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Hypothyroidism Is Changing With Gluten-Free Diet - New Poster

blkane1984

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blkane1984 Newbie
blkane1984
Posted

25 years ago I was diagnosed with Hypothyroidism and have been taking Synthroid in increasing dosages. The last level was 1.25mcg.

Last Nov 2011, I found out by accident that I was having an immune system response to gluten. I did a comprehensive stool analysis looking for information on what was happening in my gut. I was squarely focused on probiatics, yeast, infection. Gluten wasn't even on my radar. I did the test because I had been diagnosed with diverticulosis and had 3 infections in my colon in 18 mths. I figured the antibiotics (nasty tasting) had blown out all the good bacterium.

The conclusion was that I needed serious probiotics to repopulate my intestinal tract but I was also showing a non-celiac immune response to gluten at 3x the normal levels. The Doc recommended that I eliminate it completely....forever. To say that I was floored is an understatement, I honestly didn't know where to start. But, I went with it.

The first pleasant surprise was within a week of my new gluten-free diet was the persistent sinus drip in the back of my throat vanished. The next almost immediate thing was the regular bloaty feeling I always lived with vanished. I was thrilled beyond belief. This coupled with intensive probiotic treatment was that gastric processes resembled something akin to normal for the first time in years and years.

Fast forward a whole year now, and something even more miraculous has occurred. My thyroid bloodword started changing around the end of the summer in the direction of being over medicated with Synthroid. By October, I had weaned myself off it completely. The medical journals I read said it would take about 6 months gluten-free to see a difference in symptoms and it was almost that to the day that my blood work started to show a shift.

I've been Synthroid free for over a month and have never felt better. The most notable changes are the quality of my skin, nails & hair. My thinning hair is actual thickening up. I even see new growth in my eyebrows. My hypo pals will understand that one. My energy levels have never been higher. The constant yawning throughout the day...gone! I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to believe that my hypothyroid diagnosis of decades ago had to do with an undiagnosed gluten intolerance.

However, before jumping up and down (which I have the energy to do these days), I am checking back in with my Doctor. Not sure if she will believe me about the gluten/thyroid connection but she will do a thyroid panel to see what my stats are at this point. I'm hoping for a Xmas miracle that my thryoid has healed itself and can manage without hormone supplements.

This post is not so much a question as an "I needed to share my joy" moment with people I know would understand.

Thanks :)

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Gemini Experienced
Gemini
Posted

25 years ago I was diagnosed with Hypothyroidism and have been taking Synthroid in increasing dosages. The last level was 1.25mcg.

Last Nov 2011, I found out by accident that I was having an immune system response to gluten. I did a comprehensive stool analysis looking for information on what was happening in my gut. I was squarely focused on probiatics, yeast, infection. Gluten wasn't even on my radar. I did the test because I had been diagnosed with diverticulosis and had 3 infections in my colon in 18 mths. I figured the antibiotics (nasty tasting) had blown out all the good bacterium.

The conclusion was that I needed serious probiotics to repopulate my intestinal tract but I was also showing a non-celiac immune response to gluten at 3x the normal levels. The Doc recommended that I eliminate it completely....forever. To say that I was floored is an understatement, I honestly didn't know where to start. But, I went with it.

The first pleasant surprise was within a week of my new gluten-free diet was the persistent sinus drip in the back of my throat vanished. The next almost immediate thing was the regular bloaty feeling I always lived with vanished. I was thrilled beyond belief. This coupled with intensive probiotic treatment was that gastric processes resembled something akin to normal for the first time in years and years.

Fast forward a whole year now, and something even more miraculous has occurred. My thyroid bloodword started changing around the end of the summer in the direction of being over medicated with Synthroid. By October, I had weaned myself off it completely. The medical journals I read said it would take about 6 months gluten-free to see a difference in symptoms and it was almost that to the day that my blood work started to show a shift.

I've been Synthroid free for over a month and have never felt better. The most notable changes are the quality of my skin, nails & hair. My thinning hair is actual thickening up. I even see new growth in my eyebrows. My hypo pals will understand that one. My energy levels have never been higher. The constant yawning throughout the day...gone! I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to believe that my hypothyroid diagnosis of decades ago had to do with an undiagnosed gluten intolerance.

However, before jumping up and down (which I have the energy to do these days), I am checking back in with my Doctor. Not sure if she will believe me about the gluten/thyroid connection but she will do a thyroid panel to see what my stats are at this point. I'm hoping for a Xmas miracle that my thryoid has healed itself and can manage without hormone supplements.

This post is not so much a question as an "I needed to share my joy" moment with people I know would understand.

