Hashimoto's/Bloating/Swelling - Gluten free

samanthaa740
samanthaa740 Posts: 1 Member
in Food and Nutrition
Hey everyone! I have Hashimoto's. In addition, I have strange symptoms doctors can't figure out. Every time I eat, my stomach and legs swell really bad. I get swelling other places too, like my face that gets really puffy and my arms swell too. But my stomach and legs are the worst. At times, I'll be so bloated I'll look like I'm several months pregnant.

I've gained 14 pounds in water weight. A healthy weight for me is 120. I weigh 134. But no, the bloating and swelling is not fat. I am literally ballooning after I eat and swelling out everywhere. I've measured myself with tape measures and calipers and I swell majorly after I eat. It has resulted in 14 pounds of water weight that I can't seem to lose.

I'm wondering if gluten could be the issue. I had gluten for breakfast today and had postnasal drip, runny nose, sneezing, and extreme fatigue. So bad that it felt like I had been drugged and even though I just woke up, I had to go back to bed. For lunch and dinner today I didn't eat gluten like I normally do. I'm still bloated and swollen but it doesn't seem as bad as it normally is. And my face doesn't seem as puffy as it was earlier. Could gluten be causing these issues? I've been tested for Celiac twice and don't have it.

Also for those of you who have Hashimoto's and have gone gluten free, did it help lower your TPO antibodies and TSH level? By how much? I know not everyone is aware, but a gluten free diet can be extremely beneficial for someone with Hashimoto's and can lower antibodies. Just super scared to go 100% gluten free. I know not everyone believes a gluten free diet is beneficial for Hashimoto's and I'm not wanting to argue about it. Just asking a question.

Replies

  • SeptemberFeyre
    SeptemberFeyre Posts: 178 Member
    Yeah definitely worth a try. My daughter has Hashimoto's and we've been doing the auto immune Paleo diet and it has helped her antibody levels and TSH decrease. The book that we found the most helpful was Hashimoto's protocol hi Isabella Wentz. I haven't ran into ANY md's that are knowledgeable about using diet to treat Hashimoto's. Even after my daughter's Dr. commented what good results my daughter is getting, her Dr. showed no further interesest. Along with the book we visited a naturopath and found it helpful. Good luck!
  • letsgethealthy2gether
    letsgethealthy2gether Posts: 1 Member
    Following
  • deannalfisher
    deannalfisher Posts: 5,600 Member
    have you had any allergy tests done? what you are describing sounds like an allergic reaction to something
  • quebot
    quebot Posts: 99 Member
    I totally get the GI bloat you're talking about. Autoimmune disorders are rarely wreaking havok alone. I would totally talk to your dr about getting tested for celiac.
  • rainbowbow
    rainbowbow Posts: 7,490 Member
    go get tested or get put on an appropriate elimination diet.

    i had similar symptoms and for me it was dairy intolerance.
  • lucys1225
    lucys1225 Posts: 597 Member
    When I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's I ate very little gluten. After diagnosis, I went completely gluten free. My numbers have improved but I am not sure if it was the gluten or the addition of selenium.
  • collectingblues
    collectingblues Posts: 2,541 Member
    Find a different physician who will listen and get to the bottom of it.

    What I have discovered in my past 10 months of "hypothyroid that doesn't behave under the nice 85 percent of bell curve" is that many physicians are absolutely useless if the disease doesn't fit into the cookie cutter model.

    Go find someone who will actually work, and not just dismiss you.
  • TerranandKaylynsmommy
    TerranandKaylynsmommy Posts: 321 Member
    I have hashimotos. I do gluten and dairy free. But I didn't have swelling like that before I started. My stomach would bloat and hurt but nothing like you're talking about. I would see a different doctor or several until one of them could find out what the problem is. I'm sorry you're going through this and I hope you get it all sorted out very soon.
  • shaumom
    shaumom Posts: 1,003 Member
    edited April 2018
    That sounds like an allergy to me too- food allergies only cause hives and anaphylaxis in the most severe cases. Otherwise, swelling, bloating, pain, hay fever like symptoms( from food allergies- weird, huh?), feeling like you just got hit by a truck, or by an elephant tranquilizer- all pretty common for food allergy reactions.

    Although doctors are taught in med school that physical problems are almost ‘never’ due to food (according to my doctor who now no longer believes this to be true) so unless you DO have hives or anaphylaxis, you often won’t get referred to an allergist, my doc said.

    I tend to believe it considering that I have a friend who developed stomach issues from simple lactose intolerance and the doctors tested her for 2 years, including for rare disorders and cancer. the doctors only figured it out because they put her on a liquid diet which was dairy and nutrients and she got sicker.
  • helene4
    helene4 Posts: 120 Member
    I don't have hashimotos
    I am gluten free and diary free due to allergies and love it :)
    There are so many options today I think you can easily and succesfully eat foods without gluten. And if you feel better bc of it thats the main thing! Take care of yourself

    As to bloating and swelling. This may be completely unrelated but it happened to me when I came bck from a trip abroad. I was severely dehydrated. Had no idea because I tried to drink lots of water. Everything made me bloat and swell (drinking water, eating) My shoes barely fit. Anyway, as soon as I got back home I immediately started drinking electrolyte drinks - not Gatorade but ones from the pharmacy for people who are experiencing dehydration. Coupled with water and lots of soups. Wow. My bloat and swelling went away in one day. I also wonder if I had some type of potassium or magnesium deficiency. I don't know. Anyway, I've been fine ever since. Hydrate! Get some electrolytes!

    It also sounds like you might have a leaky gut
    I'm not a doctor though
    When I had that I went on the Body Ecology Diet and it changed my life. Check it out if you're interested.

    I hope you start feeling better soon!

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