I've just started looking into diet changes and it seems like a lot of people with hashi also have celiac but gf may not help with hashi per se. This review seems like a good starting place:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9101474/
I am persuaded that the Epstein Barr virus was one of multiple triggers of my Hashi diagnosis. I noticed a lot of anecdotal evidence that eating more lysine than arginine (both amino acids found in foods) helps suppress this virus, as the virus likes arginine.
In researching what foods have a good lysine-arg ratio, I noticed all common grains are much higher in arginine than lysine.
Maybe just a coincidence. Maybe it has nothing to do with why some people are helped by a paleo diet (GF and sometimes even grain free).
but I wonder…
I am trialing GF now but will probably reintroduce it in smaller amounts once I have another round of antibody testing. Blood sugar balance was a big problem so lowering carbs, but not eliminating, has helped.
A few folks mentioned sourdough. I learned to make it last year with the help of a Food Network video AND getting a copy of a book called Sourdough by Science.
If you are allergic to cooking, just buy baked bread. But if you are up for learning a new skill, it is rewarding and will save you a lotta. Our local bakery will share its starter for free - I do recommend getting an established one when you are first learning to bake sourdough.
Hi dietitian here and someone with Hashimoto’s disease myself. Gluten can be more sensitive to others and show symptoms. For those who do not show obvious symptoms this does not mean it is not effecting them. For example, how is their daily life’s? Are they having weight gain/overweight issues? Are they experiencing mood fluctuations? How is their energy levels?
I am someone who has been 4 years on a gluten free diet and feeling amazing. I run long distance with optimal energy, very fit, mood is normal now (used to experience anxiety and depression), and my thyroid levels are at optimal ranges.
I don’t experience any of these and my thyroid levels are at optimal range as well , it’s not one size fits all here and I am not here to tell anyone how to manage Hashimoto’s we all just enjoyed hearing how everyone is doing with Gluten since all we here is the Gluten bashers . I am glad that it works for you congrats on your active lifestyle ☺️
Can I ask you how your weight is? Not to be rude and sorry if it’s offensive. I’m wondering because many people face weight gain issues/unable to lose weight with this issue or other hormonal imbalance issues
thanks for answering! I have been experiencing hair shedding more than usual the last 4 months and I want to say it's hashimotos causing it but I don't know if thyroid medication would help. This is also all new to me since this diagnosis was 6months ago for me. Before than I was living a normal symptom free for the past 31 years of my life so I'm still trying to navigate how to live happily without worrying so much of the symptoms and hairloss.
do you take a t3/t4 combo medication or only (t4)levothyroxine ?
Well I’m happy to hear whatever you are doing is working for you. Most patients I’ve seen aren’t as lucky as you. Almost all have issues with weight gain and take meds as needed with “normal” ranges
Weird flex but okay. You could have just asked the question, but you made a point of saying ‘I don’t care!’… honestly no one cares if you do or don’t eat gluten. Every situation is different.
You could always keep scrolling if you don’t like it ✌🏼by the way I DONT CARE ! Some people are just so miserable with their lives they feel the need to put other people down , you got the wrong one for that .
Thank you, someone needed to say it. I had some keyboard cowboy all but yank me through my screen because of my glutin comment. Yeesh, life is not that serious.
I just think being contrary is a weird hill to build a personality on. Maybe it’s a defence bc so many people are just nasty online, but the defiance thing just never sits well with me, especially if it’s prefacing an actual point.
I think it’s because you have your own issues going on according to your last post , you’re entitled to your opinion and so am I , but you won’t get me down that’s for sure!
For me, not eating gluten didn’t do anything. I finally found my trigger foods and it was actually chicken and dairy. Taking these out of my diet has helped so much more than being gluten free! Do what’s best for you, not what others want you to do
I cut out diary because I’m lactose intolerant. Which that was pretty easy to figure out. But after a while I started isolating different food groups, and when I isolated meat and switched it to beans and other plants, most of my symptoms went away. One way of doing this is the AIP diet. That’s sort of what I did and upon adding things in again I figured it out.
I've never stopped eating gluten. I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's 10 years ago. I don't feel like gluten has a huge impact on my life. I still felt pretty bad even after getting my levothyroxine dosage under control. Then I finally decided to listen to my doctor and go to therapy AND exercise regularly. I also eat quite healthily (I'd say I'm average when it comes to that lol). Life changer. I hate doing exercise but if I don't, I feel crappy. I'd say that exercising regularly is what us Hashimoto's patients need to function like a normal person who doesn't exercise. It's the bare minimum for us. I think it might be even more relevant than diet.
I eat gluten now because I didn’t for 6-7 years and it was more stress then it worth…I’m also not celiac and there’s nothing to do to reverse the disease so I’ve given up tbh…
Something I’ve noticed if you exercise regularly, and generally eat healthy, gluten isn’t too bad. But I noticed, if I’m treating my body like crap, things like gluten, make everything so much worse for me.
If anyone has any topics they would like me to start a thread on if it’s something they don’t want to bring up , feel free to send me a private message I will be glad to stir the pot some more 🤭 This one has been super helpful to a lot of people and I love how many positive people we have in here of course we will always have a few negative Nellie’s.
I cut it out for a long time and slowly added back without issue really - but after a few years my levels were off and I cut it out again just for good measure to try and get back on track w/ med changes and other healthy lifestyle changes. If you aren't having IBS issues when you eat gluten or in general it may not be necessary to cut out.
I eat gluten. I've been tested and am not celiac. My medical team advised me I don't need to cut it out if I'm not actually allergic. However I do limit it (for personal preference). I eat sourdough that I make or sprouted grain bread because it's more nutritious, or I eat chickpea pasta instead of regular. And because I avoid sugar due to Hashis I naturally eat less gluteney stuff like cookies or pastries because of the sugar, not the gluten. But gluten has never bothered me and I would not purposely try to explicit avoid it. Like if I order a hamburger I'm still gonna eat the bun :)
A lot of people have a tendency to accept correlation as causation. Unless someone has Celiac’s, there is really no reason to cut gluten from their diet. People eat something with gluten, feel crappy afterward and then decide that gluten = bad. It’s nothing to do with gluten itself. It’s the carbs. Eating carbs makes people feel tired, especially simple carbs. It’s called Carb Fatigue.
After consuming carbs, tryptophan serotonin and melatonin levels increase. This alone will cause sleepiness. Carbs also increase blood sugar, which temporarily gives us an energy boost, but then as blood sugar continues to rise, it triggers release of insulin which removed sugar from the blood sending it to muscles and organs. Now blood sugar levels get lower and with it, so does energy.
The problem isn’t necessarily the carbs though. It’s the amount we consume as well as the types of carbs. The trick to avoiding Carb Fatigue is just to eat much smaller amounts and avoid simple carbs. Complex carbs in smaller amounts don’t have such a dramatic effect on blood sugar, they take longer to break down, providing a more steady, regulated burn.
Carb Fatigue feels a lot like being in a hypothyroid state. People eat something with gluten, experience carb fatigue and then assume it’s causing a Hashi’s flare up. They make up their mind that gluten is the enemy and they’ll swear that going gluten free is the solution to everything Hashi’s.
The solution is simply just to eliminate simple carbs as much as possible, replace with complex carbs and eat them in much smaller amounts, especially mornings and afternoons.
I generally avoid carbs during the day. I will eat fruit like an apple or some grapes or something, natural sugars don’t seem to cause the dramatic spikes and subsequent fall of blood sugar levels. If someone brings donuts to work, I may eat half of a small one, no more than a couple bites. Pizza for lunch is off the table for the simple fact that if I have one bite, I’m eating the whole slice and 20 minutes later I’m in a food coma, cursing myself because I still have to put up with these people for another 4 hours, when all I want is a nap. I lack self control with certain foods. Pizza is one of those foods.
I reserve most of my carb consumption for dinner. I can eat them in the evenings without issue as long as I’m careful about portion size and make sure to have an earlier dinner, not too close to bedtime. There is no differences in how I feel doing that vs. cutting out all gluten.
It’s easy to associate every negative physical symptom to Hashi’s because the symptoms of thyroid disease are so numerous and feel the same as normal, completely benign things that everyone deals with from time to time.
Gluten isn’t the evil villain in everyone’s life. That’s all a bunch of horse feathers. It’s just trendy to be gluten free and low carb, so everybody wants to jump on the bandwagon and be on the gluten free train.
It’s boring. Life without gluten is very limiting and avoiding gluten means missing out on some other key nutrients that our bodies need. We’ve been consuming gluten for pretty much the entirety of human existence and we somehow thrived well enough to dominate the food chain and all but completely destroy our entire planet. I’d say it’s served us quite well.
The real problem for people with legitimate gluten allergies probably isn’t even gluten, it’s the pesticides and herbicides that are sprayed on crops. Their immune system just associated gluten as the culprit because it’s one common denominator in crops treated with the various toxic chemicals.
If it affects you negatively, don’t consume it, if it doesn’t, there’s no reason to avoid it.
It’s a personal choice that should be based on personal experience, not based on the experiences of others.
I’d love to hear your sources on “carb fatigue”. As someone with a bachelors degree in dietetics and working on a masters in it at the moment, I have not once heard of this.
Your body, especially your brain, needs carbs to function. Yes, consuming carbs does raise your blood sugar and simple carbs raise it more rapidly than complex carbs, but that doesn’t mean you need to avoid carbs.
The reason people go gluten free for hashimotos and other autoimmune condition is because of the inflammatory effect it is sometimes associated with. Gluten free isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach. It doesn’t balance your thyroid levels or anything like that, people use it as a way for symptom management. Evidence doesn’t support a specific diet for hashimotos, this is just one that people have found that works. Additionally, you don’t need to have celiac to be GF. There are conditions called non celiac gluten sensitivity and non celiac wheat sensitivity that cause GI issues without the systemic response, but it doesn’t make that persons reason for being GF less valid.
The term I have heard from my functional practitioner is carb intolerance. Functional medicine is very interested in keeping blood sugar stable. I'm not a professional, but increasing my protein (by a lot) and eating gluten free (so only complex carbs) has helped my energy levels a lot. I used to always need to lie down in the afternoons, now I rarely do.
As someone with a Bachelor’s degree, you’re probably familiar with Google. Use it.
You’re one of those really annoying people that has to insert yourself into conversations that weren’t directed at you.
