Constipation can be an embarrassing topic to discuss with your physician, but if you have unusual constipation, it is important to know your thyroid could be the problem.
Constipation is often one of the first symptoms to appear for someone who has underactive thyroid,
or hypothyroidism, says Constipation Experts.
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However, not everyone who has hypothyroidism gets constipated, and not all cases of constipation are caused by a thyroid disorder. Dr. Carla Ginsburg at Harvard University
tells Health.com that especially for younger patients who have chronic constipation, she recommends testing thyroid gland function.
The thyroid gland is a small gland located in the front of the neck, and its main purpose is to produce hormones that regulate the metabolism and many other functions in the body.
When there are not enough hormones being produced, many bodily functions slow down, says Dana Trentini,
author of HypothyroidMom.com. According to Trentini, hypothyroidism slows the action of the entire digestive tract, and the muscles that move stool through the intestines and out of the body become weak.
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According to the Constipation Experts, the relationship between the gut and the thyroid is complex. For instance, some of the essential bacteria in the gut is responsible for converting an inactive thyroid hormone, T4, into an active hormone called T3 that is needed to keep the metabolism working properly. Gut health is needed for good thyroid function, and thyroid function is needed for good gut health.
According to Trentini, it wasn’t until her underlying thyroid condition was properly diagnosed and treated that her longstanding problem with constipation began to improve. Her physician recommended natural dessicated thyroid, which was life-changing for Trentini.
It is also important for patients suffering from constipation and thyroid problems to consume between 20 and 35 grams of dietary fiber each day, Trentini writes.
Other dietary changes that may help relieve thyroid-related constipation include going gluten- and dairy-free, incorporating probiotics and healthy fats into the diet, and starting the day with warm lemon water to help flush out toxins, she said.
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