Can Hypothyroidism Cause Nausea? Learn the Science Behind the Symptom

You’re nauseated. Again.

You sat down for a dinner you were excited about but as soon as that first bite hit, your stomach turned and now you’re in the bathroom entreating the universe to just make it stop. 

If you battle hypothyroidism and nausea, you might be wondering if the two are connected and, if they are, what you can do about it. 



We’ll dive into the nitty gritty and learn all about what the relationship between nausea and hypothyroidism can look like and how you can do something about it. 

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For many with hypothyroidism, it can feel like everything is somehow a symptom of their disease. From inflammation to fatigue, hypothyroidism affects many things. Is nausea simply one of the many symptoms of hypothyroidism? No. But also, yes.

It’s complicated.

Nausea is not considered a direct symptom of hypothyroidism. However, it is associated with other symptoms of hypothyroidism like esophageal motility disorders that present as heartburn.

Additionally, in rare cases, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain can be caused by hypothyroidism or some of its symptoms. This means that, while hypothyroidism doesn’t commonly cause nausea, it may be a factor on occasion. 

There are several reasons that your hypothyroidism might be affecting your stomach. 

Hypothyroidism doesn’t usually exist in a vacuum. Often other issues accompany it and people may find that these are the cause of their nausea.

Constipation is often a part of hypothyroidism and can lead to incredibly uncomfortable sensations in your gut. Nausea brought on by constipation is not uncommon.



Hashimoto’s disease, a common cause of hypothyroidism, is known for leading to gastrointestinal issues and discomfort. 

Another potential cause of your nausea could be delayed gastric emptying. Your body automatically has a normal, spontaneous process that moves food from the stomach to the intestines and out of the body. But something called gastroparesis can get in the way of this.

Essentially, gastroparesis is a paralysis of the stomach that keeps your body from automatically moving food through. Links between hypothyroidism and gastroparesis have been recorded.

When food stays in the stomach too long, it can lead to symptoms such as dyspepsia, nausea, and vomiting. 

Part of the thyroid hormones’ job is to regulate gastric motility and keep things moving as they ought. So when you are in a hypothyroid state, it all slows down, potentially leading to stomach discomfort. 

At HealtheirU, we address more than just your surface symptoms. Schedule a free consultation today and get to the bottom of your symptoms. 

Thanks to the evolution of modern medicine, there are medications available to help treat hypothyroidism. Essentially, these work by replacing the lacking thyroid hormone that your body should be making on its own but can't because of the slow-functioning thyroid. 

By replacing the missing hormone, thyroid medications can help support the metabolism and energy levels. 



Sadly, these benefits come at a cost. Side effects are prevalent and can include nausea. 

Synthroid — also known as Levothyroxine — is a common hypothyroid medication that may help some symptoms, but it is also known for leading to nausea. Other side effects include things like:



• Muscle aches
• Headaches
• Hair loss
• Diarrhea 
• Fatigue 
  

There are dozens of natural remedies you can use to help you overcome your hypothyroidism-induced nausea. 

Ginger is nothing short of a natural remedy miracle. It is fantastic for you on many counts, tastes incredible, and can be consumed in many different — and delicious — forms. 

Ginger has been used for hundreds — if not thousands — of years as a treatment for nausea and vomiting. There are many different ways you can consume ginger root:

• Peel and chop a few small chunks and steep it like tea
• Add to your favorite dishes
• Take dried encapsulated ginger
• Drink a natural ginger ale or beer 
• Eat some crystalized or candied ginger
• Try some ginger chews (you can find these at most grocery stores)
• Drink a shot of ginger juice — you may want to add water or some other liquid to make the taste less strong
  

Another common natural remedy is acupuncture or acupressure. 

The human body is far more interconnected than we tend to give it credit for. Various pressure points throughout your body are connected to different organs. 

