new to the gluten free journey?
new to the gluten free journey?
The thyroid, a vital endocrine gland located in the neck, produces hormones that regulate essential bodily functions. Thyroid disease encompasses conditions disrupting hormone balance.
Hypothyroidism arises from insufficient hormone production, while hyperthyroidism results from excessive hormone release. Autoimmunity often underlies thyroid disease, leading to Hashimoto’s or Grave’s disease.
Fatigue, weight gain, hair loss, bloating, dry skin, and joint pain are all symptoms (especially in autoimmune thyroid disease) that can persist even while on a gluten free diet. One of the biggest reasons why has to do with gluten’s impact on your thyroid gland. The thyroid makes hormones that regulate your metabolism, and when this gland isn’t working properly, neither are you. Keep reading to learn what you can do.
More medical research makes the connection between thyroid disease and gluten. The results of previous studies have indicated that the prevalence of CD is increased in patients with other autoimmune disorders such as: autoimmune thyroid diseases, type 1 diabetes mellitus, and Addison’s disease. A coincidence of the above diseases constitutes autoimmune polyglandular syndrome (APS). The high prevalence of CD in APS is probably due to the common genetic predisposition to the coexistent autoimmune diseases. The majority of adult patients have the atypical or silent type of the disease. This is the main reason why CD so often goes undiagnosed or the diagnosis is delayed.
The authors go on to state that if gluten sensitivity is not diagnosed many of the additional consequences are –
Source: Endokrynol Pol. 2012;63(3):240-9.
Much like the side effects from a drug differ in different individuals, side effects from gluten exposure in people can also differ greatly. There are over 200 conditions linked to gluten sensitivity in the medical literature. The connection between thyroid disease and gluten is well established. How does gluten contribute to thyroid disease
Selenium is crucial for the following different functions:
In previous posts we have discussed how going on a gluten free diet can lead to fat loss. This is one of those mechanisms as autoimmune hypothyroid disease is a common manifestation of gluten sensitivity.
Aside from traditional testing, have your doctor perform the following lab tests –
It is time for doctors to start looking at thyroid disease and gluten sensitivity as a potential causal relationship. Patients with gluten sensitivity should also be checked for nutritional deficiencies – especially in patients with thyroid disease. If your doctor will not investigate these areas for you, look for a functional medicine doctor who will.
It is time for doctors to start ruling out gluten sensitivity and celiac disease in patients with thyroid disease. It is time for doctors to start recognizing the therapeutic benefit of a gluten free diet. If you think that this information will help someone you love suffering with a thyroid or autoimmune problem, please forward this along.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
If you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a medical condition, consult your physician before using this product.
The entire contents of this website are based upon the opinions of Peter Osborne, unless otherwise noted. Individual articles are based upon the opinions of the respective author, who retains copyright as marked. The information on this website is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice. It is intended as a sharing of knowledge and information from the research and experience of Peter Osborne and his community. Peter Osborne encourages you to make your own health care decisions based upon your research and in partnership with a qualified health care professional.
© 2023 Gluten Free Society. All rights reserved.
27 Responses
Many thanks, Dr. O!
No idea why I needed to wait 8 or 9 months for this important article to be posted.
I did cut out all grains within the last 9 months after becoming more and more intolerant of many foods. Now, after following this program with very few relapses, I have seen my eyebrows grow back in, all normal colored, not white, and my snow white hair is now quite silvery, going to salt and pepper, because I have so much hair growing back in, all in a dark color–so much so that it shows up in photos. I am now slowly regaining some tolerance for some of the foods I could not eat one year ago, like eggs, and small amounts of yogurt. I also do not react violently to accidental ingestion of tiny amounts of grain like I once did, but I do not eat grain if I can help it!
My eyebrows are in a terrible state and would like them to grow back
Been both Hyper and Hypothyroid for over 30 years. Health has been in a terrible state.
I can eat many foods without any digestive problems, but interested in how going Gluten free can help with overall health and wellbeing.
Is gluten in oats? Is cous cous gluten free?
Yes there are gluten in oats. And cous cous is allmost made of grain.
I a Hashimoto and dont eat also spinazie SOY and bananas.
For me only glutenfree dieet doesnt worked.