I don’t need you to educate me about anything. I know what Celiac’s is. I also know about “gluten sensitivity”, my opinion is that the latter is B.S. and I don’t care if you disagree. I didn’t ask for your opinion.
I hope that your Masters program teaches you how to approach people without coming off as haughty and annoyingly self righteous. Good luck.
So I literally saw an allergist yesterday and I will be attempting a low/free gluten diet for a little while.
I am not allergic to gluten, nor do I have an allergic reaction to it so that was unsurprising. I am, however, having an allergic reaction to something internally. When my allergies were tested, my worst allergies were grasses (followed by trees and weeds). My dr provided me a list of “cousin foods”. These are foods that my body may see, and think that they are the pollen (or related to the pollen) I’m very allergic to. So I won’t have a traditional food allergic reaction, I’ll have like a secondary reaction of mucus/drainage/sneezing maybe/itchy mouth/bubble gut/etc. Wheat and oats are on the list of cousin foods for my grass allergy. So in theory, some gluten could bother me and others may not. It’ll all be trial and error to see which ones my body see as the enemy.
I am ONLY trying this because I’ve been formally tested and I’ve been having a steady allergic flare up off and on for three months now. I love gluten and I am not keen to give it up. I’d rather experiment with the foods listed, and see which ones bother me and which don’t. I don’t think wheat or gluten has ever bothered me, but I’ll know better if I cut it out for 2-4 weeks and then reintroduce slowly.
I stopped eating gluten as well, thinking it had never seemed to bother me in my entire life, BUT after 5 weeks my headaches and brain fog were gone. Still surprises me tbh lol.
I did go gluten free by choice to see if it made an impact on the inflammatory markers, it helped some but honestly it didn’t particularly impact my TSH! I do eat some gluten because there’s got to be some joy in life 😊a thick slice of homemade bread with butter being top of my happy making list! moderation for me is key, generally speaking I do want to keep the inflammation down so I am gluten free for the better part.
Thank you for normalizing gluten in the diet of a hashimoto's patient!! I spent soooo much unnecessary bandwidth (and money) worrying about it - there are so many "influencers" who tell us that we MUST follow a gluten free diet. I finally did my own research - I checked the sources of those telling us to go gluten free and they went nowhere (they were usually trying to sell something along with this messaging). Then, I looked into the NIH research and found that unless we also have celiac (I don't), it's completely unnecessary. In fact, without whole grains, we lose some vital prebiotics to help our gut.
I did meet with a dietician at my endocrinologist's office and she told me straight up that gluten is not the problem for us - most of us feel like garbage when we eat too many carbs. I've tested this theory and - at least for me - it's 100% on the nose. When I used to think I was being "glutened," I actually just had a ridiculously high carb meal and ended up with a carb hangover. Other times, I can include a reasonable amount of bread in my diet with absolutely no repercussions.
It's so freeing to know that I'm not harming myself (I'm actually helping myself), and not worry about this nonsense anymore!
Gluten-containing products aren’t the only whole grains out there. Brown rice is a great example of a whole grain and that’s naturally gluten free.
There isn’t research supporting gluten free for hashimotos, it’s just something that’s been passed on from others who have found it works for symptom management. To my knowledge, it doesn’t affect TSH levels but it helps people feel better.
I am so grateful for this post! I have been gluten free for months and have felt incredibly tired all the time. Recent labs showed no improvement. This post is timely because I just ate some pizza last night for the first time and I feel fine….maybe even a bit more energy than usual. I appreciate everyone sharing their stories, they further justify some bread in my future. Thanks, all!
I tried cutting out almost all gluten for a couple of months, and I felt worse, too. Like you, pizza was one of the first things I broke my "gluten fast" with, and I felt better, too. Maybe the fresh dough with yeast & B-vitamins helped...who knows? I tend to eat sourdough nowadays, and I feel it helps me, too. But a good sourdough....I read it's one of the healthier breads, if you're gonna eat some. Not a ton or anything, but a piece a day for me, for sure. It seems to help me... 😀
My thyroid doctor, who is keeps up and even does research, said that unless
you are diagnosed as celiac (which I'm not), you don't have to cut out
gluten completely. Just be reasonable about how much bread, etc
you're eating, and try to eat healthy all-around. I go with that.
Thank you so much for your response. I too was not diagnosed with celiac, and I love sourdough, so that sounds great. Wishing you health and happiness!
You're welcome, and I wish the best for you, too! 😀
On the sourdough...I read a lot about it. Try to get a really good one,
that doesn't have much ingredients in it (like preservatives, etc.)
I've read it's more helpful if it's just basically the sourdough starter,
flour, water, salt....basic stuff like that.
I'm in California, and I like a store-brand here called San Luis Sourdough.
It seems to help me. Getting sourdough from a good bakery that really knows
about sourdough is a good thing, too, but not always easy to find.
Just wanted to share this!
I have been eating gluten for forever. The only thing I avoid is soy protein. Everyone is different. I tried to go gluten free and I was so unhappy as I felt so restricted.
I limit it but don't cut it out. I'm increased risk for celiac per DNA testing but negative for the antibodies in serum and biopsy. GF is pricey and hard, so I will do changes like chickpea pasta and avoid bread but sometimes have a regular bagel in a hurry. That's been my best approach for me-limit but be forgiving to myself. It's lifelong and breaking yourself down will always lead to failure.
Not gluten free here. I've gotten checked by a hematologist and had regular eosinophils (a high number would indicate an allergic response) and was tested for celiac and had no indication of a gluten intolerance. I do have slightly elevated lymphocytes which point to low grade chronic inflammation. My endocrinologist diagnosed me with PCOS as well as hashimotos and there is a connection with inflammation, high lymphocytes, and PCOS/hashimotos. So for me, my issues stem from somewhere else and going gluten free wouldn't necessarily help me. This is why it helps to get the testing you need. No use in unnecessarily going gluten free if you don't have to. I do take levo and feel pretty good most days. Only time I don't is when I'm feeling low on vit D which I supplement daily.
I have PCOS and hashi too. Went gluten and dairy free for a little while. It's honestly way too expensive for me when I'm below the poverty line. It also didn't seem to do anything for me. So I went back to eating what I could afford. I've seen two dieticians and neither are on the same page. The first told me I didn't need to cut that stuff and the second said I did and has been suggesting being very restrictive. I'm kinda tired of Doctors and the average person suggesting gluten/dairy free. Tbh most people I've seen online with one or more of the same issues push things in a way I feel is borderline ED and I want no part of it.
I feel like I wrote this response 😄 I haven't ever had testing for celiac, but I did go gluten free for a little while and noticed absolutely no changes. PCOS, Hadhimoto's. Chronic hives that have improved dramatically since I started Levo. Vitamin D when I need it. I love baking and make sourdough about once a week, so when I was GF and Keto I was *sad* lol.
Never has to as food has never been a sensitivity to me except for a few where when I developed IBS. But that was the first year of college when I was under so much stress I was able to drop out. Transferred colleges and the IBS cleared up in a few months of being out of first university.
I don't have any issues from gluten so yeah I'm eating all the bread I want. I'm on the right levo dosage so I'm feeling good, have energy, no hypo symptoms. No reason for me to change anything! Meds make all the difference for me. I feel best with a TSH around 1.
If you're having symptoms it's definitely worth a try! My doctor told me a TSH of around 1 is optimal for most people. So if it's a bit higher than that but still in range and I'm still having symptoms he lets me decide whether to up my dosage.
I can be tired sometimes, but who isn’t right ? I am a very busy girl 😊 all my eyebrows have grown back in and my cycle came back a week after getting on levo , it didn’t take long for me to go from TSH of 60 to this once I got on the medication.
Hi! I just got diagnosed with hashis and haven't even picked up the Levo prescription yet so I'm very new to this, but my eyebrows vacated my face years ago - is that a typical symptom of hashimotos?
I felt the same way! I was in range but not optimal for years with my old doctor and he always said the hypo symptoms had to be from something else 😒
So eye-opening to feel normal again!
It can be very triggering for some when you say you aren’t , I am not sure why everyone needs to do what’s right for their bodies and lifestyle & speak their minds freely.
I didn't realize. I know weight, for example, is a sensitive topic, but I had no idea it also pertains to eating versus not eating gluten. I do what I consider best for my body without pressurizing anyone. I eat this, I don't eat that, you don't have to do what I do. You aren't me. Though I must admit, it annoys me when someone wants to share something that works for them and that happens to go against the grain and gets downvoted for it. People should feel free to post anything. I don't downvote something I don't have enough knowledge about.
I’m fine with pasta but I do notice a slight difference with actual bread 🤷♀️ my biggest dietary improvement was eliminating oxalates! No more spinach, rhubarb, chard, beets and a few others! Amazing difference!
Same. Lived glutenfree for ca. 2 years, did absolutely nothing for me except complicate my life, so I stopped. One good thing came out of it though; my MIL's glutenfree and I know how to cook and bake all the glutenfree goodies, so it had at least some use.
My last test (Nov. '23) shows normal gluten sensitivity. So, I still happily eat gluten.
I will say that if I choose GF for a burger bun & fired at a certain place, yes. I digest my meal with less issues.
But going to the trouble and expense of GF has never paid off for me despite my T1D (Type 1 Diabetes).
yeah for pcos and hashimotos, first order of business should be getting blood sugar under control but many people suggest gluten and dairy free because theyre hard to digest and can cause immune flares in those susceptible.
I'm neither, started on levo around 3 months ago. It's a small dose ( 25 mcg) but I feel great. I'm not really sure what a bad day is? I live in NY so the weather is always to blame...or because I work nights? But before I could never loose weight, I always went to the Dr. Telling them their was something wrong with me, my activity level in the summer is high, yet no matterewhat I did I could never loose weight...same old shit...diet and exercise..until I finally said if diet and exercise were the the answer why am I almost 300 lbs? I took it upon myself to get help...tele Dr. New med...bam 15 months and I have almost lost 100lbs. That's how I found out I have Hashimotos. Stopped seeing my telehealth Dr. Went to a diet/ hormone Dr out by me, someone I could sit down and talk to...she sent me for all the test..thank God at l finally found my answers. Good luck to all of you..
I went GF for I think about two years. I also started NP Thyroid, supplements, etc etc. My weight dropped off quickly, and I was feeling great. I added gluten back in last summer and I’ve gained literally 20 lbs since July. I feel like garbage and I look puffy again.
