Jump to content

  • 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

Help With Diagnosing Thyroid Issues With Celiac!

Paeldi

By Paeldi
in Related Issues & Disorders

Recommended Posts

Paeldi Newbie
Paeldi
Posted

Hi! I was diagnosed with Celiac about 2 and 1/2 years ago. Since then, my weight has gone up and down, bouts of depression, node on thyroid, visibly enlarged thyroid, high cholesterol levels, T3 levels out of range, etc. From my own research, these seem to be the signs of hypothyroidism or Hashimoto's. I have been through testing before, but nothing ever came of it or they said I was OK. I am going through another active phase right now and need guidance with specific testing from my endocrinologist who is not familiar with celiac. I would like to know what levels need to be tested. The ones I have found online are:

TSH

Free T3 (Is this different than just a T3 test?)

Free T4 (Is this different than just a T4 test?)

Thyroid Test Hormone

Thyroid antiperoxidase antibody test

Thyroglobulin (are there other antibody tests?)

What is T3 uptake?

What do you think? Did I miss anything? Any guidance?

I'm at my witts end!! It just doesn't make sense that I can lift weights and do cardio 5-6 days/week and barely lose weight. I can and do put on muscle though--weird! I am exhausted and depressed all the time too!

Thank you for any info that you would have!!

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


ShayFL Enthusiast
ShayFL
Posted

A great place to find EVERYTHING you need is here:

www.stopthethyroidmadness.com

It covers EVERYTHING thyroid!!

You will need:

TSH (3rd generation)

Free T3

Free T4

Both antibodies

Have them include:

B12

Ferritin

Folic Acid

Iron

Vitamin D

These are all interrelated to each other. And go with thyroid issues. BE SURE you inform your doctor about the new TSH ranges .3 - 3. Most labs use the old ranges and doctors just scan the labs looking for anything out of range. Most doctors are not aware that the ranges have changed and do not correctly dx hypothyroid in MANY patients.

Since you go through phases it sure sounds like Hashimotos which goes hand and hand with your Celiac dx. The best way to treat Hashi's is to suppress the TSH to get closer to that .3 or lower level. Once the thyroid stops being stimulated by the pituitary (TSH) the attack will stop and so will the symptoms.

Wishing you well!

Mother of Jibril Enthusiast
Mother of Jibril
Posted

I've been reading about this because I'm trying to get some better management for my own thyroid disorder. Here's what I found about the tests you mentioned:

TSH: is good for uncovering hypothyroidism, as long as you realize that a normal level is under 3.0 and you might not feel healthy again until it's even lower than that. A low TSH plus a low T3 might indicate that your pituitary gland is not stimulating your thyroid properly.

Free T4: indicates how much of the "storage" hormone is available for use by your body. The goal is to get this into mid-range with a high-normal to elevated T3. (Total T4 is not the same as Free T4).

Free T3: indicates how much "active" hormone is available for use... if your T4 is high and your T3 is low you're having a problem with conversion (you probably need more medication and some supplements).

Reverse T3: is produced when your adrenal glands are not producing enough cortisol (due to chronic stress or another autoimmune disorder called Addison's disease). rT3 blocks the intake of T3 to your cells. You want at least ten times more T3 in your body than rT3.

www.stopthethyroidmadness.com has a lot of good information about these tests and medication options.

Paeldi Newbie
Paeldi
Posted
  • Author
I've been reading about this because I'm trying to get some better management for my own thyroid disorder. Here's what I found about the tests you mentioned:

TSH: is good for uncovering hypothyroidism, as long as you realize that a normal level is under 3.0 and you might not feel healthy again until it's even lower than that. A low TSH plus a low T3 might indicate that your pituitary gland is not stimulating your thyroid properly.

Free T4: indicates how much of the "storage" hormone is available for use by your body. The goal is to get this into mid-range with a high-normal to elevated T3. (Total T4 is not the same as Free T4).

Free T3: indicates how much "active" hormone is available for use... if your T4 is high and your T3 is low you're having a problem with conversion (you probably need more medication and some supplements).

Reverse T3: is produced when your adrenal glands are not producing enough cortisol (due to chronic stress or another autoimmune disorder called Addison's disease). rT3 blocks the intake of T3 to your cells. You want at least ten times more T3 in your body than rT3.

www.stopthethyroidmadness.com has a lot of good information about these tests and medication options.

Paeldi Newbie
Paeldi
Posted
  • Author

Thank you so much for the helpful information and I will pass this on to my doc today. I will keep you all posted of any info that I receive.

Paeldi Newbie
Paeldi
Posted
  • Author

I just received my last two years of blood work from my doc and I see that my liver panel is completely off and has gotten worse over the last year. Also, my bilirubin in elevated and my white and red blood cells are low. Does anyone have any input regarding the liver issues? Is this normal with celiac? I'm sure the red means I am anemic but not sure about the white.

Thanks for any guidance!!!!

