Thyroid

[ToriMartin]

I'll try to give the background info as quick as possible...

I've had probs since 1999... Well, the worst probs... Anyhow, I spent years trying to figure out what was wrong. I found I have allot of Hypothyroid symptoms. So, I found a Dr who would prescribe Armour Thyroid based on Symptoms. Well, after about 9 months I felt better, not 100% but it helped. I've been on meds since... I have had blood work show it was low or high over the years. Anyhow, since going Gluten Free it has made me wonder if all of my "Thyroid" probs were from being glutened... Do you think I'll be able to go to a really low dose or off the meds? I'm also taking Throstim (I believe it's called) which supports the Adrenal glands...

[lischro]

This is really interesting to me- I certainly have had the same thoughts. I have no idea, but it seems that all of my hypothyroid symptoms have masked my glutening symptoms... or the other way around, I guess.

I don't know how to get a straight answer on this- other than to watch your TSH blood test results and everything.

I haven't been to my endocrinologist since going gluten free (just about a month ago) so I'll have to see what he says/ what the blood says.

Every one of my symptoms shows up as a symptom of both so it's very curious to me!

I haven't gotten "Better" yet, so we'll see...... but I do know that they 2.5 years I've been on thyroid medication, it has not helped. even changing doses and brands.....

[Roda]

There are some people that claim that going gluten free helped their thyroid. For me personally going gluten free hasn't had any affect on it. The only thing it did was, once my intestines healed, I started absorbing my medication better. I did have my dose lowered once. I will always require thryoid replacement.

[Skylark]

If your hypothyroid was from iodine malabsorption (rare) you might be able to go off meds. Most people with gluten intolerance have autoimmune thyroid disease and sadly we are on pills for life.

[ToriMartin]

  On 8/12/2010 at 5:35 PM, lischro said:

This is really interesting to me- I certainly have had the same thoughts. I have no idea, but it seems that all of my hypothyroid symptoms have masked my glutening symptoms... or the other way around, I guess.

I don't know how to get a straight answer on this- other than to watch your TSH blood test results and everything.

I haven't been to my endocrinologist since going gluten free (just about a month ago) so I'll have to see what he says/ what the blood says.

Every one of my symptoms shows up as a symptom of both so it's very curious to me!

I haven't gotten "Better" yet, so we'll see...... but I do know that they 2.5 years I've been on thyroid medication, it has not helped. even changing doses and brands.....

Thank You everyone

I know that I have tried a few brands of Thyroid & the only one that helps is the Armour. I don't know how anyone survives on the other stuff, makes me feel worst... But that's with the glutening on top of it.... But my meds have always been dosed by symptoms. Well, until more recent since the Dr I've been seeing doesn't listen very well... I prefer not to see a Dr at all. They just cost allot of $ & get nothing accomplished...

I'm Hypothyroid but Hashimotos runs in the family. Thankfully it's not that yet... But I do wonder if it's just caused from the gluten & possible go off it or lower it to nothing... I hope so!

[lischro]

maybe I need to make the switch- my meds don't help except I guess my TSH is now in the normal range- whatever that is, right?

I forgot my research- is Armour the brand name? is it really expensive?

[Gemini]

  On 8/13/2010 at 12:18 AM, Skylark said:

If your hypothyroid was from iodine malabsorption (rare) you might be able to go off meds. Most people with gluten intolerance have autoimmune thyroid disease and sadly we are on pills for life.

I would agree with this statement although taking pills for thyroid malfunction is not like taking medication. It's just the replacement hormone your body is not making enough of so I consider it more of a supplement. As I take a lot of vitamins and minerals anyway, taking one more supplement is no biggie.

Here is one big way in which going gluten-free helps your thyroid....my thyroid antibody was around 1200 a year before the celiac disease diagnosis. It's supposed to be under 40 for normal range. My thyroid was under nuclear attack at the time. Five years later, post gluten-free, and I have gotten it down to 36! So, eating gluten-free and calming the immune system down also calmed the thyroid antibody attack down to normal. I have lowered the dose of my Nature-throid but that is probably due to correcting the mal-absorption problem. I went 20 years before the celiac disease was figured out so I had long term damage. Taking a small amount of thyroid hormone to get me where I need to be is not something to get upset about.

[mommida]

I was on thyroid medication for Hashimoto's thyroiditis for 10 years before going gluten free. I was able to cut down the dosage after going gluten free.

[Skylark]

  On 8/13/2010 at 6:46 PM, Gemini said:

I would agree with this statement although taking pills for thyroid malfunction is not like taking medication. It's just the replacement hormone your body is not making enough of so I consider it more of a supplement. As I take a lot of vitamins and minerals anyway, taking one more supplement is no biggie.

I don't like it when I'm traveling. If I run out of a supplement or forget to pack it or something it's not a big deal. You can't miss a day of thyroid.

My Hashi's just gotten worse and worse, to the point where my thyroid really isn't making hormone any more. My TPO was up over 200 in 2008 and I had been gluten-free and on an iodine containing supplement for a couple years. I wish the diet had helped but in my case the disease just keeps progressing.

[ToriMartin]

  On 8/13/2010 at 6:26 PM, lischro said:

maybe I need to make the switch- my meds don't help except I guess my TSH is now in the normal range- whatever that is, right?

I forgot my research- is Armour the brand name? is it really expensive?

Armor is natural so can be hard to get. I think the biggest reason is because it is cheap & pharmacy want you to get the expensive stuff... When I didn't have insurance I was paying $11 out of pocket for the Armor. I believe ti's went up alittle since then but it's only been a couple years...

I have a hard time thinking of Thyroid meds as a supplement... The meds are so different... I just don't know how people function on the chemically made... It made me feel awful..