A Thyroid Issue Is Affecting My IBS

By Amy Dodd Pilkington

3 min read

My doctor explained to me that my thyroid acts much like the hormonal shifts of perimenopause and menopause. It spits and sputters, releasing more or fewer thyroid hormones with no rhyme or reason. It can be impossible to predict until it completely stops producing hormones.

A thyroid issue causes different issues, and some might be able to guess how their thyroid is behaving according to the types of issues they are having. Unfortunately, that isn’t the case for me.

Hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism cause symptoms of IBS

Hypothyroidism can cause constipation. While this might be an indicator of uncontrolled hypothyroidism for some, it isn’t for me. I have symptoms of IBS-C on a fairly regular basis, so a sudden bout of constipation isn’t unexpected.

Hyperthyroidism can cause diarrhea. This might be a warning sign for some, but it is common for me to have symptoms of IBS-D. Because I have IBS-M, this type of change could mean something or nothing at all.

Different health issues contribute to issues with IBS

I have a number of conditions that can cause constipation or diarrhea. A swift change in symptoms or a prolonged bout of symptoms makes me wonder about the cause, but it’s a guessing game. There is no way for me to determine the possible cause.

This is especially true for diarrhea. For the past month, I have been experiencing severe bouts of diarrhea. This is a bit worse than my normal IBS-D flares, so I wonder if one of my other issues is causing or exacerbating the problem.

Trying to identify the root cause of a bad IBS flare

Which issue could be keeping me chained to the bathroom? I had my gallbladder removed last year, and that can cause diarrhea. I am postmenopausal, and the hormonal issues associated with that can cause diarrhea or constipation.

I was recently diagnosed with hypothyroidism, but the changing level of thyroid hormones coupled with medication could at times cause my thyroid hormone levels to be too high. That can cause diarrhea, and that could be an issue until it is properly regulated.

Uncontrolled hypothyroidism can worse IBS symptoms

I feel my uncontrolled thyroid issue is likely the culprit behind the intensity of this flare, but I believe all of my ailments are contributing factors. It was hard enough to try to manage everyday life with IBS flares before, but it seems impossible now.

If I want to leave home, I must fast. Fasting isn’t easy now as I am always hungry, thanks to many of my ailments. I still fear having an accident, and it is a very real possibility even staying close to the bathroom. This flare is that intense.

Taking medication to take the edge off of cramps

I don’t like to take medication because it generally just flips me into a flare of the opposite type. I have started taking an antispasmodic medication again. It does little to control diarrhea, but it does help take the edge off the cramping.

Don’t get me wrong. An antispasmodic does not take away all my cramping, but it does help lessen the pain. That little bit of relief helps when it’s really bad.

Trying to find some relief from IBS symptoms

What can I do to stop this flare or at least lessen its intensity? I have high hopes that once my hypothyroidism is controlled that it will improve. Surely it will make things a bit better.

Has a thyroid issue made your IBS worse? How did you manage? I would love to hear about your experience.

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Rise321 Member
Hi Amy! Sorry to hear of your problems. Your increased diarrhea is definitely from having your gall bladder out. It is the major change correlating to that time. You can take Colestipol or Welchol to bind bile acid diarrhea. Welchol is better tolerated. Ask your doctor for it. Hope you feel better soon! 
1. Karina Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="Rise321" user-id="8518147"/> Thank you for sharing! Did you have your gallbladder taken out, too? Diarrhea seems to be a pretty common side effect indeed. How have you been doing lately? Karina (team member)
explodingguts Member
Wow, Amy. I used to rue the lack of medical intervention available to me; now I'm grateful. When I stopped looking to MDs and diet for answers I found Holosync. I don't know how or why it works just that it does work. I've been listening to the Centerpointe recordings for a few months now and I am maybe 90% cured of chronic IBS-D. It was more until this week when I moved up a level, which prompted some resistance, which for me means the old explosions. Just for a few days, though. Free trials are available. For me, the stress and rage of chronic and unpredictable explosions was overwhelming. I had to let it go. The recordings helped immediately and profoundly. Maybe a half hour each. I listen 2-3 x a day. I think we get overwhelmed and forget to process feelings properly. This has worked like magic for me when nothing else did.
June6 Member
When I was diagnosed with Subclinical hypothyroidism, I felt for sure it was the reason for my constipation. I have had severe bouts of IBS-c for the last year+. My thyroid levels are normal now. (while I take the meds). No effect on the IBS-C unfortunately 😟
1. Karina Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="June6" user-id="2331831"/> Sorry to hear that your thyroid meds didn't help with the IBS-C. 🙁 How are you coping? Did you find anything else that helps at all? Karina (team member)
2. June6 Member
 The low FODMAP diet has helped a lot and I have been able to slowly add some high FODMAP foods. It is when I take a laxative to get things going that I run into trouble. Two days ago I took Iberogast which are 9 Chinese herbs which are for the relief of IBS. They do work! So instead of having a normal BM once a week, it turns into a flare with pain and I have to fast 2 days to get back on track. I’ve started to write things down which I should have done long ago. It’s a matter of getting the right combination of things. Sometimes I can drink coffee (black) but sometimes I can’t. Staying away from milk and gluten has helped. Next week I might try a combination of fresh fruit. I also need to walk more.
Marina451 Member
 Amy, did removal of gallbladder was helpful for you? It is difficult to manage low GI symptoms, upper Gi symptoms and hypothyroidism. While taking t4 hormone is often a must and it does bring labs to a norm (and certainly for me reduces body aches and flulike symptoms) it does not help with all the symptoms. If your digestion still a problem and / or you still consume something that your body does not agree with , you will still have other symptoms. Alas. Combination of personally tuned up low FODMAP and elimination of inflammatory for an individual food most likely will bring needed relief . That alone with food preparation methods which excludes frying, greasy foods , too much fat in many instances . I am still in process of identifying triggers and again while tuning the diet is not a remedy it might bring at least symptomatic relief. 
1. Karina Moderator & Contributor
 Thank you so much for sharing your insights. Adjusting my diet definitely helped me, too. Did you have your gallbladder removed, too? While we wait for Amy to reply, I just wanted to share this article about gallbladder removal with you: <a href='https://irritablebowelsyndrome.net/clinical/gallbladder-removal-ibs' target='_blank'>https://irritablebowelsyndrome.net/clinical/gallbladder-removal-ibs</a>. There are lots of comments from community members who had the procedure done, and it seems like gallbladder removal can make IBS worse for many people. I hope this helps. Karina (team member)
Marina451 Member
<inline-mention username="Karina" user-id="2303467"/> thank you so much! I do have stones and some suggests based on multiple symptoms that removal might help. But I am very much pessimistic that it might be helpful. For various reasons. I will comment on that more later, just wanted to say thank you!
1. Marina451 Member
 What I have learned from my relatives who has no gallbladder is that it takes time to after surgery diarrhoea and (or) after surgery reflux to get settle. Still have to be mindful of fat and methods of cooking. But I also learned that some still have reflux and constipation (!) after gallbladder removal and they had it before surgery. Thus in absence of serious symptoms for now I would prefer diet vs surgery.
stuckey17 Member
I have IBS and Hypothyroidism. I did not realize they could be related. My Gasto doctor diagnosed my IBS which was IBS mixed to start Constipated mainly but diarrhea around it. The doctor said I was full of it after the CT scan... I think that's what is called. My primary diagnosis of the Hpothryoid