Although gluten does seem to be a problem for many people, i think many people’s real problem lies elsewhere. The modern western (especially US) diet includes almost no foods which reinforce good probiotic bacteria levels within our gut (yogurt does, but many people don’t eat the right kind, or enough of it). All our milk products have been pasteurized, wiping out almost all the nutrients & probiotics that were once contained within it. Combine that with the fact that many people eat far too much sugar / processed foods, & many people end up living with a condition called ‘leaky gut’ (also caused by increased usage of antibiotics). Our intestinal linings literally become leaky, and small particles enter the blood stream, which the immune system has to get rid off. This leads to a general level of inflammation & poor health (feeling tired, difficulty losing weight, etc), and ultimately sets off autoimmune diseases, allergies, and serious health problems down the road. Try taking a probiotic (a good kind with a high active culture and strain count), & cutting out too much sugar & processed food. This alone will probably ‘cure’ many people’s ailments, and you might even still be able to indulge in a gluten filled snack once in a while. Good luck!
very interest in gluten thyroid connection
I have been having severe stomach cramps with the pain being simultaneously in my back. This has lead to a weight loss of 40 lbs. I don’t want the weight back, but I haven’t done anything to lose it. I have undergone several tests including an ultrasound of my gall bladder area, a CT scan of this area, also. My gallbladder was removed about 30 years ago; 2 endoscopies, one of them being an ultrasound endoscopy, and a colonoscopy, plus numerous blood tests. All tests came back negative, but malnutrition was found. I am taking Levothyroxine, Sertraline, Omeprazole, Colestipol all 1 x daily. I also take Endocet 10/325 up to 4 x daily or as needed, Soma, 2 x daily,both for back pain & muscle spasms & Requip, 3 x daily for RLS.
I have absolutely no energy, and could. easily sleep all day. Lately, what brings the pain on, is if I move around which causes my back to hurt thus triggering my stomach pain. What does relieve the pain is drinking something warm to hot and laying down with a heating pad, placed either on my stomach or back. It generally takes about 15 minutes to an hour for the pain to subside.
Could this possibly be connected to gluten intolerance with Hypothyroidism Are there any particular tests that you will suggest? I am at my wits end and am willing to do just about anything to rid myself of this problem! One more thing for you to consider in this history……………I had 2 lower back surgeries in 2011, with the 2nd one resulting in a fusion.
Any help or suggestions you can give me, will be greatly appreciated.
Sincerely,
Diane Malone
gizziesmom@wmca.net
Diane – I was getting the same: bad stomach ache & simultaneous backache every time I ate anything, for a number of years. (I do have hypothyroidism, so can’t lose weight.) The described pain happens only once in a while, NOW: I did give up gluten & dairy, & coffee & most sugar. I eat mostly fruits, vegetables, quinoa, & salmon. The best to you.
I am in the same pescatorian diet (plus coffee though). And I’m living it! =D
Amazing results in the body, mind and surprisingly emotional improvement as well! Never going back! 😛
Diane,
Cut out the omeprazole. If you are taking it just for acid reflux, you may find that you are actually low in stomach acid and you will be suffering from malabsorption issues.
Get you vit B12, vit D, vit A, iron, folate and ferritin tested, make sure you get the results from your GP along with the range.
You then need to take supplements to bring you up to the top end of the range on all.
Do a bit of research to provide you with the knowledge you need to supplement optimally
I myself have many of the same symptoms that you described. After suffering for 8 years with it I was just diagnosed with an inflamed pancreas. That might be the pain you feel. I feel it in my center about 6 inches above my bellybutton and in my back near my kidneys especially in the AM. I was told that I had dysbiosis in my gut and had become insulin resistant so I would have to stay on my grain free/sugar free diet forever. I guess it’s better than getting fat and feeling terrible. Expensive way to eat. He said my stool motility was poor and my stool was rotting in my gut leading to a leaky gut. He pointed out fungus and bad bacteria overgrowth as a problem for me. I did a three day stool test that I’m now awaiting the results for. Have your pancreas checked. I find that naturopaths and the like are better than traditional doctors. The 3rd leading cause of death is medical malpractice.
Thank you for posting this article. It’s always interesting to me to see how CD is connected to so many other AD. I would however, love to hear thoughts on the relationship between Graves Disease and CD. I see so many articles stating the correlation between CD and Hypothroid, but not the other end of the spectrum. Can you point me to any research studies pertaining to this? Thank you!
