Auto immune diet

[Gamorasgran]

Anyone any experience? Am expecting a hashimotos diagnosis when I get my next blood test in July but aware the gp may be reticent to treat, especially given the BMJ article this week.

Given I am symptomatic (typing whilst wrapped up in my lovely blanket whilst dh is in shorts) I wanted to look at self help options.

So is it as simple as going gluten free? I can't imagine ever giving up dairy - I am a cheese obsessed pescatarian. Is just cutting back helpful or does it have to be cut out?

Anything else to help? I do try to reduce carbs but find myself very dizzy if I do (and I get a bit miserable and obsessive so unhealthy in its own way).

I think you would need to do a dairy elimination diet to see the effect it has on you.

Can you wait to change your diet until after you are diagnosed?

The autoimmune protocol is much more extensive than just cutting out gluten. It's an elimination diet so the idea is the cut it all out and then introduce foods back to see what causes a reoccurrence of symptoms. Google autoimmune protocol to see what's involved. It's extremely restrictive.

There is some evidence to suggest that some people with autoimmune diseases are sensitive to gluten and feel better by cutting it out. You could also try this by cutting it out for a few weeks and then reintroducing it to see how you feel. Soy can also be a problem for some patients with thyroid disease and some people can't touch it. Otherwise it's just recommended not to eat too much of it.

I would wait until you get your diagnosis and then maybe try eliminating and reintroducing to see if you notice any improvement.

Have you had any thyroid test results back yet? What were the results with ranges?

If you have antibodies (and therefore hashis) there is some evidence that levothyroxine reduces the attack on the thyroid. I can send you a link to that info if that would be helpful.

Thank you for responses.

Yes re blood tests - Tsh was initially 4.6 in jan rising to 4.9 in April. So only just over nhs thresholds but rising. Anti bodies blood test were done in April and nurse said they were 'well over the normal range' but I didn't ask too much more (I know I need to be less passive but have quite a lot of bits on my plate atm so wasn't in the right place to then tbh).

I will wait until the July appointment- am going to make a drs appointment alongside the blood test this time so we can go over it properly. I will wait til then re diet changes (like I say, a lot going on atm so not in the right place to focus on this if I'm honest). If there is anything you could share though re medicating I'd be very grateful!

Ok so GP has just tested TSH which only gives you part of the picture. You need at the very least FT4 tested also. If FT4 is under range then you have overt hypothyroidism and should be started on 50mcg of levothyroxine (unless elderly or with other some other health issues when you may be started on 25mcg). This should then be increased every 6-8 weeks until your TSH is under 1 and your T4 and T3 towards upper part of their ranges.

If your antibodies are high then you have hashimotos or autoimmune thyroiditis. There is evidence to support treating when antibodies are present as this can reduce the autoimmune attack.

People who are hypothyroid can often be low in vitamins too so you should ask for your b12, folate, ferritin and vit d to be checked.

You can get all of the above privately if GP won't help. Tests will also include FT3 which will tell you how well you are concerting.

I have used Medichecks and Blue Horizon before for private blood tests. They often have offers on.

I would go over to the Thyroid UK board on Health Unlocked and post your results for more info.

Sorry meant to add that if your T4 and T3 are still in range then you would be considered to have subclinical hypo until your TSH is over 10.

About a month ago, I started the Autoimmune paleo and it's already the best (and hardest) thing I could have done for myself. I transitioned for about a week before I started properly. I.e first to go was coffee, and the mass amount of fizzy over to water before I started to contemplate the food. My diet and therefore health was truly awful.

I did a lot of investigation re this before I started read everything on the net saved a lot of stuff and recipes. Then I removed one food group at a time across a couple of days. So wheat and gluten first. Then dairy. Then grains. I then made sure I had everything I needed shopping wise to always be able to make what I needed. Because if stuff is lacking your more likely to reach for the bad stuff again. The first week was so hard. I really craved bread, cheese, and rice. Week two I got the paleo flu or keto flu basically felt like crap because my body was adjusting to all the crap I had removed. Week three way easier.

Stopped craving all the bad stuff. Was easily able to stick to my food even when others were ordering takeouts. And I'm really feeling the benefits. No where near as tired as I used to be. Already lost a stone in weight. And my joints and muscles are so much less painful. I'm really pleased that I started when I did. Be prepared though first few weeks will be hard. But don't let this put you off. I will never go back to how I used to eat and drink. And I don't mean alcohol. Good luck with it. X

Fab - thank you both.

I may look into the private blood tests actually. Have you found gps pay attention to them though? Just thinking it may be all well and good to get results but if the gp won't act on them, I'd be stuck....

The diet changed do sound daunting tbh! I think one step at a time here so maybe look into the private blood tests and go from there

I get all my blood tests done via either Medichecks or Blue Horizon, I have a needle phobia so won't get tests done at my GPs, I do the finger prick kit tests instead. My GP accepts all the results, fortunately. They do at least offer a wider, more comprehensive range of tests and I like being in full control of my results.

I went gluten free after diagnosis, but did a fair bit of planning to figure out what I was going to eat in place of gluten foods! I also tried dairy free for a year once I'd adapted to a GF diet. I found neither resulted in any reduction in antibodies so I now have a small amount of dairy again. Giving up gluten resulted in slow weight loss and I am now back to my original weight after 2.5 yrs.

Keep in mind everyone is different and what works for one person may not work for you. Health Unlocked or Thyroid Patient Advocacy forums both offer good advice.

I got my hashimotos diagnosis a few years back but it's only on a regular watch brief as despite my antibodies being off the chart and suffering with symptoms, my tsh stayed below 10.

Started the autoimmune protocol a few months later and while hard it was the best thing I did. Not easy to start with but you soon adapt. Good luck

My TSH was 4.95 and I was put on Levothyroxine right away. Possibly helped when I told my GP that my Mum had Graves'. It's a disgrace if you are not being offered Levo until your TSH is over 10! That is very high and in any other country you'd be given thyroid hormones!