Many thyroid patients with hypothyroidism or cellular hypothyroidism have been diagnosed with IBS or Irritable Bowel Syndrome. IBS is the name given to what traditional medicine defines as; Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders. In other words, the GI tract is not functioning properly, however, there is no pathology or diseased tissue of the bowel.
IBS is a disorder of the GI tract where the bowels move too slowly causing constipation (IBS-C), too fast resulting in loose stools or diarrhea (IBS-D), or an alternating, mixed pattern of constipation and diarrhea (IBS-M). Regardless of your GI symptoms or GI diagnosis, you can bet that cellular thyroid allostasis and cellular hypothyroidism is part of the problem.
The challenge in the traditional or allopathic model of medicine is GI testing focuses solely on looking for disease, not dysfunction. Functional medicine at Rejuvagen focuses on evaluating the entire individual.
If you struggle with IBS and the traditional medical model has not provided the answers or relief you need, the following factors must be considered:
- Disease, pathology, or pathogens are typically not detected with conventional testing and imaging. As such, most doctors provide patients with medication to manage their symptoms
- Medications which suppress symptoms, often create additional disturbances within the body.
- Most medical doctors evaluate the GI system as a separate entity and are unaware of the impact thyroid physiology can play in IBS. If you have IBS, there is a good chance you have a compromised thyroid system. And if you have challenges with thyroid physiology, there’s a high probability you also have GI dysfunction.
- The root cause of GI disturbance must be identified and addressed to restore optimal GI function. If the root cause is not addressed, the condition usually progresses with time.
There are several triggers of GI dysfunction and gut dysbiosis, including hypochlorhydria (low stomach acid), inflammation, infections, parasitic and yeast overgrowth, food intolerances (especially gluten), stress and other lifestyle factors. However, thyroid physiology plays a key role. A healthy gut is essential for optimal cellular thyroid physiology. Likewise, healthy thyroid physiology is also essential to maintain proper digestion and a healthy gut. To restore a healthy thyroid-gut connection, both systems must be addressed simultaneously.
If you are struggling with GI symptoms, Rejuvagen can help. We understand the thyroid- gut connection. We take a strategic approach to identifying the underlying cause of your GI distress, including an evaluation of your thyroid physiology. Through comprehensive metabolic lab work and functional stool analysis, we have the ability to uncover signs of imbalance within the body which are often overlooked by traditional medical practices. Once the root cause(s) of dysfunction have been identified, we support recovery of compromised systems to restore your health and quality of life.
