Thyroid and Constipation

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ikledoozer
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Joined: Tue Jul 16, 2013 10:12 pm
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by ikledoozer on Tue Jul 16, 2013 10:26 pm

Thyroid and Constipation

Over the last 12 months I have constipation issues. I have been to the doctor who said I am borderline to having an underactive thyroid.

I suffered for months before I went to the doctor trying to sort it out myself I was given stool softeners which seemed to work after I persisted for a couple of weeks.

It has since come back and I went straight for the same but nothing seemed to occur so I used them with the lactulose which worked for 2 days then stopped and made me very uncomfortable, I then resorted to senokot and suppositories which worked I thought it would clear me out and then I would be ok, but it has not worked, the only thing that made me feel a bit better was dulcolax, I took this at the weekend and felt great but now I am back to feeling like I need to go but just can't. I do not like taking things to make me go and I am getting concerned as I don't seem to get back to my normal self.

I have increased my water intake changed my diet completely and I am excercising more, but this has not made any difference.

Getting frustrated as not sure if I am making it worse.

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Julie Thompson
Posts: 94
Joined: Mon Jul 08, 2013 2:24 pm
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by Julie Thompson on Tue Jul 16, 2013 11:00 pm

Re: Thyroid and Constipation

Hi

I am sure you will not be making things worse and the changes you have made may well have other benefits with them, if you have increased your fruit & vegetable intake for example you will improve your diet in other ways so continuing with those changes would be good. The thyroid regulates metabolism and if it is underactive your metabolism slows - this slows the digestive tract too, making people more constipated. Sometimes it can take some time to regulate the dose of laxatives, unfortunately lactulose is a fermentable carbohydrate (used for energy by the bacteria that are normally found in your large bowel, this process causes gas) lactulose sometimes is really not helpful and tends to make gas and bloating worse. There are other options and I would advise you to go to your GP to discuss this again. Some laxatives are not recommended to be taken long term and your GP or pharmacist can advise you which ones you can take safely. Your GP can check your thyroid levels too, perhaps if medication for your thyroid is needed, this will also help your symptoms. I would also say that occasionally people with underactive thyroid can also have coeliac disease, so this might also be a possibility, please ensure you are eating wheat barley and rye if you are tested.
Julie Thompson
Gastroenterology Specialist Dietitian - BSc (Hons) Dietetics

http://www.talkhealthpartnership.com/on ... ompson.php

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