To be or not to be Gluten Free

[12-345]

Hi, have Hashimoto's and tried going gluten free, but didn't notice any benefit. Only did it for a few weeks as felt even more tired than usual. Have had negative USA Cirex test. Can I have any feedback about how quickly you felt better after going gluten free. Thanks in advance.

[Marz]

Everyone is unique - and not all benefit. I did Anything from 3 - 6 months is a time span I have read about ...

[greygoose]

That's absolutely true. Not everyone benefits. I didn't. But, a lot of Hashi's people are gluten-sensitive, so obviously, giving up the gluten makes them feel better. Quite a few Hashi's people also have Coeliac Disease, so they have to give up gluten. But, for other people, there's no advantage.

[AndrewT]

Dear 12-345,

Some people are, very genuinely, Gluten Intolerant my own Mother is one of them. She doesn't have an 'Auto-Immune' disease, that's my Department! As my Mother would put it, She Feels Like a Different Woman, since coming off Gluten. However a word of Warning...

Please Do get a 'Definite Diagnosis' BEFORE stopping a Food Product. Our Bodies are designed, to eat, a Wide Range of differing foods- indeed our Systems a 'Geared Up' for it. Withdrawing ANY common Food(s), without being, Entirely Sure about it can, and often does, cause More 'Trouble' than it Cures. However, if you are sure, then Going Gluten Free should help you. Sorry but it IS important to STRESS this point.

Do you have circular 'Cigarette Burn' marks, on your body? How are your Bowels and, there is a reason for me asking this, your Poo? (Sorry to be rather Personal there).

If you want me, to Talk, in more Detail then please Private Message me. (using the 'Chat' Icon). In any event I'm sending you my best wishes 12-345.

AndrewT

[NatChap in reply to AndrewT]

Whilst I would agree that cutting out food groups such as carbs, meat, or dairy requires a lot of consideration, I don't feel that gluten is in the same category. Wheat isn't necessary and is easy to substitute, particularly if it's an intolerance rather than coeliac disease.

[AndrewT in reply to NatChap]

Yes NatChap you could, very well, have a Point, though isn't it rather 'Splitting Hairs'- between Allergy, Intolerance and Celiac (Coeliac) Disease? After all, they ALL, cause similar Symptoms. By the way, and please Don't think I'm being 'funny' here, why do you not consider Gluten 'Intolerance' (I included all categories here) in the same way as, say 'Carbs'? Surely substituting 'Meat' is, at least, as hard as substituting Gluten. I'm just curious, as to your Thinking- that's all.

AndrewT

[NatChap in reply to AndrewT]

Because by cutting out carbs you don't just cut out wheat containing products but also potatoes, rice, cereal, healthy grains etc..therefore missing out on lots of important/essential nutrients.

You can substitute meat with things such as eggs, lentils etc..

It's not splitting hairs, it's just a fact that foods that contain grains that generally cause an intolerance or allergy such as wheat, don't provide essential nutrients that can't be easily obtained elsewhere. In cutting out meat, carbs or dairy you really need to research how to replace the nutritional content.

Cutting out gluten is difficult with regards finding out what products contain 'hidden' gluten but it's not difficult to replace the foods nutritionally speaking.

I can't see how removing gluten could possibly cause more problems than it solves.

Does that make sense?

[trevg in reply to NatChap]

A lot of the issue with gluten in wheat is apparently down to wheats hybridised nature- only introduced in the last 100 years or so -to improve production and profits, of course. This was never trialed back then - & we are the test tubes.

We have cottoned on at last!

[radd in reply to AndrewT]

AndrewT

.... [ .. though isn't it rather 'Splitting Hairs'- between Allergy, Intolerance and Celiac (Coeliac) Disease ... ] .. ... Are you kidding ? ? ..

Wheat allergies (or any food allergy) is an over reaction to a specific food protein. Mediated by the IgE branch of the immune system, it triggers an allergic reaction that may be mild (rashes, hives, itching, swelling, etc.) to severe (trouble breathing, wheezing, even loss of consciousness, etc.) and even potentially fatal.

Food intolerance (sensitivity) is produced by the IgG/IgA branch of the immune system. Symptoms may include irritable bowel, headaches, skin breakouts, etc which usually take a while to manifest and worsen with time.

Celiac is an autoimmune digestive disease destroying the villi in the small intestine and is life long.

...[ .. By the way, and please Don't think I'm being 'funny' here, why do you not consider Gluten 'Intolerance' (I included all categories here) in the same way as, say 'Carbs'? ..] ...

Because unlike carbs, (or proteins or fats or veg/fruits nutrients), we don't require gluten for well being. And because some are intolerant of it (whether allergy, sensitivity or Celiac Disease), we live happier and longer without it.

I would say in the case of any autoimmune disease (which encourages a possible chronic state of immune system overload and inflammation, adrenal insufficiency, gut dysbiosis and impaired digestion), unless you were to eat an excess of processed foods, the absence of gluten would hardly be noticed, except in the beneficial way of not aggravating an already over-active immune system.

