Is Constipation A Symptom Of Hypothyroidism?

Constipation is a problem related to digestion. When a person becomes constipated, he faces a lot of difficulty in passing stool. In this condition, lumpy and hard stool may come out. Also, you may have to strain during bowel movements. If someone has bowel movements less than 3 times a week, then this condition is constipation.

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Hypothyroidism is also known as underactive thyroid. This is a condition in which the thyroid gland is not able to produce enough hormones in the body. In such a situation, metabolism starts slowing down. Initially symptoms of hypothyroidism are not experienced, but as the level of hypothyroidism increases, its symptoms start being felt.

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Symptoms may vary depending on the severity of hypothyroidism. If you have hypothyroidism, you may suffer from symptoms like fatigue, weakness, weight gain and joint pain. Apart from this, problems like chills, dry skin, swelling on the face, muscle pain, hair fall and stress can also occur in hypothyroidism. Metabolism slows down in hypothyroidism, in such a situation some people may also have to suffer from constipation.

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Constipation is common in people with hypothyroidism or underactive thyroid. Actually, metabolism and digestion slows down in hypothyroidism. Due to this, some people suffering from hypothyroidism may remain constipated for a long time. Let us tell you that constipation is a common symptom of hypothyroidism.

Is constipation a symptom of hypothyroidism? Constipation is a common symptom of hypothyroidism, in which the thyroid gland in the front of your neck doesn't make enough thyroid hormone. Thyroid hormones control the way your body uses energy and affect almost every organ in the body. Without thyroid hormone, many of your body's functions slow down.

The primary cause of constipation in hypothyroidism is due to decreased bowel motility. Normally, the muscles of the colon contract to move stool through the intestine toward the rectum. In hypothyroidism, the muscles do not contract frequently or enough, causing stool to move very slowly through the colon. There are many other causes of constipation besides hypothyroidism. The link between hypothyroidism and constipation .Having hypothyroidism means that your thyroid does not produce enough thyroid hormone to meet your body's needs. Digestion and bowel movements are among the processes that can be affected by low levels of thyroid hormone.Constipation can become more common as we age, even with normal thyroid hormone levels, hypothyroidism can increase your risk of constipation.

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In hypothyroidism the thyroid gland is unable to produce hormones. When sufficient hormones are not produced in the body, many body functions slow down, due to which constipation can occur - Let us tell you that in hypothyroidism the intestinal motility decreases, due to which constipation occurs. Slowing down of intestinal motility can be the main cause of constipation in hypothyroidism. Apart from this, in hypothyroidism the muscles do not contract frequently. Due to this, stool moves slowly through the colon and takes time to reach the rectum. This can cause constipation.

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First of all, it is important to ensure that hypothyroidism is being properly treated. If the medicines prescribed by the doctor are not taken, the condition can become serious and the problem of constipation can also increase. Apart from this, the following things also need to be paid attention to –

• There is a need to increase the amount of fiber in the diet. 
• Drink at least 7-8 glasses of water every day. 
• Yoga and exercise regularly.
• If there is a problem of chronic constipation, then laxative medicine should be taken on the advice of the doctor.

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Treat Your Thyroid
The best way to treat constipation related to hypothyroidism is to start treating your thyroid with thyroid hormone replacement medication. Low thyroid hormone levels (T4 and T3) slow down all of your body's systems, including gastric motility, leading to constipation. Thyroid medication replaces the thyroid hormones that your thyroid gland fails to produce.Let's say you're experiencing constipation even after taking the optimal dose of thyroid medication. In that case, you need to find out some other factors that may affect your bowel habits.

Consider Your Diet
Whether you have hypothyroidism or not, diet plays an important role in your bowel function. Some foods may speed up gastric motility, while others may slow it down.Fiber is one of the important nutrients you need to consider when aiming to regulate your intestines.The best way to get fiber is through your diet. Foods rich in fiber include:

• Chickpeas, Edamame, Lentils, and Split Peas
• barley
• whole wheat food 
• Berries 
• Rahila
• brussel sprouts
• artichoke 
• avocados

People with hypothyroidism need to be careful about eating too much fiber, mainly because fiber or fiber supplements in your diet can affect the absorption of your thyroid medication. To make sure you're getting the appropriate amount of fiber, talk to your thyroid nutritionist to develop a meal plan specifically tailored to the needs of your thyroid and your gut.

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Hypothyroidism is a condition in which thyroid hormone is produced in less quantity in the body. In this situation many problems start occurring in the body. This also includes constipation. Yes, a person can become constipated due to hypothyroidism. If someone is constantly constipated, they should get their thyroid levels checked. Constipation is a common symptom in hypothyroidism as a result of the slowing of the digestive system. In most cases, adjusting your thyroid medication or making some dietary and lifestyle changes can provide relief from constipation.