I have learned to take care of myself through a healthy diet. I rarely have to see doctors and i can list the kind of conditions I have treated myself with just keeping an eye of what I put in my body, for example, Sindrome of irritable colon. I make it clear, I have great respect for doctors but the food industry is killing more people than doctors are able to cure.
Since being diagnosed with CD I have been gluten free for about 8 months & sugar free for about 6 months. My GP has just reduced my thyroxine tablets from 1.25 to 1.00mgs.thrilled about that. However iBS has just flared up horribly and had such excruciating pain two days ago that had me doubled over had to escort to Mebeverine. Just drinking a glass of hot water with ginger is soothing me more. In spite of cutting nightshade veg, bean & lentils from my diet I have not lost weight. ( about 40 lbs overweight). Had life saving mitral valve repair about 10 years ago & take candestartin & aspirin to keep blood flowing & support my heart. Also CFS back with avenge cue after two year remission. Now my GP wants me to take a station as cholesterol too high. Any advice/ support gratefully received.
When IBS symptoms strike I find Fennel Tea helps ease the cramps and bloating. Fennel tea is sometimes hard to find, so I order online from Heather’s tummy care. Great site for IBS issues.
Don’t take statin. Google it there is so much info on how bad statins are for you and have zero effect on cholesterol
Need to get tests.
hi,i have hypothroid I haven’t been treated but have gained so much weight I know I’m gluten sensitive I have stomach problems if I eat gluten foods what should I do
Nellie,
I would encourage you to find a functional medicine doctor to work with. Sometimes having solid guidance can make all the difference.
All the best,
Dr. Osborne
Hi, I am 37 year old female. My Dad was recently diagnosed with Hashimoto’s (as a result of my persistence for him to get tested). I’m very sure I have it but I have never been tested (I asked my pcp to test me but she drew the wrong antibodies). I went strictly gluten and dairy free 2 years ago with the exception of white rice (I don’t eat much and not every day). I was also just diagnosed with osteoporosis, per a dxa scan, which my pcp ordered with resistance. I won’t be back to see her. Not wasting anymore time there. I did find a local integrative physical who is treating a friend of mine for Hashi’s. I have made so many changes and had had great improvements in my symptoms but I need help. I hope this new doctor, who I will see in OCT will be the answer I’ve been looking for. I just want to encourage others to keep looking for a practitioner who will listen and who will really help you, not just throw pills at you. You don’t have to accept mediocre treatment and you don’t have to figure it all out on your own. The functional approach is gaining momentum thanks to the tireless efforts of those like Dr. Osborne. I also just finished my nursing degree and hope to be part of the coming changes in healthcare. It is very exciting. Much love to all those out there who are struggling. You are not crazy! You are not alone! There is a better way!
I’ve been hypothyroid for many years, at least 20. Never thought about any connection to anything in particular. I’ve been in the medical field for 30 years, and just did and took what my doctors told me to. About a year ago, I became allergic to many chemicals and for the first time in my life developed eczema. All the dermatologists and allergists want to do is for you to out cream on it. (Most of which I am allergic to) the past year has been pretty miserable for me, as I gave not been free of outbreaks. I’m really interested in learning more about the thyroid. I feel I should be tested for gluten sensitivity, but not sure who would do this for me. I’m reading everything I can find on healing my body from the inside instead of masking the real problems. Any advice would be appreciated. Thank you.
Sandy,
Two things:
1. Genetic testing for gluten sensitivity can be done here.
2. Read and follow the 30 day protocol in this book <<<
All the best,
Dr. O
Sir, I had very athletic body and good health. But I had some digestive problems from childhood. Since last month, my cheeks get swallowing. Marginal increase in my weight, hair loss. Muscle tightening, losing consciousness etc. My doctor said it as hypothyroidism. I made some changes in my diet as increase use of wheat and rice. Is there’s any sense of sudden imbalance in thyroid hormones. Now my digestion is very weak. Can I get rid of this? Please help me sir
Please can you find some articles on the relationship between Graves Disease and CD. I have an over-active thyroid and have been advised to give up gluten, but you don’t seem to have anything on your website about this.
Could you comment about patient who doesn’t have thyroid anymore as she had thyroid cancer?
I just started a gluten free diet today, 6-18-21. I look forward !