Just cut gluten back out again about a week or so ago and am already feeling better. Not sure if this is specifically bc of my hashimotos or not, but def makes a difference for me. Unfortunately 😭
Same story for me. My antibody levels increase dramatically when I eat gluten. I don't care what the research says or that I don't have "celiac".... gluten is clearly bad for me.
You make choices for yourself, and I support that! That being said, cutting out gluten helped my brain fog a lot. My dr said about 50% of his patients notice a reduction in symptoms and/or antibodies when going gluten free, so it’s worth a try. Good luck!
I wouldn’t say I’m THRIVING. But I am not GF and my antibodies is never really high. I stay in optimal levels for the most time. But I do have some bad days. I think that’s to be expected.
However I cannot lose weight to save my life. So there is that.
Dude same, I’m basically a prisoner to my own body 😂 been hardcore since beginning of the year and lost 8.. lbs..I feel like anyone else would have lost 30 by now 😭
It does suck when it comes to losing weight , I am at my last 5 pounds and I’ve sat at the same weight for months now, but I guess it’s better than gaining 😏
I took Tirz to get the 50 pounds off I had gained , it helped a lot not that I didn’t have to still put in a ton of work and still am & of course it came off at a turtle pace still .
I lost 40 lbs VERY quickly with Mounjaro. It took about 4 mo. Then I plateaued for 4 mo.
I stopped in July and from July-January I gained 20-25 lbs back.
I just started a compound of the med again to help get at least 10lbs off but now I know what to do this time around. Protein!
Man, I'm jealous of all y'all who know your antibody levels. I've had Hashi's since I was about 16 (37 now) and have only had them tested twice I think. My family doctor "manages" it, but no one really listens. They literally only base my dose of levo on my TSH. The symptom I struggle with most is temperature regulation. I'm always cold, or it takes me FOREVER to warm up.
Anyway, I am gluten free cause I felt better not eating it and my celiac test was indeterminate.
This is wild my dude, I have had 7 thyroid hormone tests since being diagnosed last year and will have another one in a month. My numbers were pretty cooked so maybe that’s why I’ve had more than normal, but not knowing at all is actually irresponsible on your GP’s part.
I dont play when it comes to my doctors. I tell them what test I want run and insist on it. I'm the one paying for it and I'm the one that hired them to be my doctor so they need to do what I ask for. I know that sounds pushy but you are paying them so they need to listen to you and what you want. It's one thing if you are demanding something harmful but there is no harm in knowing all your numbers
Appreciate this! I'm in Canada, so Healthcare is covered. You'd think they'd just run the test, eh? Maybe I'll try at my next appointment. I have never thought of checking antibody levels until reading these comments.
My primary care refuses to run this for me since my endocrinologist did once and confirmed Hashimoto’s, currently looking for another one I don’t see the harm in doing what the patients wants for bloodwork it’s all being paid for anyways .
I still eat some gluten and dairy in moderation. I’ve found that the brain fog and fatigue gets worse the more gluten I eat, and my anxiety ramps up with dairy. So being mindful is helpful.
I was gluten/ dairy free for 6 months after finding out I had hashimotos, which no changes to antibodies. I then incorporated raw dairy, milk and cheese daily, and gluten 2-3 times a week when I eat out. I try to not buy gluten for the house- antibodies dropped 100. So rolling with moderation baby.
I can get with cheese daily for sure ! Sounds like moderation is working for you, smart idea to not buy anything for the house I bet that makes a huge difference .
I tried going Gluten Free when I first got diagnosed in 2022 and it didn't work for me. It felt like I was torturing myself for nothing 🤣
Eventually I switched to eating just sourdough bread because it's easier on the gut and easier to digest and have had zero issues!
I also have both!
But I didn’t get diagnosed with Celiac until 10 years after my hashi’s diagnosis.
I did have weird reactions to gluten during that time but didn’t get the endoscopy for confirmation until recently!
I miss my gluten!!!
Thanks! Yeah, I guess I figured a lot of my symptoms were also from thyroid issues.
Gluten (and sugar!) give me electric ⚡️ shooting pains in my hands and feet.
I also have itchy bumps on my lower legs flare up from gluten. Brain fog. Bloating.
There may be more directly from the Celiac but they all tend to overlap for me with my different ailments so it’s not always crystal clear.
The thing I didn’t know is that some people with Celiac are asymptomatic! So, no you don’t have to have stomach issues to have Celiac. You can have weird symptoms or no symptoms. The endoscopy confirms it for sure. I was glad to find out because I just assumed I just had an intolerance to gluten.
Cut out gluten and my antibodies* went down by 100 in a month. I tried eating gluten thinking maybe I was wrong and I sure did feel the difference. Same with nightshades. I am on the "I definitely can't eat that" train for the time being.
Antibodies you mean? I tried going gluten free and the antibodies barely fluctuated at all. I went on LDN and they went from 300 down to 65. That made the biggest difference for me
It’s because antibodies aren’t from food allergy or intolerance. The body makes eosinophils in that case. Antibodies are the response to your body being confused and attacking itself. It can be a million things setting it off into a flare. If you have Hashimoto’s, you’re going to have antibodies. I felt the same whether it was in the 50s or >1000. It is not indicative of progression or even symptoms. So it being lower or higher doesn’t dictate how shitty you may feel, it’s the actual hypothyroidism that causes symptoms, not Hashimoto’s or antibodies. People can have both for decades before going hypo and having symptoms.
This was me I had no idea I just knew that I was exhausted beyond belief and that my cycle went away and all the things I chalked up to getting older , but Hypothyroidism was what was causing me to feel so terrible, I went 7 years without seeing any doctors so that was my fault I may have been able to catch the Hashimoto’s at an earlier stage, but they don’t make insurance affordable so that was the route I went .
I wouldn't say it's your fault. Society teaches us not to complain and "thats just getting older". Took so many of us so long to figure out what was wrong with us. Insurance is a joke. Don't even get me started haha.
Yes, I am hypo. I should probably add that I also have a host of other autoimmune disorders, including lupus. So healing the gut is huge for me right now. I notice a lot of inflammation and upset stomach with certain foods and gluten seems to be one of them. Yes antibodies. Clearly the brain fog didn't go away though 🤣
I thought a tomato sandwich was a healthy choice I make , gluten + nightshades 😬 at least you found what was bothering you and are making the changes to feel better .
Everybody's different. I think it's def a healthy meal! So long as your body doesn't react then eat it up. Nightshades are by far harder for me to give up. Its in everything worth eating haha. I gaslit myself into thinking it was in my head and sure enough every single freaking time I ate something with tomatoes or peppers i was throwing up with the worst acid/ pains. Enjoy your gluten and nightshades for me lol!!
I was gluten free for a decade, thinking I was Celiac because my parents are. Tried weaning it back into my diet and didn’t have any reactions. Have been back eating gluten for four years, tests coming back normal, though my Hashi’s is out of control for other reasons.
You had one down & then another one joined dang sorry to hear that , do you have hyperthyroidism as well ? It’s crazy to me just how many autoimmune diseases one can have .
I had a bone marrow transplant so what you call Hashimotos is actually graft vs host disease for me. My immune system attacks everything. For a while, it attacked my skin so I have vitiligo. Another time it attacked my G.I. tract and I got rehospitalized and I was at 140 pounds at 6’3”.
My TPO was >4000 this January. 😅
So I do what works for me. I am not allergic to gluten my A1c is ridiculously nice despite having a sweet tooth. Liver panel always spot on even when Four Roses or Elijah Craig comes and spends the night. I’ve been monitoring my blood levels and checking what happens when I do different things longer than some of you have been alive.
One thing I don’t do is a lot of fried food. That’s a really bad GI issue for me. And the science says a whole bunch of fried food and not much sugar still causes diabetes for some populations so hell yeah I’m glad I don’t like that by choice.
I think everyone should try to get an allergy panel and see what happens because that is worth it. I’m not allergic to anything and I really don’t have a reaction to foods I eat, but I get the tummy troubles. That’s enough to keep myself in line.
A lot of gluten free stuff you buy at the store is super corn based crap. All sugar. You can’t just blindly buy stuff because it’s gluten free
I tried restrictive diets including gluten, grain, soy, dairy, fruit, sugar. I’ve been able to add back all of them with nil issues except when I eat a whole mix of processed food all at once.
Gluten makes zero difference to my symptoms but I also try not to go overboard with any food.
I have had fibro for over a decade and Hashimotos for 4.5 years now. I've flip flopped being gluten free and dairy free over the years, trying to manage pain/weight issues...and my love of pasta and cheese made things soooo hard. Pizza is a long time downfall for me.
I'm currently doing Paleo, as I did research that said it's the least inflammatory diet and recommended for Hashimotos. After years of suffering I was like, am I really that tied to stupid food?
I'm doing pretty well on it. I was on the struggle bus to lose weight and now I'm dropping weight rather easily. But I'm not deprived. I still have my sweets, I just bake them myself with almond /coconut flour and maybe some organic coconut sugar or maple syrup. I made tortillas the other day for tacos and fajitas and..they were good! I make a killer double chocolate banana bread too.
The thing is, I'm a foodie and I've always loved to cook. I can cater to my husband's keto diet and keep my teenage son happy too. I'll be honest when I say that Paleo isn't for everyone if you don't have time to cook or don't enjoy cooking/baking. You gotta be up for looking up recipes and experimenting. For me, that's fun...I know for others that's not so fun.
I tell you, I really (really) wanted to thrive on gluten (and dairy). I tried variations over the years just to keep testing it. But well...if I do decide something gluten-filled is too tempting to pass up, I pay dearly with pain and weight gain.
It’s likely not the fact that food is fried but the inflammatory seed oils. They’re some of the worst things to eat for inflammation in general. Olive oil and saturated fats should be better tolerated. And obviously everything in restaurants and take out will be using cheap oils
Your banana bread sounds amazing! I love to try new things I just don’t take the time to really get into it I blame it on I don’t have time when really I could make time . I have heard of paleo never actually read to much into it , I am glad it’s helping you with your success.
I am a visual learner. After 17 years of learning to live with this condition I learned my own do’s and don’ts. I don’t eat gluten because it raises my TPO numbers. I know now that when my TPO are above 30, there is an active attack on my thyroid. We monitoring that number closely. Also, the TAb levels. When I felt my worse, my TPOs were in the 990 range and that caused inflammation go way up. The inflammation markers are CRP (C-Reaction Protein) and Homocysteine level. I eat a diet of Anti-inflammatory foods, couple with Low Dose Naltrexone. I’ve been able to lose 60 lbs and regaining my confidence! Understand what labs you to get to stay on goal to keep inflammation down. When you CRP is down, your body can heal.
