Solving the SIBO Mystery in Hashimoto’s Patients

The Case: 

• Emily has Hashimoto’s and is experiencing weight gain, constant bloating, and skin problems.
• She suspected that SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth) was the root of her problems.
• A gastroenterologist prescribed an antibiotic for SIBO which worked until she stopped taking it.

Emily was frustrated to have her symptoms return after the prescribed course of antibiotics ended. She was desperate for a solution, and that’s when she came to see me.

Why SIBO Symptoms Persist After Medication – Rooting Out the Real Culprit

Emily’s initial improvement followed by the rapid return of symptoms is a classic sign of untreated underlying issues. SIBO is often more complex than just bacterial overgrowth. I knew we needed to investigate further to discover what caused the overgrowth in the first place. There are several factors that are really, really important to consider. 

1. Gut Motility
Many people with hypothyroidism experience constipation due to suboptimal thyroid hormone levels. Without regular bowel movements, bacteria can easily migrate upwards, causing SIBO. 

2. Bile Flow
Proper bile flow is crucial for fat digestion and preventing bacterial overgrowth. Hypothyroidism can lead to sluggish bile flow, resulting in thick, sludgy bile that fails to emulsify fats effectively. 

3. Vagal Nerve
The vagal nerve plays a vital role in digestion by promoting motility and enzyme production. Chronic stress can impair vagal nerve function, leading to digestive issues. Simple practices like singing, humming, and gargling can help improve the vagal nerve tone, shifting the body into a rest-and-digest mode essential for proper digestive function. 

4. Stomach Acid
Low stomach acid is common in hypothyroid patients and impairs protein digestion, leading to bacterial overgrowth. Stomach acid acts as an antiseptic, preventing harmful bacteria from taking hold and ensuring proper digestion.

5. Pancreatic Enzymes
Adequate enzyme production is essential for complete food breakdown. Enzymes from the pancreas are crucial for breaking down foods, particularly fats and proteins, ensuring no undigested food remains as it can ferment and cause issues.

Emily’s Transformation From Frustration to Feeling Good

We looked at all of these things to find what was contributing to Emily’s persistent SIBO symptoms. I suspected there was more than one issue at play so we addressed all fronts, including her thyroid function, motility, bile flow, vagal nerve tone, stomach acid, and enzyme levels. Here’s what we did:

1. Optimized her T3 levels based on her low T3 type
2. Further supported bowels with magnesium citrate to improve motility.
3. Supported bile flow using bitters and addressed her thyroid function to enhance liver and gallbladder performance.
4. Improved vagal nerve tone with practices like singing, humming, and gargling.
5. Supplemented with Betaine HCL to enhance stomach acid levels.
6. Added digestive enzymes (pancreatic enzymes) to ensure thorough digestion.
7. Used 3 synergistic formulations found in this SIBO KIT for 8 weeks to eradicate bacteria and support fungal overgrowth as well.

Emily’s symptoms significantly improved. Her bloating reduced, she experienced regular bowel movements, and her skin issues began to clear up. By the end of her treatment, Emily reported waking up with a flat stomach and no discomfort by the end of the day. Her energy levels increased, and she started losing weight.

Emily’s case also highlights the importance of considering yeast overgrowth alongside bacterial overgrowth. By using a combination of antibacterial and antifungal herbs, we effectively managed both SIBO and possible yeast overgrowth.

Key Tips for Managing SIBO in Hashimoto’s Patients

• Holistic Approach: Treating SIBO when you have hypothyroidism requires addressing underlying thyroid dysfunction, ensuring regular motility, supporting bile flow, enhancing vagal nerve function, and optimizing stomach acid and enzyme levels.
• Diet and Lifestyle Adjustments: Simple lifestyle changes, such as singing, humming, and ensuring a clean diet, can significantly impact digestive health.
• Tailored Supplementation: Specific supplements, like those found in the SIBO Kit, Betaine HCL and digestive enzymes, can provide crucial support for those with hypothyroidism and SIBO.

Eliminating Health Mysteries

For Emily, we were able to find those missing pieces of the health puzzle and help her regain her health. Could the underlying causes of SIBO be the missing clues for you or someone in your life? 

Links:

For more insights and personalized advice, join my free training on understanding your thyroid type at innatopiler.com/zoomcall.

Suggested Products

Magnesium Citrate Bitters Betaine HCL Pancreatic Enzymes

Related Podcast Episodes:

The Case of Daily Bloating and Gas w/ Dr. Seth Osgood Hashimoto’s Connection to Dry, Saggy, Wrinkly Skin and How to Reverse It with Dr. William Davis 5 Daily Must-Haves to Help Manage Your Hashimoto’s and Hypothyroidism The Super Simple Mindset Shift to Help Hashimoto’s Are You Ignoring an Important Connection Between Gluten, Your Gut, and Hashimoto’s? With Vincent Pedre

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