in the files section of the

forum...thyroid treatment

you are looking for low stomach acid, which surprisingly causes acid reflux.

Treating with antacids or proton pump inhibitors is the wrong thing to do.

Have a read here too:

http://www.drmyhill.co.uk/wiki/Hypochlorhydria_-_lack_of_stomach_acid_-_can_caus\

e_lots_of_problems

To make more acid you take Betaine HCL.. mIne comes from Ebay.

It does sound incredible, especially as you immediately think of too much acid,

but as you can probably tell I'm completely converted!!

>

> Hi Everyone. This is my first post on here so please be gentle with me!

>

> I've lost track of time but it was about 3 years ago that I had bad acid

reflux problems.

[Guest guest]

Hi

Thanks for the replies. I am currently on Nexium PPI which seems to make things

better although I'm still not right. I was on Omeprazole previously and that

didn't seem as effective.

I didn't seem to find anything in the Files section, maybe I wasn't searching

correctly? A brief search on Google though for Betaine HCL throws up some pros

and cons especially if you already have a damaged oesophagus which I think I

probably have.

May I ask how bad your reflux was and were you taking PPI's. If so did you

gradually change to Betaine? Any other information would be appreciated.

Dave

>

> Hi ,

>

> There certainly is a connection... Have a look in the files section of the

forum...thyroid treatment

[Ed]

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

It was my husband who was particularly bad and on PPi's and I was just

taking antacids. He stopped taking PPI's and when he got the nextlot

of indigestion, he took a betaine HCL... we were stood there with a

pint of milk ready to neutralise it..... but nothing happened, other

than that he felt better!!

The article in the files isn't in a folder, and it's just called

hydrochloric acid.

Have a look at the Dr Myhill link though, she explains it really well.

http://www.drmyhill.co.uk/wiki/Hypochlorhydria_-_lack_of_stomach_acid_-_\

can_cause_lots_of_problems

>

> Hi

> Thanks for the replies. I am currently on Nexium PPI which seems to

make things better although I'm still not right. I was on Omeprazole

previously and that didn't seem as effective.

>

[Guest guest]

Hi

Have you been tested for h pylori?

http://healthmad.com/conditions-and-diseases/is-your-reflux-caused-by-helicobact\

er-pylori/

Chris

-

[Guest guest]

Hi Chris

I think I was when I first saw the specialist and had the blood tests.

What I did find a coincidence though was that the acid reflux seemed to start

around the time of my Hypothyroidism. I'm not sure if the lack of acid has

anything to do with that? My suspicion is that the thyroid somehow id affecting

the efficiency of the oesophageal sphincter which is allowing food and acid to

reflux back up the oesophagus.

The trouble is that I read of all these different 'cures' for acid reflux and I

don't want to end up using myself as a guinea pig in case some of these cause

even more damage.

Dave

>

> Hi

>

> Have you been tested for h pylori?

>

>

http://healthmad.com/conditions-and-diseases/is-your-reflux-caused-by-helicobact\

er-pylori/

>

> Chris

> -

>

[Guest guest]

Welcome to our forum and I hope you get the help and

support you need. As far as acid reflux is concerned, you might want to read

the information here http://www.modernherbalist.com/betaine.html

- this is a topic that keeps coming up on this forum. The connection between

acid reflux and hypothyroidism you can read about here http://www.diagnose-me.com/cond/C374158.html

- half the journey is understanding the reasons behind what is happening

to you and this opens the doors to knowing exactly what questions to ask.

Luv - Sheila

One of other things keeps nagging me though. The acid reflux seemed to start

around the same time as my hypothyroidism and I wondered if there could be any

connection. I am due to see the spcialist again in 2 weeks time as the problem

is still there.

[Guest guest]

This is my opinion only, but I think acid reflux is a fashionable diagnosis. My

husband was diagnoised with this for 10 years due to coughing. It was so bad he

was sleeping (in the spare room)sat upright and still getting very little sleep.

He went to see a Professor and after a days testing they decided acid reflux.

We went home upset, as they had treated him for this for 10 years already with

no help.

