Thread: Hypochlorhydria

G'day there Doc.

A few reasons lately made me suspect that I might have reduced HCl levels in the stomach.

In particular, I've taken the self-test where Betain HCl is ingested with food with its dosed being increased until you feel like you've drunk a hot cup of tea (acid reflux), then you get an idea how much digestive aid in the form of HCl you are needing.

Anyhow, I've taken quite a massive amount of Betain HCl (1.8g, it also comes with digestive enzymes like pepsin) and no go, I feel nothing.

What do you think about this 'diagnosis'? Are there any more conclusive test that can be performed or anyone that I can see in order to verify the acidity in my stomach?

Thank you so much in advance.

A bit out of the realm of my expertise mate. I would perhaps discuss it with your GP and get a referral to see a Gastroenterologist if you're having concerns. What sort of symptoms are you getting? Bloating, fullness, slow gut motility?

The problem is, these symptoms seem a little too generic to me to indicate Hypochlorhydria specifically. I do get bloating at times, constipation and gas, but so do many other people. Is there more of a Hypochlorhydria-specific way to tell? I spoke to my doctor but because I'm relatively young and don't have any serious problems (that is, before the betain HCl test I never even suspected anything), he wouldn't give me a referral (I think it has something to do with government funding and him being inspected if he sends me for stuff that isn't serious).

Any suggestions?

Thanks again, DOC!

Perhaps ask him to send you for a breath test to assess the presence of H.Pylori (nasty bacteria). The other thing to consider is food allergies. Some people find this a fluffy new age, naturopath topic, but there are many people now proven to be allergic to Lectins - certain proteins found on some grains. I personally don't tolerate carbs well, and take a product to control lectins - bingo - no tummy problems.

Always have something interesting to say DOC, thanks for that!

With H.Pylori,I doubt I could be hosting it without being extremely ill and showing serious symptoms.

My only symptom that is quite permanent is constipation but I reckon it's due to the lack of fiber I get form my diet.

Other than that, I doubt really have any of the symptoms. I do get a little bloated from foods high in carbs but at the moment, with my chicken salad and olive oil meals, I hardly bloat if at all.

I, however, still get pretty hard stool. My mum reckons that its due to the lack of carbs in my diet (only carbs I get are from veggies) like oats etc, because there is 'nothing to move the food around in my stomach'. I am quite ill-informed when it comes to this as I always believed that my salad should have easily take care of my fiber (is this the only factor?) requirement to help avoid hard stool.

I'd like to, perhaps, try and address this continuous symptom to get an idea whether it is something serious (like Hypochlorhydria) or something due to poor nutrient intake etc.

What could you recommend to address constipation? I have used Metamucil in the past but I don't think it helped much. Can this be due to my diet? (high fat, moderate protein, trace [green vegies] carbs).


Your help is really appreciated mate! (sorry for the lengthy, boring read!)


P.S
I have an irritated bowl syndrome, if it's of any help.

Mate you need loads of fibre and drink plenty of water, especially if your diet is high in protein.

Increase your rice and veg intake - especially things like broccoli and cauliflower. A small amount of fruit also helps, but limit this to 1-2 pieces per day.

Are you using flax oils, omega 3,6,9 or any other supps?

My diet is kept very simple and with limited nutritional variation as I am trying to accustom myself to dieting . It goes like this:

Chicken breast + salad (half carrot, half cucumber and a cup of spinach) + 2tbsp olive oil.

This is virtually every meal throughout the day with the occasional PWO shake and my cottage cheese and whey pre-bedtime meal.

I supplement each meal (5 meals a day) with 5 grams fish oil on top of the olive oil.

Rice isn't going to be an option as I am specifically trying to limit carbohydrate intake to trace carbs just from salad basically. I can, with your recommendation however to change the 'salad' make up.

I've actually got flax seeds and flax meal at home. I never got around incorporating them into my daily nutrition due to the moderate amount of carbs that I rather not have. I know that it is packed with fiber and omega 3 but yeah, trying to cut down on carbs here :P

My mate also recommended once I start using flax, to grind the flax seeds myself as flax meals sold in stores have all the goodies (like the oil etc) taken out of them after grinding.

So yeah, this should give you some information. Again, I am willing to make some modification under your recommendation but please take into account that I am trying to lead a low carb diet.

Cheers :)