Hashimotos and gluten free?

[donnamarielowe]

Hello All,

I have looked at so much info,and spoken to clinics in London and they say if you have hashimotos you should go completely gluten free! Is there any evidence to this or has anybody seen a difference going gluten free?

[greygoose]

A lot of people feel much better when gluten-free. Some lose weight, some lose brain-fog, and for some, it lowers their antibodies.

Personally, it did nothing for me, but there's two possible reasons for that : a) my thyroid gland was practically dead, anyway, by the time I tried it. And b) I live in France, and in France they don't put all that cr*p in bread that they do in the UK and the US. The flour is different, too.

It's worth a try, in any case. You've got nothing to lose! Cut out gluten for about three months. You might not notice any difference until you start eating it again, and then you see just how much difference it did make.

[NatChap]

I have been gluten free for a month or 2 now and haven't felt any better. I was feeling well but found out I had high antibodies so took the advice to cut out gluten but haven't noticed any improvement on how I already felt. It hasn't been too hard to be honest, just a pain when I have wanted something quick or when going out for a picnic or something with the kids and i would normally make sarnies (GF bread is awful) but other than that I haven't missed it too much and have found I enjoy eating different meals. I don't know if it made any difference to my antibodies as I haven't been retested. Anyway I don't think I will continue with strict gluten free eating but definitely won't be eating the amount I used to as I know I don't need to now, there are alternatives but I love my food and unless something is going to have an effect on my health I don't see the point in depriving myself.

Give it a go and see if you feel better but it isn't guaranteed that it will help x

[Hidden in reply to NatChap]

Hi, it can take 6 months to get your system free from gluten. You may not have given it a long enough time? I agree about the bread but have found Sainsburys brown bread ( the double packet one) is fine toasted. I have taken cold toast out with me. Nutribix ( I've only seen it for sale in Tesco so far) is lovely with fresh Almond milk. 'Pure' Olive spread is also tasty, I've mashed it into my spuds and used the almond milk it tastes lovely and my husband hasn't even noticed any difference lol. x

[NatChap in reply to Hidden]

Maybe, but having IBS I would have thought that I would have noticed some improvement in 2 months just with my digestive system..but nothing. I'm not knocking the theory and like I say, I have found some tasty gluten free alternatives that I will definitely keep in my diet, but to go completely GF is just too much stress for me to be worth the hassle as I feel no improvement.

I make Buckwheat pancakes and as long as you get the consistency right (more liquid than normal flour) they are really good..even my kids like them Never thought of using them as wraps though..might try that Chloe79 as GF wraps are stupidly expensive. I also found some really delicious GF cracker breads made by Schar..they are another keeper. I have read that sourdough is better tolerated by people sensitive to wheat/gluten so when I do have bread (which I won't be doing as often) I will have that.

[Jefner in reply to NatChap]

It takes about six months hun to notice any difference and u need to be totally gluten free

[SeaVee79]

I found that I no longer needed to use my steroid inhaler for asthma since going Gf. If I eat to much gluten I get wheezy again. I make Gf pancakes for lunch and use them as a wrap.

Chloe

[Marz]

Gluten can create inflammation in the gut lining if you are sensitive. As they discover more and more about chronic health conditions it seems that everything points to the health of the gut. So healing the gut may involve eliminating gluten - dairy and other possible irritating things like nightshades.

It has taken me 3 years to reduce my VERY high anti-bodies by going gluten free - and have fallen off the wagon a few times. Do I feel better - not sure - as I also have Crohns as well as Hashimotos. However when I read that gluten molecules can penetrate the blood/brain barrier it was enough to encourage me to make the leap. Dr Datis Kharrazian explains this in his book/website - Why Isn't My Brain Working ?

Gluten adheres to the wall of the gut and can then create inflammation and small gaps through which minute molecules can escape and be treated as foreign bodies by the Immune System. An immune response. Gluten molecules similar to thyroid ones .....

Read as much as you can to help you make up your mind.

[Hidden]

Yes, Yes and Yes. I have felt a vast improvement since going gluten free 10 months ago. My antibodies have lowered also. I have lost 2 stones in weight which is a bonus. I take 200mcg selenium which I believe has helped ( along with other supplements but this one does help your thyroid directly. My gut issues have improved also. I totally recommend cutting this rubbish substance out. I have cut out soy and dairy also. Be aware that the majority of gluten free products on the shop shelves are full of sugar! JUST DO IT. Best Wishes x

[Hidden]

Selenium is a great idea for the thyroid, it is needed to convert T4 to T3. I am gluten free but still have organic porridge oats which contain avenins, tolerated well by most people, even coeliacs. I am not coeliac but trying to avoid further gut issues.

Criciferous vegetables can also decrease the function of the thyroid i.e. broccoli, cauliflower, Brussel sprouts, cabbage etc.

By chance I learned an interesting thing about the thyroid the other day. I was in a car accident about a month ago and needed to see a Chiropractor to check out my neck. The vertebrae at the top of the neck, if they are not aligned properly can trap the nerve supply to the thyroid - so I am checking to see if my head is on straight!!!!

[humanbean]

I have had lots of improvements since going gluten-free, and I don't even have antibodies.

[loueldhen]

Got rid of a several month long cough and nightly reflux which I'd had for years. All in 3 days.