ShayFL Enthusiast
ShayFL
Posted

Abnormal liver enzymes and labs are common with Celiac, but they could indicate other issues as well. My liver enzymes were slightly elevated before gluten-free and are now back into the normal range.

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


Nancym Enthusiast
Nancym
Posted
I just received my last two years of blood work from my doc and I see that my liver panel is completely off and has gotten worse over the last year. Also, my bilirubin in elevated and my white and red blood cells are low. Does anyone have any input regarding the liver issues? Is this normal with celiac? I'm sure the red means I am anemic but not sure about the white.

Thanks for any guidance!!!!

Good for you, getting your test results. It's a shame doctors don't report these to us, so always best to look for ourselves.

Liver issues can be caused by lots of things, alcoholism, celiac disease, Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (probably caused by eating too much sugar and starches), some drugs, some autoimmune disorders.

  • 2 weeks later...
one more mile Contributor
one more mile
Posted

Sounds like you need to find a good endocrinologist's. He or she will be able to look at the big picture and figure it out.

a GP may not. It took me two endocrinologist to find a good one, I now drive an hour to see him.

Most of my adult life what I ate and what I weighed were not related, at all.

I have since had my thyroid removed and my labs are done every three months things

are going much better. An endocrinologist. is trained more at looking at a balance in the labs

and looking at patterns.

Make sure you have someone that will test you every three or 4 months till you are stable.

One more mile.

ShayFL Enthusiast
ShayFL
Posted

Sadly, both Endo's in Tampa failed me. It took a regular M.D. to properly diagnose me and treat me. :(

I hope you have better ones in your areas. But if not, dont give up!! A good M.D. can be a godsend.

Archived

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

Go to topic listing

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Celiac.com:
    Join eNewsletter
    Donate
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):
    Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):



    Celiac.com Sponsors (A17-M):



  • Recent Activity

    1. knitty kitty
      - knitty kitty replied to lizzie42's topic in Post Diagnosis, Recovery & Treatment of Celiac Disease
      4

      Son's legs shaking

      Yes, I do think they need a Thiamine supplement at least. Especially since they eat red meat only occasionally. Most fruits and vegetables are not good sources of Thiamine. Legumes (beans) do contain thiamine. Fruits and veggies do have some of the other B vitamins, but thiamine B 1 and Cobalamine B12 are mostly found in meats. Meat, especially organ...
    2. lizzie42
      - lizzie42 replied to lizzie42's topic in Post Diagnosis, Recovery & Treatment of Celiac Disease
      4

      Son's legs shaking

      Thank you! That's helpful. My kids eat very little processed food. Tons of fruit, vegetables, cheese, eggs and occasional red meat. We do a lot of rice and bean bowls, stir fry, etc. Do you think with all the fruits and vegetables they need a vitamin supplement? I feel like their diet is pretty healthy and balanced with very limited processed food....
    3. Scott Adams
      - Scott Adams replied to Russ H's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      1

      Anti-endomysial Antibody (EMA) Testing

      That is interesting, and it's the first time I heard about the umbilical cord beings used for that test. Thanks for sharing!
    4. knitty kitty
      - knitty kitty replied to lizzie42's topic in Post Diagnosis, Recovery & Treatment of Celiac Disease
      4

      Son's legs shaking

      @lizzie42, You're being a good mom, seeking answers for your son. Cheers! Subclinical thiamine deficiency commonly occurs with anemia. An outright Thiamine deficiency can be precipitated by the consumption of a high carbohydrate meal. Symptoms of Thiamine deficiency include feeling shakey or wobbly in the legs, muscle weakness or cramps...
    5. Scott Adams
      - Scott Adams replied to Paulaannefthimiou's topic in Gluten-Free Foods, Products, Shopping & Medications
      2

      Bob red mill gluten free oats

      Oats naturally contain a protein called avenin, which is similar to the gluten proteins found in wheat, barley, and rye. While avenin is generally considered safe for most people with celiac disease, some individuals, around 5-10% of celiacs, may also have sensitivity to avenin, leading to symptoms similar to gluten exposure. You may fall into this...
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):

  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      132,869
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    MaryannHall
    Newest Member
    MaryannHall
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.5k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):

  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • knitty kitty
      Son's legs shaking

