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Suggest Treatment For Recurrent Frequent Diarrhea While On Synthroid

Posted on Mon, 20 Jul 2015

Question: I have been taking Synthroid since the 1990's. I never connected it with diarrhea, but I started around that time to have severe, watery diarrhea, about every three to six months. Over time, it has gotten much worse. I had a colonoscopy and the doctor said everything was quite normal. I also had a comprehensive evaluation for food allergies....all good there, too. The past year, the diarrhea is more frequent, like 3 times a week, without warning and without pain. I also have had panic attacks, which I also read could be a side effect of Synthroid. The panic attacks also set off the diarrhea!! Going to a gastrointestinal doc on Monday. Do you have any advice?

Answered by Dr. Binu Parameswaran Pillai (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Celiac disease to be ruled out

Detailed Answer:
Good day
Noted your concern. Hypothyroidism is most commonly am auto immune disease and Celiac disease is often associated with hypothyroidism. Celiac disease can cause bloating sensation and diarrhea. Do you have any wheat intolerance?

Do you get loose stools at night or only during day time? predominantly day time symptoms which is associated with panic episodes could be due to Irritable bowel syndrome also.

Another rare disorder which is associated with diarrhea and panic disorder like episode is Carcinoid syndrome.

Discuss these possibilities with your Gastro doctor.
Regards
Binu

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Binu Parameswaran Pillai (21 minutes later)

Thank you I don't think I have a wheat intolerance. It did not show up in the allergy testing.

The diarrhea usually occurs after the first meal of the day. If I eat breakfast, it will be about 20 minutes later. If I eat lunch, it will happen after that. I don't have bloating or pain, just diarrhea with no warning. I never have it at night.

I think the panic attacks come because I start thinking I might have an episode, then I get distraught, and that instigates the problem.

Answered by Dr. Binu Parameswaran Pillai (22 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
IBS

Detailed Answer:
Thank you for the reply. these episodes sounds like Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) especially when the colonoscopy was normal. please discuss this as well as the possibilities I mentioned earlier with your gastro doctor.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Binu Parameswaran Pillai (7 minutes later)

Did you get my reply, above?

Thank you.

Answered by Dr. Binu Parameswaran Pillai (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Best wishes

Detailed Answer:
Hope you got my reply. Wish you speedy recovery
Binu

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar