I’ve an under active thyroid and diagnosed with severe food intolerances. . I’ve was advised to follow the Monash university LOWFODMAP diet after many months of investigation and tests carried out by a very eminent gastroenterologist then recommended I was to be tested for food tolerances..
Symptoms were that I had gained so much weight since diagnosis of underactive thyroid, suffered pain, anxiety etc etc. that further investigation was made hence to check food intolerances by hospital dietician.
After elimination and reintroduced of food groups (FODMAPs) it was found that I am gluten, dairy and lactose intolerant along with other food groups, ie pulses, brassicas, onion family ie garlic, onions etc, stoned fruits, blackberries but other soft fruit okay, certain nuts ….. etc look up FODMAPS. I follow my intolerance and tolerances diet religiously, all 6 pages and unless someone slips an intolerant ingredient in my food I’m ok if not it’s a 2 day situation.
Lost 2 stone in 6 weeks. Has gone up to 14-16 dress sizes and now still after 8 years of following is a size 10. Many years ago was averaged 10- 12. Lot fitter,
HIGH TRIGGERS have been generally highlighted for THYROID issues are to follow GF, DF, LF diets and if GF watch out for onions, garlic and mushrooms.
After reading the bio of one of the administrators I felt I needed to comments as they seem to have gone years un advised re the above but when did started to live a better less troubled healthier life.
Maybe it’s just be but it’s frustrating and sad that info is not being disseminated about the possibility that food intolerances can be linked to thyroid disorders and sometimes can be helped just by diet changes.
Sorry if I seem ranted but please I just want to help as I suffered for nearly 20 years before I was diagnosed and that was about 15 years after my under active diagnosis
Written by
Tina51
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wow what a difference for you! My DiL just bought a low FODMAP cook book we’ve all been using it’s great!
I’ve done something similar following a paleo diet but less restrictive on some of the veg you mentioned.
Do you think you can introduce some of these back in over time?
It’s so sad to think our diets could be so restricted long term, I’m keen to understand if things resolve over time, or particular cooking methods might reduce reactions.
I’ve managed to get back on onions and garlic with a phased approach.
Weight did come down but is static/rising again. Just tried Zoe nutrition and that didn’t work for me, useful to know my blood glucose behaviour but their prescribed eating plans didn’t suit, felt bloated and windy and uncomfortable and started to gain weight again. So going back to my paleo which suits me.
If Zoe is trying to push more of a vegetarian type approach, which bits are unhelpful - is it those FODMAPs type foods. I think we all have some food sensitivities to a degree and it is not always clear to me how to understand which foods are the worst triggers. So should we all abandon grains that I am working on at the moment. Is this anything you have tried at all?
For me it was the quantity of pulses and legumes that make me bubble. I can’t tolerate more than a few spoonfuls in any meal and Zoe was pushing it 3 times a day, I became very bloated and IBS type symptoms returned. I’ve discovered some work better for me than others. Black eyed peas and lentils are good. Chickpeas in particular I struggle with, reflux returned.
I enjoy meat in my diet (tried veggie before that didn’t help) and the Zoe focus was on poultry avoiding pork, lamb and beef which unless you can afford organic and free range chicken is factory farmed and pumped full of antibiotics and growth stimulants and environmentally disastrous locally (I live near the Wye) .
Fish was good but again environmentally disastrous and questionable whether farmed is better for us 🤷🏽♀️ sticking with tinned sardines they seem to really suit me. Occasional fresh fish if we find something affordable.
I have learned a bit about my blood sugar responses but my regular paleo inspired by Izabella Wentz and Dr Sarah Myhill (not the keto bit) diet suits me best.
Grains - occasionally I’ll have some brown rice or quinoa, buckwheat. Organic GF oats. For the low carbs I have home grown beetroot squash potatoes here and there. Pears, apples, raspberries, blueberries suit me. Bananas spike sugar even eaten with healthy fats.
That’s why I had lots of tests and some very invasive. Apparently in my case it’s due to certain enzymes not being present due to being destroyed/damaged by thyroid disease I wonder if having had an iodine dye scan for first pregnancy bleed might have screwed up my thyroid or maybe a genetic disorder. I just know that after days of illness etc due to the effects of digesting certain foods the Lowfodmap diet was a good send. 🙂
That’s very interesting Tina. Ten years ago I had my thyroid removed as I had thyroid cancer. I was treated with radioactive iodine and this is something I’ll always regret (they don’t use it now). I’ve never felt well since and have had all sorts of illnesses.
The NHS in my experience are very bad at diagnosing food intolerances, although perhaps they are improving slightly over time. It's viewed as more of a functional medicine issue that due to the fact it can't be picked up with blood tests or a scan they aren't interested.
You have been lucky in finding a good Gastroenterologist who has investigated and sent you in the right direction. Years ago I was given basic tests then discharged on food replacement drinks. Not even a referral to a dietician.
Food intolerances are hard to identify but can make the world of difference to someones quality of life and wellbeing.
I’m a coeliac too and still seem to have triggers to foods but struggle to pinpoint them. I know legumes/ acacia powder and Xanthum gum don’t seem to agree. Would you mind giving examples of which nuts you’re unable to consume? Also exactly the same with the weight gain so maybe I should try the dairy again to see if it helps - sometimes I feel so lost with it all
Hi, I’m the same, never have been able to tolerate onions & other fodmaps. I inherited it as my mother was the same & I think with hindsight her family probably had throid problems too, undiagnosed though. My sister & I both are hypothyroid.
I have had some success with changing my dairy from cow to sheep & buffalo. I have sheep milk yoghurt & cheese and buffalo mozzarella. No obvious symptoms from them . I worry about the low levels of calcium in my diet & it’s boring living without some cheese.
The other thing I do which has helped a great deal is take digestive enzymes. My favourite is by Time Health though there are cheaper ones.
Hi Bertwills, very interesting in that you understand the link between thyroid issues, enzymes, genetics and intolerances. I have Arlo lactose free cheese but can tolerate a little hard cheese. Son has sheep’s cheese as he has psoriasis and arthritis.
I wasn’t aware of supplement enzymes so that one for me to research. I tend to look at products’ ingredients with the additives we need. Good luck
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