Does thyroxine cause heartburn?

[Guest guest]

I've been on 150 mcg levothyroxine for several months, having

started back in March this year at 50mcg. Most of my symptoms have

gone - apart from the continued unexplained weight gain and

occasional episode of swelling.

In the past fortnight I am noticing I'm getting heartburn which

seems to be getting more entrenched and more painful rather than

merely irritating. This is not normal for me as I rarely suffer from

digestive problems. I've only suffered from heartburn during my 3

pregnancies or as an obvious direct consequence from eating over-

rich food. It has never come out of the blue before nor lasted for

so many consecutive days.

At present it hurts me to eat fruit or anything too acid, so all

wine and fruit juice is off menu for now. Any eating makes it tender

but not eating at all makes it worse. Drinking water doesn't help

much either. I'm at a loss as to what is causing the problem or how

to ease it. The heartburn feels in a different place to normal

heartburn. Could it be the start of a stomach ulcer?

I have a packet of rennies on hand as one rennie provides sufficient

relief. How much time do I have to leave between thyroxine and

antacid to avoid lowering the thyroxine dose?

Has anyone else noticed this or is it just " one of those things "

which will simply go away on its own?

Thanks,

Tracey

[Guest guest]

I had a bad time a while ago with acid reflux and was given omeprazole for this, it stopped instantly, I wasnt happy taking it everyday because I believe we need a certain ammount of stomach acid and omeprazole reduces stomach acid. I then just took it when I needed it.

My acid reflux has gone, havent had it for weeks now, but I have an appointment at the hospital to do a breath test to see if I have the bacteria that causes ulcers, its bascially a new thing that is being used to replace the not so nice camera down throat procedure. I am not allowed to take any PPI's for 2 weeks prior to the test and havent had any problems not taking it, I believe we need stomach acid to help digestion and absorption of meds and foods, you could well have the beginnings of an ulcer, I wouldnt expect thyroxine to cause heartburn though

Hi Tracey

I've been on 150 mcg levothyroxine for several months, having started back in March this year at 50mcg. Most of my symptoms have gone - apart from the continued unexplained weight gain and occasional episode of swelling.

Thyroxine is known to make people gain weight. I have references to this in my responses to the BTA statements on Armour and T4/T3 combination therapy. You might need some T3 or even Armour Thyroid.

In the past fortnight I am noticing I'm getting heartburn which seems to be getting more entrenched and more painful rather than merely irritating. This is not normal for me as I rarely suffer from digestive problems. I've only suffered from heartburn during my 3 pregnancies or as an obvious direct consequence from eating over-rich food. It has never come out of the blue before nor lasted for so many consecutive days.

luv - Sheila

[Guest guest]

Hmm, so I'll have to keep an eye on it.

I had a dental check up a few days ago and my dentist commented on the

incredible improvement in my gums' health and also that I had no build

up of tartar at all. I've not changed my dental hygiene methods, but

though I used to put in the effort I never seemed to reap the rewards

and suffered from more mouth infections and pain than I ought.

I wonder if the positive improvement with my mouth is connected with

the not so good changes further down my digestive tract?

Tracey

[Guest guest]

Tracey

I never used to have problems with indigestion or heartburn. (My poor

husband has enough of that for both of us.) But then when all this

hypo nonsense started I began having really bad problems with heartburn

and the doctor gave me a few courses of Opremazole, which helped a

little.

I've also had to have more regular, three monthly visits, to the

dentist for a descale because despite brushing and flossing and

mouthwashing on an almost obsessive basis I have started having a

problem with tartar build up as well as repeated mouth and gum

infections. I keep telling him that I have a really rigorous oral

health routine but I'm not sure he believes me!

I have noticed, however, since starting Armour and now hc, the

digestive problem has cleared up. I'm off to the dentist again at the

end of the month so maybe things will get better there too now my meds

seem to be kicking in.

Pen x