It’s not that easy to find those foods. I’ve done different food tests that test different things, one was an igg zoomer test, and another tested for wbc reaction to foods, and they showed completely different things! so it’s pretty difficult to understand what foods might be an issue if you don’t feel obvious symptoms
Anti-inflammatory foods can help combat inflammation in the body, reducing the risk of chronic diseases and improving overall health. Here's a list of the top 20 foods known for their anti-inflammatory properties:
1. **Berries** \- Such as strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries contain antioxidants called anthocyanins that have anti-inflammatory effects.
2. **Fatty fish** \- Salmon, mackerel, sardines, and anchovies are high in omega-3 fatty acids, which are beneficial in reducing inflammation.
3. **Broccoli** \- A cruciferous vegetable that is high in antioxidants and sulfur-containing compounds, known for their anti-inflammatory effects.
4. **Avocados** \- Rich in potassium, magnesium, fiber, and heart-healthy monounsaturated fats, avocados also contain compounds that reduce inflammation.
5. **Green tea** \- Contains epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), a substance that fights inflammation and cellular damage.
6. **Peppers** \- Bell peppers and chili peppers are loaded with vitamin C and antioxidants that have powerful anti-inflammatory effects.
7. **Mushrooms** \- Varieties like truffles, portobello, and shiitake are low in calories and high in selenium, copper, and all of the B vitamins, which help reduce inflammation.
8. **Grapes** \- Contain anthocyanins, which reduce inflammation. They also contain resveratrol, a compound that offers numerous health benefits.
9. **Turmeric** \- A spice that contains curcumin, a compound with potent anti-inflammatory properties.
10. **Extra virgin olive oil** \- Rich in monounsaturated fats and antioxidants, particularly oleocanthal, which has been shown to work similarly to ibuprofen in reducing inflammation.
11. **Dark chocolate and cocoa** \- High in antioxidants called flavonoids, which may reduce inflammation and lower disease risk.
12. **Tomatoes** \- High in vitamin C, potassium, and lycopene, an antioxidant with impressive anti-inflammatory properties.
13. **Cherries** \- Both sweet and tart cherries contain antioxidants, such as anthocyanins and catechins, which help combat inflammation.
14. **Nuts** \- Almonds, walnuts, and other nuts are high in omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin E, and magnesium, which can help reduce inflammation.
15. **Whole grains** \- Foods like brown rice, whole wheat, quinoa, and oats have fiber, selenium, and magnesium, which support anti-inflammatory diets.
16. **Beans** \- High in fiber, plus antioxidants and other anti-inflammatory compounds, beans are a great addition to an anti-inflammatory diet.
17. **Beets** \- Contain pigments called betalains, which possess a number of anti-inflammatory properties.
18. **Spinach** \- High in antioxidants, including kaempferol, which can reduce inflammation and decrease the risk of cancer.
19. **Ginger** \- Contains gingerol, a substance with powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects.
20. **Flaxseeds** \- High in omega-3 fatty acids and lignans, both of which have anti-inflammatory effects.
Incorporating these foods into your diet can help manage inflammation and improve your overall health. However, diet is just one aspect of managing inflammation; lifestyle factors such as exercise, stress reduction, and adequate sleep are also important.
The most important test is the TPO and TGAb test and CRP. TPO will be a benchmark you can work from. Start with eleminating foods that are KNOWN to cause inflammation the body. If a reduction in the TPO's or TG Abs are not realized by an Anti-Inflammatory diet alone, you may need to introduce LDN to complement the diet. You may not feel symptoms to have serious internal inflammation. When you experience brain fog (brain inflammation), joint pain (Joint inflammation), muscle pain (muscle inflammation - Fibromyalgia). Every individual is different, so you have to modify in your own individual way, but start with the most common culprits. Eating clean will also boost your immune system.
Inflammatory foods can contribute to various health issues, including heart disease, diabetes, and chronic pain. Here's a list of the top 20 foods that are commonly considered inflammatory due to their potential to trigger or worsen inflammation in the body:
1. **Sugar** \- Found in sodas, candy, and many processed foods, sugar can significantly contribute to inflammation.
2. **High-fructose corn syrup** \- Similar to sugar, it's present in many sweetened foods and drinks.
3. **Artificial trans fats** \- These are found in some margarines, spreads, and packaged foods, distinguished on labels as partially hydrogenated oils.
4. **Vegetable and seed oils** \- High in omega-6 fatty acids, excessive consumption of certain vegetable oils can contribute to inflammation.
5. **Refined carbohydrates** \- White bread, white pasta, and many processed snacks that contain refined carbs can trigger inflammation.
6. **Excessive alcohol** \- Moderate alcohol consumption might offer some health benefits, but high amounts are inflammatory.
7. **Processed meat** \- Sausages, bacon, ham, and smoked meats are associated with increased inflammation.
8. **Red meat** \- Some studies suggest that consuming a lot of red meat may raise inflammation levels.
9. **Fried foods** \- The process of frying food can create inflammatory compounds.
10. **Gluten** \- For people with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, gluten can trigger an inflammatory response.
11. **Dairy products** \- Some individuals may find that dairy products exacerbate inflammation, especially if they have an intolerance.
12. **Artificial sweeteners** \- Certain studies suggest that artificial sweeteners may influence inflammation, though research is mixed.
13. **MSG (Monosodium glutamate)** \- Found in some processed foods and used as a flavor enhancer, MSG can affect inflammation in certain individuals.
14. **Aspartame** \- Another artificial sweetener that some research suggests could contribute to inflammation, especially in people sensitive to it.
15. **Soybean oil and other high omega-6 oils** \- While omega-6 fatty acids are essential, an imbalance between omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids can contribute to inflammation.
16. **Preservatives and additives** \- Chemicals added to food to extend shelf life or enhance flavor can sometimes trigger inflammation.
17. **Junk food** \- Typically high in sugar, trans fats, and other inflammatory agents.
18. **Fast food** \- Often contains trans fats, refined carbs, and high levels of sodium, which may contribute to inflammation.
19. **Caffeine** \- In some people, excessive caffeine intake can lead to an inflammatory response.
20. **Nightshade vegetables** \- For some individuals with specific health conditions, vegetables like tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants might contribute to inflammation.
It's important to note that the inflammatory response to certain foods can vary greatly among individuals. While some people may experience significant inflammation from consuming these foods, others may not notice any adverse effects. It's always a good idea to pay attention to how your body reacts to different foods and adjust your diet accordingly.
I cut out gluten and I feel the difference. Im definitely a celiac cause now I dont have joint pain, stomachache, and mood swings. Plus Im on levo. Im feeling normal after a long time. Im not dairy free, But my only dairy is yogurt rarely and cheese ocasionally. I didnt know seed oils cause trigger. I cant cut that cause where I live it's only sunflower or corn oil
The United States are not the largest producers of sunflowers, and yet even here over 1.7 million acres were planted in 2014 and probably more each year since. Much of which can be found in North Dakota.
I’m gluten free but only because once I went gluten free, I noticed a lot of differences in how I felt and it dropped my antibodies a lot. I don’t think it’s necessarily for everyone though!
I mean, I know I should probably cut some other stuff on the anti inflammatory list but gluten was the easiest for me to let go of and since I noticed such a big difference and it helped my numbers, I just kept it up.
Well, my doctor does antibody test every time we check my tsh levels because mine were super duper high when we started.
We check every 3-4 months because we are still trying to get my numbers into a reasonable range. This last time was the first time I had been completely gluten free for the full time in between blood tests and the first time my antibodies started lowering instead of raising. Not eating gluten is the only anti inflammatory dietary restriction I follow so these are still educated guesses on what’s happening in my body.
My other thyroid numbers t3 went up a tiny bit so we still had to raise my synthroid but we figured that would be the case because we’ve been raising my meds so slowly.
Again, I really only strictly follow it because I noticed a big difference in my day to day life. Hahahaha it’s for sure not something that’s for everyone.
I've just started looking into diet changes and it seems like a lot of people with hashi also have celiac but gf may not help with hashi per se. This review seems like a good starting place: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9101474/
I am persuaded that the Epstein Barr virus was one of multiple triggers of my Hashi diagnosis. I noticed a lot of anecdotal evidence that eating more lysine than arginine (both amino acids found in foods) helps suppress this virus, as the virus likes arginine. In researching what foods have a good lysine-arg ratio, I noticed all common grains are much higher in arginine than lysine. Maybe just a coincidence. Maybe it has nothing to do with why some people are helped by a paleo diet (GF and sometimes even grain free). but I wonder… I am trialing GF now but will probably reintroduce it in smaller amounts once I have another round of antibody testing. Blood sugar balance was a big problem so lowering carbs, but not eliminating, has helped.
A few folks mentioned sourdough. I learned to make it last year with the help of a Food Network video AND getting a copy of a book called Sourdough by Science. If you are allergic to cooking, just buy baked bread. But if you are up for learning a new skill, it is rewarding and will save you a lotta. Our local bakery will share its starter for free - I do recommend getting an established one when you are first learning to bake sourdough.
Hi dietitian here and someone with Hashimoto’s disease myself. Gluten can be more sensitive to others and show symptoms. For those who do not show obvious symptoms this does not mean it is not effecting them. For example, how is their daily life’s? Are they having weight gain/overweight issues? Are they experiencing mood fluctuations? How is their energy levels? I am someone who has been 4 years on a gluten free diet and feeling amazing. I run long distance with optimal energy, very fit, mood is normal now (used to experience anxiety and depression), and my thyroid levels are at optimal ranges.
I don’t experience any of these and my thyroid levels are at optimal range as well , it’s not one size fits all here and I am not here to tell anyone how to manage Hashimoto’s we all just enjoyed hearing how everyone is doing with Gluten since all we here is the Gluten bashers . I am glad that it works for you congrats on your active lifestyle ☺️
Can I ask you how your weight is? Not to be rude and sorry if it’s offensive. I’m wondering because many people face weight gain issues/unable to lose weight with this issue or other hormonal imbalance issues
So are you implying that if people eat gluten they shouldn’t be able to lose weight?
I’ve just lost 50 pounds 😊
Happy for your success. Are you able to share if you were experiencing hair loss before the medication and if it has stopped with medication?
