One last thing. Being chronically constipated makes it very difficult for your body to expel toxins. They can build up in your system and cause all kinds of problems.
I find that eating nuts once every day along with raw vegetables, salads, fiber supplements and probiotics helps. Drink lots of water and stay away from to much carbohydrates and sugar until you get this problem under control. Eat high fiber carbs, whole grain, stay away from caffeinated drinks and sodas. Drink up to 8 glasses of water a day to flush your system.
Your problem could be all of the above. I rarely passed gas and was always having problems with bloating and constipation. I am a 45 year old female and this can be caused by hormone changes. This is not typical of a young 19 year old. You need to see another doctor for a second opinion.
Is it possible you have inflammation in your body? Do you have dry lips, eyes or mouth?
I suffer with inflammation throughout my body which I believe is causing my constipation and other symptoms. I am currently being treated for lyme disease.
My endocrinologist believes I may also have insulin resistance and be hypothyroid.
This little problem you have can turn into a big one if you don't address it.
My son is 19 and we recently found out he has insulin resistance. This is a metabolic disorder. It effects his hormones, thyroid and causes weight gain and is very difficult to get under control. He also has CFS and insomnia. Eventually insulin resistance can lead to diabetes if not treated. We believe it was caused by genetics or lyme disease. We are not sure yet.
There could be many causes for your condition. Your doctor should check your Free T3 and Free T4 to see if they are also in normal range. If they aren't you are likely to be hypothyroid and need medication.
Does anyone in your family have hypothyroidism or problems with their pituitary function?
You should also consider you may have a bacterial imbalance. I would start taking probiotics every day twice a day. This will hopefully help with the constipation. This won't hurt you in any way. It is only beneficial.
Have you been on antibiotics or any other treatment recently for illness If you have this could explain why you would have the imbalance. Having an imbalance in bacteria can make you have symptoms similar to what you have.
Hope this helps.
Thanks for answering.
I don't know the exact values of my TSH levels. I've had approximately 5 tests so far and it's the same story every time...''Elevated TSH levels with normal T4 and T5', so let's keep monitoring the values in case this is an early stage of Hypothyroidism''.
I'll make sure I get the precise values presented to me at my next appointment though.
I actually don't know if the extending of my abdomen is due to water retention.
If it's due to gasses and toxins being stored would I experience them, or be aware of them so to speak? I rarely pass gas.
You could be hypothyroid. Are your TSH levels above 3.0? .5-3.0 are the new levels endocrinologists and GP's should be going by but not all recognize the new levels. Having hypothyroid could cause all of your conditions. How do you know you abdomen is distended due to water retention?
You distended abdomen could be caused from being constipated. Gasses and toxins build in the body when you are constipated. Water retention could also be caused by hypothyroid.
If you haven't seen an endocrinologist for you elevated TSH I would see one. If you have and they don't suspect hypothyroid then I would get a second opinion. Make sure the doctor you see goes by the new levels of TSH.
Gender: Male
Height: 6'2
Weight: 150 pounds
What could be causing a slightly extended abdomen that is also sore to touch?
( I am making sure I'm getting enough dietary fibers, so fibers aren't an issue)
I would really appreciate an answer, because it might actually take a while before I can get a doctor's appointment.