Thanks :)

I am thrilled for you as having thyroid disease for that long rarely ends up with your results after going gluten free. You may not have Hashi's thyroid, which is autoimmune so this could explain your results. I totally get the eyebrow thing too! ;) I have had Hashi's for over 20 years and now that I am gluten free (7 years ago), my thyroid function is better and more stable but I still am on thyroid replacement hormone. I was an older, diagnosed celiac so the damage was pretty bad but it has gotten worlds better due to the gluten free diet. And yes, gluten is a HUGE aggravator to the thyroid gland.

Please make sure you have blood work done to make sure things are good but judging from your improvement with thyroid related stuff (nails, skin and hair) you already know that!

I hope it continues to improve for you!

ButterflyChaser Enthusiast
ButterflyChaser
Posted

Thank you for posting this! I am a thyroid-diseased person, too, though mine is certainly an autoimmune condition. It is the reason why I am trying to eat gluten-free, even if the blood panel found nothing. Let us know how it goes!!!

blkane1984 Newbie
blkane1984
Posted
  • Author

I will certainly post updates to my situation. I don't believe my hypothyroid was ever diagnosed as Hashi's. The doctor described it as more non-specific hypothyroidism. Always bugged me at some level not to know "why" I was being diagnosed. Only seems to have taken a quarter century to find out. I'm really hoping that all those years of untreated gluten responses haven't caused permanent damage. I've always been a good healer generally so I'm keeping the faith and saying a prayer on this one.

The one thing I have found as I have gotten older is how entrenched the medical profession is in information they consider facts that are actually no more than anedoctal dogma passed down from the historical past. The "you will forever be on hormone replacement" idealogy is something I would love to stand back and say "HAH!"

I'm a medical rabble rouser that way. I drive my Doc crazy with "I read an article about..... and what do you think?" :P

ButterflyChaser Enthusiast
ButterflyChaser
Posted

The "you will forever be on hormone replacement" idealogy is something I would love to stand back and say "HAH!"

I understand this. I have been hyperthyroid for about 6 months (though I need to wait for blood tests in a few weeks to see where I am at), and have refused to take Tapazole or RAI or beta-blockers, as they wanted me to do back in August. I am changing my life-stye and things are slowly getting under control. I am lucky that my doctors think that I may actually recover, and are willing to look after me in my attempt to manage this naturally for as long as it is reasonable. For now, what I have been doing has kept under control the main hyper symptoms I have had: eliminating gluten and grains is significantly curbing my gut symptoms, meditation has got me rid of 99% of my manic moments, and exercise has turned my heart rate back into a safe range. I'm just taking it one day at a time.

Lady Eowyn Apprentice
Lady Eowyn
Posted

Hi

I have hashi's - took thyroxine (150mcg) for 30 years - (slowly stopped the thyroxine due to hyper symptoms from anemia caused by blood loss) -then nothing for about a year (till seriously hypo) then slowly onto natural thyroid hormone (ERFA) 2-3 grains now.

Had suffered palpitations for as long as I can remember (had lots of heart tests at one time - nothing wrong) took beta-blockers at one time - couldn't function at all with them. Docs conclusion 'you get palpitations'. I assumed they were in some way something to do with thyroid.

Well, turns out they're caused by gluten - presumably, my system goes into a flat spin when ingesting gluten!

Happy to report I only get palps now if cc'd!! They arrive at the same time my stomach starts to object - about 15 - 20 mins.

blkane1984 Newbie
blkane1984
Posted
  • Author

I agree with everyone. My philosophy is we have to be an active participant in our own health. Our medical system is really not so much "healthcare" as "disease management" and then only symptoms. The science has improved over the centuries but what we don't know is still beyond huge. I don't think throwing chemicals at the problem and hoping for a good outcome is always the best course of action. Behavior & food modification is much preferred in many an issue. Patients need to be informed and utilize their medical professional as the subject matter expert/consultant. I'm not minimizing the Doc here in any measure. They have wonderful information and training. However, in the end, all they can really do is make recommendations. The final decision is ours which is why we need to be our own advocate.

Stepping off the soapbox now.... :D

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Gemini Experienced
Gemini
Posted

I agree with everyone. My philosophy is we have to be an active participant in our own health. Our medical system is really not so much "healthcare" as "disease management" and then only symptoms. The science has improved over the centuries but what we don't know is still beyond huge. I don't think throwing chemicals at the problem and hoping for a good outcome is always the best course of action. Behavior & food modification is much preferred in many an issue. Patients need to be informed and utilize their medical professional as the subject matter expert/consultant. I'm not minimizing the Doc here in any measure. They have wonderful information and training. However, in the end, all they can really do is make recommendations. The final decision is ours which is why we need to be our own advocate.

Stepping off the soapbox now.... :D

No soapbox.....alll I have to say is AMEN to that! :D

ButterflyChaser Enthusiast
ButterflyChaser
Posted

You all, people - you are making me cry :) It is the first time I find a bunch of others in my situation that believe in what I believe.

I love these boards.

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