Jump to content
This site uses cookies. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. More Info... ×

  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):

    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

Thyroid Issues And Celiac?

Jolanta

Recommended Posts

Jolanta Newbie
Jolanta
Posted

I have been dealing with symptoms that include chronic diarrhea that is the absolutely worst! I have been dealing with anemia and a slew of other issues! Well, my primary decided to test my thyroid and looks like I am hyper. I have gone to the Endocrinologist and have been diagnosed with Graves Disease. After stopping gluten now for almost 1- 1/2 months, I feel wonderful! My thyroid is actually repairing itself. Also, my blood pressure has gone from a constant 160/90 to 110/80!

The primary even stated that I will probably be taken off meds for blood pressure and I probably do not have Graves disease!!!! My primary told me that I definitely have celiac. I was tested for celiac, but since I have been gluten free for this period, all tests came back negative. She does not think I need any additional tests. She said this is proof enough!

I did see a Gastro and he thinks I should be tested anyway - endoscopy and colonoscopy. I feel that these are just very nice expensive tests for the doctor to get reimbursed, and that I should probably just follow my primary doctors recommendations.

What do you think? Should I have the tests? Or does this prove that I have celiac?

Jolanta

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


CarlaB Enthusiast
CarlaB
Posted

Welcome!!

If you've been off gluten for some time, those other tests will probably be negative as well. I don't know why they're wanting to do more tests as dietary response IS clinical proof. I wouldn't bother. You feel better, and your primary doc is working with you on it.

Jolanta Newbie
Jolanta
Posted
  • Author
Welcome!!

If you've been off gluten for some time, those other tests will probably be negative as well. I don't know why they're wanting to do more tests as dietary response IS clinical proof. I wouldn't bother. You feel better, and your primary doc is working with you on it.

That's exactly how I feel. But, there is always that little voice saying maybe it's something else. But, as you said, the diet is proof itself. My blood pressure has not been so low in over 5 years. I've been battling chronic diarrhea and unexplained anemia even longer. The docs always said the anemia was since I was a woman and had my periods. Hmmm...

I will be seeing the Endo in December and will see if the thyroid has gone back to normal. Seems that I have many antibodies... Graves or Hashimoto. Doctor said Graves most likely.

We will see... Has anyone heard of Celiacs having Graves???

Jolanta

Canadian Karen Community Regular
Canadian Karen
Posted

Hi! Welcome to the board!

I agree that the tests will basically be worthless anyway, now that you are gluten free. Even if you were still consuming gluten, the endoscopy and biopsies are basically a hit and miss situation, depending on the amount of damage done. If the damage is only sporatic, then in all likelihood the spots they pick to biopsy very well may not be the damaged parts and will come up as a false negative.

Dietary response is the most important indicator, IMO.

I have hypothryoidism, so it's a bit different from yours. I can tell you about the chronic diarrhea though, since I have not had anything but water for a BM for over a decade! The doctor also found (during the colonoscopy) that I have collagenous colitis. It can only be diagnosed via biopsy as it can only be seen by a pathologist through a microscope. Here is a link you might find interesting:

Open Original Shared Link

Oh, maybe PM KaitiUSA, I believe she has Graves......

Karen

Nancym Enthusiast
Nancym
Posted

Wow! That's' terrific. I wish I had known about the gluten/thyroid thing almost 20 years ago. Dr. Fine says that 30% of thyroiditis sufferers can go into remission on a gluten-free diet. But I went and had RAI done. :(

But I am so happy for you!

Ruth52 Newbie
Ruth52
Posted

I'm very pleased that you are feeling well. An overactive thyroid makes life really difficult. Hopefully your recovery will continue and you will be back to full health before you know it.

I was diagnosed with Graves Disease in early 2004 and was put on medication. I had a dream run through to remission, only needing to be on medication for 11 months. My thyroid levels have been constant for the past two years.

I didn't know anything about Celiac Disease or Gluten Intolerance until my cousin told me about how it effected her. It was like an awakening - what she described was exactly how I had been feeling for a couple of years. I started to dable in eating gluten free in September 2004. I say dable because I would do it for a few months, feel really great and go back to the gluten diet only to get sick again. Anyway the long and short of it is that for the past twelve months I have been totally gluten free and have finally got back the stamina that I lost through a combination of Graves Disease and Gluten Intolerance.

I know there is a lot of debate about whether or not a gluten-free diet can improve thyroid disease , but I because I have stayed in remission (Graves Disease) for two years I am a believer.

Jolanta Newbie
Jolanta
Posted
  • Author

I am relieved to hear that there is some hope out there. I have been having so many issues that my life is just so crazy! I have a pretty stressful job and have been dealing with anxiety on top of all this. I was NOT able to drive my car for over a 2 years. My husband would drive me everywhere. Being diagnosed with something was a relief that this was not all in my head! It was real! and stopping gluten made such a difference.