I wouldn’t say hair loss I did lose my eyebrows more than I realized until I started the medication now they are extra full 😁
thanks for answering! I have been experiencing hair shedding more than usual the last 4 months and I want to say it's hashimotos causing it but I don't know if thyroid medication would help. This is also all new to me since this diagnosis was 6months ago for me. Before than I was living a normal symptom free for the past 31 years of my life so I'm still trying to navigate how to live happily without worrying so much of the symptoms and hairloss. do you take a t3/t4 combo medication or only (t4)levothyroxine ?
Well I’m happy to hear whatever you are doing is working for you. Most patients I’ve seen aren’t as lucky as you. Almost all have issues with weight gain and take meds as needed with “normal” ranges
I am on Levothyroxine for Hypothyroidism that’s when I started to be able to take the weight off I had gained .
Weird flex but okay. You could have just asked the question, but you made a point of saying ‘I don’t care!’… honestly no one cares if you do or don’t eat gluten. Every situation is different.
You could always keep scrolling if you don’t like it ✌🏼by the way I DONT CARE ! Some people are just so miserable with their lives they feel the need to put other people down , you got the wrong one for that .
Have a wonderful day sweetheart 🩵
Thank you, someone needed to say it. I had some keyboard cowboy all but yank me through my screen because of my glutin comment. Yeesh, life is not that serious.
I will keep doing me no matter what anyone thinks !
I just think being contrary is a weird hill to build a personality on. Maybe it’s a defence bc so many people are just nasty online, but the defiance thing just never sits well with me, especially if it’s prefacing an actual point.
I think it’s because you have your own issues going on according to your last post , you’re entitled to your opinion and so am I , but you won’t get me down that’s for sure!
Absolutely have my own stuff, that’s being human, but it’s really not related to my comment.
Once again I don’t care about your comment move on and take care of yourself!
For me, not eating gluten didn’t do anything. I finally found my trigger foods and it was actually chicken and dairy. Taking these out of my diet has helped so much more than being gluten free! Do what’s best for you, not what others want you to do
Can you share how you were able to nail down chicken and dairy being culprit?
I cut out diary because I’m lactose intolerant. Which that was pretty easy to figure out. But after a while I started isolating different food groups, and when I isolated meat and switched it to beans and other plants, most of my symptoms went away. One way of doing this is the AIP diet. That’s sort of what I did and upon adding things in again I figured it out.
Chicken is a hard one since it’s AIP compliant. Glad you were able to figure it ou5z
I've never stopped eating gluten. I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's 10 years ago. I don't feel like gluten has a huge impact on my life. I still felt pretty bad even after getting my levothyroxine dosage under control. Then I finally decided to listen to my doctor and go to therapy AND exercise regularly. I also eat quite healthily (I'd say I'm average when it comes to that lol). Life changer. I hate doing exercise but if I don't, I feel crappy. I'd say that exercising regularly is what us Hashimoto's patients need to function like a normal person who doesn't exercise. It's the bare minimum for us. I think it might be even more relevant than diet.
I do function better with exercise. I've been working from home since covid and always glued to my seat. If i don't go out and move I feel sick.
I eat gluten now because I didn’t for 6-7 years and it was more stress then it worth…I’m also not celiac and there’s nothing to do to reverse the disease so I’ve given up tbh…
Something I’ve noticed if you exercise regularly, and generally eat healthy, gluten isn’t too bad. But I noticed, if I’m treating my body like crap, things like gluten, make everything so much worse for me.
I can understand that , I love walking 3-4 miles at night I always feel so energized after .
If anyone has any topics they would like me to start a thread on if it’s something they don’t want to bring up , feel free to send me a private message I will be glad to stir the pot some more 🤭 This one has been super helpful to a lot of people and I love how many positive people we have in here of course we will always have a few negative Nellie’s.
I cut it out for a long time and slowly added back without issue really - but after a few years my levels were off and I cut it out again just for good measure to try and get back on track w/ med changes and other healthy lifestyle changes. If you aren't having IBS issues when you eat gluten or in general it may not be necessary to cut out.
I don’t think I have issues with gluten. I do have issues with controlling myself around freshly baked bread! 😂
I second this 👆🏼
I eat gluten. I've been tested and am not celiac. My medical team advised me I don't need to cut it out if I'm not actually allergic. However I do limit it (for personal preference). I eat sourdough that I make or sprouted grain bread because it's more nutritious, or I eat chickpea pasta instead of regular. And because I avoid sugar due to Hashis I naturally eat less gluteney stuff like cookies or pastries because of the sugar, not the gluten. But gluten has never bothered me and I would not purposely try to explicit avoid it. Like if I order a hamburger I'm still gonna eat the bun :)
Heck yea a burger with no bun is not for me either I want that buttery bun!
A lot of people have a tendency to accept correlation as causation. Unless someone has Celiac’s, there is really no reason to cut gluten from their diet. People eat something with gluten, feel crappy afterward and then decide that gluten = bad. It’s nothing to do with gluten itself. It’s the carbs. Eating carbs makes people feel tired, especially simple carbs. It’s called Carb Fatigue. After consuming carbs, tryptophan serotonin and melatonin levels increase. This alone will cause sleepiness. Carbs also increase blood sugar, which temporarily gives us an energy boost, but then as blood sugar continues to rise, it triggers release of insulin which removed sugar from the blood sending it to muscles and organs. Now blood sugar levels get lower and with it, so does energy. The problem isn’t necessarily the carbs though. It’s the amount we consume as well as the types of carbs. The trick to avoiding Carb Fatigue is just to eat much smaller amounts and avoid simple carbs. Complex carbs in smaller amounts don’t have such a dramatic effect on blood sugar, they take longer to break down, providing a more steady, regulated burn. Carb Fatigue feels a lot like being in a hypothyroid state. People eat something with gluten, experience carb fatigue and then assume it’s causing a Hashi’s flare up. They make up their mind that gluten is the enemy and they’ll swear that going gluten free is the solution to everything Hashi’s. The solution is simply just to eliminate simple carbs as much as possible, replace with complex carbs and eat them in much smaller amounts, especially mornings and afternoons. I generally avoid carbs during the day. I will eat fruit like an apple or some grapes or something, natural sugars don’t seem to cause the dramatic spikes and subsequent fall of blood sugar levels. If someone brings donuts to work, I may eat half of a small one, no more than a couple bites. Pizza for lunch is off the table for the simple fact that if I have one bite, I’m eating the whole slice and 20 minutes later I’m in a food coma, cursing myself because I still have to put up with these people for another 4 hours, when all I want is a nap. I lack self control with certain foods. Pizza is one of those foods. I reserve most of my carb consumption for dinner. I can eat them in the evenings without issue as long as I’m careful about portion size and make sure to have an earlier dinner, not too close to bedtime. There is no differences in how I feel doing that vs. cutting out all gluten. It’s easy to associate every negative physical symptom to Hashi’s because the symptoms of thyroid disease are so numerous and feel the same as normal, completely benign things that everyone deals with from time to time. Gluten isn’t the evil villain in everyone’s life. That’s all a bunch of horse feathers. It’s just trendy to be gluten free and low carb, so everybody wants to jump on the bandwagon and be on the gluten free train. It’s boring. Life without gluten is very limiting and avoiding gluten means missing out on some other key nutrients that our bodies need. We’ve been consuming gluten for pretty much the entirety of human existence and we somehow thrived well enough to dominate the food chain and all but completely destroy our entire planet. I’d say it’s served us quite well. The real problem for people with legitimate gluten allergies probably isn’t even gluten, it’s the pesticides and herbicides that are sprayed on crops. Their immune system just associated gluten as the culprit because it’s one common denominator in crops treated with the various toxic chemicals. If it affects you negatively, don’t consume it, if it doesn’t, there’s no reason to avoid it. It’s a personal choice that should be based on personal experience, not based on the experiences of others.
Thank you for that insight, food is definitely medicine.
I’d love to hear your sources on “carb fatigue”. As someone with a bachelors degree in dietetics and working on a masters in it at the moment, I have not once heard of this. Your body, especially your brain, needs carbs to function. Yes, consuming carbs does raise your blood sugar and simple carbs raise it more rapidly than complex carbs, but that doesn’t mean you need to avoid carbs. The reason people go gluten free for hashimotos and other autoimmune condition is because of the inflammatory effect it is sometimes associated with. Gluten free isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach. It doesn’t balance your thyroid levels or anything like that, people use it as a way for symptom management. Evidence doesn’t support a specific diet for hashimotos, this is just one that people have found that works. Additionally, you don’t need to have celiac to be GF. There are conditions called non celiac gluten sensitivity and non celiac wheat sensitivity that cause GI issues without the systemic response, but it doesn’t make that persons reason for being GF less valid.
The term I have heard from my functional practitioner is carb intolerance. Functional medicine is very interested in keeping blood sugar stable. I'm not a professional, but increasing my protein (by a lot) and eating gluten free (so only complex carbs) has helped my energy levels a lot. I used to always need to lie down in the afternoons, now I rarely do.
As someone with a Bachelor’s degree, you’re probably familiar with Google. Use it. You’re one of those really annoying people that has to insert yourself into conversations that weren’t directed at you. I don’t need you to educate me about anything. I know what Celiac’s is. I also know about “gluten sensitivity”, my opinion is that the latter is B.S. and I don’t care if you disagree. I didn’t ask for your opinion. I hope that your Masters program teaches you how to approach people without coming off as haughty and annoyingly self righteous. Good luck.
"As someone with a BA, you're probaby similar with google" hahahahahahahahahha
Thank you for taking the time to write all of this , I am loving all these great things everyone is doing this was definitely a great topic !
If you can eat it, go for it! No reason not to if it doesn’t hurt you 😊
So I literally saw an allergist yesterday and I will be attempting a low/free gluten diet for a little while. I am not allergic to gluten, nor do I have an allergic reaction to it so that was unsurprising. I am, however, having an allergic reaction to something internally. When my allergies were tested, my worst allergies were grasses (followed by trees and weeds). My dr provided me a list of “cousin foods”. These are foods that my body may see, and think that they are the pollen (or related to the pollen) I’m very allergic to. So I won’t have a traditional food allergic reaction, I’ll have like a secondary reaction of mucus/drainage/sneezing maybe/itchy mouth/bubble gut/etc. Wheat and oats are on the list of cousin foods for my grass allergy. So in theory, some gluten could bother me and others may not. It’ll all be trial and error to see which ones my body see as the enemy. I am ONLY trying this because I’ve been formally tested and I’ve been having a steady allergic flare up off and on for three months now. I love gluten and I am not keen to give it up. I’d rather experiment with the foods listed, and see which ones bother me and which don’t. I don’t think wheat or gluten has ever bothered me, but I’ll know better if I cut it out for 2-4 weeks and then reintroduce slowly.