By stimulating these pressure points, you can help alleviate issues with different organs, such as your stomach. With acupuncture, small, thin needles are used to target the points. With acupressure, concentrated pressure is intentionally used to the same effect. 



You can visit an acupuncture or acupressure provider and they may be able to help reduce your hypothyroidism-induced nausea. 

The way we breathe and focus on our breathing has a massive impact on how our bodies feel. If you’ve ever forced yourself to take a few mindful breaths, you already know the power of intentional, controlled breathing. 

But did you know controlling your breathing may help with nausea, as well? 

One study indicates that deep breathing exercises can help reduce nausea in post-surgical patients. 

If you want to give deep breathing a shot at helping with your symptoms, try the 3-3-3 method. 



Inhale through your nose for three seconds, hold for three, and then exhale for three. Try repeating this and see if you feel better.

Two more of Mother Nature’s nausea remedies are peppermint and lemon. 

Peppermint has been revered for years as an anti-nausea agent and general force for well-being. It was potentially used as early as 1550 B.C. in ancient Egypt.

One easy way to involve peppermint in your nausea-fighting regimen is to keep a bottle of peppermint oil on hand. When you feel your stomach turning, try opening it and deeply inhaling for a minute or two. 

Another method is brewing a nice cup of peppermint tea. While there is little evidence to pose peppermint tea as an effective treatment, some people find it helpful and, unless you are allergic to peppermint, there usually isn’t much to lose from trying it. 

Lemon is great for more than just a refreshing glass of lemonade in the summer. Some find that citrusy scents such as lemon help reduce feelings of nausea. You can try chopping a lemon or even just scratching the peel to release the oil. A bottle of lemon essential oil could also work as a more low-maintenance option. 

Take a stroll down memory lane for a moment. 

You’re eight years old and you have a stomach bug. Your mom, or perhaps your grandmother, let you know you’re now on the BRAT diet. You’re limited to a diet of bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast until your tummy calms down and you feel better. 

While it might have seemed silly at the moment, there is a good deal of truth to what Grandma told you. The food you eat can greatly impact how your stomach feels. Consuming more foods that are easy to digest and gentle on your system can help relieve your discomfort. 

These days, the BRAT diet isn’t recommended anymore and the CRAM diet (cereal, rice, applesauce, milk) has taken its place. This one tends to give more nutrients than its older counterpart. 

Another option worth trying is a low-FODMAP diet. FODMAP foods are foods known for being high in sugars that are hard for the small intestine to absorb. By reducing the consumption of these, you may be able to lessen your nausea. 



Another easy way to help your system digest food well is to stay upright for a little while after eating. This can help your body better digest your meal and reduce discomfort after eating. 

Vitamin B6 has been used for pregnancy-related nausea for those who don’t want to take anti-nausea medication. 



While there aren’t many studies on this, it is possible that adding B6 to your vitamin list could help you feel better. Talk with your doctor or health provider to find out what dosage would be best for you and your body. 

If all else fails, try helping your muscles relax. 

There are a couple of great ways to do this. 

1. Give PMR a try. PMR stands for progressive muscle relaxation and involves tensing and relaxing muscles repeatedly. This can help bring both physical and mental relaxation. Sometimes simply relaxing your body can help alleviate nausea. 
2. Go for a massage. You might find that letting go is your best relaxation method. A massage is a great way to both care for yourself and potentially relieve feelings of upset in your gut. You can always let your massage therapist know that you’re experiencing nausea and they may be able to implement different techniques to better target your concerns. 
   

Nausea is no fun. It keeps you from eating and leaves you worn out. Severe cases can make it difficult to spend time with loved ones or engage in activities you enjoy. 

But take heart. 

There are natural solutions to address your hypothyroidism and nausea. At HealthierU, we slow down and take the time to get to know our patients and what is bothering them. 

We look at the whole person and determine the best treatments based on more than just a handful of symptoms. 



Schedule your free consultation today and begin your journey to a healthier you.