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Hypothyroidism and Gluten

8 replies

paulmccartneysbagel · 02/07/2023 10:51

I have an under active thyroid with raised antibodies, so Hashimoto's.

I am taking 100mcg levothyroxine which has brought my levels back into the 'normal' range - latest test shows TSH is 0.46 and T4 is 17.8.

I still feel exhausted. Hair is still falling out. GP has tested other things such as B12, full blood count. Everything has come back looking normal. GP has concluded that bloods are fine, and told me to eat well and exercise more (I am a very active person and walk a total of 10km a day).

I have started eating meat and dairy again after being vegan for three years, hoping it would make a difference. It has helped a bit.

Has anyone noticed a difference by quitting gluten? I keep reading how people with Hashimoto's should go gluten free. I have been putting it off as it is such a big change. But I'm not sure what else to try, and feel like I should at least give it a go.

OP posts:
Greycheck · 02/07/2023 10:56

Have been tested specifically for coeliac disease? There is a relationship between the two. If not, get that done first before cutting out gluten as otherwise you may get false results.

I don't have Hashimotos but just to reassure you, going gluten free hasn't been as hard as I thought it would be and it was pretty much my whole diet before.

NeverDropYourMooncup · 02/07/2023 11:14

It's no joke going GF. It essentially eliminates 90% of things in the supermarket.

But if you used it as shorthand for 'not eating large amounts of UPFs and low nutrition foods whilst increasing high nutrient foods of all types', it can help. Which means not relying on GF substitutes all of the time, it's having a wide range of foods that include protein sources, other carbs and vegetables.

However, what is your eating generally like? Do you have any tendency towards dysfunctional eating patterns? Are you resorting to packets of biscuits to try and increase energy and then feeling crappy afterwards? Because Orthorexia is a thing, as is using restrictive eating to disguise an ED and then bingeing on things like biscuits because you're hungry and malnourished.

You could try it for a short time, say a month, and see whether you feel well. Initially, it's easier to not have the substitutes at all (except for GF pasta - that's nice - the pies, cakes, bread and suchlike are ultimately disappointing), and get your carb intake from rice, potatoes, sweet potatoes, other sweet/starchy veg and fruit, rather than from things in packets. You may also, if it hasn't been checked, supplement with appropriate vitamins and minerals, taking into account your thyroid disease.

In short, GF is not a cure-all for everything. It can be a bit shit, actually, speaking as a Coeliac - especially if somebody says 'Oh, I have to have the gluten free food' and then has a cheese and onion quiche ten minutes later after eating the only GF thing at the buffet before I got there - yes, I am bitter about that.

But if what you're doing is actually changing your dietary intake to prioritise high nutrition, less heavily processed foods that includes all grains except wheat, barley and rye, it might help you feel better.

paulmccartneysbagel · 02/07/2023 11:29

Thank you.

Yes I have been tested for coeliacs and it was negative.

I do generally eat well. Three meals a day with no snacks, except the odd biscuit or sweet treat after dinner. I try to cook everything from scratch as much as possible and don't rely too much on processed meals.

Perhaps I just need to get on and try it.

OP posts:
Embarra55ed · 02/07/2023 11:38

I’ve got hashimotos and I have massively cut down my carb intake generally (and so by extension gluten as rarely eat bread or pasta) and it’s made a massive difference to my energy levels. I do still eat it occasionally - am not militant about it - and also for me I’m not sure whether it’s the gluten or (more likely) the sugar reduction that’s made such a big difference. I eat mainly protein and fat now with pretty much all my carbs coming from non-starchy veg. I also avoid UPFs most of the time.

smilesup · 02/07/2023 11:39

I work in health and find many people with autoimmune conditions are intolerant to gluten or more specifically wheat. I would say about 50% of people who decide to go gluten or wheat free and have an autoimmune condition benefit from it. Being strictly GF is hard (IE own toaster etc) but I found being GF quite easy, only have made a few mistakes over the years and it's sooo much easier than it was about 20 years when I started. Personally I would recommend going very strictly gluten-free not even having a molecule for at least six weeks and then having a piece of bread. The few times that I've made a mistake I am ill for at least five or six days. I'm not a coeliac but it makes me incredibly ill. Weirdly much iller than my mother in law who only found out she was a celiac in her 70s. She can occasionally fuck up and it barely effects her in a way that she can feel.

paulmccartneysbagel · 02/07/2023 17:19

Embarra55ed · 02/07/2023 11:38

I’ve got hashimotos and I have massively cut down my carb intake generally (and so by extension gluten as rarely eat bread or pasta) and it’s made a massive difference to my energy levels. I do still eat it occasionally - am not militant about it - and also for me I’m not sure whether it’s the gluten or (more likely) the sugar reduction that’s made such a big difference. I eat mainly protein and fat now with pretty much all my carbs coming from non-starchy veg. I also avoid UPFs most of the time.

That makes sense. I do find that since I started eating meat and dairy again I have had less 'crashes' and don't get hangry any more - I feel like I am on more of an even keel.

OP posts:
paulmccartneysbagel · 02/07/2023 17:22

smilesup · 02/07/2023 11:39

I work in health and find many people with autoimmune conditions are intolerant to gluten or more specifically wheat. I would say about 50% of people who decide to go gluten or wheat free and have an autoimmune condition benefit from it. Being strictly GF is hard (IE own toaster etc) but I found being GF quite easy, only have made a few mistakes over the years and it's sooo much easier than it was about 20 years when I started. Personally I would recommend going very strictly gluten-free not even having a molecule for at least six weeks and then having a piece of bread. The few times that I've made a mistake I am ill for at least five or six days. I'm not a coeliac but it makes me incredibly ill. Weirdly much iller than my mother in law who only found out she was a celiac in her 70s. She can occasionally fuck up and it barely effects her in a way that she can feel.

Thank you.

I think the only way I will know is if I just give it a go. I've been putting it off as I don't want all the extra cooking. I need to try and work the meal plan around it so I'm not stressing at dinner time.

OP posts:
Burntopan · 02/07/2023 17:46

Could you try it for 3 months and see how you feel? There is something to do with it being similar gene, or the protein is linked.
I would also suggest exploring balancing your blood sugar to see if that helps too? It did for me.
I am gluten free, sugar once a week, very limited upf and no alcohol, I know that’s some peoples idea of hell, but it’s given me life back!
No amount of food is worth being in pain and feeling like death.
It’s fairly easy being GF now, realistically I only eat GF pasta and just don’t bother with the rest.

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