Hypothyroidism, High Iodine Intake & Accidental Glutening

[Pac]

Hi everyone,

this board has been a great source of information for me the last year and a half and I hope you guys can help me now as well - I need some input on the hypothyroidism issues.

To sum up my story> I've been gluten-free since February 2009. At that time my TSH level were around 8 but thyroid hormones were within the normal range and my dr claimed it can't cause any symptoms (I complained about muscle cramps, hair loss, fatigue, weight issues). 2 months after going gluten-free, the TSH dropped to 5,8 so I thought it will eventually get back to normal. I moved to Canada soon afterwards and then to Mexico, so I had no follow up tests done. In Mexico I felt so great that it made me wonder what is "wrong" with me . Then 5 months ago I moved back to Europe and by accident ate almost a whole bag of gluten cookies. Since then I feel bad - fatigue, hair loss, muscle cramps, vertigo, memory problems, ataxia. Some of the neuro symptoms went away after 2-3 months but others not, so I got my thyroid tested again - TSH 11 but other hormones normal.

Now could this be triggered by the glutenning? I got glutenned right after I came here, so it's hard to know what is the effect of diet change, what is caused by that glutenning or if I'm still getting glutenned somehow.

Does anyone of you have experience with high iodine intake causing hypothyroidism? I've read it somewhere and was wondering about that as I do eat way more iodine here. My DH doesn't eat meat so we eat lots of fish and seafood and we unintentionaly switched from fresh water fish (Mexico) to ocean-caught salmon (Europe). Plus from time to time I get bouts of 'unusual' symptoms - D instead of C, "hyperactivity", losing weight, palpitation, hot flashes... as if my thyroid was overactive for a few days, then dropping back to hypo'. My dr reffered me to a specialist so I hope I'll get some answers there, but I'd rather be prepared in case my bad luck with drs continues.

It's all so frustrating, after finally healing and feeling better than ever in my life in Mexico, I feel like crap again. I persuaded my DH to move to Europe as I have better access to medical care and social insurance benefits here (We planned to have a baby). Now I'm sick and unable to get a job due to it. Wish we could just go back but that's not possible. I'm sorry for the long post. I guess I needed to write it all down as part of a therapy.

[cassP]

so... are you eating gluten free??? 100% ??

it IS possible for a hypothyroid to return to normal on the proper diet- but most of the time- one will need medication.. even tho your TSH has gone down in the past- you really need to see a doc about this- it doesnt matter if your t3 & t4 look normal-> if your TSH is out of whack AND you have symptoms- you need to get everything checked-

** it would be a really good idea for you to get tested for antibodies for Hashimoto's & Graves.. this will also help your doctor know how to properly treat your thyroid & hopefully listen to you and your symptoms.. i just got dx with Hypo & i have my follow up in 2 weeks- i am for sure getting both these tests done

[Pac]

so... are you eating gluten free??? 100% ??

it IS possible for a hypothyroid to return to normal on the proper diet- but most of the time- one will need medication.. even tho your TSH has gone down in the past- you really need to see a doc about this- it doesnt matter if your t3 & t4 look normal-> if your TSH is out of whack AND you have symptoms- you need to get everything checked-

** it would be a really good idea for you to get tested for antibodies for Hashimoto's & Graves.. this will also help your doctor know how to properly treat your thyroid & hopefully listen to you and your symptoms.. i just got dx with Hypo & i have my follow up in 2 weeks- i am for sure getting both these tests done

I am eating 100% gluten&wheat-free, the whole house is 99% (beer is allowed) gluten-free including pets. I'm very sensitive to 'environmental' gluten though and that's nearly impossible to avoid here.

Reading the 'signs and symptoms' of Hashimoto's on wikipedia, it looks like a perfect fit, esp the first sentence: "Hashimoto's thyroiditis very often results in hypothyroidism with bouts of hyperthyroidism". I hope the doctor will help. Nobody was answering the phone last week so I'm still waiting to get an appointment.