I understand there are links to hypothyroidism and auto immune conditions such as coeliac disease. I am interested in getting a food intolerance or sensitivity test to see if there are foods, including gluten, that I should avoid to improve my overall well-being, as I also suffer from eczema (especially on my top lip which I am told is food related).
Does anyone have any recommendations for home tests? Are tests using hair valid or not very accurate?
Any information would be greatly appreciated, many thanks.
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Fizzyinch
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Poor gut function with Hashimoto’s can lead leaky gut (literally holes in gut wall) this can cause food intolerances. Most common by far is gluten. Dairy is second most common.
According to Izabella Wentz the Thyroid Pharmacist approx 5% with Hashimoto's are coeliac, but a further 80% find gluten free diet helps, sometimes significantly. Either due to direct gluten intolerance (no test available) or due to leaky gut and gluten causing molecular mimicry (see Amy Myers link)
Changing to a strictly gluten free diet may help reduce symptoms, help gut heal
Before considering trial on gluten free diet get coeliac blood test done FIRST just to rule it out
If you test positive for coeliac, will need to remain on gluten rich diet until endoscopy (officially 6 weeks wait)
If result is negative can consider trialing strictly gluten free diet for 3-6 months. Likely to see benefits. Can take many months for brain fog to lift.
If no obvious improvement, reintroduce gluten see if symptoms get worse.
The predominance of Hashimoto thyroiditis represents an interesting finding, since it has been indirectly confirmed by an Italian study, showing that autoimmune thyroid disease is a risk factor for the evolution towards NCGS in a group of patients with minimal duodenal inflammation. On these bases, an autoimmune stigma in NCGS is strongly supported
In summary, whereas it is not yet clear whether a gluten free diet can prevent autoimmune diseases, it is worth mentioning that HT patients with or without CD benefit from a diet low in gluten as far as the progression and the potential disease complications are concerned
Despite the fact that 5-10% of patients have Celiac disease, in my experience and in the experience of many other physicians, at least 80% + of patients with Hashimoto's who go gluten-free notice a reduction in their symptoms almost immediately.
I had a celiac blood test at the local gp surgery but on the subject of hair tests I had a hair mineral and toxin test which is different to what you're considering but thought I'd mention it as it was fascinating to see the relationship of minerals in the body, excess and low minerals, and their affect on the thyroid and adrenals. It also showed me I have a heavy metal poisoning which might be my root cause of my thyroid issues. Maybe! So yes I do believe hair tests are worthwhile and worth looking deeper than just food sensitivity hair tests. I really feel the more information the better as we have to take control of our health.Hope this helps!
Lots of allergy tests are bogus. I think the two that the NHS use are skin prick test (worth asking the gp for this if you are in the uk to save paying) or an elimination diet.
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Blood tests for Thyroid and Food Intolerances?
Histamine intolerance
blood tests
Food sensitive tests
Histamine intolerance/sensitivity with Hashi's and thyroid plus fluid retention.
