An underactive thyroid gland or “hypothyroidism” causes a decrease in bodily metabolism which affects the rate at which digestion occurs, resulting in symptoms related to slowed bowel movements and digestion. With overactive thyroid conditions or “hyperthyroidism” metabolism is sped-up, causing an abnormal increase in the rate of digestion and bowel activity. The goal of treatment for both types of thyroid disorders is to correct the metabolism back to a normal level by either replacing low levels of thyroid hormones or by slowing down the over-production of them.
Constipation
With hypothyroidism, foods are converted into fuels for energy in the body at a slower rate than in people with normal metabolisms. This can cause bowel movements to be less-frequent and can cause them to become hardened and dryer than normal. A build up in the bowels can also occur causing discomfort, bloating and pain in the stomach and painful bowel movements. In some cases of autoimmune hypothyroidism called “Hashimoto’s thyroiditis”, when intermittent phases of hyperthyroidism also occur (Hashitoxicosis), a person can alternate between spells of constipation and diarrhea. If thyroid disease is not diagnosed, the person may believe the condition is caused by IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome).
Diarrhea
People with hyperthyroid conditions, will commonly experience chronic diarrhea (ongoing and severe). This is due to the body rapidly converting foods into fuel or what is also referred to as “metabolic energy”, faster than with normal metabolism. Foods will quickly move through the digestive tract, causing frequent, loose or runny bowel movements. In addition to symptoms of stomach cramping and the need to make emergency trips to the bathroom, frequent diarrhea can also cause dehydration and essential nutrients to not be fully absorbed into the body, which can lead to malnutrition if treatment for hyperthyroidism is delayed.
Indigestion
Medical sources state that both underproduction and overproduction of stomach acid can cause symptoms of heartburn, sour stomach and acid reflux. With hyperthyroid conditions when stomach acid levels rise to abnormally high levels (hyperchlorhydria) due to increased digestion, heartburn symptoms can occur commonly. Patients who have not received a diagnosis of thyroid disorder may instead be diagnosed with common acid reflux or with the more severe digestive disorder called Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD). The same is true of hypothyroid conditions, in which there can be a lack of stomach acid available to digest foods at a normal rate (hypochlorhydria).
Treatments
In most cases of digestive problems caused by thyroid disorders, bringing thyroid hormone levels back into normal range will significantly reduce or eliminate symptoms. If symptoms persist following treatment, over-the-counter or prescription medications for indigestion symptoms or irregular bowel movements may be needed.
In addition to drug treatments, there are lifestyle and diet methods that can also help. These include eating smaller meals and consuming them slowly, eliminating use of stimulants such as alcohol, coffee and tobacco, reducing stress, not eating for two hours before bedtime and elevating the head of the bed or sleeping on an extra pillow to prevent acid reflux. Constipation can be helped by eating foods rich in fiber, four hours apart from thyroid hormone dose, including fruits, vegetables and legumes (beans, lentils, and peanuts) and drinking plenty of water (approximately 64oz per day). Stubborn diarrhea symptoms can be additionally helped by avoiding high-fiber in the diet and foods that are greasy or that contain high levels of diary or refined sugars.
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