Has going Gluten Free changed my Hypothyroid to Hyperthyroid?

[Getting_Normal]

I apologize if this is a thread I have overlooked. I have been hypothyroid for 7 years, with every symptom that goes along with it, and had been taking synthroid. A year ago, I developed the most horrible rash ever. I was told it was a classic celiac rash but the tests came back negative. My TSH level was 50. They ran the TSH level 3 times to be sure. I was sent to a specialist who ran more tests and confirmed I have Hoshimotos. In June, I went completely gluten free. In July, my numbers began dropping as did weight. They decreased the synthroid. In September, my TSH level was 0.02 and they stopped the synthroid meds. I just received new results. TSH is 0.09, Free T4 is 0.7, and Free T3 is 3.7. Is the gluten free a coincidence with the numbers? Has gluten been my issue all along? I have not experienced any rashes and feel great now (with the exception of heart palpitations) and have gotten down to my ideal weight but worried about the low TSH numbers. I would like to continue to be medicine free but be in the normal range. I do not take any supplements. Any suggestions? Is this normal when going gluten free?

[Barb135]

Celiac and Hashimoto's are 2 separate conditions, so if the rashes and some of the other symptoms were caused, strictly, by celiac, you won't have to deal with those again, as long as you stay off the gluten...

The only way you can know whether you really need the synthroid is by keeping a close watch on your FT4 and FT3 levels and if they stray below the mid range points and you have symptoms of hypothyroidism, you'll know you need it.  Don't ever just go by TSH... always make sure it's Free T4 and Free T3.

I'll look forward to seeing the correct reference ranges...

[Barb135]

The range for the Free T4 looks close to what we often see, however, could you call the doctor and find out about the range for the Free T3?  It look pretty strange.  

At any rate, your Free T4 is on the floor of the range and your Free T3 is not far from it.  That means you're still basically, hypo.  Most of us find that we feel best with Free T4 about mid range and Free T3 in the upper half to upper third of its range.  

I'm guessing your meds were stopped, based on your TSH level, however, for many people on thyroid hormones, TSH often becomes irrelevant... for instance, my TSH has been at < 0.01 for the past 8 yrs, even when I was very hypo.  For many of us, TSH does not reflect thyroid hormone status and judging from your actual hormone levels, you're one of those.  

If you have confirmed Hashimoto's, you will eventually, need thyroid medication, as there is no cure for Hashimoto's and it will eventually destroy your thyroid.  Going gluten free can't stop that, however, if you have celiac, without a doubt, you need to be gluten free.

Many people find that they lose weight when they go gluten free, because they stop eating all the bread and other things made with flour that causes weight gain...I lost 26 lbs by eliminating a lot of that from my diet, but didn't stick with it...  congratulations on reaching your goal weight.

[Getting_Normal]

I will make sure to ask them about the range. I am setting up an appointment with the family physician tomorrow who can show me my results clear back to 2009. I do have to return back to the specialist for labs again in 2 months and another lab and checkup in 6 months. I do feel a ton better now than I did a year ago or even 6 months ago. It's frustrating to know that this will all eventually turn back around the other way and I will, once again, be struggling with a lack of energy, rashes, etc... Now I'm wondering if taking me off the synthroid was the right move or not.
I will post the ranges as soon as I get them. Thank you for all of your advice.

[Barb135]

What are the reference ranges for the Free T4 and Free T3?  Your Free T4 still looks horribly low, as if you're still very hypo.

When in September did you go off the med?

It's never been proven that gluten affects thyroid hormones levels at all, so it's unlikely that going gluten free has anything to do with your thyroid levels.  

With Hashimoto's, it's very possible to swing from hypo to hyper and even have periods of normal in between... I'm just not sure you don't need the med.

The reference ranges for the FT4 and FT3 will help determine that.

[Getting_Normal]

Thank you for replying. I believe the reference range for Free T4 they are using is .7-1.9 and the Free T3 is 3.5-7.7. I could be wrong. I was writing it all down from a phone call. I had been taking synthroid 50, then on July 8th they knocked it down to half a pill, then September 12, they stopped it altogether.