Does gluten free diet lower TSH levels?

[Jillycee]

I have Hashimotos and after advice from this forum, I have been taking 5000mcg of vitamin B and also B complex. I was advised to take it for 6 weeks, but have probably now been taking it for about 10 weeks and don't want to stop as I'm feeling so much better. Is it ok to continue for a short time longer? I have been for my check up thyroid blood tests and they have come back today and are 1.49 (0.35-5.50mu/L) so I think I am finally getting there!! I started on a 100% gluten free diet about 10 weeks ago too so not really sure what it is that is making me feel so much better, so just want to carry on doing what I'm doing!! Would going gluten free lower my TSH levels?? I'm only on 50mcg of Levo and that has been the same for the last 9 months. I was going to ask for an increase but after seeing the TSH results today, don't want to rock the boat. This is the only test that they have done.

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

It's good to hear you are feeling better than you were.

You can't overdose on B vits, they are water soluble and you pee any excess out.  I've been taking them for 10 months. Last test showed my B12 at the top of range, in the 900s, my folate at the top too.  I am still supplementing but dropped from 7 days a week to 5 days a week as a maintenance dose.

I am not an expert on Hashimotos but I believe going gluten free helps dampen down the antibody attacks, I'm not so sure it lowers TSH.

From your last post your ferritin is on the low side. For thyroid meds to work properly it should be at least 70, preferably 100 - half way through range. You could think about supplementing with something like Solgar Gentle Iron (iron bisglycinate), it contains Albion Ferrochel which is supposed to be the most effective form of iron supplement and is more gentle on the stomach and less likely to cause constipation. Other makes contain Albion Ferrochel.

When taking thyroid meds, the aim is to get the TSH to 1 or below, so you're almost there, could possibly do with a touch more. Shame you can't get FT4 and FT3 done through your GP. You could, if you want to see where they lie, get a Blue Horizon fingerprick test privately.

[Greenwall in reply to SeasideSusie]

amazon.co.uk/Hope-Hashimoto...

This book also suggests you can get better, and explains link between anti-bodies and TSH.

[Jillycee in reply to Greenwall]

Thank you Greenwall for the link

[Jillycee in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thank you seasidesusie for your reply

[shaws Administrator]

I'm glad you are feeling an improvement. Gluten-free as far as I know helps reduce the antibodies of hashimotos.

Your dose of 50mcg is very small and I hope GP increases it. Most have a fixation with the TSH and think it's 'o.k' when it just gets to the top of the range, whereas the aim should be a TSH of around 1 (or lower for some).

The following link is also helpful for Hashimoto's:

hypothyroidmom.com/reversin...

[Jillycee in reply to shaws]

I really would like to try a higher dose, but really don't want to go back to the GP as I feel that it is a constant battle and I end up coming away so frustrated all of the time!! I might try once more with the pluse article

[shaws Administrator in reply to Jillycee]

Some GPs have completely dismissed it. I would send him a copy with a little note so that he has time to read it as they don't have time usually at yuor appointment. I would highlight the part abut how low the TSH can go and a small addition of T3 can sometimes be prescribed. Ignore the sentence after that as I believe that's what most of the doctors think about females 

[Jillycee in reply to shaws]

Thank you for your reply. I have booked another appointment for next Tuesday so fingers crossed I have changed my GP to a female as I thought that she may be more understanding but sadly this doesn't seem to be the case. She agrees -I am a woman of a certain age (I'm 43) and should be prescribed an anti-depressant or HRT!! 

[shaws Administrator in reply to Jillycee]

T3 can be used as an anti-d why doesn't she prescribe some on a trial basis particularly because you have hypo

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/173...

web.archive.org/web/2010103...

hormonerestoration.com/Thyr...

[acc1]

Going gluten free can improve gut issues, which could potentially improve absorption of your medication.

[Jillycee in reply to acc1]

Thank you acc1

[mandy-white]

could it mean that if you go gluten free and so you absorb your medication better that you might have to reduce your medication ?

[Jillycee in reply to mandy-white]

Thanks Mandy-white for your reply.