Gluten Free
sometimes_blondie
Posts: 241
So my New Year's resolution this year is to go gluten free. I don't yet know if I have Hashimoto's, but I do know that my weight is extremely touchy. This Christmas, I indulged in a lot of cookies and gluten rich foods and boy did I feel like garbage! And gained a lot of the 9 pounds I had lost (I have yet to log the weight gain, I'm hoping to get it off quickly!) Anyhoo, I've been seeing that a lot of people with thyroid disorders seem to do a lot better on GF diets and I figure the only harm I could do is feel reminicient as everyone enjoys a tasty piece of bread. Anyone else go GF? If so, where's a good place to find recipes? Does it make a difference in how you feel? Does it help with weight loss?
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It's funny that you should make such an inquiry. Prior to pursuing a medical diagnosis for my symptoms, I explored a gluten free diet. It definitely helped me for a few weeks, but then the symptoms returned with a vengenance. Once I was diagnosed with non-Hashimoto's hypothyroidism, I stopped living a completely gluten free diet since it didn't help me longterm and it is a bit more expensive. However, that was just my experience. It did help for a few weeks when I wasn't even medicated. So, if you're willing to try it, it's definitely worth it. Let me know how it works for you.0
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never hurts to try!
So if you have Hashi's, you are more prone to gluten issues?0 -
never hurts to try!
So if you have Hashi's, you are more prone to gluten issues?
That's what it seems like. Celiac and Hashi's are both autoimmune diseases and it seems like those with Hashi's have a better time managing their symptoms. I figure if it doesn't work, the only thing that will happen is that I will try new foods! ; )0 -
never hurts to try!
So if you have Hashi's, you are more prone to gluten issues?
Hashi's and Celiac are both autoimmune issues, and autoimmune issues like to travel in "packs" - i.e. if you have one, you are more likely to have more.
As well, there seems to be a link between celiac and hashi's antibodies; that eating gluten can (for some people) stimulate antibodies and worsen hypothyroid (or worse, increase the hashi's swings). Eliminating gluten has been shown to reduce symptoms in many people, by reducing hashi's antibodies.0 -
made me sick as a dog. be careful.0
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I do not have the patience to even try to be gluten free, but I do feel better when I avoid refined carbs like white bread or white rice or regular pasta. I try to stick with whole grains instead. There is something about the way my body processes sugar and starches that really limit how much of that stuff I care to eat. I will eat whatever is around, but when it's a lot of starchy stuff, I try not to go overboard or less I'll feel tired afterward.
If I get more fiber and protein, I think it's easier for my body to process it.
It can't hurt to try something and see if it works.0 -
I do not have the patience to even try to be gluten free, but I do feel better when I avoid refined carbs like white bread or white rice or regular pasta. I try to stick with whole grains instead. There is something about the way my body processes sugar and starches that really limit how much of that stuff I care to eat. I will eat whatever is around, but when it's a lot of starchy stuff, I try not to go overboard or less I'll feel tired afterward.
If I get more fiber and protein, I think it's easier for my body to process it.
It can't hurt to try something and see if it works.
Ditto for me. I try to watch my "white" intake, sugar, flour, rice, pasta. I do think I feel better when I limit my white food.
Try Quinoa. I noticed it is gluten free, and I like it. You make it just like rice. You can use your rice cooker if you have one. Then you use it in place of rice or pasta. Let me know what you think.0 -
I was tested a few months back for Celiac, don't have it, just Hashi's. Might about doing something like this, but I really enjoy my whole grain/wheat bagel with PB that I've had every morning for the past couple years...I might go through some serious withdrawals
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Going gluten-free definitely helped me. I did so before I was diagnosed with Hashi's on the advice of my daughter's nutritionist. I don't have celiac but she felt I wasn't absorbing nutrients like I should & that gluten was probably the cause. Back then there weren't very many products available, but now there are great pastas & breads. I try to limit my intake of carbs somewhat, but it's nice to know Tinkyada pasta and Udi's bread products are fairly easy to get if I need them. Van's makes a GF waffle that my non-GF husband & kids like better than the "regular" kind.
Also, labels are far more easy to read now. Do read them, as gluten (or wheat, barley, rye, etc.) can be found in stuff you'd never imagine. Good luck!0 -
I have been gf/cf on and off for a few years. I currently am eating paleo for the weight loss and because my brain fog seems to be so much better when I am grain free. I was also tested for celiac via blood but the accuracy really isnt there so ai am going by how i feel and look. I can attest to the following:
When grain free and or Gluten free.... my brain fog is better, my skin(roceasa and acne) is better, my depression is better, and my energy is better!
