Hi, I have not posted on this site before, usually other sites as have an autoimmune type of ataxia. But I would like to understand more.My question is probably simple. Is thyroid problems due to an autoimmune response and do you all rely on medication to keep your thyroid in balance?
Does anyone eat a non inflammatory diet as well and does this help?
Thank you for your knowledge.
penelope2,
Welcome to our forum,
Most thyroiditis is autoimmune but other less common cases might be caused by an acute infection that reverses with time, drug induced such as lithium meds, or a head injury resulting in pituitary damage.
For those of us with Hashimotos many forum members have found a gluten free diet to be beneficial in reducing the overactive immune response. Some members have also gone diary-free. I myself have found supplementing natural anti-inflammatories such as curcumin, fish oils, Vit D and Vit C to be helpful and I eat an anti-inflammatory diet mostly anyway.
Deficient thyroid hormones should be replaced with meds which are dependant upon certain cofactors to work correctly, but which are likely to have become deficient with previous inadequate levels of thyroid hormones. Therefore, the journey back to recovery can be long and complex as depends upon how long we were left undiagnosed and the aggressiveness of the autoimmune attacks.
Many autoimmune conditions ‘cross-over’ and so sadly it is not unusual for people to suffer several. Sorry to hear about your ataxia. Have you had any thyroid issues?
Datis Kharrizian believes autoimmune ataxia can be controlled following much the same protocols as for Hashimotos or any auto-immune condition. You can read more about this in his book ‘Why Isn’t My Brain Working?’
Thanks radd. I have found this book helpful too and was aware that one autoimmune condition can mean its more likely then to have another autoimmune condition. Luckily I have no thyroid problems. When gluten ataxia is suspected they ask if you have a family history of autoimmune conditions which I have. My dad had hyperthyroidism but I do not know any more details than that. Having had ibs and migraines, both red flags for gluten sensitivity, I am now gluten, dairy and all grains free and no processed food so a very clean diet and my latest MRI results bear this out. It is a very restrictive way of eating but is starting to pay off with improvements in the balance centre. I also take supplements like you.There is no medication that can help the ataxia just lessen symptoms. I am probably quite unusual as most people with GA just avoid gluten and so can eat gluten free foods which are v processed and full of rubbish anyway.
A family member who has thyroid probs is now GF and feels much better. But he has problems re regular tests for checking levels, expect this a common thing. I'm sure a lot of people would benefit from a low inflammation diet.
Thank you for your informative reply, I am learning all the time.
Am wondering which thyroid tests were carried out when you were told you did not have a thyroid problem ? You sound very knowledgeable so am sure the correct ones were done - TSH FT4 FT3 & Anti-bodies TPO & Tg.... ?
How is your B12 level ? I self-inject weekly - I also have Crohns and Hashimotos. 🌻
Well to be honest I don't know what tests I had. It took 6 years to diagnose ataxia and then what type, another 2 years. I have enough to cope with the GA and day to day living. A friend recently had a B12 deficiency and she has GA too, this is caused by the malabsorption of nutrients through the gluten sensitivity and feels the B12 has helped her. GA is a rare neurological condition and its hard enough actually finding a specialist who actually believes that gluten can cause neurological autoimmune conditions. With the number of blood tests I've had fingers crossed thyroid tests have been covered too.
At the moment I stick to functional medicine and believe we are what eat.
Have lost faith in what doctors say and what they have done to help me.
Yes you are doing many good things. You are legally entitled to have copies of all test results which helps to complete the puzzle. I understand the difficulty of coping daily with health issues - many of us here do. I have been a member here since 2011 and have lost count of the number who were told their thyroid results were 'normal.' Private Testing revealed otherwise. NHS Testing is far from complete.
You can read my Bio to see my journey - still on going ! Do you supplement B12 and Folate ?
Not all hypothyroidism is autoimmune, no. There can be many causes, such as pituitary damage, physical damage to the thyroid itself, drug induced hypo, endocrine disrupters, etc. etc. etc.