Curious ....... ..[ ..do you have circular 'Cigarette Burn' marks on your body? ..] .. 🙄

[AndrewT in reply to radd]

Dear radd,

First of all, thank you for putting ME right on, some of these, Issues. Secondly, the 'Cigarette Burn Mark' question- a lot of Celiac/ Celiac's Do have these, very strange, skin marks/ lesions though I don't know why. That is simply a fact that is, in all probability, part of the 'Allergy Reaction'. It is one of the few, very obvious, Markers Dermatologist use in identification of the Condition.

The Human Body, really is a 'Strange, Complicated yet Beautiful Thing'. Living, able to repair itself, move itself, fight infection, increase it's knowledge (as you have mine) and even Reason/ Think- and we only Notice, when something goes wrong! truly amazing.

Thank you, once again, for the information radd.

Kindest Wishes

AndrewT

[LowB12 in reply to AndrewT]

Dermatitis herpetiformis, often referred to as ‘DH’, is a skin condition linked to coeliac disease. It causes the rash like symptoms you are referring to.

DH affects fewer people than typical coeliac disease, at around 1 in 3,300 people. DH can appear at any age, but is most commonly diagnosed in those aged between 50 and 69 years.

The suggestion is you may have this with no apparent gut symptoms and they advise whilst being investigated not to cut out the gluten. Treatment however is gluten free diet.

Cutting out gluten, whilst tricky at times, is not the same as cutting out carbs! Carbs are found in root veg, potatoes, rice etc and generally do not cause the same gut related issues. We need balanced diets but do not necessarily require gluten to be part of this.

[MMaud in reply to radd]

Whilst I violently agree we need protein and fat to thrive and survive, we don't need carbs. Our bodies can fuel our bodies efficiently on a carb free diet, although if atopping carbs there can be a transitional period whilst the body switches from fuelling from sugar to fuelling from nutritional ketones.

I don't routinely eat a zero carb diet as I enjoy my non-root veggies too much, I have to say the n1 experiment I recently did in preparation for a shortish fast, was astonishingly easy, with lots of energy, good sleep and even my usually sluggish bowels were actually better.

Apologies for the last comment, but I was astonished by that aspect.

[radd in reply to MMaud]

MMaud,

Yes, the body is capable of generating glucose from fats & protein, but fasting or not eating any carbs at all is a type of physical stress that many people with adrenal issue can not tolerate.

Low fat carbs such as a small amount of potato, beans, lots of sweet plants such as carrots, green beans, peas & beets offer an easier glucose option than fats and protein, which are more difficult to digest, especially for hypos who commonly lack sufficient stomach acid. These carbs also offer the fibre required for healthy digestion.

As many try reducing carbs to lose weight, it is ironic that possible adrenal issues causing fat around the middle and the inability to lose weight, may be exacerbated further by the difficulties of protein & fats digestion and the bodily stress caused by the switch to a ketogenic state. Only having that stable supply of glucose enables optimum T4-T3 conversion and so encouraging excess weight to reduce.

[MMaud in reply to radd]

I would also argue that fibre isn't required for a healthy digestion, but I don't want to deflect anyone's search for a better life by engaging in peripheral debates.

[NatChap]

When I first cut out gluten I suffered what I can only think we're withdrawal symptoms! Once that passed, my stomach definitely felt the benefit and although I don't feel like it improved my hypo symptoms, my antibodies did come back down to within a normal range.

[ollymummy]

I am coeliac and if I eat something contaminated it can take 6 months to remove all traces from my system - it’s grim! Eating GF at home is easy peasy potatoes rice and I make a wicked gf oat and seed loaf for toasting but the minute you go out there’s always that person who thinks it’s ok to use the same tongs or to use the same pan to cook things in 🙄

It mightn’t help in the short term but I believe from my nutritional studies that gluten sets off inflammation in anyone susceptible and that includes hashi - best of luck to you! X

[NatChap]

And when I said it's easier if you are intolerant rather than coeliac, what I mean is that folk with an actual allergy often have to worry about cross contamination too which must be a minefield. As someone who is gluten intolerant I only have to avoid food actually containing gluten so I'm fine using the same butter, chopping board etc...I can eat regular oats or chips cooked in the same oil as something battered. It's not as complicated.

[MichelleHarris]

I am very new to going Gluten free. Also gone lactose free and low carb - A fortnight tomorrow. I feel quite happy so far. Not hungry and I can eat fat yum!

I have always had these cigarette marks but put it down to the mild clotting disorder I have. I have had loads of bowel issues and have seen consultants who havent tested for anything. I went gluten free last year before I was diagnosed with Hypothyroidism as I have known something wrong. I told my GP and he said we’ll check you. I was shocked as they never want to test for anything. I told him that I’d been gluten free for 3 mnths. He said doesnt matter. I tested negative so started eating it again. So disappointed in the NHS care Ive received. I dont know what to think now.

I have done the ancestry test. Didnt know you can upload it. There would be safety issues of the data x