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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Can Synthroid Cause Bowel Movement Issues In The Elderly?

Hi, I have been taking synthroid for the pass few months started with 0.075 mg for a month, now I am at 0.088 mg, since I started I have having bowel mouvement issues, and it seem to happen late afternoon and mostly in the evening. I have a lot of gas and it s not very comfortable. I never had any problems with my bowels before, I am 61 years young and it started when I started taking this medication, Cold this be a side effect or possibly something else? thank you Eva
Wed, 5 Sep 2018
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Internal Medicine Specialist,  's  Response
Hello,

the active substance itself is not supposed to cause such symptoms unless taken at a much higher than the required dose. If your TSH and fT4 are within normal range and you've definitely associated the symptoms with the pill then perhaps it's the lactose it contains!

Some individuals have lactose intolerance which means that when they drink milk (which contains a lot of lactose) they may experience abdominal pain, excessive gas and diarrhea. Although the lactose contained in the pill cannot be that much compared to milk, it may cause symptoms to some individuals. The symptoms should be possibly expected 30-120 minutes after ingestion although a slower occurrence cannot be excluded.

So I would advise you to check your TSH and fT4 levels, try to stop the pill for a couple of days to see what happens when you stop it and when you restart it (don't worry, no harm will occur) and if none of the above gives you the answer then perhaps you should consider other causes.

Kind Regards!
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Can Synthroid Cause Bowel Movement Issues In The Elderly?

Hello, the active substance itself is not supposed to cause such symptoms unless taken at a much higher than the required dose. If your TSH and fT4 are within normal range and you ve definitely associated the symptoms with the pill then perhaps it s the lactose it contains! Some individuals have lactose intolerance which means that when they drink milk (which contains a lot of lactose) they may experience abdominal pain, excessive gas and diarrhea. Although the lactose contained in the pill cannot be that much compared to milk, it may cause symptoms to some individuals. The symptoms should be possibly expected 30-120 minutes after ingestion although a slower occurrence cannot be excluded. So I would advise you to check your TSH and fT4 levels, try to stop the pill for a couple of days to see what happens when you stop it and when you restart it (don t worry, no harm will occur) and if none of the above gives you the answer then perhaps you should consider other causes. Kind Regards!