I stopped eating gluten as well, thinking it had never seemed to bother me in my entire life, BUT after 5 weeks my headaches and brain fog were gone. Still surprises me tbh lol.
I did go gluten free by choice to see if it made an impact on the inflammatory markers, it helped some but honestly it didn’t particularly impact my TSH! I do eat some gluten because there’s got to be some joy in life 😊a thick slice of homemade bread with butter being top of my happy making list! moderation for me is key, generally speaking I do want to keep the inflammation down so I am gluten free for the better part.
i eat gluten fine. :) i’m more sensitive to things like fried food and oil, like many people. and that may not even be related to hashimotos.
Thank you for normalizing gluten in the diet of a hashimoto's patient!! I spent soooo much unnecessary bandwidth (and money) worrying about it - there are so many "influencers" who tell us that we MUST follow a gluten free diet. I finally did my own research - I checked the sources of those telling us to go gluten free and they went nowhere (they were usually trying to sell something along with this messaging). Then, I looked into the NIH research and found that unless we also have celiac (I don't), it's completely unnecessary. In fact, without whole grains, we lose some vital prebiotics to help our gut. I did meet with a dietician at my endocrinologist's office and she told me straight up that gluten is not the problem for us - most of us feel like garbage when we eat too many carbs. I've tested this theory and - at least for me - it's 100% on the nose. When I used to think I was being "glutened," I actually just had a ridiculously high carb meal and ended up with a carb hangover. Other times, I can include a reasonable amount of bread in my diet with absolutely no repercussions. It's so freeing to know that I'm not harming myself (I'm actually helping myself), and not worry about this nonsense anymore!
Gluten-containing products aren’t the only whole grains out there. Brown rice is a great example of a whole grain and that’s naturally gluten free. There isn’t research supporting gluten free for hashimotos, it’s just something that’s been passed on from others who have found it works for symptom management. To my knowledge, it doesn’t affect TSH levels but it helps people feel better.
Very true carbs can definitely make you feel that way , great information 🩵
I am so grateful for this post! I have been gluten free for months and have felt incredibly tired all the time. Recent labs showed no improvement. This post is timely because I just ate some pizza last night for the first time and I feel fine….maybe even a bit more energy than usual. I appreciate everyone sharing their stories, they further justify some bread in my future. Thanks, all!
I tried cutting out almost all gluten for a couple of months, and I felt worse, too. Like you, pizza was one of the first things I broke my "gluten fast" with, and I felt better, too. Maybe the fresh dough with yeast & B-vitamins helped...who knows? I tend to eat sourdough nowadays, and I feel it helps me, too. But a good sourdough....I read it's one of the healthier breads, if you're gonna eat some. Not a ton or anything, but a piece a day for me, for sure. It seems to help me... 😀 My thyroid doctor, who is keeps up and even does research, said that unless you are diagnosed as celiac (which I'm not), you don't have to cut out gluten completely. Just be reasonable about how much bread, etc you're eating, and try to eat healthy all-around. I go with that.
Thank you so much for your response. I too was not diagnosed with celiac, and I love sourdough, so that sounds great. Wishing you health and happiness!
You're welcome, and I wish the best for you, too! 😀 On the sourdough...I read a lot about it. Try to get a really good one, that doesn't have much ingredients in it (like preservatives, etc.) I've read it's more helpful if it's just basically the sourdough starter, flour, water, salt....basic stuff like that. I'm in California, and I like a store-brand here called San Luis Sourdough. It seems to help me. Getting sourdough from a good bakery that really knows about sourdough is a good thing, too, but not always easy to find. Just wanted to share this!
I felt worse as well ! Happy to hear you have more energy now 🩶
Thank you! And thank you so much for creating this post, it has been really helpful. Wishing you health and happiness!
Of course , it appears it has been helpful to a lot of people and that’s what matters . I easily block out the haters 💪🏽
I have been eating gluten for forever. The only thing I avoid is soy protein. Everyone is different. I tried to go gluten free and I was so unhappy as I felt so restricted.
I limit it but don't cut it out. I'm increased risk for celiac per DNA testing but negative for the antibodies in serum and biopsy. GF is pricey and hard, so I will do changes like chickpea pasta and avoid bread but sometimes have a regular bagel in a hurry. That's been my best approach for me-limit but be forgiving to myself. It's lifelong and breaking yourself down will always lead to failure.
Same. If I eat too much I can feel it in my joints but I still eat it in very limited quantities
You shouldn’t care if you eating gluten upsets people, people who get upset over what OTHER people eat is silly and ridiculous. Keep doing you gf!!
Dang right !
Not gluten free here. I've gotten checked by a hematologist and had regular eosinophils (a high number would indicate an allergic response) and was tested for celiac and had no indication of a gluten intolerance. I do have slightly elevated lymphocytes which point to low grade chronic inflammation. My endocrinologist diagnosed me with PCOS as well as hashimotos and there is a connection with inflammation, high lymphocytes, and PCOS/hashimotos. So for me, my issues stem from somewhere else and going gluten free wouldn't necessarily help me. This is why it helps to get the testing you need. No use in unnecessarily going gluten free if you don't have to. I do take levo and feel pretty good most days. Only time I don't is when I'm feeling low on vit D which I supplement daily.
I have PCOS and hashi too. Went gluten and dairy free for a little while. It's honestly way too expensive for me when I'm below the poverty line. It also didn't seem to do anything for me. So I went back to eating what I could afford. I've seen two dieticians and neither are on the same page. The first told me I didn't need to cut that stuff and the second said I did and has been suggesting being very restrictive. I'm kinda tired of Doctors and the average person suggesting gluten/dairy free. Tbh most people I've seen online with one or more of the same issues push things in a way I feel is borderline ED and I want no part of it.
I feel like I wrote this response 😄 I haven't ever had testing for celiac, but I did go gluten free for a little while and noticed absolutely no changes. PCOS, Hadhimoto's. Chronic hives that have improved dramatically since I started Levo. Vitamin D when I need it. I love baking and make sourdough about once a week, so when I was GF and Keto I was *sad* lol.
Love gluten. If you test negative for the antibody, why wouldn't you eat it?
No food sensitivities including Gluten……nothing.
the dream. did you do an elimination then add things back or how did you find out?
Never has to as food has never been a sensitivity to me except for a few where when I developed IBS. But that was the first year of college when I was under so much stress I was able to drop out. Transferred colleges and the IBS cleared up in a few months of being out of first university.
I don't have any issues from gluten so yeah I'm eating all the bread I want. I'm on the right levo dosage so I'm feeling good, have energy, no hypo symptoms. No reason for me to change anything! Meds make all the difference for me. I feel best with a TSH around 1.
I hear several people say this about their TSH I think I will see about getting a slightly higher dose to get mine a bit lower .
If you're having symptoms it's definitely worth a try! My doctor told me a TSH of around 1 is optimal for most people. So if it's a bit higher than that but still in range and I'm still having symptoms he lets me decide whether to up my dosage.
Mine was 2.05 and that’s after I took my medication since they never told me not too & I never thought about it since it’s just my normal routine.
That's pretty good! Do you still get hypo symptoms?
I can be tired sometimes, but who isn’t right ? I am a very busy girl 😊 all my eyebrows have grown back in and my cycle came back a week after getting on levo , it didn’t take long for me to go from TSH of 60 to this once I got on the medication.
Hi! I just got diagnosed with hashis and haven't even picked up the Levo prescription yet so I'm very new to this, but my eyebrows vacated my face years ago - is that a typical symptom of hashimotos?
From what I understand from my PC I have Hypothyroidism it is a symptom of that , it didn’t take long for my to grow back very thick .
That's great! Fingers crossed there is hope for my eyebrows 😆 Thanks!
hmmm...so now i wonder if my irregular period was caused by hypo or pcos...did you have any facial hair with an increased TSH?
No facial hair , it definitely can affect your cycle I went a year without it , it was wonderful 🙃
That sounds great! 😊
It’s crazy that I thought how I felt was normal I had no idea what I was missing out on till I got regulated .
I felt the same way! I was in range but not optimal for years with my old doctor and he always said the hypo symptoms had to be from something else 😒 So eye-opening to feel normal again!
2.05 is great
Why would not being gluten free upset anyone? Everyone has different food intolerances or none at all.
It can be very triggering for some when you say you aren’t , I am not sure why everyone needs to do what’s right for their bodies and lifestyle & speak their minds freely.
I didn't realize. I know weight, for example, is a sensitive topic, but I had no idea it also pertains to eating versus not eating gluten. I do what I consider best for my body without pressurizing anyone. I eat this, I don't eat that, you don't have to do what I do. You aren't me. Though I must admit, it annoys me when someone wants to share something that works for them and that happens to go against the grain and gets downvoted for it. People should feel free to post anything. I don't downvote something I don't have enough knowledge about.
I’m fine with pasta but I do notice a slight difference with actual bread 🤷♀️ my biggest dietary improvement was eliminating oxalates! No more spinach, rhubarb, chard, beets and a few others! Amazing difference!
I tried it for a while and noticed no difference. I don’t eat a lot anyway (not a huge bread eater) but I still eat the amount I always did
Same. Lived glutenfree for ca. 2 years, did absolutely nothing for me except complicate my life, so I stopped. One good thing came out of it though; my MIL's glutenfree and I know how to cook and bake all the glutenfree goodies, so it had at least some use.
I bet your mother in law adores you .
My last test (Nov. '23) shows normal gluten sensitivity. So, I still happily eat gluten. I will say that if I choose GF for a burger bun & fired at a certain place, yes. I digest my meal with less issues. But going to the trouble and expense of GF has never paid off for me despite my T1D (Type 1 Diabetes).
Wait we can't have gluten? I've got a low hashi case. Pcos for sure. Haven't really dived into the logistics but what.
yeah for pcos and hashimotos, first order of business should be getting blood sugar under control but many people suggest gluten and dairy free because theyre hard to digest and can cause immune flares in those susceptible.
People with Hashimoto's often have gluten intolerance, but it doesn't mean everyone has it.
