Hypothyroidism and Constipation Symptom
Constipation, one of the many symptoms of Hypothyroidism is never a pleasant topic of conversation but as with the other symptoms of Hypothyroidism and constipation is definitely a necessary topic of discussion.
Before we get into why people who live with Hypothyroidism get constipated we should have a basic idea of how the upper and lower intestines function during the digestive process. This post will focus more on the lower intestines then on the upper intestine because that’s where constipation takes place.
Hypothyroidism and Constipation – Digestion and the Need for Fiber and Water
Both the initial and majority of the break down of the foods that we eat begins in the upper or small intestine. During digestion the upper intestine is responsible for breaking down foods enough to pass through the intestinal track while absorbing nutrients necessary for our bodies to function.
By the time digestions reaches the end of the small intestine, known as the ileum, what remains of the food that we have eaten is sodium and chloride, water and waste (unused portions of food, fiber and dead cells from inside of your stomach) The ileum absorbs water, sodium and chloride back into the body before passing the waste on for elimination.
There are a couple of things to take a look at here if your constipation is a result of having an underactive thyroid.
The first is the importance of high fiber combined with including plenty of water into your diet on a daily basis. This is important for all people and not just people who suffer from hypothyroidism. Although fiber is discarded as waste the reason why fiber and water are important to your digestion is that fiber acts like a sponge and absorbs water.
Sometimes the ileum can absorb too much water from what remains of your food causing your stools to become hard and difficult to pass. The fiber that passes through your digestive track holds on to the water that it absorbs and creates that balance that the body needs that helps to insure softer stools.
Exercise and Constipation
The next is exercise. Digestion requires healthy muscle movement throughout the digestive track. When you suffer from hypothyroidism muscles slow down, everything slows down, your blood pumps slower. The main reason for the need to exercise is for the purpose of keeping your blood pumping and maintaining strong healthy muscles. It’s pretty much common sense. It’s also as easy as getting up and going for a 30-40 minute walk each day especially after dinner. Keep moving no matter how fatigued you are.
Hemorrhoids and Constipation
Another issue is that hemorrhoids could be a result of constipation and in turn causing more constipation. Talk about one hand washing the other. Exercise, fiber and water are key to helping in this area. Softer stools eliminate hemorrhoids and constipation.
Hypothyroidism and Constipation Points to Remember
- Remember always, always make sure that you are properly taking your thyroid medication as directed by your medical professional.
- Make sure that you see your doctor on a regular basis.
- Make sure that you are tracking your symptoms and discussing the things that you notice with your doctor at all appointments especially if your constipation is chronic.
- Treatment may be as simple as temporarily needing a stool softener or a hemorrhoid treatment combined with making simple adjustments to your diet and exercise routine.
- Consult a doctor if you start to become dependent on stool softeners and hemorrhoid treatment.
- If you are doing everything right and still suffer from constipation then it could be something unrelated to your hypothyroidism causing your issue.
Hormonal Changes
One last note or reason for the need to discuss the details of this symptom of hypothyroidism with your doctor is that hormonal changes brought about by an underactive thyroid can cause constipation. Your doctor will check your different thyroid hormone levels to make sure that you have proper T3, T4 and TSH levels in your system.
Remember keeping your digestion process healthy can eliminate unexplained fatigue, and the affect of Hypothyroidism and Constipation.
Great information. I am doing a lot of research on this topic. I may have hypothyroidism, but am not sure yet. I know, I need to see a doctor. I am making an appointment today. I just wanted to find out more information on all of the different symptoms. Thank you!
You’re welcome and I hope that all goes well for you when you see your doctor.