So I am a firm believe that you should rely less on the science of testing in a medical sense and more on the power of diet and how you feel! In other words try it if you feel better.... stick with it and make it yours if you don't try something else
Ignore if typos I.'m on a tablet ..which is new to me!0 -
IAABM, thanks for mentioning Paleo. I'm starting tomorrow hoping to quench lingering inflammation, clear my occasional brain fog and clear up some skin problems. I feel pretty good just cutting out gluten, but I want to feel 100% fabulous. I figure since I always felt great on South Beach level 1, a Paleo or Primal diet is what my body requires.0
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I've gone gluten free before although I don't like to. My husband and mother-in-law have celics so it's been pretty normal in my family for over 10 years to cook GF.
And I don't like to do it because the food is awful, it's just difficult to prepare. But it is good for Graves or Hashis to eat gluten free. There are lots of great and normal foods you can eat but you have to research it.0 -
I had a chiropractor who really listened about my thyroid condition suggest that I become gluten and dairy free. He is the only one that has listened as of now.0
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I had a chiropractor who really listened about my thyroid condition suggest that I become gluten and dairy free. He is the only one that has listened as of now. It is so frustrating when doctors don't care or want to listen. Not even discuss using Armour. All I get is NO! There are no homeopathic/natural doctors in my area.0
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I have found gluten free to be fairly easy. If you are gluten sensitive and you inflame your digestive track eating gluten you will have trouble absorbing nutrients, which leads to iron loss and without adequate iron your thyroid meds won't work. I have had itchy eyes my whole life that goes away when I don't have gluten. I also get morning crud in my eyes (so does my grandson, who is also gluten sensitive) so, I can tell when I have had gluten do to this. I was gluten sensitive my whole life and didn't know it. This led to low iron and low thyroid and low adrenal function. Kind of has a domino effect.
Kat0 -
Update: It's been one & a half weeks since I started a Primal/Paleo plan (no grains at all.) My arthritis pain and digestive issues (bloat, etc.) are gone! I'm thrilled! I've lost a couple of pounds, too, and have a lot more energy w/o brain fog. I guess I'm sensitive to all grains, not just gluten, because cutting them out of my life has made a huge difference. Wish I'd done this years ago.0
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Update: It's been one & a half weeks since I started a Primal/Paleo plan (no grains at all.) My arthritis pain and digestive issues (bloat, etc.) are gone! I'm thrilled! I've lost a couple of pounds, too, and have a lot more energy w/o brain fog. I guess I'm sensitive to all grains, not just gluten, because cutting them out of my life has made a huge difference. Wish I'd done this years ago.
You should start taking pictures, and send your "success story" in to Mark's Daily Apple. 0 -
never hurts to try!
So if you have Hashi's, you are more prone to gluten issues?
Hashi's and Celiac are both autoimmune issues, and autoimmune issues like to travel in "packs" - i.e. if you have one, you are more likely to have more.
As well, there seems to be a link between celiac and hashi's antibodies; that eating gluten can (for some people) stimulate antibodies and worsen hypothyroid (or worse, increase the hashi's swings). Eliminating gluten has been shown to reduce symptoms in many people, by reducing hashi's antibodies.
I always enjoy Islandmonkey's input!! I've learned so much!!! Thanks Islandmonkey!! My sister's got celiac's disease and 'all' of the women in our family have had some form of thyroid autoimmune problem. My blood work came back negative; but if I eat any form of gluten during the day I feel bloated and swollen and very fatigued at night. I'm also 'not' loosing weight and slowly gaining 'no matter' what I do!!! and do!!! and do!!!!0 -
http://chriskresser.com/the-gluten-thyroid-connection
I found this article quite interesting and scary. Ive just started my gluten free journey because I have hashimotos.0 -
I have Hashi's and I have gone gluten free and it has made a HUGE difference in how I feel. More energy, less pain, clearer brain function, etc. Sometimes when you go GF if you havent been used to a low carb diet, you can get headaches and be grouchy. Some say this is a type of withdrawal. It does happen to me but only lasts a couple days, after that I feel much better. Even if I stick to low carb but allow gluten, I dont feel good and I don't lose weight. I have to stick to low carb (carbs in the form of fruits, veggies, legumes, and sweet potatoes) and GF. The sugars and starches affect how I feel almost as much as the gluten does. It's worth a try and if you try it for a couple weeks or a month and you cant stand how you feel, or don't like the hassle, or whatever, you can always go back.
