Hypothyroidism - Hashimoto's?

Hi everyone,
I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism 14 years ago. Is it important to know which type I have? Apparently, treatment is the same for every type, but I keep reading that people with Hashimoto should try to go gluten free and I'm starting to wonder about this.
I'd love to know your personal experience with being hypo, whether you know which type you have and if you've tried going gluten free.
Thanks!

Replies

  • tlou5
    tlou5 Posts: 497 Member
    I am hypo, Do not know the specifics though, but am gluten free due to also having been diagnosed with Celiac disease. Feel wonderful gluten free, but can't really speak to how I would feel gluten free without having had Celiac as well.
  • spaingirl2011
    spaingirl2011 Posts: 763 Member
    Celiac disease and Hashi's tend to be linked because both are autoimmune disorders. However, having Hashi's DOES NOT necessarily mean that you have Celiac and should go gluten free. Speak to your doctor about your concerns and see what she/he has to to say. You shouldn't really go gluten free unless you have to since sometimes products that are gf aren't necessarily healthier than one's that aren't. Definitely speak to your doctor if you think you have gluten sensitivity and then you can test it.
  • loriepaulin
    loriepaulin Posts: 88 Member
    I have hypo as well and for me it's a personal decision that I went GF because in reading and research I have discovered there is a connection on the function of the thyroid and gluten. I feel better without it and I mostly was eating that way by changing my eating habits (more raw veggies, lean proteins, etc) that I only had to really change to GF oats and bread (for when I wanted that slice of toast with eggs- I really don't do the sandwich thing too much anymore). I agree though talk to your doctor and see what they suggest/advise. I have a mild sensitivity to gluten from when they did the testing for me and the doctor said I could eat gluten, however, I just feel better without it :) My mom also has a mild wheat allergy.

    Here is some articles I found when I was researching:
    http://thyroid.about.com/u/reviews/loseweightsuccessfully/Thyroid-Diet-Weight-Loss-Programs/A-Gluten-Free-Diet-Helped.htm
    http://chriskresser.com/the-gluten-thyroid-connection
    http://www.glutenfreesociety.org/gluten-free-society-blog/autoimmune-thyroid-disease-and-gluten/

    Also there is a community page on FB where alot of hypo patients chose to go GF and feel better overall from the comments that I have read when asked questions from other readers. The page is great to discuss, ask questions, and talk to others. The page is https://www.facebook.com/pages/Hypothyroid-Mom/147791352031167
  • mforsis
    mforsis Posts: 41
    I'm hypo and am finding these posts useful. Is it possible to set up something so we can chat as a 'thread"? or something? I don't know how to do it but if someone does and others think is is useful I would jump on the bandwagon thanks
  • marathon_44
    marathon_44 Posts: 62 Member
    I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's 3 years ago. The first year, I had a difficult time getting my TSH levels and levothyroxine dosage leveled out. I asked my doctor about going Gluten Free, and she suggested that I try it and see how i feel. She said that the false negative rate for the tests that they run are so high, that you can have a negative test and still actually be celiac. So, I tried it and felt so much better! Within 2 or 3 months, I got my meds dosage leveled out. I rarely buy any prepackaged GF products, because, let's fact it, they aren't the best thing in the world and watching my weight is SO much easier if I stay away from processed food and stick to meat, fruit, veg, beans and some dairy. (essentially Paleo plus legumes and dairy). I don't think there is any harm in trying it to see how you feel. Keep in mind though that you probably won't see any differences immediately - it takes a couple weeks, and there really are no half measures. Just cutting down on gluten doesn't do any good - you gotta go cold turkey. Good luck!
  • I'm not sure since I decided against is-I got tested for celiac and it was negative. My doctor said I could cut gluten if I wanted buti didn't feel like making my healthy eating any more difficult.
  • runningcats
    runningcats Posts: 26 Member
    Definitely talk to your doctor or an endocrinologist - or a professional nutritionist. My own experience with my thyroid (Grave's, treated and now hypo) - I've found that I really need balance in my nutrition. Like marathon_44, I try to stay away from processed foods, but I haven't tried to cut out any one kind of food/nutrition group since a failed attempt about a decade ago that left me in a bad way. It's much easier to control my weight by eating better quality foods and staying away from processed foods. I also find my energy level and metabolism tend to behave a little more like a person with a normal thyroid with the better nutrition.
  • loriepaulin
    loriepaulin Posts: 88 Member
    I'm hypo and am finding these posts useful. Is it possible to set up something so we can chat as a 'thread"? or something? I don't know how to do it but if someone does and others think is is useful I would jump on the bandwagon thanks

    I joined several Hypo groups on MFP under Community. That might help you also :)
  • 2aycocks
    2aycocks Posts: 415 Member
    Celiac disease and Hashi's tend to be linked because both are autoimmune disorders. However, having Hashi's DOES NOT necessarily mean that you have Celiac and should go gluten free. Speak to your doctor about your concerns and see what she/he has to to say. You shouldn't really go gluten free unless you have to since sometimes products that are gf aren't necessarily healthier than one's that aren't. Definitely speak to your doctor if you think you have gluten sensitivity and then you can test it.

    They are not the same thing. With Celiac disease you have intestinal problems like irritable bowel syndrome. You may also have an iron deficiency and anemia.

    The similarities are weight changes and fatigue. And yes they are both autoimmune and Celiac can be genetic.

    I DO know that soy products are bad for hypothyroidism, so I avoid those.
  • Papillon22
    Papillon22 Posts: 1,160 Member
    Thank you, everyone, for sharing your experiences. The reason I ask this is because I have a Dr's appointment coming up and want to have some idea of which questions to ask.
  • spaingirl2011
    spaingirl2011 Posts: 763 Member
    Celiac disease and Hashi's tend to be linked because both are autoimmune disorders. However, having Hashi's DOES NOT necessarily mean that you have Celiac and should go gluten free. Speak to your doctor about your concerns and see what she/he has to to say. You shouldn't really go gluten free unless you have to since sometimes products that are gf aren't necessarily healthier than one's that aren't. Definitely speak to your doctor if you think you have gluten sensitivity and then you can test it.

    They are not the same thing. With Celiac disease you have intestinal problems like irritable bowel syndrome. You may also have an iron deficiency and anemia.

    The similarities are weight changes and fatigue. And yes they are both autoimmune and Celiac can be genetic.

    I DO know that soy products are bad for hypothyroidism, so I avoid those.

    Just to clarify, the post did not say that they were the same thing (fyi, to the OP). It said that they do have a tendency to be linked. So often, a person who has Hashi's can have Celiac because it's possible to have more than one autoimmune disorder. Again, having Hashimoto's does not mean that you do have Celiac. So, see a doctor about that--instead of us! :happy:
  • RoseTears143
    RoseTears143 Posts: 1,121 Member
    Hello all - I just wanted to invite you guys to join a group I created for those with Hashi's to get together and network and all that good stuff on MFP. Those with hypothyroidism are welcome as well ^_^ http://www.myfitnesspal.com/groups/home/16887-butterfly-chasers
  • dollcoate
    dollcoate Posts: 1 Member
    I have been Gluten free for 9 months due to Hashi's and i have to admit... it did not help me one bit. Not one bit. I know about Cross contamination so before you argue that please know that is not the case.