Does going gluten free reduce antibodies in Hashimoto's? Why did I become a little constipated when going gluten free? Main question below..

[Soldieress]

I'm British but living in the UAE where I get private health insurance so I've seen 5 different endocrinologists (I was first diagnosed with Hashimoto's & hypothyroidism 15 months ago). During the last 4 years my stools have often been soft (looking like cow pats in the toilet) I decided 3 months ago to go gluten free. When I mentioned this to the endocrinologist he said he could do a gluten intolerance/allergy test on me. My results - Anti Gladian ABS (IgA) are Equivocal (13.8). Ref range: Neg. <12; Equivocal 12-18; Pos. >18. Anti Tissue Transglutaminase IgA & IgG and Endomysium IGA & IgG all Negative. But Parietal Antibodies were positive (so I may have pernicious anemia). I always request to have a copy of my test results before going through them with the endocrinologist so I can look up the results myself and then have questions to ask the endo. I then discovered on the internet that if you have a gluten intolerance test you should be eating gluten at the time. But I had been off gluten for about 6 to 8 weeks, which means that the test and results are not giving a true picture. I think he might be willing to do another test with me eating gluten (and not taking Vit B supplements). I've been gluten free for just over 3 months now and the only benefit of going gluten free for me so far is that I'm not producing cow pats twice a day and I don't see lots of undigested food in my stools. Now I produce one stool a day that is hard and pops out like large 2cm pellets. My final question: Should I start eating gluten again so I can see how my body reacts and so that if he tests my gluten tolerance I will have been eating gluten for 11 days? Thanks if you've read this far and hope you can give me advice xxx

[Jackie]

HI None of the gluten tests are 100% reliable. However, you should be on gluten for 2-3 weeks before any tests, even a scope does not always show up anything. The forward thinking docs say if all tests negative to try stopping the Gluten, as you have. My Endo had an article published in the BMJ on this ,last year. personally I would leave it as you are, you would have an unpleasant few weeks just to prove you are right!It is autoimmune so quite likely, also, as I am sure you know lots of other conditions which are autoimmune. make sure your b12 and Foliates is high in range, not just "normal", also make sure your iron/ferritin and Diabetes status are good. Vit D, in spite of sun as hormonal, if low a corrected calcium test before treatment and after 3 months, calcium must never go over range as an electrolyte. low D causes lots of things including Osteomalacia. I am in this position but as calcium over range, now unable to take any vit D

I hope this helps,

Best wishes,

Javkie

[Soldieress in reply to Jackie]

Thanks Jackie, iron was okay I think 79.37 (ref.range 37-145), folate was just over the range 18.71 (ref.range 3-17), Ferrtin is lowish 53.19 (ref 10-160) and B12 408.3 (ref.197.2-866.32). Vit. D was 108.9 (Normal range: 75-250). Non of the results are in the optimal part of the range I think.

[Jackie in reply to Soldieress]

Hi They look good , you may possibly benefit from some B12, I would keep an eye on that and retest all in a year any way.

Jackie

[mg51]

Hi, re Gluten Free diet, I have been gluten free for 4 years now, I decided to go gluten free after being diagnosed with Hypothyroidism about 5 years ago, the reason being, my stomach bloated as if I was 9 months pregnant, I felt really uncomfortable after eating, really lethargic, and I read an article about a TV presenter her name escapes me now, who had an underactive thyroid and went gluten free and it made her feel better, I thought I would give it a try and after 2 weeks felt so much better, I still have an under active thyroid, but if I eat something with gluten in it really does make me feel bloated and lots of wind, not pleasant....I did have a reason to go into hospital last year for unusual stools and the doctor there said that to do a test for coeliacs I would have to eat a gluten diet for 6 weeks, which I did and I was fine. So just an intolerance to gluten, there is so much you can eat that doesnt contain wheat so good luck.......I have also just had 3 months on iron tablets which didn't help, so hoping to be back to normal in that department very soon...

[Soldieress in reply to mg51]

Hi mg51, thanks for sharing your information. I will stick to being gluten free for now then if it takes 6 weeks of eating gluten to test for the intolerance. Hope your motions improve

[Mia1057]

I am coeliac and have Hashimotos. If you want a definitive diagnosis then you need to be eating gluten for 6-8 weeks prior to testing. If you are happy not to be diagnosed then continue with the gf diet