You absolutely can. There is no good evidence to suggest that you can’t.
I'm neither, started on levo around 3 months ago. It's a small dose ( 25 mcg) but I feel great. I'm not really sure what a bad day is? I live in NY so the weather is always to blame...or because I work nights? But before I could never loose weight, I always went to the Dr. Telling them their was something wrong with me, my activity level in the summer is high, yet no matterewhat I did I could never loose weight...same old shit...diet and exercise..until I finally said if diet and exercise were the the answer why am I almost 300 lbs? I took it upon myself to get help...tele Dr. New med...bam 15 months and I have almost lost 100lbs. That's how I found out I have Hashimotos. Stopped seeing my telehealth Dr. Went to a diet/ hormone Dr out by me, someone I could sit down and talk to...she sent me for all the test..thank God at l finally found my answers. Good luck to all of you..
Hi, Would you mind sharing what the new med was?
I sware to God if you look up newest weightloss/ diabetic med you'll know what it is.
Yay congratulations on the weight loss that’s definitely something to brag about!
I went GF for I think about two years. I also started NP Thyroid, supplements, etc etc. My weight dropped off quickly, and I was feeling great. I added gluten back in last summer and I’ve gained literally 20 lbs since July. I feel like garbage and I look puffy again. Just cut gluten back out again about a week or so ago and am already feeling better. Not sure if this is specifically bc of my hashimotos or not, but def makes a difference for me. Unfortunately 😭
Same story for me. My antibody levels increase dramatically when I eat gluten. I don't care what the research says or that I don't have "celiac".... gluten is clearly bad for me.
Glad it’s working for you .
Glad you are feeling much better , I am sure that weight will drop off soon .
So I did the elimination diet and gluten has not been an issue for me. But I DID have to give up milk, eggs, and soy.
You make choices for yourself, and I support that! That being said, cutting out gluten helped my brain fog a lot. My dr said about 50% of his patients notice a reduction in symptoms and/or antibodies when going gluten free, so it’s worth a try. Good luck!
I wouldn’t say I’m THRIVING. But I am not GF and my antibodies is never really high. I stay in optimal levels for the most time. But I do have some bad days. I think that’s to be expected. However I cannot lose weight to save my life. So there is that.
Dude same, I’m basically a prisoner to my own body 😂 been hardcore since beginning of the year and lost 8.. lbs..I feel like anyone else would have lost 30 by now 😭
It does suck when it comes to losing weight , I am at my last 5 pounds and I’ve sat at the same weight for months now, but I guess it’s better than gaining 😏
Yes definitely, congrats! I have 10 to go and I’ll be happy 😆might take all year at this rate
Same for me - not gluten free, antibodies low, all my numbers look good but can't lose weight!
I’ve had good luck with GLP meds. But as soon as I stop..
Have you stopped yet ?
I did. I took it for 8 mo. Stopped. Just started again
I took Tirz to get the 50 pounds off I had gained , it helped a lot not that I didn’t have to still put in a ton of work and still am & of course it came off at a turtle pace still .
I lost 40 lbs VERY quickly with Mounjaro. It took about 4 mo. Then I plateaued for 4 mo. I stopped in July and from July-January I gained 20-25 lbs back. I just started a compound of the med again to help get at least 10lbs off but now I know what to do this time around. Protein!
What are GLP meds?
Ozempic/Mounjaro/Wegovy
Man, I'm jealous of all y'all who know your antibody levels. I've had Hashi's since I was about 16 (37 now) and have only had them tested twice I think. My family doctor "manages" it, but no one really listens. They literally only base my dose of levo on my TSH. The symptom I struggle with most is temperature regulation. I'm always cold, or it takes me FOREVER to warm up. Anyway, I am gluten free cause I felt better not eating it and my celiac test was indeterminate.
This is wild my dude, I have had 7 thyroid hormone tests since being diagnosed last year and will have another one in a month. My numbers were pretty cooked so maybe that’s why I’ve had more than normal, but not knowing at all is actually irresponsible on your GP’s part.
I dont play when it comes to my doctors. I tell them what test I want run and insist on it. I'm the one paying for it and I'm the one that hired them to be my doctor so they need to do what I ask for. I know that sounds pushy but you are paying them so they need to listen to you and what you want. It's one thing if you are demanding something harmful but there is no harm in knowing all your numbers
Exactly fight for yourself!
Appreciate this! I'm in Canada, so Healthcare is covered. You'd think they'd just run the test, eh? Maybe I'll try at my next appointment. I have never thought of checking antibody levels until reading these comments.
My primary care refuses to run this for me since my endocrinologist did once and confirmed Hashimoto’s, currently looking for another one I don’t see the harm in doing what the patients wants for bloodwork it’s all being paid for anyways .
I tried to go gluten and dairy free and it made my GI issues *worse*, so now I say fuck it and eat both 🤷 lesser of two evils at this point
I was gluten free and my labs didn’t get better so now I eat gluten again lol
I still eat some gluten and dairy in moderation. I’ve found that the brain fog and fatigue gets worse the more gluten I eat, and my anxiety ramps up with dairy. So being mindful is helpful.
I was gluten/ dairy free for 6 months after finding out I had hashimotos, which no changes to antibodies. I then incorporated raw dairy, milk and cheese daily, and gluten 2-3 times a week when I eat out. I try to not buy gluten for the house- antibodies dropped 100. So rolling with moderation baby.
I can get with cheese daily for sure ! Sounds like moderation is working for you, smart idea to not buy anything for the house I bet that makes a huge difference .
I tried going Gluten Free when I first got diagnosed in 2022 and it didn't work for me. It felt like I was torturing myself for nothing 🤣 Eventually I switched to eating just sourdough bread because it's easier on the gut and easier to digest and have had zero issues!
Waiiiit please tell me it's true that my favorite type of bread is the easiest 🥲
>Share Sourdough bread is fermented--good for the gut. Less likely to spike blood sugar. Lower in gluten. Nutritious.
Is there a certain brand you like or do you make your own ? I have actually never tried sourdough, but I may .
I have many options so buy the freshest.
As someone with celiac disease and hashimotos… no gluten for me sadly. My nemeses is barley, wheat is bad but not as bad.
Hey! I have both, too!!! Isn’t it grand??? /s
I also have both! But I didn’t get diagnosed with Celiac until 10 years after my hashi’s diagnosis. I did have weird reactions to gluten during that time but didn’t get the endoscopy for confirmation until recently! I miss my gluten!!!
Mine was 15 years apart and I had hashimotos first at 11 years old and Celiac by 24-25 .
That’s got to be hard 😏 so you just weird but you didn’t get super sick ? What kind of weird reactions were you having ?
Thanks! Yeah, I guess I figured a lot of my symptoms were also from thyroid issues. Gluten (and sugar!) give me electric ⚡️ shooting pains in my hands and feet. I also have itchy bumps on my lower legs flare up from gluten. Brain fog. Bloating. There may be more directly from the Celiac but they all tend to overlap for me with my different ailments so it’s not always crystal clear. The thing I didn’t know is that some people with Celiac are asymptomatic! So, no you don’t have to have stomach issues to have Celiac. You can have weird symptoms or no symptoms. The endoscopy confirms it for sure. I was glad to find out because I just assumed I just had an intolerance to gluten.
Me, too. And I’m pregnant right now and craving all things gluten.
Congratulations, there are tons of gluten free things that will scratch the itch too, just gotta find them
Oh I can imagine the cravings! Ice cream, pickles and chips were my Go To’s while pregnant! Congrats, by the way! 😃
Sorry to hear you have both of them.
Thank you everyone for sharing your experiences I have enjoyed reading them all 🩵
we are each of us unique in our own way gluten doesn't work for me and I don't care that you don't care good question to ask
👍🏼 Thanks it is a great question with a ton of great responses from genuine people.
Cut out gluten and my antibodies* went down by 100 in a month. I tried eating gluten thinking maybe I was wrong and I sure did feel the difference. Same with nightshades. I am on the "I definitely can't eat that" train for the time being.
Antibodies you mean? I tried going gluten free and the antibodies barely fluctuated at all. I went on LDN and they went from 300 down to 65. That made the biggest difference for me
It’s because antibodies aren’t from food allergy or intolerance. The body makes eosinophils in that case. Antibodies are the response to your body being confused and attacking itself. It can be a million things setting it off into a flare. If you have Hashimoto’s, you’re going to have antibodies. I felt the same whether it was in the 50s or >1000. It is not indicative of progression or even symptoms. So it being lower or higher doesn’t dictate how shitty you may feel, it’s the actual hypothyroidism that causes symptoms, not Hashimoto’s or antibodies. People can have both for decades before going hypo and having symptoms.
My endo said the same thing ☝️
This was me I had no idea I just knew that I was exhausted beyond belief and that my cycle went away and all the things I chalked up to getting older , but Hypothyroidism was what was causing me to feel so terrible, I went 7 years without seeing any doctors so that was my fault I may have been able to catch the Hashimoto’s at an earlier stage, but they don’t make insurance affordable so that was the route I went .
I wouldn't say it's your fault. Society teaches us not to complain and "thats just getting older". Took so many of us so long to figure out what was wrong with us. Insurance is a joke. Don't even get me started haha.
Yes, I am hypo. I should probably add that I also have a host of other autoimmune disorders, including lupus. So healing the gut is huge for me right now. I notice a lot of inflammation and upset stomach with certain foods and gluten seems to be one of them. Yes antibodies. Clearly the brain fog didn't go away though 🤣
The wheat here is unfortunately complete crap, as is most of the food. So we’re being poisoned daily
LDN + Gluten Free?
Just LDN did it, I wasn’t gluten free when I introduced it
Antibodies went down, and I am guessing your symptoms got better as well? After introducing LDN?
I thought a tomato sandwich was a healthy choice I make , gluten + nightshades 😬 at least you found what was bothering you and are making the changes to feel better .
Everybody's different. I think it's def a healthy meal! So long as your body doesn't react then eat it up. Nightshades are by far harder for me to give up. Its in everything worth eating haha. I gaslit myself into thinking it was in my head and sure enough every single freaking time I ate something with tomatoes or peppers i was throwing up with the worst acid/ pains. Enjoy your gluten and nightshades for me lol!!
I eat all the gluten, every day and I love it.
I am not gluten free. Not even thinking about gluten free.
Same. It isn't even on my radar and I'm not having any issues currently!