Read "Wheat Belly" - I don't buy into everything in the book and they dont talk about HypoT specifically but a lot of the issues they describe sure do mimic thyroid and other problems. Going GF was really easy after reading that book!0 -
I always enjoy Islandmonkey's input!! I've learned so much!!! Thanks Islandmonkey!! My sister's got celiac's disease and 'all' of the women in our family have had some form of thyroid autoimmune problem. My blood work came back negative; but if I eat any form of gluten during the day I feel bloated and swollen and very fatigued at night. I'm also 'not' loosing weight and slowly gaining 'no matter' what I do!!! and do!!! and do!!!!
Haha thanks - I've learned a lot in the last little while, mostly from people much smarter than me, and feel the need to "pass it on" -- I wish I had known this much when I was diagnosed 20 years ago!
Did they mention that you have to eat gluten for a month straight, daily, before doing the test? A lot of people don't bother because they are just so uncomfortable that a firm diagnosis isn't worth it. I don't know as much about the actual testing but I think there are a few options?
Oh wow...so has your sister been testing for thyroid issues??0 -
I always enjoy Islandmonkey's input!! I've learned so much!!! Thanks Islandmonkey!! My sister's got celiac's disease and 'all' of the women in our family have had some form of thyroid autoimmune problem. My blood work came back negative; but if I eat any form of gluten during the day I feel bloated and swollen and very fatigued at night. I'm also 'not' loosing weight and slowly gaining 'no matter' what I do!!! and do!!! and do!!!!
Haha thanks - I've learned a lot in the last little while, mostly from people much smarter than me, and feel the need to "pass it on" -- I wish I had known this much when I was diagnosed 20 years ago!
Did they mention that you have to eat gluten for a month straight, daily, before doing the test? A lot of people don't bother because they are just so uncomfortable that a firm diagnosis isn't worth it. I don't know as much about the actual testing but I think there are a few options?
Oh wow...so has your sister been testing for thyroid issues??
I always enjoy Islandmonkey's input too! Lol. As for the GF experiment, it's going great!! I used to get this achiness all over, my joints were sensitive, and I felt like I had a slight fever. It's wasn't as bad when I started thyroid treatment, but I still got it. Ever since I've been GF, I haven't had it at all! I have had tons of energy, no more being "backed up", and the weight is slowly coming off! I have been working so hard to lose the weight, and it hadn't budged for a long time. I also added vitamin D3 to my supplements, so that might also have had an effect too. But I think everyone should try to at least reduce the gluten in their diet and see how it makes them feel, it won't hurt ya! :happy:0 -
As for the GF experiment, it's going great!! I used to get this achiness all over, my joints were sensitive, and I felt like I had a slight fever. It's wasn't as bad when I started thyroid treatment, but I still got it. Ever since I've been GF, I haven't had it at all! I have had tons of energy, no more being "backed up", and the weight is slowly coming off! I have been working so hard to lose the weight, and it hadn't budged for a long time. I also added vitamin D3 to my supplements, so that might also have had an effect too. But I think everyone should try to at least reduce the gluten in their diet and see how it makes them feel, it won't hurt ya! :happy:
That's great!!
I think pretty much everyone should be on Vit D supplements, haha. 0 -
I have been Gluten Free/Dairy Free for about 1.5 years after being told by a chiropractor that ANYONE who has thryoid issues, and particularly those with Hashimotos are probably gluten sensitive.
When I first did GF, I used a lot of GF substitutes, which were just as bad and I actually gained weight. They are made with rice, potato, lots of starch and very little fiber. Unfortunately, if you are sensitive to gluten, other grains and even other foods (for me, dairy) can also be an issue.
I would suggest a paleo type diet (no grains or dairy) at least initially and then you can try adding things grains in one by one and see how they make you feel.. My meds were also off, so once I adjusted them, the weight finally started to come off with diet. I do eat grains occassionally, but try to limit it. Going GF helped my galbladder pain, hair loss, brain fog, back pain, hand pain (similar to carpal tunnel), so it is definitely better for me. Good luck!!!0
