Does Hashimoto’s Cause Stomach Pain? Making the Connection Between the Thyroid and Your Gut

Are you suffering from consistent stomach pains? Maybe you’re experiencing bloating and acid reflux. 



You have tried several remedies to relieve stomach pain, but nothing has helped. You’re unsure what to do next but willing to try anything to find relief. 

Not only are digestive problems annoying and uncomfortable, but they may often be essential clues to more happening with our health. 

Did you know there is a connection between the gut and the autoimmune condition Hashimoto’s disease? By the end of this article, you’ll be more familiar with the symptoms of Hashimoto’s stomach pain and holistic approaches for managing Hashimoto’s and stomach pain.

Table of Contents

Hashimoto’s disease affects your thyroid gland and is a chronic autoimmune disease. 



Hashimoto’s has several symptoms, and stomach pain is not typically considered a direct symptom. However, in some individuals with Hashimoto’s, thyroid hormone imbalances can trigger digestive issues or related symptoms. 

Hashimoto’s patients may experience stomach pain for a variety of reasons. Take a look at some of the most common ones. 

Having trouble with Hashimoto's and stomach pain? Contact HealthierU for a free consultation. 

In conjunction with a holistic approach to proper nutrition and natural remedies, we believe holistic treatment might help reverse your condition.

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A variety of factors can cause gut problems. Stress was once blamed for digestive issues by doctors. However, as more research has been done on these issues, it has been determined that stress is not the only cause. 



People with Hashimoto’s often experience the following symptoms.

When sphincter muscles don't work well, food might remain too long in one part of the digestive tract.

Patients with Hashimoto's disease often have weak lower esophageal sphincters, which means it doesn't close tightly enough to prevent stomach acid from entering the esophagus.

A range of symptoms may accompany indigestion, such as: 

• Heartburn: A feeling of burning or discomfort in the chest
• Nausea: Feeling queasy or wanting to vomit
• Belching: Excessive burping or gas production 
• Acidic taste: After eating, the mouth may feel sour or acidic; and
• Regurgitation: Bringing up stomach contents into the mouth or throat

It is important to note that the severity and duration of these symptoms might vary from person to person.

Food waste is moved toward the rectum by contractions in the large intestine, also known as the colon. During this process, the colon absorbs water from the food waste to become more solid and eventually eliminate it.

However, if you are suffering from low thyroid levels, your colon might slow down and cause difficulty with elimination. 

When people have Hashimoto's, their colon muscles often don't contract as strongly as they should, making moving stools difficult. As a result, the small intestine may be unable to process and move food waste into the large intestine. 

Constipation symptoms include:

• Infrequent bowel movements: Constipation is characterized by fewer than three bowel movements per week
• Hard stools: Hard and difficult to pass stools
• Incomplete feeling: After a bowel movement, you feel as though you haven’t wholly evacuated your bowels
• Smaller stools: Rather than passing well-formed stools, passing small, pellet-like ones; and
• Bleeding: Straining during bowel movements sometimes causes minor rectal bleeding due to small tears in the anus.
  

In addition to regulating metabolism, thyroid hormones regulate digestion. 

Since bodily movements are often delayed in those diagnosed with Hashimoto’s, gastric emptying and reduced intestinal motility cause food to linger in the digestive tract longer and cause stomach bloating. 

Additionally, thyroid hormones affect stomach acid production and digestive enzymes. An insufficient level of these substances may result in incomplete digestion, which might cause gas and bloating. 

Following are a few symptoms of stomach bloating:



• Abdominal distension
• Feeling of fullness
• Discomfort or pain
• Increased gas; and
• Gurgling or rumbling in the stomach
  

Those with Hashimoto's thyroiditis may develop other autoimmune conditions, such as celiac disease or gastritis, which sometimes cause stomach pain. 



These conditions can occur independently of Hashimoto's, but they may be more prevalent in people with autoimmune diseases.

Gastritis is inflammation of the stomach lining, which may cause: 



• Stomach pain
• Indigestion; and 
• Discomfort

While it is not directly caused by Hashimoto's, some people with autoimmune disorders may be at a higher risk of developing gastritis due to shared autoimmune factors. This is because Hashimoto's and autoimmune gastritis involve the immune system mistakenly targeting the body's tissues.

Chronic inflammation in autoimmune diseases like Hashimoto's might also contribute to gastritis. This sometimes leads to reduced stomach acid production and hinders the absorption of essential nutrients like vitamin B12.

Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder that damages the small intestine due to gluten consumption.



People with Hashimoto's thyroiditis may have an elevated risk of developing celiac disease due to shared genetic susceptibility and immune system dysregulation, predisposing them to autoimmune conditions. 

Celiac disease, characterized by an immune response to gluten in the diet, primarily affects the small intestine but may disrupt overall immune function, potentially leading to the co-occurrence of both conditions.

Environmental factors and triggers may also contribute. 

Consequently, individuals with Hashimoto's should be aware of the increased risk and consider appropriate screening for celiac disease if they experience related symptoms or have risk factors. 

