New results. GF is helping. Annoyingly.

Hi All,

I've had results back and on 125mcg levo and 20mcg T3 (split twice a day) they were:

TSH: 0.029

FT4: 18.3 (12 - 22) 63% through range

FT3: 5 (3.1 - 6.8) 51% through range

I'm feeling pretty good on this dose - physically my fatigue has improved but still isn't great but mentally I'm like a whole new person. It's been amazing. I hadn't realised just how low I had been.

I've been gluten-free for about 6 months-ish and these new results are irritating because it's helping! 😂 Antibodies are dropping and TPOab is now 240 (<34) and they've not been lower than 450 ever - usually around 650.

TgAb is (<115) 543 and usually around 750 - 900.

CRP is 0.93 and usually hovers around 2.5

AND if I wasn't convinced by all that - ferritin, which has been slowly declining since my iron infusion in 2021 has gone from 75 to 98 without me changing a thing.

I'm going to really miss doughnuts. 😫😂

[Buddy195 Administrator]

So glad you are feeling better👍

I’m with you on missing certain GF products witching hour…. For me, it’s a croissant or a Danish pastry. It’s been 2 years since I had either. The GF ones simply don’t cut the mustard (in my opinion!)

However, like you health improvements mean that I won’t touch GF again. At least I can bake my favourite Mary Berry lemon cake with GF flour! 🤣

[Hidden in reply to Buddy195]

Agreed! GF cookies and lemon drizzle slices from Asda are pretty ok. But everything else is just rubbish.

Jam doughnuts will be the thing I really miss... There MUST be somewhere that makes good GF ones!

I'm glad that all the hard work of the last few months has helped and to see that reflected in my bloods but it's blooming irritating! I was hoping it would be a 6 month trial and I'd reintroduce it because I don't think I feel noticeably different, at least not in a way that wouldn't be explained by my dose increase.

[Buddy195 Administrator in reply to Hidden]

I’ve also tried eliminating dairy as a trial, but (for me) the benefits were not as noticeable as with gluten. However, my rheumatologist suggested I eliminate dairy if / when my osteoarthritis symptoms flare. No Brie is a tough one for me!

[Zazbag in reply to Buddy195]

Dairy gives me awful joint pain, mostly in my feet, to the point I struggle to walk! It's so weird

[Zazbag]

There are plenty of good gf alternatives including donuts.

[Hidden]

Glad you’re feeling better!

Borough22 make gluten free donuts! They’re more cakey in texture but very yummy and can order online

Also if you’re ever in London check out the Freefrom Bakehouse and Vida bakery (their cookies are so good!) they make LOADS of delicious gluten free treats! Think they also do online orders.

[Buddy195 Administrator in reply to Hidden]

borough22.com/

I’ve just been on their website and am going to order some! 👍

[HopefulMe23]

So glad you are feeling better ❤️ I gave up on GF after about 3-4 months, I wonder how long it took you to notice the benefits? There must be a decent GF doughnut out there somewhere, we will have to make it a mission to try them all until a good one can be found, I am definitely up to the challenge 😂

[TiggerMe Ambassador]

doughnuttime.co.uk/collecti...

Because you are worth it 🤗

 HopefulMe23

Can't imagine what they are like once they've been in the post a few days 🙃

[SlowDragon Administrator]

I have been GF since 2015-16 and dairy free 11 months

Both were life changing

I would never go back

GF I noticed improvement almost immediately, but it took about year -18 months for brain fog to disappear

Dairy free, I didn’t really see any improvement for at least 3-4 months. Biggest difference is mucin disappearing on arms and legs …..and continues to improve month on month

As a bonus cutting dairy, weight has dropped

My lipodema specialist is astonished that dairy has been so effective

I have also been able, very cautiously and slowly, over last 6 months reduce T3 from 20mcg per day to 12.5mcg per day

I thing I really missed was scampi…….pleased to say Ocardo do GF scampi…..and lots of other GF and DF goodies

Oatly custard is divine ….and strawberry yogurt too

[Alanna012]

It's the bread I find hardest. I can make it myself, sure. But when I'm struggling there's simply no decent gluten free bread in the shops. I'm sorry rice bread doesn't cut it and I don't think rice bread is particularly healthy anyway either.

[jade_s in reply to Alanna012]

Have you tried Schar bread? schaer.com/en-uk/products/b...

I haven't actually tried the sliced bread but i eat the rolls for breakfast & they're really great. Well the taste is a bit bland but the texture is great & goes well with all sorts of jam, cheese, etc. They're good for my blood sugar as well.

[Alanna012 in reply to jade_s]

No. They do look yummy though, thanks! Ok a possibility.

[Gooddayeth in reply to Alanna012]

Have you tried M&S GF bread - better than some makes.

[Alanna012 in reply to Gooddayeth]

Their gluten free sourdough I've tried. It's alright but not on the same level as non-gluten free sourdough, but it's ok.

My local M&S only has it sometimes and is a bit of a trek. The tescos, morrisons, asda offerings aren't great imo.

[Beads in reply to Alanna012]

Tesco and Sainsbury GF bread is as dry as anything, but if you’re only going to toast it then it’s survivable. Genius is totally rank. But I’ve found Warburtons to be way the best, both their sliced and unsliced loaves.

[Alanna012 in reply to Beads]

Yes Genius is🤢. Totally unappetising. I don't know who's buying.

I thought I'd tried Warburtons but I'm going to try it again. Maybe I'll get some today.

[TaraJR]

Promise bread is really good! I get it in Sainsburys. They make a few different versions. I think all of them are sliced.

[helvella]

Happened across Welsh Gluten Free years ago at some market thing somewhere in Wales! Really nice woman who chatted about how and why...

Some of the nicest GF I have ever tasted. But limited distribution.

wgfbakeryproducts.co.uk/

[arTistapple]

“New results irritating because they are helping”. I have had similar results re: sleep apnoea. I now literally welcome going to bed now. Even if I am lying awake, I feel more relaxed using the blooming machine as it holds open my ‘tubes’, no choking and bolting upright from sleep. It’s so good you have overcome your “irritation”. I need also to get over myself re: GF. I had no idea I was such an obstinate person but still, I managed to get to here, despite myself. Vit D and the better weather too I am having to take into account. I look forward to checking out the references people have supplied. Congrats on success and for letting us know Witchinghour! A bit encouragement for the rest of us. P. S. I have not tried this yet but Dr. Myhill has a recipe in her book called PK buns as a bread substitute. They don’t look too much bother but I still have not got around to attempting them.