I wish the best for you. Sounds like we are all finding the right path!!!!!!

Jolanta

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


Nancym Enthusiast
Nancym
Posted

When I was hyperthyroid I was wired all the time and had a hair-trigger temper. My anxiety levels were astronomical. It was like running on adrenoline constantly.

Well, anyway, hope you have the thyroid thing beat!

georgie Enthusiast
georgie
Posted

Jolanta, I have Thyroid and Celiac. ( think its celiac). Some Drs don't have a clue re Hashis. With Hashis you alternate between hyper and hypo as your thyoid dies. You need Armour meds to suppress the Antibodies attacks.Synthetics don't work very well. My guess is that you have Hashis as that goes with Celiac a lot. I haven't had all the tests for Celiac. My Dr thought it wasn't necessary for me. But read this site to learn about Thyroid www.stopthyroidmadness.com

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):


  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      130,248
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    Stephen of the West
    Newest Member
    Stephen of the West
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.3k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):


  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • Zuma888
      Hypothetical question about antibodies

      By Zuma888 · Posted

      Thank you so much.
    • knitty kitty
      Hypothetical question about antibodies

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      You have one gene for Celiac.  You have a second autoimmune disease, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, which is frequently found at a higher rate with Celiac.  HLA genes carry autoimmune disease genes like Celiac and Hashimoto's and diabetes and others.   You have Celiac symptoms of reacting after gluten.  You said "I am however still suffering from the effects of the gluten challenge (food sensitivities, slight brain fog, weird stool, fatigue, swollen thyroid, bodyaches)."  And your anti-thyroid antibodies increase after gluten exposure.  While tTg IgA does not directly attack the thyroid, gluten exposure does trigger the  immune system to produce antibodies against the thyroid in genetically predisposed individuals.  You did not eat sufficient gluten (10 grams of gluten per day for two weeks minimum) to raise the autoimmune antibodies to the point they can be measured in the blood, so your blood tests may well be inaccurate.  You could choose to continue the gluten challenge of 10 grams a day for at least two weeks and get retested.   At the very least, you know that gluten is harmful to your thyroid, and because you are genetically predisposed to Celiac disease, a strict gluten free diet would be beneficial for your overall health.  
    • Zuma888
      Hypothetical question about antibodies

      By Zuma888 · Posted

      Thanks @Scott Adams! I guess my question now is: do the celiacs who can get away with regular contamination without villi damage as you mentioned have to be strict about cross-contamination ? 
    • Zuma888
      Hypothetical question about antibodies

      By Zuma888 · Posted

      Thank you very much @knitty kitty! I'm glad you brought up the point about histamine. I have been taking an antihistamine after meals where I don't feel so good and never knew why it helped so much. At first I thought I might have a food allergy, but I recently did a food allergy test and I actually have ZERO food allergies. Regarding your last point about the stages of grief, are you saying it's likely that I have celiac? I have Hashimoto's BTW and I know for sure that gluten causes an autoimmune response to my thyroid as my anti-TPO and anti-Tg go up and my throat feels swollen. Could the symptoms be due to that autoimmune response?
    • knitty kitty
      Hypothetical question about antibodies

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      @Zuma888, The antibodies produced in response to gluten are made in the intestines.  When the body is provoked sufficiently, the antibodies overflow out of the intestines and into the blood stream.  Once in the blood stream, the antibodies can be measured with tTg IgA tests.  Three grams of gluten per day for two weeks minimum is enough gluten to make you feel the symptoms of having been glutened, but the antibodies are not in sufficient quantity to be measured in the blood. Ten grams of gluten per day for a minimum of two weeks is required to get the anti gluten antibodies at a high enough level in the blood stream to be measured by tTg IgA tests. So, no, occasional cross contamination or (heaven forbid) intentional cheat days will not be sufficient for tTg IgA testing.  You will still be making antibodies which will still be causing inflammation and damage to the intestines and body.  Histamine is released as part of the immune response to gluten.  High histamine levels lead to food sensitivities, brain fog, and body aches.   The damage done to the gastrointestinal tract affects the absorption of essential vitamins and minerals.  Malabsorption of fats can cause changes in stools.  Insufficient absorption of vitamins and minerals can cause damage to other organs like the thyroid if it can't get enough Selenium, iodine, iron, zinc, and Thiamine.  Brain fog and fatigue can be caused by low Thiamine and other B Complex vitamins.  Vitamin D is needed to regulate the immune system.  One gene is all that's needed to develop Celiac disease.  I know a Celiac diagnosis is a change that can be difficult to get your head around.  Many people go through the five stages of grief.  One stage is "bargaining".  Sounds like you're stuck there.  Every little cheat counts to your detriment.  But sticking to a gluten free diet, makes every meal a success.   Read the comments below the article... Best wishes!  Keep us posted on your progress!
×
×
  • Create New...