Hashimoto and gluten, always enemies?

[jeffbursens]

I have Hashimoto,

I try to manage it as much as I can with thyroid replacements, fish oil, selenium + zinc supplements and the paleo diet but I still have some thoughts about the gluten problem. About a month ago I've been tested negative for gluten. Blood work showed I had no gluten issues but I am still concerned about whether I would or would not consume it. I read a lot of articles that say we should avoid gluten not matter what because the negative link between Hashimoto's disease and gluten is real and patients has to stop eating products with gluten immediately if not sooner. I also know that a simple blood test is not always enough to be sure you're gluten tolerant. Should I do something more to be sure and if I am really negative for gluten, (which is highly likely because a blood test is about 90% accurate) should I still need to avoid gluten? Should people with Hashimoto's always need to avoid gluten products no matter what? Even if they test negative for it?

[flowergal23]

jeffbursens, I understand your concern. I've been hypothyroid for 20+ years and am seeing an 'integrative' MD for my Hashi's who has sternly decreed I must become gluten/dairy free, too.  I don't want to upset him, so I didn't argue as he's the only one I've found who is willing to keep my levels in a liveable range.  



My MD also encourages many supplements which are expensive, too.  I did cut out gluten and dairy for a month which I suppose my doc would say wasn't long enough, but I couldn't say I felt any better.  I am skeptical, so skeptical and yet find myself feeling guilty for not being compliant.  (Just what I need, More Guilt.)

I'm in the midst of trying to find the optimal dose of meds at this point, and when I spoke to the doctor this week, he urged me once again to adhere to the dietary restrictions or my health will not improve.  

There have been so many contradictions over the years about what to eat for our health; no eggs, skip the butter, pass the 'heart healthy' margarine, eat no-fat low-fat....it changes so often who can keep up?  And though I am far from thin, I can see all of this hype could cause an eating disorder and possible lack of nutrition because when I first came home with the dietary restrictions I was stumped and very depressed as to what to eat.

goolarra, I saw the video about that British researcher admitting he may have been wrong, too, and you know what?  I felt better about the fact I have gone back to eating gluten and my homemade yogurt.  Life is too short to have panic attacks over whether or not I can eat a piece of toast.  I can't overlook the fact there is a 'follow the money' effect in action too, for supplements and many gluten-free foods are also expensive.

Not sure if anyone else has seen the study in the link below, and admittedly, I don't know if any of the test subjects were Hashimoto's thyroiditis sufferers or not, but it was refreshing to see some actual scientific studies being done to try to prove the gluten sensitivity problem in non-Celiac populations.  


http://www.businessinsider.com/gluten-sensitivity-and-study-replication-2014-5

[goolarra]

Re: the question in your title...absolutely not.

Blood work does not necessarily rule out celiac disease (autoimmune gluten intolerance).  Only a small intestine biopsy can do that.

I've done pretty extensive research on the gluten issue, and I have never found a study that established a link between gluten and Hashi's.  There are many people who claim there's a link, but I have seen nothing concrete.  

Since there is no proven link, my advice (I have Hashi's and eat gluten) is that if gluten bothers you, then avoid it.  If not, have at it.  I was gluten free for almost a year (I did it for other reasons than my Hashi's).  I didn't expect it to improve my Hashi's, and it didn't.    

Did you see that last week, I believe, that the British researcher, who started the gluten free craze with his study, admitted that his study was seriously flawed and retracted all his recommendations?

We've had many discussions on this forum about the issue.  If you search the archives, you'll find a lot of information, both pro and con.  I suggest you start with this thread:

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Thyroid-Disorders/Why-Do-I-Still-Have-Thyroid-Symptoms--When-My-Lab-Tests-are-Normal-by-Datis-Kharrazian/show/1299599