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Suggest Treatment For Changes And Irregular Bowel Movements

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Posted on Thu, 14 Aug 2014
Twitter Thu, 14 Aug 2014 Answered on
Twitter Fri, 5 Sep 2014 Last reviewed on
Question : I am a 67 yr. old female and my bowel movements have changed in the last 6-8 mo. I have them 2 to 3 times at day and seem much more (unusally large amount) than the amount of food that I eat, and certainly more than ever before. I am 5 '4" and was at 175 lbs. I recently gained 5 to 7 lbs. in the last 8 mo. though my diet has not changed. Unfortunately, I am not very active as far as doing daily excercise, but I do work 12 to 16 hrs. per week, (4 hrs. per shift) and am on my feet the entire time, walking a very large store. I also take care of a 18,000 sq. ft. house with my husband. We have started eating gluten free, mostly dairy free and try to limit sugar. We eat only grass fed beef, maybe once or twice a month, cage free chicken and eggs, eat salmon 1 or 2 times per week, lots of veggies, salads and fruit every morning, drink 6 to 8 glasses of water per day, drink 1 glass of wine or cocktail a day. I know I should lose weight, but I am on Armour Tyroid for a hypo condition. It was only discovered about 6 -7 yrs. ago after I had already gained all the weight. My normal weight was 120 -125.
feel very good internally since this change in BMs, but I'm just worried that they are not normal and maybe something seriously wrong. My endoicrinologist just asked if it was ever diarrhea. It is not. I have regular gyno exams every year, full blood work twice a year. I've had no serious illinesses, never had surgery for anything other than cosmetic. Please relieve my anxiety about this. P.S. I have colonoscopies every 3 to 5 yrs. since they have found a couple of small poleps each time. I've had 3 colonoscopies so far.
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Answered by Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (39 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Detailed below.

Detailed Answer:
Hello!

Thank you for the query.

Any change in stools pattern at your age should be checked with colonoscopy. No matter when was your last colonoscopy. It is very important as it may be an early sign of colon cancer.
Hypothryoidism can also affect stools and give similar symptoms. TSH level should be checked to see if there is a need to modify the dosage of your thyroid medicines.
So I`m sorry not telling you that this is normal, but I do it for your safety.

Hope this will help. Feel free to ask further questions.
Regards.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Grzegorz Stanko

General Surgeon

Practicing since :2008

Answered : 5798 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Changes And Irregular Bowel Movements

Brief Answer: Detailed below. Detailed Answer: Hello! Thank you for the query. Any change in stools pattern at your age should be checked with colonoscopy. No matter when was your last colonoscopy. It is very important as it may be an early sign of colon cancer. Hypothryoidism can also affect stools and give similar symptoms. TSH level should be checked to see if there is a need to modify the dosage of your thyroid medicines. So I`m sorry not telling you that this is normal, but I do it for your safety. Hope this will help. Feel free to ask further questions. Regards.