Although not directly related to Hashimoto's thyroiditis, IBS is a common gastrointestinal condition that might cause: 

• Chronic stomach pain
• Weight gain
• Bloating; and 
• Changes in bowel habits 

Both conditions may likely develop in some individuals due to shared autoimmune mechanisms and hormonal influences. A thyroid hormone imbalance may affect gastrointestinal function, and chronic conditions like Hashimoto's may be possible triggers or worsen IBS symptoms.

 

Food sensitivities and alterations in the gut microbiome may also play a role. Even though Hashimoto's is associated with IBS in some cases, not everyone with one condition develops the other. 

Hashimoto's thyroiditis and SIBO are distinct medical conditions, but their gastrointestinal symptoms and underlying causes might be linked. 

Due to hypothyroidism, those with Hashimoto's may be more likely to develop SIBO due to slowed gut motility. This is because dysregulation associated with both autoimmune disorders may develop. 



Both conditions require coordinated care, including thyroid hormone replacement therapy for Hashimoto's and antibiotics for SIBO, along with monitoring thyroid hormone levels and gastrointestinal symptoms.

Medications used to treat thyroid disorders, including Hashimoto's thyroiditis, may cause gastrointestinal side effects, such as stomach pain. 

To minimize stomach-related side effects, thyroid hormone medication should be taken as prescribed, typically on an empty stomach in the morning. If you experience persistent stomach pain or discomfort while taking your medicine, consult your healthcare provider. They may adjust your dosage or explore alternative medication options.



It is important to note that while stomach pain may be a side effect of thyroid medication, it is not a common or severe side effect for most individuals. The benefits of properly managing hypothyroidism with medication usually outweigh the potential side effects.

Autoimmune Protocol (AIP) is an elimination diet designed to help people with autoimmunity determine their: 

• Food allergies and sensitivities
• Reverse nutrient deficiencies
• Balance gut flora; and 
• Heal their bodies

The Autoimmune Protocol involves removing foods most likely to cause problems for people with autoimmune diseases, such as: 

• Grains
• Beans
• Legumes
• Dairy
• Eggs
• Nuts
• Seeds; and
• Food additives

A wide variety of fruits and vegetables are included in the diet as well as nutrient-dense foods like: 

• Bone broth
• High-quality meat; and
• Wild-caught fish



You keep track of the changes you experience in your health during the elimination phase (which may last a month to a year). When it is time to slowly and systematically reintroduce foods, you will be able to pinpoint which foods are holding you back and construct a diet that will support your healing process.

Irritable bowel syndrome and other gastrointestinal disorders may be managed with the Low-FODMAP diet. 

FODMAP stands for: 

• Fermentable Oligosaccharides
• Disaccharides
• Monosaccharides; and 
• Polyols

People with sensitive guts may experience intestinal issues due to carbohydrates and sugar alcohols, which are poorly absorbed in the small intestine. 

The Low FODMAP diet restricts foods high in fermentable carbohydrates to identify specific triggers, then gradually reintroduces them. 

The most common high-FODMAP foods include: 

• Fruits
• Vegetables
• Dairy products
• Legumes; and 
• Sweeteners 

There are usually three phases to the diet: 

1. To reduce symptoms, high-FODMAP foods are eliminated from the diet. 
2. FODMAP groups are reintroduced one at a time to identify specific triggers and determine tolerance levels. 
3. The patient enjoys a more varied diet while avoiding symptom triggers during the maintenance phase, where the diet is adjusted based on their tolerance to specific FODMAPs. 



It's important to note that the Low FODMAP diet should be undertaken under a healthcare provider's or registered dietitian's guidance, as it might be complex and restrictive. 

There is no solid scientific evidence to support natural remedies for bloating, but many people experience relief from bloating when they use peppermint, ginger, cloves, and chamomile.



As a digestive aid, some people also take activated charcoal supplements before and after meals or add apple cider vinegar to their beverages.

Alternative therapies may complement conventional medical treatments for stomach pain associated with Hashimoto's thyroiditis. 

Here are some alternatives to consider:

• Herbal remedies: Several herbs, such as peppermint, have been used to provide relief from stomach pain 
• Acupuncture: Acupuncture involves inserting thin needles into specific points on the body to alleviate pain and balance the body’s energy. 
• Digestive enzymes: These supplements might be beneficial as they aid in the breakdown of food and reduce bloating. 
• Mind-body techniques: Exercises like yoga and meditation may ease stress and anxiety, which sometimes aggravate stomach pain.   



It’s important to note the effectiveness of alternative therapies might vary from person to person, and what works for one may not work for another. Make sure you discuss alternative treatments with your healthcare provider and consider working with a practitioner who specializes in the therapy you are interested in. 

If you are suffering from stomach pain, it’s essential to address the pain before it gets worse or manifests into other issues. 

Whether your stomach pain is caused by Hashimoto's or not, our team of healthcare professionals will provide you with personalized care and innovative solutions.

We will support your journey to a pain-free, healthier life at HealthierU.

 

To learn more, contact us today.