In a week a letter came from the professor saying it was acid reflux but there

was a little sentence saying " patients test results scream asthma. "

I spent 1/2 an hour on the net rang the asthma society she said she could tell

he had asthma over the phone. Dr was still very anti about prescribing anything

and gave Neil oral pred - he was so shocked he even apologised when it worked.

Long story short Neil is now better after 10 wasted years.

Caroline

>

>

>

> One of other things keeps nagging me though. The acid reflux seemed to start

> around the same time as my hypothyroidism and I wondered if there could be

> any connection. I am due to see the spcialist again in 2 weeks time as the

> problem is still there.

>

[Guest guest]

Hi there, the depression is linked to the adrenals and maybe this is stopping the T3 from working properly. if you are on levo i would try a little T3 if on T3 or natural i would boost the adrenals.get an adrenal test to see if this could be why.! Angel. who has had a little bit of it sometimes. i feel that it is my adrenals fluctuating that is the cause of mine. but not sure if i am over or under, my feeling is underand then short periods of normal/or over. some sort of cycling.ummmmmmmmmm.

[Guest guest]

Hi all, I too was dx with oesophageal reflux, at the same time as I started to

become really ill with what I now believe to be inadequately treated hypo-t. (At

the same time I went into early menopause at age 41)!

After having a heart attack and stents inserted, I was put on a whole range of

drugs, and for two years became worse and worse. When a friend eventually put me

on to NDT, and the controversy around treatment for hypo-t., I began researching

and discovered what all these drugs were doing to my body, and stopped taking 7

out of 9 of them. After a few weeks, I began to feel slightly better, and have

continued to do so. I'm not fully well (of course have been told it's CFS/ME),

but at least I don't feel like a zombie EVERY day! (I replaced the pharma drugs

with vit's, minerals, CoQ10, TMG etc).

What I wanted to point out is that Proton Pump Inhibitors have been proved to

inhibit aborption of nutrients, especially magnesium. There are several papers

on it. Most GP's obviously don't know this, certainly mine didn't, and I was on

omeprazole for 15 years!

Since taking NDT, I've managed to get off it - I find either Oregano oil or

bicarbonate of soda works immediately if I get a bit of heartburn, which isn't

often.

And just by the by, I was found to have a gall bladder full of stones, which

didn't help either!

A

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks for the reply. I'm fine at the moment and have started taking multi

vitamins which I suspect I should I should have been taking for a while. If the

depression appears again though I'll be off to the doctors for a chat.

>

> Hi there, the depression is linked to the adrenals and maybe this is stopping

the T3 from working properly. if you are on levo i would try a little T3 if on

T3 or natural i would boost the adrenals.

> get an adrenal test to see if this could be why.! Angel. who has had a little

bit of it sometimes. i feel that it is my adrenals fluctuating that is the cause

of mine. but not sure if i am over or under, my feeling is under

> and then short periods of normal/or over. some sort of cycling.ummmmmmmmmm.

>

[Guest guest]

Thank you for the welcome Sheila.

All these interconnections get rather confusing and although my thyroid

generally seems fine and stable (I think) the acid reflux is something I really

would like to cure as it is rather unpleasant at times. plus the thought of long

term erosion of the oesophagus is not something I particularly enjoy, what with

the possible serious implications it can have.

This is why I'm wary about taking acid supplements which on the face of it seems

an odd thing to do with an acid reflux problem.

I'll read a little more about it before deciding whether to try that route.

Thanks again.

> As far as acid reflux is concerned, you might want to read the information

> here http://www.modernherbalist.com/betaine.html - this is a topic that

> keeps coming up on this forum. The connection between acid reflux and

> hypothyroidism you can read about here

> http://www.diagnose-me.com/cond/C374158.html - half the journey is

> understanding the reasons behind what is happening to you and this opens the

> doors to knowing exactly what questions to ask.

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Dave

Welcome

I'm sorry I haven't had the time to read all the responses to your post so I

hope I'm not repeating something but you might like to google " Gluten and acid

reflux " . Here's an example:

http://www.glutenfreesociety.org/gluten-free-society-blog/gluten-sensitivity-ind\

uces-gerd-gastroesophageal-reflux-disease/

Gluten intolerance and hypothyroidism have a connection.

Best wishes.

