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

Just Got My Hashimoto's Diagnosis

HopefulMama23

Recommended Posts

HopefulMama23 Explorer
HopefulMama23
Posted

After a LONG ten months since my last baby was born of cycling between hyper and hypo thyroid symptoms, I was diagnosed this morning with Hashimoto's.

My symptoms are:

(hyper): hair loss (scalp and body), weight loss, loss of appetite, insomnia, anxiety, heart palpitations, diaarhea

(hypo): weight gain, swelling, fatigue, depression

I seem to do worse when I'm in a hyper state- I just went through one that lasted about 2 months and it took a huge emotional toll.

I went gluten-free six months ago hoping that would help with some of the digestive issues I was having, and it did. I also have celiacs in my family, although my (celiacs) antibody test was negative.

Does anyone have any experience in dealing with Hashimotos? Any advice? My bloodwork is all still within normal range, although my thyroid is enlarged to three times normal size, so my endo is just going to monitor me for now. Are there any dietary changes or nutritional supplements or lifestyle changes I can make to help control this? The idea of continuing to cycle between hyper and hypo for the rest of my life is so freaking scary to me.

ANY advice or personal stories are greatly appreciated.

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


burdee Enthusiast
burdee
Posted

After a LONG ten months since my last baby was born of cycling between hyper and hypo thyroid symptoms, I was diagnosed this morning with Hashimoto's.

I went gluten-free six months ago hoping that would help with some of the digestive issues I was having, and it did. I also have celiacs in my family, although my (celiacs) antibody test was negative.

Does anyone have any experience in dealing with Hashimotos? Any advice? My bloodwork is all still within normal range, although my thyroid is enlarged to three times normal size, so my endo is just going to monitor me for now. Are there any dietary changes or nutritional supplements or lifestyle changes I can make to help control this? The idea of continuing to cycle between hyper and hypo for the rest of my life is so freaking scary to me.

ANY advice or personal stories are greatly appreciated.

Yes, I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's 10 months ago after years of hypothyroid symptoms. I had been gluten free since my celiac disease diagnosis in 1994. However, I still had symptoms of low energy, low body temp and chronic constipation despite following all the usual regularity rules (magnesium, fiber, fluids, probiotics), abstaining from my other allergens and treating 8 different intestinal infections over a 4 year period. My doc suspected hypothyroidism, because I had low immunity (continual respiratory infections even after I stopped having gut infections). My TSH wasn't terribly high, but it was over the normal (0.3 to 3.0) range (revised in 2003 by American Endocrinologists). However my T3 level was very low, because I don't easily convert T4 to T3. Also my Hashimoto's antibody levels were within normal range, probably because I had abstained from gluten (which prevents more thyroid damage) for 6 years before my TPOab (thyroid peroxidase antibody) test.

Your TSH, T4 and T3 can be normal, but you can still have higher than normal TPOab results. Did your doc give you any thyroid antibody tests? Those confirm Hashimoto's even when other thyroid tests are normal.

Salax Contributor
Salax
Posted

I have Hashimoto's as well. I had a goiter, thyroid was enlarged as well. Levels were not normal. I am on a life time treatment of synthroid (spelling?). Which personally I think I need an alternative choice in thyroid meds, something natural. Any ways....

It sucks, but it's not that bad. I still have alot of the same symptoms I had before the diagnosis, but the goiter did receed. So that was a plus. But with Hashi's and Celiac, my body has still not fully recovered I think. I am still tired all the time, the stomach issues are gone and the neuro stuff is also gone since going gluten free. But I do get cold/hot easier than most (which is linked to thyroid), I still get colds/flus easier. Which is something I talked to a immunologist about, he told me that people with auto-immune diseases do get sicker more frequent than people with out auto-immune diseases. And Hashi's is an auto-immune disease. It means that the body is making anti-bodies to fight and attack the thyroid. My understanding is that even with meds it will over time still kill the thyroid at some point, but we can live without one with replacement thyroid meds (like synthroid).

It's going to be ok, it's just something that you need to accept and deal with. It's a pain in the arse, but it could be worse. Don't let it get you down. The name of the disease is freaky, the disease is weird in itself..but you are going to be ok. This is not a serious thing. B)

burdee Enthusiast
burdee
Posted

I have Hashimoto's as well. I had a goiter, thyroid was enlarged as well. Levels were not normal. I am on a life time treatment of synthroid (spelling?). Which personally I think I need an alternative choice in thyroid meds, something natural.

And Hashi's is an auto-immune disease. It means that the body is making anti-bodies to fight and attack the thyroid. My understanding is that even with meds it will over time still kill the thyroid at some point, but we can live without one with replacement thyroid meds (like synthroid).

When my doc suggested thyroid (T4) supplements, I chose Levoxyl over Synthroid, because Synthroid contains a lactose ingredient. I have casein (dairy) allergy and react to lactose, as do many other celiacs.

Docs (and thyroid 'experts') who don't understand the connection between gluten intolerance and Hashimoto's often tell their patients that they will need more and more thyroid supplement as the Hashi antibodies continue to attack their thyroid. However, most people find that abstaining from gluten (which can cause those autoimmune antibodies) stops the thyroid damage. My TPOab (thyroid peroxidase antibody) test showed that my antibodies have actually DECREASED during the past year, rather than increase. I'm controlling my hypothyroid symptoms with a small amount of T4 and T3 thyroid supplements.

cahill Collaborator
cahill
Posted

In addition to being gluten free,going soy free may be helpful.

Has your doc checked your vitamin levels (especially D and B12)??

Did your doc check you for Graves disease???

