Gluten free/dairy free diets

[R7vfmbroadway]

hi. Wonder if someone could give advice as to whether Gluten free diet/dairy free diets is recommended for people taking Thyroxine and T3, but who do not have antibodies. I was under the impression that it affected people who suffered with Hashimoto disease only. Am I correct to think that

[StitchFairy]

Personally, I would never actually recommend a Gluten free diet/dairy free diet, regardless of antibody status. I tried both for long periods of time and neither did anything for me (except make me feel deprived of foods I enjoy). But, if you are struggling with sypmtoms that you can't get rid of, you've got all your nutrional supplements sorted, and nothing else is helping, then GF/DF is worth a try. It's not going to harm you, (although it might be detrimental to your wallet as the GF/DF substitutes can sometimes cost more).

[greygoose]

Pretty certain you're correct, yes. A lot of Hashi's people are gluten-sensitive, which causes a lot of symptoms. Or, they are sensitive to dairy products (which does not include eggs). Getting rid of the cause of the symptoms - i.e. gluten/dairy - will get rid of the symptoms. So, yes, worth a try if you have Hashi's.

But even with Hashit's, not everybody benefits from cutting these things out. Did nothing positive for me - except, as StitchFairy said, making me feel deprived.

But worth a try.

[R7vfmbroadway in reply to greygoose]

Thanks for that, might try it and see what happens

[greygoose in reply to R7vfmbroadway]

You're welcome.

[Sleepman]

+1 for Stitchfairy answer ... seems very sensible.

I was clear on celiac antibody test but have hashi (TPO).

I have to be gluten free though.

What is cause of your underactive?

I avoid the gf breads and pastry as not nice, expensive and full off additives.

[R7vfmbroadway in reply to Sleepman]

I’m under active because of a partial thyroidectomy in 1999, but have only recently started with stomach issues!!

[SlowDragon Ambassador in reply to R7vfmbroadway]

What was reason for thyroidectomy?

[R7vfmbroadway in reply to SlowDragon]

I had a lump on thyroid, fortunately nothing sinister

[SlowDragon Ambassador in reply to R7vfmbroadway]

Did you ever have BOTH thyroid antibodies tested in past

[R7vfmbroadway in reply to SlowDragon]

Not sure whether it was both tested, but I do remember you commenting after seeing my results, that I wasn’t auto immune

[SlowDragon Ambassador in reply to R7vfmbroadway]

Yes just found it in this post from 2 years ago I also suggested then that you try gluten free

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

[R7vfmbroadway in reply to SlowDragon]

Yes you did, thanks

[Buddy195 Administrator]

I would certainly give it a go, as a large number of people with diverse health conditions have found eliminating gluten &/or dairy helps ease adverse symptoms.

Personally, the GF really worked for me (eliminating previous gastric issues), but DF less so.

My only advice is that if you are considering eliminating gluten & dairy, don’t do it at the same time…. I got in a terrible muddle working out which change was beneficial!

Some people choose to have a coeliac test prior to a GF trial (ie whilst still eating gluten). I didn’t test positive for this, but am definitely gluten intolerant.

[R7vfmbroadway in reply to Buddy195]

Sounds a good idea Thank you

[CoeliacMum1]

In agreement with  StitchFairy and  greygoose

My opinion of going gluten free and experience, I’m Coeliac with Hashimoto’s.

Firstly I wouldn’t recommend omitting anything in a diet unless you get tested beforehand be that what ever the concern if gluten get coeliac test …you can read up on coeliac U.K. this regardless of thinking you’re coeliac or have an intolerance or allergies or for just a diet preference or help conditions like Hashimoto’s.

Once gluten is out your diet and future suspected conditions pop up and tests are taken these can give false negatives as gluten been out of your diet … not all GPs remind patients to add back enough gluten for this challenge to give good results and in some you’d need more for good results if been years without gluten, which many find can’t tolerate adding back.

By omitting various things in your diet you also run the risk, unless adding back through a supplement or good diet but omitting gluten can cause lack of Fibre B vitamins calcium although some brands are fortified …although it’s not law to add to flour and cereals as it is with gluten products… totally mad in my opinion we actually need this more so.

