midwest1

Hello. I'm a newby to this board - usually I hang out at "Thyroid Disorders", because I was just diagnosed with hypothyroidism and started med for that just over a week ago.

I've had heartburn but none of the other typical GERD symptoms for over 5 years. Only within the last 6 months did I discover heartburn can be a symptom of low thyroid function, in which case it usually indicates low acid secretion. I'm rather confident this is my case, not GERD.
Within the last 6 weeks, my tongue has enlarged, I have become extremely pale and weak, and have other neurological symptoms of pernicious anemia. This anemia is usually caused by the stomach not secreting enough acid for B12 absorption. (To further complicate matters, the doctor had me taking Nexium for over 8 months... that couldn't have been a good thing for this condition.)

Up to one-third of people with autoimmune hypothyroidism (Hashimoto-type) have associated autoimmune gastritis, where parietal cells atrophy and acid is suppressed. I am waiting for lab tests to come back with results for B12 deficiency and autoimmunity. While I wait, I'm interested to know if anyone here has had this problem, and what you've had in the way of treatment for it.
Thanks for reading...

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R.I.P. Dr. John C. Lowe (1946-2012)
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