I am at 100 mcg. and tried 112 mcg. of Synthroid. When I increase, my stomach bloats and I can feel it is due to my upper abdominal muscles clenching unvoluntarily. I went back down a few weeks on 100, and the problem was MUCH better, but lost any energy I had. So today, I again took a 112 and the same bloating, clenching scenario happened. Anyone understand why this happens? If I could get past this, I believe I could up the dose and have more energy.
Sue..........this is strange. It sounds like you could be having a reaction to the Synthroid, BUT why would you be having a reaction at 112 mcg and not 100. That doesn't make sense. Bloating is a symptom of being undermedicated. I may have asked you this before, but have you had you free T4 & free T3 checked? Where are you there? It might be time for you to give Armour a try, especially if your FT3 is lower than your FT4.
Could the "clenching" be spastic colon or maybe a digestive problem. Have you ever taken a digestive enzyme? That might help........Guess I'm just thinking aloud here.
Marilyn--it's always ok to think out loud!!!! You never know if any small idea might be a clue!
I am due now to have my TSH, FT4 and FT3 done. I just put it off because of the bloating. I have to have a 3-hour GTT with it and I didn't think I could sit in the lobby with the stomach bloating.
I have about an 8 year history of off/on bloating, but usually just live with it. Rarely, like yesterday, it gets so bad it feels like it is cutting off my circulation in my abdomen(like wearing a waaay to tight waistband). It's kind of scary as I begin feeling really weird and lightheaded, and my b/p had jumped up to 175/92. That kind of validated my theory on limiting my abdominal circulation. I have been to a few gi docs, tried everything, but no answers. So, I'm at a loss.
By the way, I think, depending on my labs, I am going to ask for either Armour, or add in cytomel. One time a few years ago when I was bloating on a trial dose of Synthroid, I added in a very small dose of some Armour, and the bloating went away. But, of course, my heart started really racing so I quit. Your &$#@ed if you do and %$#@ed if you don't!!!
Sue, when I am overmedicated on synthroid and a bit hyper, I get this gripping, gnawing, hollow kind of feeling in my upper abdomen. Kind of like a gnawing pit in my stomach. My Irritable Bowel symptoms also flare up and my GI tract gets very sensitive. Don't know if this is what you are feeling. I am experiencing this right now. I have been on 125mcg synthroid for the past 6 weeks and it is too much so I just dropped down to 112 today. We'll see if this solves the problem. Wish I could offer you something more - jrose
Interesting thread - I too have weird burning and hard to explain feelings in my abdomen, waist area, etc. several times a day....I don't think it is from too much medication for me, as I am still dragging around like a zombie. Just wanted to add this - it is very disturbing and hard to describe, but I think you did. Once in a while I have itching different places. I wonder if it is from being hypo and not stabilized or from the meds - I have no idea. All of this is driving me nuts. Feel like when I tell the doctor he will think I am crazy - I am sure he must have heard these complaints from someone before....I hope so. But he can only increase meds - can't think of much else.
Liz - I know that my thyroid situation definitely contributes to my IBS problems. When I am hypo I get very painfully bloated and constipated and everything slows down. When I am hyper I get that gripping, gnawing feeling that I described above and get GI crampy feelings. FYI - I saw my doctor today, he ran labs and I will find out about those in about a week. I am definitely feeling hyper on the 125 mcg synthroid so he suggested dropping down to 112 and testing again in 4 - 6 weeks. I will keep you posted on how my labs come out. I'll start on the 112 tomorrow and hopefully I am zoning in on the optimal dose. Blessings - jrose