Jackie x

>

> Hi Everyone. This is my first post on here so please be gentle with me!

>

> I've lost track of time but it was about 3 years ago that I had bad acid

reflux problems.

[Guest guest]

This link is to a site that explains, with pictures, why the LES valve cannot

open when you have enough acid.

http://refluxdefense.com/heartburn_GERD_articles/stomach-acid.html

>

> I'll read a little more about it before deciding whether to try that route.

>

> Thanks again.

>

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks for that . Very interesting.

> >

>

> > I'll read a little more about it before deciding whether to try that route.

> >

> > Thanks again.

> >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

The natural route for acid reflux is to take a teaspoon of vinegar or

mustard...this seems counter-intuitive, but it will automatically balance the

stomach.

As far as any digestion or stomach upsets, I have found that taking a organic

super greens protein drink ( a blender smoothie ) does more to help people with

these problems than anything else. It cures both dire-rear and constipation,

generally over night and gives you much needed energy. I've suggested this to

many who have made great progress just by having a smoothie every morning.

At the moment I am using a scoop of both these excellent products in a blender

with 1/4 cup organic apple juice, 1/4 cup unsweetened almond milk, a banana,

some frozen strawberries and a 1/2 cup of plain yogurt. Along with giving you

5-9 fruits and vegetables, it is chock full of vitamins and fiber and low in

calorie. This usually replaces an entire meal for me and keeps me full for at

least 3 hours.

They are also going to become even more popular if and when the governments

decide we can no longer have supplements. They are packed full of vitamins and

amino acids and more. Because people have such good luck with these, they stick

with it. The governments have not even looked into these protein drinks as a

source of supplements.

http://www.iherb.com/Amazing-Grass-Green-SuperFood-Chocolate-Drink-Powder-8-5-oz\

/13892?at=0

http://www.iherb.com/Living-Harvest-Hemp-Protein-With-Fiber-Original-Flavor-16-o\

z-454-g/5136?at=0

Cheers,

JOT

[Guest guest]

Depression is often linked because the active thyroid hormone

(T3) is not getting into the brain - and this causes depression symptoms until

T3 starts to work as it should. Find the reason why the T3 might not be working

as it should and ask your GP to check your levels of iron, transferrin iron

saturation%, ferritin, B12, vitamin D3, magnesium, folate, copper and zinc.

When the results come through, post them on the forum together with the ref.

ranges and we will help with their interpretation.

Luv - Sheila

Thanks for the reply. I'm fine at the moment

and have started taking multi vitamins which I suspect I should I should have

been taking for a while. If the depression appears again though I'll be off to

the doctors for a chat.

---

[Guest guest]

As I said earlier I have a hospital appointment with a gastro consultant in two

weeks time to discuss my acid reflux. It was by visiting her that the early

diagnosis of hypothyroidism was picked up although at the time she thought it

was nothing to act upon. My body had been telling me otherwise though!

Now that my hypothyroidism is worse do you think she is likely to see the

connection between the two or will 'conventional medicine' practice still

presume that there is too much (instead of too little) acid being produced and

the regime of PPI's will still be the 'standard' solution?

>

> Welcome to our forum and I hope you get the help and support you need.

> As far as acid reflux is concerned, you might want to read the information

> here http://www.modernherbalist.com/betaine.html - this is a topic that

> keeps coming up on this forum. The connection between acid reflux and

> hypothyroidism you can read about here

> http://www.diagnose-me.com/cond/C374158.html - half the journey is

> understanding the reasons behind what is happening to you and this opens the

> doors to knowing exactly what questions to ask.

>

> Luv - Sheila

>

[ED]

[Guest guest]

Hi , unfortunately, we have no way of being able to answer

your question. Gather as much information as you can about too little acid

(rather than too much) and pass the references on to the gastro consultant.

That is all you can do at the present time.

Luv - Sheila

As I said earlier I have a hospital appointment with a gastro consultant in

two weeks time to discuss my acid reflux. It was by visiting her that the early

diagnosis of hypothyroidism was picked up although at the time she thought it

was nothing to act upon. My body had been telling me otherwise though!

