Possible side effect of synthyroid

[comfrttx]

I also had a total thyroidectomy -4 years ago.  I have been taking synthyroid.  My current diagnosis is that I have developed gastroparesis (stomach not emptying properly).  Over the last four years I went from 150 to 174 pounds.  I felt like I was carrying a 12 pound bowling ball in my stomach.  Since this has developed over the last 4 years, it leaves me to wonder whether this is a side affect of the synthroid.  Have any of you had this problem?

[comfrttx]

Thank you for sharing.  I guess that's what I've got to look forward to as well.

[Totie]

I have been on Miralex for the last four years. I take it daily. My doctor put me on it permanently.

I have been on thyroid medication for going on 19yrs. I can't say if that is why I started having stomach issues or not. I do know I am lactose intolerant, don't eat bread or pasta because they bloat me & it is not worth it for me..

[comfrttx]

Thanks craigdog, I will looking to FiberCon pills.

[comfrttx]

thank you very much Barb 135.  I have been avoiding those items.  Didn't know about the high fiber foods being a problem until just recently.  I new husband is a high fiber freak.  So for 4 years I have been eating a lot of it.  Now have to figure out how to balance his insistence on high fiber for heart health and my digestive problems.  

[craigdog]

I take one FiberCon pill per day and have had great success with it.  I now take it anytime in the afternoon or evening to make sure at least 4 hours has passed since my synthroid dose.  For example, I just took it at 5:15pm (11 hours after synthroid).

[Barb135]

Gastroparesis can be connected to hypothyroidism, not the synthroid.  

High fiber foods, walnuts, cottonseed meal and soy products can inhibit the absorption of the synthroid, so you should either avoid them, or make sure there's several hours separation between the synthroid and those foods.

[comfrttx]

Thank you for your reply.  I am not diabetic. At least not yet.  Doc says I am pre-diabetic. so trying to make sure I don't get there.  
I have read the info sheet on Synthroid and realize it is not listed as a possible side effect.  However, they caution to avoid high fiber foods.  Why????  If it doesn't cause the stomach to have problems with digestion, then why is it necessary to avoid high fiber foods????  Seems like there's a connection there somewhere that isn't being said.

[comfrttx]

just started doing the research.  Like Barb135 says, it is not listed as a side effect of synthroid.  Thank you for your response.

[Barb135]

Gastroparesis is not a side effect of synthroid, but it can be related to being hypo.  It's also quite prevalent in diabetics.  Risk factors include:

    Diabetes
    Abdominal surgery
    Infection
    Certain medications that slow the rate of stomach emptying, such as narcotic pain medications and antidepressants
    Certain cancer treatments
    Anorexia
    Bulimia
    Scleroderma
    Parkinson's disease
    Hypothyroidism
Check out: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/gastroparesis/DS00612/DSECTION=risk-factors

[craigdog]

I'm so sorry to hear about that, and hope you're doing better.  Have you researched if that condition is a possible side effect of hypo?