[Anonymous]

#1076973

Hi shegraves,

That’s an interesting question — I think your pharmacist is probably a good source to find out the facts. My understanding is that the synthroid is not absorbed into the bloodstream until it gets to the intestines (which is why we wait SO long to eat anything else — we want to let it get all the way there by itself). I’m not sure if the acid could prematurely break it down before it arrives in the intestine.

I’m also not sure whether reflux is caused by excess acid, versus esophagus muscles that don’t work well enough to “keep it down,” if you gather my meaning.

I’m not sure where you are in the Graves’ treatment process either — if you have been consistently level for years and years on the same dose, and all of a sudden that’s not working for you, that’s something to investigate. If you’re still fairly early on in the process (which, sadly, can cover a year or two), then perhaps the fluctuation is due to other factors.

Ask your pharmacist if they know of any reactions with stomach acid, and make sure you’re communicating well with your endo about everything as well — they may not think it’s important for to understand WHY our levels are off, they just want to fix it, but for us I feel it is important that we find out if there’s something we can do to avoid the fluctuations in the future. Ask questions, do research.

Luckily, if it is the stomach acid, that should be correctable by simply increasing the dose — if the stomach acid is degrading it before it reaches the intestines, taking more to account for the destruction should be able to bring you back to normal. If it doesn’t make you hyperthyroid, you’re not taking “too much.”

Another thing to consider is that if you are taking medication for the reflux, THAT could be interacting in some way. Discuss all the variables when you’re talking to the pharmacist.

Good luck!

~Ski
NGDF Assistant Online Facilitator

[Anonymous]

#1020379

Hi,

I was recently diagnosed with Gastroesophegal (spelling?) Reflux Disease, which is caused by an overload of acid production in my stomach. I was wondering what effect, if any, a great deal of stomach acid has on the absorption of Synthroid. Within the last year, my tsh has risen from .9 to 7.15, and I was wondering if this increase in acid has anything to do with it. I know that we don’t take synthroid with food due to absorption problems…not sure if this is why but….when we eat, food raises the level of acid in the stomach. I do know that acid assists in the absorption of calcium…..but maybe it has the opposite effect on synthroid? Anyone have any input?

Thanks,

[Anonymous]

#1076974

Thanks Ski for your post. I am about 18 months post total thyroidectomy. My tsh levels have continued to go up since removing my thyroid, so maybe I’m just not at my correct level yet. The medication I’m on for reflux supposedly does not interact with the synthroid, especially as I take the synthroid early am and the reflux before dinner. Don’t know about whether the acid affects the absorption or not. I’m afraid to go up in dose again, as now I’m on meds to reduce acid, so once it’s reduced, then my tsh may go down again…who knows!?!? As far a knowing why my levels fluctuate is very distressing to me. You are correct in your assumption that my doc really doesn’t know (or seem to care too much) why my levels are going up, she just wants them corrected. I need to get to the bottom of this so I know for the future and make sure I do everything I can to keep my levels from fluctuating. I’m tired of my hair falling out and my eye acting up everytime my levels weird out! I have an appointment with her on Monday so we’ll see.

Thanks again,

[Author]

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