How to proceed... advice needed.

[plokmijnuby]

Hi everyone. Firstly thank you to everyone who has already responded to my previous posts. I'm just trying to get my head around everything and have been doing a lot research.

My situation:

23 years old, female

Diagnosed with hashimotos autoimmune disease a few days ago

No really noticeable symptoms except for occasional fainting/raised resting HR; often clumsiness; and a generally volatile stomach (often hyper symptoms)

I notice common consensus is to go 100% gluten free in order to reduce the antibodies and slow down(?) the deterioration of the thyroid (and prevent development of further autoimmune issues?)

1) Do I understand it correctly

2) Does this seem a sensible/necessary course of action given my lack of symptoms. I expect it's difficult to achieve 100% but clearly doable with full commitment!

Really appreciate any advice or stories of personal experiences.

[greygoose]

As I see it, reducing antibodies is not so much about slowing down the destruction of the gland, but making it a smoother ride. Avoiding the Hashi's swings from hypo to 'hyper' and back again, which can be very upsetting.

I don't know if it's necessary, but I think it's worth a try. It won't work for everyone - didn't work for me - but if it does work, it would make life much easier - from a health point of view, if not a dietary point of view. The symptoms will come eventually, even if you don't have them right now - unless, of course, you manage to reduce your antibodies. So, try looking on it as more of a preventative measure.

You could also try taking selenium, which could also reduce antibodies, but will also support conversion of T4 to T3.

[Learner1]

Look up Tom O'Bryan and gluten and read his stuff on links between autoimmune disease and gluten. Or you could look up Aristotle Vojdani, who has some interesting explanations of how gluten sensitivity can be triggered by sometime as simple as a virus and lead to autoimmune disease. Then, there's Gluten Free Society...plenty of info out there.

Gluten is linked to over 200 diseases, it smolders away in you slowly destroying your health. You don't want to be like me and have cancer develop from a disturbed hormone system traced back to gluten, which happened over several years.

At 23, you have the luxury of youth and knowledge and you can choose a path to health or to sickness. Sounds like you already know the answer here ... Gluten and Hashimotos don't go together, and there are plenty of other things to eat...

Also, if your gut is already damaged due to gluten, it'll take awhile to heal, even 12-18 months. You may not feel anything right away, but do also look into nutrient deficiencies, particularly D, iron, folate, magnesium, and B12, and intestinal parasites and csndida, which could be exacerbating the problem.

[TraceyLE]

If you do decide to go gluten free you do have to be very careful. I have been doing it for 3months and have accidentally slipped up twice. Once with a can of lager someone handed me and a teaspoon of English mustard.

I was gutted both times but am now more careful. Tom OBryan does state that gluten stays in your system for about 3 months and someone else that it takes a year for any results on antibody reduction.

Nine months to go for me, although I am doing a test next week to see if there is any effect after 3 months.

Good luck.

Tracey

[plokmijnuby in reply to TraceyLE]

Hi traceyLE. Just wanted to check in to see how your test went? I just had my antibodies tested after 6 months of GF (but with 3 minimal slip ups which as you say I felt emotionally awful about)

Mine have fallen 540 to 84 and I can't quite believe it!