Gluten free - who's not?

[AnnaGriffin]

Newly diagnosed, yet to see a specialist. I've read a huge amount about going gluten free and have been free for a week now. I know it will take some time to feel/see a difference, however I'm interested to know if it works for everyone or are some of you NOT gluten free?

[humanbean]

I saw a difference (an improvement) in about a week.

Note that I have never had a positive test for thyroid antibodies, and I've been thoroughly tested for coeliac disease (endoscopy, biopsies, blood tests) and it came back negative. And I still benefited from going g-f.

There are some people who have reported being gluten-free for several months and never getting any benefit, but I don't think their experience is terribly common.

Obviously there are some people who never try going g-f. It took me 5 years to try it, I did it reluctantly, and I was annoyed when it helped. I wanted to be able to be able to eat "normally" again.

I still miss jam doughnuts and sponge puddings.

[Shamrock16]

I went strictly gluten free for almost 4 months but it didn't make any difference to me. Infact I felt worse, had loose bowel movements constantly. I wasn't eating gluten free substitutes such as bread etc as I tend not to eat processed foods anyway, so I think my body just needed the fibre. Worth giving it a go though, I'm glad I tried it and it wasn't as difficult as I thought it would be.

[greygoose]

Some years ago, I went gluten/sugar/dairy/grain-free all at once - probably a mistake, but still. I stuck it for three months, just eating steamed veg and fish and eggs. I lost a couple of kilos, but that was the only difference from when eating in my normal way - which is a little bit of everything. So, I just gave up. It certainly didn't make me feel any better or healthier or have more energy.

Possibly, it was because, by then, I was on a full replacement dose of T4 + T3, so the antibodies were dormant. I don't know. But, I didn't feel it was worth it for 2 kilos, so stopped. But, I wouldn't say I was typical of anything! lol

[Hormone-mess]

I have done both since diagnosis. Went strict months after diagnosis and continued for appx. Six months. My antibodies decreased. Went on vacation and indulged. Continued to eat gluten for months after returning. My antibodies went from 135 to 873. Now I'm gluten free again and my antibodies have decreased from 873 to 364. I personally feel less bloated and more emotionally stable when I'm gluten free. Didn't like the idea of no donuts, but I've adjusted and know it's necessary. When I cut gluten the second time, I immediately lost 5 pounds. I don't deny the proof any more.

[AnnaGriffin]

Well, I suppose I just need to get on with it, see if it works for me or not! Just had all my vit tests back and I'm not deficient in anything - in fact they are all looking very healthy - including my Serum C reactive protein level which was 1 mg/L so that would suggest no inflammation and perhaps no gluten ill effects....I'll monitor the antibodies with and without gluten and base a decision on that I think.