I doubt many GPs will run a coeliac test on basis for thyroid help without some symptoms, as not many know that in some areas especially autoimmune some people get benefit from removing some inflammatory foods. However I’m coeliac with Hashimoto’s and have been for well over a decade, and my antibodies are still high and diets never reduced them to any significant extent unfortunately… I was asymptomatic for coeliac disease and it was found by chance obviously my outcome in health maybe very different if didn’t adhere to strict gf diet as I had considerable deficiencies which again unknown to me until I had neurological problems with a back bulge we think due to almost zilch vitamin D, B12, Ferritin folate etc due to malabsorption weakening me.

Then lastly but I find hardest… there’s the lifestyle factors this brings, my biggest problem I think, not only for yourself but for others especially who live with you. I don’t get invited to family meals like I used to, all celebrations are or seem to be an ordeal or very basic from before diagnosis … unless we host which we do majority of, then its extremely expensive to cook bake for (for 15 one with several dietary preferences). After diagnosis I have had no gluten in house now unless they bring it with them (no gluten gets cooked or porous utensils used) it’s role reversal here (I am used to bringing my own food to eat) if people need to have gluten item so desperately they do same … I am very strict and some of the exclusivity is most probably due to others not thinking they can give me a safe meal or the expense, not through malice. All the same the constant checking labels, and for places safe to eat and food prep can be tiresome it disrupts rest of family holidays and outings as excludes certain things as no safe eating establishments … I don’t do half I did as it can be a palaver or I feel I’m taking too many risks …people say it’s better nowadays but in reality there’s a lot of gluten free places with cross contamination and when I go out I see it… a lot branded gluten free in these small coffee shops are should be classified as low gluten products (regardless of no gluten ingredients) hardly any test their products… Ive seen crumbs fall from cakes served above open gluten free cakes below and even served with same cake slice, most likely from the Saturday girl who doesn’t know any better and that’s what I can see … obviously there’s some establishments that go above and beyond but it is a constant checking process as staff change ownership etc… even suppliers change manufacturing processes one days fine next not.

So in my opinion it’s far from being a great solution unless it’s really necessary as in coeliac disease and obviously for those who get relief and help going gluten free. I know of others may have different opinions and find it not a problem at all have great access to great gluten free places …but eating out, holidays and celebrations are generally more difficult or repetitive as same safe places, it’s not the day to day eating at home, that’s a breeze…just making you aware of my personal experience over nearly 15yrs… by no means is everyone’s experience I’ll add.

[Tina_Maria]

There is no conclusive evidence that gluten free or dairy free diets have any influence on patients with thyroid disease. In addition, the studies that showed a benefit were quite small and sadly, like with many nutritional interventions, it is difficult to account for confounding factors, so firm conclusions cannot be drawn.

I am absolutely against blanket prescriptions, that people should adopt a gluten free and/or dairy free diet, if they have thyroid disease. There certainly is no strong evidence that this is necessary. In addition, dietary restrictions should always have a strong basis (allergy or confirmed intolerance (and not from a food intolerance test that assesses IgG)), before attempting this. Not only will you restrict important nutrients from your diet (e.g., gluten free diets are deprived of important fibres and B-vitamins, and dairy free diets will deprive you of essential amino acids, easy digestible proteins, minerals, vitamins and friendly bacteria for your gut), dietary restrictions can also have an impact on your mental health, as it can make you feel deprived, impact on your mood and daily activities, and can also have an impact on your social environment. In susceptible people, this could also lead to depression.

Of course, if you have coeliac disease, there is an absolute need to be gluten free. But for those perhaps who are 'almost' gluten free, if you still have some gluten in your diet, is the gluten then really the culprit? Or when you have tried a gluten free diet, have you restricted some ultra processed foods and perhaps changed your fruit and veg intake and could that be the reason you felt better? There are so many variables that I think it is really difficult to point the finger just to gluten.

And even if you are lactose intolerant, lactose intolerance is NOT dairy intolerance, so you can still enjoy dairy products and get the benefits without having the digestive problems. And most people can still tolerate a small amount of lactose, even if they are intolerant (it is not an allergy!). Of course there are plenty of non dairy alternatives available these days (watch for the fillers though!), but the nutritional content sadly is not comparable with dairy (the only one that is fairly close is soy and that is a no for thyroid patients) and you need to be very careful and competent not to end up with nutritional deficiencies in the long term.