Hi, Delighted to have found your website. I was only diagnosed last week. For a number of years I had been tired, lethargic, trouble controlling weight, cold hands and feet, etc. Last year I tried iron supplements to counteract my tiredness and although my health improved a little I ended up with severe constipation. Having been diagnosed with IBS several years previously, I assumed this was a re-occurance of something I thought I had under control with my diet. So I went to my GP (I am in Ireland) and got a course of Celevac. These are methyl cellulose tablets and you can take up to twelve a day with plenty of water. They help to bulk out your bowel contents combatting the constipation without the need for laxatives and are very gentle. They are not particularly pleasant to take as the cellulose immediately starts to swell a bit as you chew them but as long as you take them with plenty of water they might help with the constipation. They may have a different name in the US. After a bit of trying out different dosages I settled on 4 a day until recently when my constipation worsened – I now take 5. I went to my GP again recently because my hands and feet were incredibly tender and achy and although she didn’t think it was arthritis she sent off for a whole range of blood tests and within 48 hours she rang me with the hypothyroidism diagnosis. She has put me on a fairly high ‘start off’ dose of Levothyroxine (100) because my TSH was 55 (I don’t remember what the other levels were although I think my total count was 5.6 or something like that). I am due more blood tests in 6 weeks and probably every six weeks thereafter for a while till my levels reach a good stage. I have to say that the diagnosis for me was brilliant news (I know you might think I am nuts) – for years I had a sub-quality life and now even though my health is at its worse ever, the only was is up. My two favourite things are walking and decorating cakes and my energy levels have been so poor that neither of these has given me any great pleasure of late, particularly with the sore hands/feet problem. So knowing that within the next year I can hopefully look forward to a quality of life surpassing anything I have experienced in the past 5 or so years is wonderful news. Sadly most of the discussion boards I have found so far are full of negativity and bad news stories so I was so happy to come across such an informative and positive site and will no doubt be back for more info and support in the months and years ahead.
Cal,
Thank you very much for sharing your story with us. As much of a struggle it is getting through adjustments in your med levels, because you will have your ups and downs, the thing that will help you is just as you said in knowing that within a year, actually improvements will surface sooner, you can look forward to a better quality of life.
Thank you for your comment. I love to read these positive stories.
Hi,
Was diagnosed with Hyperthyroidism and then had a radioactive iodine treatment which turned me into hypothyroidism. I sympathize with each of you because I have experienced every sympton in both directions. I feel terrible most of the time but I thank GOD everyday that I am alive and then when I’m least expecting it, there is a rainbow the sun is shining and my pot of gold is that I can smile. This disease is no joke. Why are we just now hearing about it? Why is there no help for this disabling disease? My back, joints, and muscles hurt and when I want to lay in bed because I have no energy, I can’t. It hurts to type, it hurts to walk, it hurts to think, and it hurts to sit. All I have is medication and GOD. There are people who do not have access to medicine. We are all just one step away from jobs and no insurance What will we do? I have been through so much with this disease but I am hopeful.
Thank you for sharing your story Lisa! I’m so sorry that your joint pain is that bad. I have some joint pain and have slowed down some but I can live with what I experience. It’s mostly in my right foot elbows and wrists. With me it’s more stiffness than anything else. A good example is when my eight year old and her friends pull out most of her toys and I end up being the one who sits on the floor picking them up. If I’m down on the floor for more than 45 minutes to an hour. My back from the hips up are stiff for a few days after. The stiffness I can live with but my heart certainly goes out to you.
I have been hypothyroid since 1982 (surgery) and all was going well until I had a hysterectomy in 2001. It has been incredibly difficult to keep both regulated with thyroid medication and bio-identical hormone replacement. My joints hurt most of the time, even though I exercise and weight train, eat right, get plenty of sleep…the gambit. I battle constipation, hair loss, vision issues. But I too am happy to be alive and few people even realize my situation.
I don’t quite understand why it is so diffecult to keep these levels balanced. It would seem with today’s technology we could come up with a finger prick test and delivery system for both thyroid and hormones. Just my thoughts and thanks for listening.
Lynn,
Thanks for sharing and you do have some very valid points there. It would be nice to have some sort of quick test like they do for diabetes available for those who suffer from hypothyroidism. It seems to be that people who have had surgery tend to have more issues with fluctuation then even those of us who have autoimmune hypothyroidism. That’s probably something that I should research the why answer to.