The autoimmune diseases that eventually cause hypothyroidism are called Hashimoto's Thyroiditis and Ord's Thyroiditis, although UK doctors tend not to use those names and just call it Autoimmune Thyroid Disease. These diseases slowly destroy the thyroid and the only treatment is to replace the missing hormone with thyroid hormone replacement: levo, T3, NDT. But these do not 'keep the thyroid in balance', the more or less put the thyroid to sleep so that you eventually take a full replacement dose. They do not 'treat' the thyroid itself in any way.
Personally, no, I haven't tried a non-inflammatory diet. 
Thank you for your reply.A family member is on thyroid medication but he has problems getting testing regularly. He has gone gluten free and is feeling better although with 2 young children cross contamination is hard!
Maybe try a low inflammation diet and see how you feel. With gluten ataxia it can take a long time to see results, at least 6 months and for some 2 years.
Best wishes.
Private testing for your family member is available on-line. 100"s of us here on the forum use testing companies.
Suggest you get FULL thyroid and vitamin testing yourself
For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 tested
Also both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested at least once for autoimmune thyroid disease
Very important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 at least once year minimum
Low vitamin levels are extremely common when hypothyroid, especially with autoimmune thyroid disease
About 90% of primary hypothyroidism is autoimmune thyroid disease, usually diagnosed by high TPO and/or high TG thyroid antibodies
Autoimmune thyroid disease with goitre is Hashimoto’s
Autoimmune thyroid disease without goitre is Ord’s thyroiditis.
Both are autoimmune and generally called Hashimoto’s.
Significant minority of Hashimoto’s patients only have high TG antibodies (thyroglobulin)
NHS only tests TG antibodies if TPO are high
20% of autoimmune thyroid patients never have high thyroid antibodies and ultrasound scan of thyroid can get diagnosis
In U.K. medics hardly ever refer to autoimmune thyroid disease as Hashimoto’s (or Ord’s thyroiditis)
Essential to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12
Lower vitamin levels more common as we get older
For good conversion of Ft4 (levothyroxine) to Ft3 (active hormone) we must maintain GOOD vitamin levels
What vitamin supplements are you taking
VERY important to test TSH, Ft4 and Ft3 together
Stop any supplements containing biotin 5-7 days before any blood test as biotin can falsely affect test results
Recommended that all thyroid blood tests early morning, ideally just before 9am, only drink water between waking and test
This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip)
Private tests are available as NHS currently rarely tests Ft3 or all relevant vitamins
Post all about what time of day to test
healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...
Testing options and includes money off codes for private testing
Medichecks Thyroid plus BOTH TPO and TG antibodies and vitamins
medichecks.com/products/adv...
Blue Horizon Thyroid Premium Gold includes BOTH TPO and TG antibodies, cortisol and vitamins
bluehorizonbloodtests.co.uk...
Medichecks and BH also offer private blood draw at clinic near you, or private nurse to your own home…..for an extra fee
Only do private testing early Monday or Tuesday morning.
Tips on how to do DIY finger prick test
support.medichecks.com/hc/e...
When I was first diagnosed as hypothyroid my GP requested antibody tests but the labs refused.
I went down the private testing route and only had raised Tg antibodies so I doubt the NHS would ever have me recorded as being autoimmune hypothyroid particularly as my TPO antibodies were just in range.
I largely treat myself now and do my own testing , I just drop off my BT results at the GP surgery one e a year and they give me Levo I buy my own T3 and they tend to leave me to it.
Have just noticed from your Bio you have tinnitus - this too can be linked to low B12 as can other neurological issues. 1000 members of the PA Society were asked about their most difficult symptom and Tinnitus was almost 100%.
I think all autoimmune Thyroiditis suffers should go gluten-free
Autoimmune thyroiditis
Antibodies in autoimmune thyroiditis affect glucose metabolism of anterior cingulate
Autoimmune Thyroid Conditions 