If you think you are doing great on a gluten free and/or dairy free diet, then by all means, that's fab. But in my view, the evidence is still scarce and I would rather advocate trying to eliminate as much ultra-processed food as possible (especially supermarket bread! 🤢), cook from scratch and don't deprive yourself from a bit of enjoyment in your life either! After all, a nice glass of wine 🍷 and a cheeky chocolate (or whatever your poison is) now and then can do wonders for your wellbeing!😉

[StitchFairy in reply to Tina_Maria]

eliminate as much ultra-processed food as possible (especially supermarket bread! 🤢)

Not everyone has the time, skill, facility etc. to make their own bread. Not all supermarket bread is classed as ultra-processed. I like the sourdough from a certain German supermarkey beginning with A. The ingredients are much the same as I would use if I made it myself, i.e. does not include emulsifiers, colourings or preservatives, which are the additives that take the food into the ultra-processed category.

[Tina_Maria in reply to StitchFairy]

Indeed, there are also Polish or artisan bakeries that make excellent sourdough and other good quality bread - and if you have one nearby that's great.

But bread making is actually not that difficult (it really is not rocket science 😆), even if you haven't got a bread maker. When you get up in the morning, you prepare the dough (takes about 10 min), then forget about it when it rises for 2h, then shape it, let it rest until the oven is pre-heated and then bake. There are very easy recipes on the internet that are easy to follow and require very little effort. Or, if you are stretched for time during the week, you can bake 2 loafs at the weekend and freeze for later in the week. It sounds complicated perhaps at first, but it is really not that difficult and when you take that fresh loaf out of the oven, it's a real treat and you know exactly what's in it!😉

[R7vfmbroadway in reply to StitchFairy]

Unfortunately that’s the one I’ve been having ! 🥴

[Capan24]

Everyone is different. What works for some does not work for others. I went gluten free because I have a sensitivity to it and feel better not consuming gluten foods. I was dairy free for a long time because I have a bit of lactose intolerance. But being vegetarian, I need to get more protein and calcium in my diet. So I just started to introduce a little probiotic cottage cheese into my diet. I have to take one of those lactaid pills to help digest the enzymes though. I seem to be doing okay with this. I've read to that dairy can contribute to inflammation with hashimoto's. I don't plan on consuming too much dairy. I'm just going to wait and see how my labs come out next time and how I feel. So like I said, I would suggest doing whatever best for you.

[Tina_Maria in reply to Capan24]

I am not sure where the information comes from that dairy diets are supposed to be inflammatory. A recent meta-analysis has actually shown that dairy diets do not increase biomarkers of inflammation.

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articl...

While there is insufficient evidence to recommend specific dairy foods as “anti-inflammatory,” the substantial body of clinical research discussed in this review indicates that dairy foods do not increase concentrations of biomarkers of chronic systemic inflammation. Future research to identify more clearly whether certain dairy foods, particularly yogurt, may even exert anti-inflammatory effects, and—if so—through which mechanisms, would enhance our understanding of the relation between dairy foods and chronic inflammation further.

[Capan24 in reply to Tina_Maria]

Thanks for the info. There's so much information out there all the time. One minute they say coffee is bad for you and then it's good, eggs are bad for you and then they're not. I really don't like the taste of milk but enjoy the probiotic cottage cheese. Maybe because it has a little bit of a sour taste. I figure this beneficial bacteria can support my gut health, which actually may help with inflammation. When it comes to food, my motto is everything in moderation.

[Tina_Maria in reply to Capan24]

That's a good strategy!

I agree, there is so much conflicting information out there, and it gets increasingly difficult to separate the science from the science fiction!🫣 There are many people who don't like milk, and as we get older we produce a bit less lactase enzymes, so items high in lactose can become more difficult to digest over time. But there is still no need to eliminate the whole food group, and as you mentioned yoghurt and cheese are actually very beneficial for gut health, which is important to support our immune system.

[MTC1]

I would be very interested in your replies . I have had Hashimotos for 5 years and have just had to go on a gluten free diet . I did not know they are linked.

[MTC1 in reply to MTC1]

I have had a gluten intolerance for about a year . The only bread that doesn’t give me the runs is sour dough bread 👍

[R7vfmbroadway]

thank you all for your comments. Im still trying to find out what it is that is giving me issues, I first thought it was something dairy, but now wondering if it’s sour dough bread !!