Gluten and Thyroid Disease

Hashimoto thyroiditis is a condition where the body makes antibodies (attacker cells) to its own thyroid, causing it to function improperly.

According to research reported on in the medical journal Digestive Diseases and Sciences, a significant number of patients with autoimmune thyroid disease also have celiac disease. Celiac disease is a disorder that causes the intestines to react abnormally to gluten, a protein found in wheat, rye, barley, oats, spelt, kamut, and other related grains.

"...researchers found that...organ-specific autoantibodies (i.e., thyroid antibodies) -- will disappear after 3 to 6 months of a gluten-free diet."

Celiac disease, which is sometimes referred to as celiac sprue, sprue, or gluten intolerance, makes it difficult for the body to properly absorb nutrients from foods. Symptoms include various intestinal difficulties, recurring abdominal bloating and pain, nausea, anemia, gas, tingling numbness in the legs, sores inside the mouth, painful skin rash on elbows, knees, and buttocks, cramping, hives, joint/muscle pains and aches, diarrhea, and constipation, among others. Untreated, celiac disease raises risks of contracting certain stomach cancers by more than double. Of perhaps greatest importance to thyroid patients, the researchers found that the various antibodies that indicate celiac disease - organ-specific autoantibodies (i.e., thyroid antibodies) -- will disappear after 3 to 6 months of a gluten-free diet.
(Digestive Diseases and Sciences, February 2000;45:403-406.)

The only real treatment for celiac disease is strict adherence to a 100% gluten-free diet for life. Following a gluten-free diet can prevent almost all complications caused by the disease. A gluten-free diet means avoiding anything that contain wheat, rye and barley, or any of their by-products.

Foods which can be eaten on in a gluten-free diet include:

•Fresh meats, fish and poultry
•Milk and unprocessed cheeses
•Dried beans
•Plain fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables
•Corn and rice
Foods prohibited on a gluten-free diet:
•Any bread, cereal or other food made with wheat, rye, barley and oat flours or ingredients and byproducts made from those grains.
•Processed foods containing wheat, gluten-derivatives, or thickeners. These foods include hot dogs, ice cream, salad dressings, canned soups, dried soup mixes, non-dairy creamers, processed cheeses, cream sauces, and hundreds of other common foods.

So what is the moral of that story: If you have Hashimoto's thyroiditis, or even Graves Disease, you MUST eliminate gluten from your diet. I have gotten people off thyroid medication over time with very strict elimination of gluten. Do this even if you do NOT have Celiac disease. You can still have a terrible intolerance to gluten and not test positive for Celiac.

So I am lovin all the fabulous gluten free products that are so readily available everywhere now...and all the gluten free bakeries opening up in NYC and surrounding areas. Check out all of the various websites for lots of fun and important tips on how to live a gluten free lifestyle. It is NOT impossible, and your health depends upon it.

www.gluten-free.org
www.wheatfree.org

Rudi's Gluten-Free Bakery
You'll Love Our Breads—And Buns. Soft, fluffy and tasty!
www.RudisGlutenFree.com

www.arbonne.com ID # 19259404
gluten free and vegan supplements.

Best, in Wellness
Tina