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      Yes, I do think they need a Thiamine supplement at least. Especially since they eat red meat only occasionally. Most fruits and vegetables are not good sources of Thiamine.  Legumes (beans) do contain thiamine.  Fruits and veggies do have some of the other B vitamins, but thiamine B 1 and  Cobalamine B12 are mostly found in meats.  Meat, especially organ meats like liver, are the best sources of Thiamine, B12, and the six other B vitamins and important minerals like iron.   Thiamine has antibacterial and antiviral properties.  Thiamine is important to our immune systems.  We need more thiamine when we're physically ill or injured, when we're under stress emotionally, and when we exercise, especially outside in hot weather.  We need thiamine and other B vitamins like Niacin B 3 to keep our gastrointestinal tract healthy.  We can't store thiamine for very long.  We can get low in thiamine within three days.  Symptoms can appear suddenly when a high carbohydrate diet is consumed.  (Rice and beans are high in carbohydrates.)  A twenty percent increase in dietary thiamine causes an eighty percent increase in brain function, so symptoms can wax and wane depending on what one eats.  The earliest symptoms like fatigue and anxiety are easily contributed to other things or life events and dismissed.   Correcting nutritional deficiencies needs to be done quickly, especially in children, so their growth isn't stunted.  Nutritional deficiencies can affect intelligence.  Vitamin D deficiency can cause short stature and poor bone formation.   Is your son taking anything for the anemia?  Is the anemia caused by B12 or iron deficiency?  
    • lizzie42
      Son's legs shaking

      By lizzie42 · Posted

      Thank you! That's helpful. My kids eat very little processed food. Tons of fruit, vegetables, cheese, eggs and occasional red meat. We do a lot of rice and bean bowls, stir fry, etc.  Do you think with all the fruits and vegetables they need a vitamin supplement? I feel like their diet is pretty healthy and balanced with very limited processed food. The only processed food they eat regularly is a bowl of Cheerios here and there.  Could shaking legs be a symptom of just a one-time gluten exposure? I guess there's no way to know for sure if they're getting absolutely zero exposure because they do go to school a couple times a week. We do homeschool but my son does a shared school 2x a week and my daughter does a morning Pre-K 3 x a week.  At home our entire house is strictly gluten free and it is extremely rare for us to eat out. If we eat at someone else's house I usually just bring their food. When we have play dates we bring all the snacks, etc. I try to be really careful since they're still growing. They also, of course, catch kids viruses all the time so I  want to make sure I know whether they're just sick or they've had gluten. It can be pretty confusing when they're pretty young to even be explaining their symptoms! 
    • Scott Adams
      Anti-endomysial Antibody (EMA) Testing

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      That is interesting, and it's the first time I heard about the umbilical cord beings used for that test. Thanks for sharing!
    • knitty kitty
      Son's legs shaking

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      @lizzie42, You're being a good mom, seeking answers for your son.  Cheers! Subclinical thiamine deficiency commonly occurs with anemia.  An outright Thiamine deficiency can be precipitated by the consumption of a high carbohydrate meal.   Symptoms of Thiamine deficiency include feeling shakey or wobbly in the legs, muscle weakness or cramps, as well as aggression and irritability, confusion, mood swings and behavior changes.  Thiamine is essential to the production of neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine which keep us calm and rational.   @Jsingh, histamine intolerance is also a symptom of Thiamine deficiency.  Thiamine is needed to prevent mast cells from releasing histamine at the slightest provocation as is seen in histamine intolerance.  Thiamine and the other B vitamins and Vitamin C are needed to clear histamine from the body.  Without sufficient thiamine and other B vitamins to clear it, the histamine builds up.  High histamine levels can change behavior, too.  High histamine levels are found in the brains of patients with schizophrenia.  Thiamine deficiency can also cause extreme hunger or conversely anorexia.   High carbohydrate meals can precipitate thiamine deficiency because additional thiamine is required to process carbohydrates for the body to use as fuel.  The more carbohydrates one eats daily, the more one needs additional thiamine above the RDA.  Thiamine is water soluble, safe and nontoxic even in high doses. Keep in mind that gluten-free processed foods like cookies and such are not required to be fortified and enriched with vitamins and minerals like their gluten containing counterparts are.  Limit processed gluten-free foods.  They are often full of empty calories and unhealthy saturated fats and additives, and are high in histamine or histamine release triggers.  It's time you bought your own vitamins to supplement what is not being absorbed due to malabsorption of Celiac disease.  Benfotiamine is a form of Thiamine that has been shown to improve intestinal health as well as brain function. Do talk to your doctors and dieticians about supplementing with the essential vitamins and minerals while your children are growing up gluten free.  Serve nutritionally dense foods.  Meats and liver are great sources of B vitamins and minerals. Hope this helps!  Keep us posted on your progress!
    • Scott Adams
      Bob red mill gluten free oats

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      Oats naturally contain a protein called avenin, which is similar to the gluten proteins found in wheat, barley, and rye. While avenin is generally considered safe for most people with celiac disease, some individuals, around 5-10% of celiacs, may also have sensitivity to avenin, leading to symptoms similar to gluten exposure. You may fall into this category, and eliminating them is the best way to figure this out. Some people substitute gluten-free quinoa flakes for oats if they want a hot cereal substitute. If you are interested in summaries of scientific publications on the topic of oats and celiac disease, we have an entire category dedicated to it which is here: https://www.celiac.com/celiac-disease/oats-and-celiac-disease-are-they-gluten-free/   
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

NOTICE: This site places This site places cookies on your device (Cookie settings). on your device. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy.