Danger of constipation to the thyroid gland

Constipation is a problem that can be especially dangerous for people with hypothyroidism, a thyroid disorder. Hypothyroidism slows down many body systems, including digestion and elimination. And, unfortunately, some people may end up with chronic constipation.

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Visiting a doctor

If you suffer from chronic constipation and have not had your thyroid checked, see your doctor for a comprehensive thyroid evaluation as part of your overall assessment. Your doctor may also order blood tests to rule out other conditions that may be causing your constipation.

Keep in mind that you should see a doctor immediately if your constipation bothers you for seemingly no reason. Also, see a doctor if constipation is accompanied by symptoms such as rectal bleeding, abdominal pain, cramping, nausea, vomiting, or noticeable weight loss.

In general, however, most doctors will begin with a medical history and physical examination. The doctor will want to know about the frequency of your bowel movements, the characteristics of your stool, what you eat and drink, the medications you take, and your level of physical activity.

Typically, your doctor will do a physical exam, including an examination of your rectal area.

Especially for patients with thyroid disorders

Be absolutely sure that your thyroid requires optimized treatment, as undertreatment can lead to constipation.

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Important note for patients with thyroid disease

Some high-fiber foods used to combat constipation are also goitrogenic, meaning they stimulate the thyroid gland to enlarge. This can cause or worsen hypothyroidism. The risk is generally highest when these foods are consumed raw, regularly, and in significant quantities. Cooking removes most of the goitrogenic properties.

Increase your fiber intake with fiber supplements

Since it is difficult to get the right amount of fiber in a day, you may also want to consider fiber supplements. These may include natural remedies such as psyllium or flaxseed. These are mixed into juice or food with fiber supplements. Fiber supplements are considered laxatives and are called "bulk laxatives." They are generally safe, especially when compared to laxative medications.

Please note!

Increasing fiber in your diet can help reduce thyroid hormone production. Be sure to consider at least two or three other methods of thyroid treatment other than fiber-rich foods and supplements, if possible.

You should have your thyroid function checked again about eight weeks after starting a high-fiber diet or supplements - you may need to increase your medication dose to account for hormone absorption and changes in levels due to fiber intake.

Fiber supplements may also interact with medications other than those used to treat thyroid disease. If you take any medications, be sure to discuss this with your gastroenterologist.

Lifestyle changes

Make sure you are getting enough fluids. This means drinking at least 2-2.4 liters of fluid per day (not including caffeinated drinks), and even more if you are overweight. Daily exercise is also essential. Even a short walk is helpful for getting your bowels moving.

Make sure you have enough time and privacy to have a comfortable bowel movement. And don't ignore, delay, or hold back the urge to have a bowel movement.

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Traditional osteopathic treatment methods

Osteopathic manipulation by a doctor who specializes in osteopathy (DO) can be painless, effective, and generally the best non-drug treatment for constipation for some people.

Laxatives

If you have tried diets and lifestyle changes and still suffer from chronic constipation, you may want to talk to your doctor about laxatives. Because of chronic constipation, your health, particularly your thyroid function, should be evaluated by a doctor, and most laxatives can be addictive, so it is best not to self-medicate with laxatives. Instead, talk to your doctor about alternative methods for dealing with constipation.

Laxatives are sold in a variety of forms, including tablets, capsules, liquids, powders, gum, and "candies."

Next steps

Sometimes chronic constipation can lead to additional complications. The most common are hemorrhoids, rectal prolapse, or fecal impaction. Ideally, treatment by a doctor should help avoid these types of serious complications.

If diet, exercise, lifestyle changes, and prescriptions or medications with proper thyroid treatment are not the solution to chronic constipation, then a consultation with a gastroenterologist for more extensive testing is needed, and additional diagnostic tests will likely be recommended.

Tests may include

• Colon and rectal exams, monitoring how well food moves through the intestinal tract
• Anorectal function tests, these are used to evaluate abnormal functioning of the anal sphincter or rectal muscles and the anal sphincter area
• X-ray, it can help in identifying abnormalities
• Colonoscopy with barium enemas to look for obstructions in the colon, colon tumors, or problems with the nerves of the rectum, examine the colon and lower part of the small intestine
• Colonoscopy or rectoscopy, which involves examining the inside of the colon using a long, flexible tube called a colonoscope

More aggressive treatments for severe constipation may include surgery or more complex drug regimens.