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. Jay Heying
      - Jay Heying replied to Jay Heying's topic in Gluten-Free Foods, Products, Shopping & Medications
      6

      Celiac friendly probiotics

      Thank you so much for the advice!! I will try to make a batch this weekend. Have a great weekend,
    2. Florence Lillian
      - Florence Lillian replied to Jay Heying's topic in Gluten-Free Foods, Products, Shopping & Medications
      6

      Celiac friendly probiotics

      In response to your questions regarding probiotics. I have had Celiac for 40 years. Stomach issues: digestion, IBS to chronic constipation, bloat after eating anything. I was unable to eat a healthy variety of foods, tried probiotics supplements - some made me worse, others made no difference. After reading about people with Crones, IBS, etc, who made...
    3. slkrav
      - slkrav posted a topic in Introduce Yourself / Share Stuff
      0

      Gluten free beer ?

      Help me out here. Lauren Dam gluten-free beer from Spain is listed as gluten free. Yet its made from Barley Malt. I thought barley and any form had gluten. Anybody have any more information about it?
    4. cristiana
      - cristiana replied to Colleen H's topic in Gluten-Free Foods, Products, Shopping & Medications
      16

      Ibuprofen

      Ferritin levels. And see what your hemoglobin looks like too, that will tell you if you are anemic? You can have 'low normal' levels that will not be flagged by blood tests. I had 'low normal' levels, my lab reading was. c12, just over what was considered normal, but I had small benign lesion on my tongue, and sometimes a sore mouth, and a consultant maxillofacial...
    5. Mari
      - Mari replied to KathyR37's topic in Coping with Celiac Disease
      5

      New here

      Hi Katht - I sympathize with your struggles in following a gluten-free diet and lifestyle. I found out that I had Celiac Disease a few months before I turned 70. I just turned 89 and it has taken me almost 20 years to attain a fairly normal intestinal function. I also lost a lot of weight, down to 100 lb. down from about 140 lb. What Trents wrote you was...
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):


  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      131,882
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    ammocat
    Newest Member
    ammocat
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.4k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):


  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • Jay Heying
      Celiac friendly probiotics

      By Jay Heying · Posted

      Thank you so much for the advice!! I will try to make a batch this weekend. Have a great weekend,
    • Florence Lillian
      Celiac friendly probiotics

      By Florence Lillian · Posted

      In response to your questions regarding probiotics.  I have had Celiac for 40 years.  Stomach issues: digestion, IBS to chronic constipation, bloat after eating anything.  I was unable to eat a healthy variety of foods, tried probiotics supplements - some made me worse, others made no difference.  After reading about people with Crones, IBS, etc, who made their own probiotics I started making Milk Kefir: not water Kefir. There are 10 probiotics in milk KEFIR. After 3 weeks I was able to eat more, no gas, no IBS.  If you have a computer just ask for videos on making milk Kefir. I branched out and make my own Kombucha for even more probiotics. I do not make my yogurt because there are only about four probiotics in that. I started this when I was 82 and I still make my own Kefir and Kombucha. My stomach issues were fixed with the Milk Kefir alone. If you decide to try making it, make certain you order MILK GRAINS. The finished product tastes a bit like Buttermilk. I hope this helps in your journey to good health.
    • slkrav
      Gluten free beer ?

      By slkrav · Posted

      Help me out here. Lauren Dam gluten-free beer from Spain is listed as gluten free. Yet its made from Barley Malt. I thought barley and any form had gluten. Anybody have any more information about it?
    • cristiana
      Ibuprofen

      By cristiana · Posted

      Ferritin levels.  And see what your hemoglobin looks like too, that will tell you if you are anemic?  You can have 'low normal' levels that will not be flagged by blood tests.  I had 'low normal' levels, my lab reading was. c12, just over what was considered normal, but I had small benign lesion on my tongue, and sometimes a sore mouth, and a consultant maxillofacial ordered an iron infusion for me as he felt my levels were too low and if he  raised them to 40, it would help.   Because you are not feeling 100% it might be worth looking at your levels, then discussing with your doctor if they are low normal.  But I stress, don't supplement iron without your levels being monitored, too much is dangerous.
    • Mari
      New here

      By Mari · Posted

      Hi Katht -  I sympathize with your struggles in following a gluten-free diet and lifestyle. I found out that I had Celiac Disease a few months before I turned 70. I just turned 89 and it has taken me almost 20 years to attain a fairly normal intestinal  function. I also lost a lot of weight, down to 100 lb. down from about 140 lb. What Trents wrote you was very true for me. I am still elimination foods from my diet. One person suggested you keep a food diary and that is a good idea but it is probably best just to do an elimination diet. There are several ne and maybe one for celiacs. I used one for a while and started with plain rice and zucchini and then added back other foods to see if I reacted or not. That helped a great deal but what I did not realise that it would only very small amounts of some foods to cause inflammation in my intestine. Within the last few years I have stopped eating any trace amounts of hot peppers, corn and soy(mostly in supplements) and nuts, (the corn in Tylenol was giving me stomach aches and the nuts were causing foot pains). Starting an elimination diet with white rice is better than brown rice that has some natural toxins. In addition it is very important to drink sufficient plain water. You can find out how much to drink for your height and weight online. I do have difficulty drinking 48 ounces of water but just recently have found an electrolyte supplement that helps me stay well hydrated, Adding the water and electrolytes may reduce muscle cramps and gag spams you wrote about. . Also buy some anti-gluten enzyme capsules to take with meals. I use GliadinX advertised here. These are a lot of things to do at one time as they reflect my 20 years of experience. I hope you do what you can manage to do over time. Good luck and take care.
×
×
  • 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.