Now that my hypothyroidism is worse do you think she is likely to see the

connection between the two or will 'conventional medicine' practice still

presume that there is too much (instead of too little) acid being produced and

the regime of PPI's will still be the 'standard' solution?

[Guest guest]

Hi from my personal experience there is a connection . On a decent amount

of T3 I no longer have reflux .My muscles were extremely weak at one time

including internal muscles so I expect the valves were also weak. I do have vit

C crystals sprinKled on my porridge in the morning for adrenals but maybe it

also increases my stomach acid . Dr Myhill's piece explained a lot about what

has happened to me in the past . Hope this helps

[Guest guest]

Hi -this is going back a bit but you may find this useful PMID 16613012 . I wish

I had seen this a few years ago .

Note from moderator: I think this is the full link:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16613012

[Guest guest]

Thanks for this , I bet there are quite a few members who

also wish they had known about this too. I remember years ago my sister

suffered with HH, and never got to the bottom of it, and this was before she was

suddenly taken into hospital as an emergency when suffering with Thyroid Storm.

Strangely enough, and I am not sure whether this is connected, but I too

suffered with a Deudenal Ulcer before I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism.

Those days though, they didn't test for Heliobactor Pylori, they gave y ou a

Barium Meal to find out if there was any such problem.

Luv - Sheila

Hi -this is going back a bit but you may find

this useful PMID 16613012 . I wish I had seen this a few years ago .

Note from moderator: I think this is the full link: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16613012

[Guest guest]

Well it's probably a fortnight since I toook any PPI's and I've been taking

Betaine HCL for a week. I think on the whole my symptoms are better than they

were although there still seems to be some reflux. I'm taking 2 x 640mg tablets

once a day with a meal as that's what the instructions on the bottle state. I

was wondering if that maximum dose is correct as I've read elsewhere that much

higher dosage can be used.

I'd appreciate some advice as the last thing I want to do is give myself an

internal acid bath!

>

> Hi , unfortunately, we have no way of being able to answer your

> question. Gather as much information as you can about too little acid

> (rather than too much) and pass the references on to the gastro consultant.

> That is all you can do at the present time.

>

> Luv - Sheila

>

>

[Guest guest]

Well it's probably a fortnight since I toook any PPI's and I've been taking Betaine HCL for a week. I think on the whole my symptoms are better than they were although there still seems to be some reflux. I'm taking 2 x 640mg tablets once a day with a meal as that's what the instructions on the bottle state. I was wondering if that maximum dose is correct as I've read elsewhere that much higher dosage can be used.I'd appreciate some advice as the last thing I want to do is give myself an internal acid bath!

Hello ,

I am taking 1 tablet with every main meal (so up to 3 x 1 tablet of 650 mg HCL Betaine). The recommendation is: "1 tablet with a meal, up to four times daily. Do not take on an empty stomach". I reckon if you keep to 2, max 3 tablets a day you'll be all right.

I stupidly used to take a lot more (about 10+ a day) previously, thinking `a lot helps a lot' ... and I felt totally fine. However, when my GP ordered a blood test about 3 months later, my Alk Phosphatase levels had gone through the roof and that gave me a mighty fright. I imagined all sorts of things, like Paget disease or Osteoporosis, but it was "just" due to an overdose of hydrochloric acid. "Minerals follow acid...." – I should have thought of that when I swallowed all those pills! The excessive acid leached calcium and Vit D3 from my body like there was no tomorrow....

I've learned my lesson. Yes, I am lacking stomach acid, but I am not doing myself any favours with overdosing. I now stick religiously to the recommended dose <g>

If you still suffer from reflux despite taking HCL it might be worth to check for H. pylori, Candida albicans or parasites just to be on the safe side.

With best wishes,

[Guest guest]

Hi

Thank you for your reply. I'll try the same approach as you and see how that

goes. I'm a little apprehensive about seeing the gastro specialist next week as

I'm sure what I'm doing goes against accepted practice.

>

>

[Guest guest]

Oh, that's a bit strange - I posted this a week or so ago, and it's only just

appeared!

A

>

>

> Hi all, I too was dx with oesophageal reflux, at the same time as I started to

become really ill with what I now believe to be inadequately treated hypo-t. (At

the same time I went into early menopause at age 41)!

[Ed]