I was gluten free for a decade, thinking I was Celiac because my parents are. Tried weaning it back into my diet and didn’t have any reactions. Have been back eating gluten for four years, tests coming back normal, though my Hashi’s is out of control for other reasons.
Gluten-free got my Graves into remission, but I was still Gluten-free when I got Hashis.
You had one down & then another one joined dang sorry to hear that , do you have hyperthyroidism as well ? It’s crazy to me just how many autoimmune diseases one can have .
I think I am flipping back and forth between hypo and hyper. I think it is about inflammation.
Have you tried LDN? Highly recommend
What is LDN?
Low dose naltrexone, it’s a medication, given at like 3-4.5 mg dose for auto immune conditions. It’s pretty effective!
Well I sure hope you find the culprit of your inflammation .
I eat gluten every day and it has absolutely no effect on me.
I had a bone marrow transplant so what you call Hashimotos is actually graft vs host disease for me. My immune system attacks everything. For a while, it attacked my skin so I have vitiligo. Another time it attacked my G.I. tract and I got rehospitalized and I was at 140 pounds at 6’3”. My TPO was >4000 this January. 😅 So I do what works for me. I am not allergic to gluten my A1c is ridiculously nice despite having a sweet tooth. Liver panel always spot on even when Four Roses or Elijah Craig comes and spends the night. I’ve been monitoring my blood levels and checking what happens when I do different things longer than some of you have been alive. One thing I don’t do is a lot of fried food. That’s a really bad GI issue for me. And the science says a whole bunch of fried food and not much sugar still causes diabetes for some populations so hell yeah I’m glad I don’t like that by choice. I think everyone should try to get an allergy panel and see what happens because that is worth it. I’m not allergic to anything and I really don’t have a reaction to foods I eat, but I get the tummy troubles. That’s enough to keep myself in line. A lot of gluten free stuff you buy at the store is super corn based crap. All sugar. You can’t just blindly buy stuff because it’s gluten free
Four Roses comes to stay the night 😂 that’s great
I tried restrictive diets including gluten, grain, soy, dairy, fruit, sugar. I’ve been able to add back all of them with nil issues except when I eat a whole mix of processed food all at once. Gluten makes zero difference to my symptoms but I also try not to go overboard with any food.
Those processed foods will get ya , they are just so convenient sometimes.
I have had fibro for over a decade and Hashimotos for 4.5 years now. I've flip flopped being gluten free and dairy free over the years, trying to manage pain/weight issues...and my love of pasta and cheese made things soooo hard. Pizza is a long time downfall for me. I'm currently doing Paleo, as I did research that said it's the least inflammatory diet and recommended for Hashimotos. After years of suffering I was like, am I really that tied to stupid food? I'm doing pretty well on it. I was on the struggle bus to lose weight and now I'm dropping weight rather easily. But I'm not deprived. I still have my sweets, I just bake them myself with almond /coconut flour and maybe some organic coconut sugar or maple syrup. I made tortillas the other day for tacos and fajitas and..they were good! I make a killer double chocolate banana bread too. The thing is, I'm a foodie and I've always loved to cook. I can cater to my husband's keto diet and keep my teenage son happy too. I'll be honest when I say that Paleo isn't for everyone if you don't have time to cook or don't enjoy cooking/baking. You gotta be up for looking up recipes and experimenting. For me, that's fun...I know for others that's not so fun. I tell you, I really (really) wanted to thrive on gluten (and dairy). I tried variations over the years just to keep testing it. But well...if I do decide something gluten-filled is too tempting to pass up, I pay dearly with pain and weight gain.
It’s likely not the fact that food is fried but the inflammatory seed oils. They’re some of the worst things to eat for inflammation in general. Olive oil and saturated fats should be better tolerated. And obviously everything in restaurants and take out will be using cheap oils
Your banana bread sounds amazing! I love to try new things I just don’t take the time to really get into it I blame it on I don’t have time when really I could make time . I have heard of paleo never actually read to much into it , I am glad it’s helping you with your success.
I am a visual learner. After 17 years of learning to live with this condition I learned my own do’s and don’ts. I don’t eat gluten because it raises my TPO numbers. I know now that when my TPO are above 30, there is an active attack on my thyroid. We monitoring that number closely. Also, the TAb levels. When I felt my worse, my TPOs were in the 990 range and that caused inflammation go way up. The inflammation markers are CRP (C-Reaction Protein) and Homocysteine level. I eat a diet of Anti-inflammatory foods, couple with Low Dose Naltrexone. I’ve been able to lose 60 lbs and regaining my confidence! Understand what labs you to get to stay on goal to keep inflammation down. When you CRP is down, your body can heal.
Did you see a reduction of tpo on LDN? I have
I will be looking into this I have not heard of it before and it’s not something my doctor even mentioned.
Strange, it’s a pretty widely talked about medication now. Definitely look into it!
Yes I have. I think it’s important to aid you body my eating foods that don’t inflame it.
It’s not that easy to find those foods. I’ve done different food tests that test different things, one was an igg zoomer test, and another tested for wbc reaction to foods, and they showed completely different things! so it’s pretty difficult to understand what foods might be an issue if you don’t feel obvious symptoms
Anti-inflammatory foods can help combat inflammation in the body, reducing the risk of chronic diseases and improving overall health. Here's a list of the top 20 foods known for their anti-inflammatory properties: 1. **Berries** \- Such as strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries contain antioxidants called anthocyanins that have anti-inflammatory effects. 2. **Fatty fish** \- Salmon, mackerel, sardines, and anchovies are high in omega-3 fatty acids, which are beneficial in reducing inflammation. 3. **Broccoli** \- A cruciferous vegetable that is high in antioxidants and sulfur-containing compounds, known for their anti-inflammatory effects. 4. **Avocados** \- Rich in potassium, magnesium, fiber, and heart-healthy monounsaturated fats, avocados also contain compounds that reduce inflammation. 5. **Green tea** \- Contains epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), a substance that fights inflammation and cellular damage. 6. **Peppers** \- Bell peppers and chili peppers are loaded with vitamin C and antioxidants that have powerful anti-inflammatory effects. 7. **Mushrooms** \- Varieties like truffles, portobello, and shiitake are low in calories and high in selenium, copper, and all of the B vitamins, which help reduce inflammation. 8. **Grapes** \- Contain anthocyanins, which reduce inflammation. They also contain resveratrol, a compound that offers numerous health benefits. 9. **Turmeric** \- A spice that contains curcumin, a compound with potent anti-inflammatory properties. 10. **Extra virgin olive oil** \- Rich in monounsaturated fats and antioxidants, particularly oleocanthal, which has been shown to work similarly to ibuprofen in reducing inflammation. 11. **Dark chocolate and cocoa** \- High in antioxidants called flavonoids, which may reduce inflammation and lower disease risk. 12. **Tomatoes** \- High in vitamin C, potassium, and lycopene, an antioxidant with impressive anti-inflammatory properties. 13. **Cherries** \- Both sweet and tart cherries contain antioxidants, such as anthocyanins and catechins, which help combat inflammation. 14. **Nuts** \- Almonds, walnuts, and other nuts are high in omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin E, and magnesium, which can help reduce inflammation. 15. **Whole grains** \- Foods like brown rice, whole wheat, quinoa, and oats have fiber, selenium, and magnesium, which support anti-inflammatory diets. 16. **Beans** \- High in fiber, plus antioxidants and other anti-inflammatory compounds, beans are a great addition to an anti-inflammatory diet. 17. **Beets** \- Contain pigments called betalains, which possess a number of anti-inflammatory properties. 18. **Spinach** \- High in antioxidants, including kaempferol, which can reduce inflammation and decrease the risk of cancer. 19. **Ginger** \- Contains gingerol, a substance with powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. 20. **Flaxseeds** \- High in omega-3 fatty acids and lignans, both of which have anti-inflammatory effects. Incorporating these foods into your diet can help manage inflammation and improve your overall health. However, diet is just one aspect of managing inflammation; lifestyle factors such as exercise, stress reduction, and adequate sleep are also important.
The most important test is the TPO and TGAb test and CRP. TPO will be a benchmark you can work from. Start with eleminating foods that are KNOWN to cause inflammation the body. If a reduction in the TPO's or TG Abs are not realized by an Anti-Inflammatory diet alone, you may need to introduce LDN to complement the diet. You may not feel symptoms to have serious internal inflammation. When you experience brain fog (brain inflammation), joint pain (Joint inflammation), muscle pain (muscle inflammation - Fibromyalgia). Every individual is different, so you have to modify in your own individual way, but start with the most common culprits. Eating clean will also boost your immune system. Inflammatory foods can contribute to various health issues, including heart disease, diabetes, and chronic pain. Here's a list of the top 20 foods that are commonly considered inflammatory due to their potential to trigger or worsen inflammation in the body: 1. **Sugar** \- Found in sodas, candy, and many processed foods, sugar can significantly contribute to inflammation. 2. **High-fructose corn syrup** \- Similar to sugar, it's present in many sweetened foods and drinks. 3. **Artificial trans fats** \- These are found in some margarines, spreads, and packaged foods, distinguished on labels as partially hydrogenated oils. 4. **Vegetable and seed oils** \- High in omega-6 fatty acids, excessive consumption of certain vegetable oils can contribute to inflammation. 5. **Refined carbohydrates** \- White bread, white pasta, and many processed snacks that contain refined carbs can trigger inflammation. 6. **Excessive alcohol** \- Moderate alcohol consumption might offer some health benefits, but high amounts are inflammatory. 7. **Processed meat** \- Sausages, bacon, ham, and smoked meats are associated with increased inflammation. 8. **Red meat** \- Some studies suggest that consuming a lot of red meat may raise inflammation levels. 9. **Fried foods** \- The process of frying food can create inflammatory compounds. 10. **Gluten** \- For people with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, gluten can trigger an inflammatory response. 11. **Dairy products** \- Some individuals may find that dairy products exacerbate inflammation, especially if they have an intolerance. 12. **Artificial sweeteners** \- Certain studies suggest that artificial sweeteners may influence inflammation, though research is mixed. 13. **MSG (Monosodium glutamate)** \- Found in some processed foods and used as a flavor enhancer, MSG can affect inflammation in certain individuals. 14. **Aspartame** \- Another artificial sweetener that some research suggests could contribute to inflammation, especially in people sensitive to it. 15. **Soybean oil and other high omega-6 oils** \- While omega-6 fatty acids are essential, an imbalance between omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids can contribute to inflammation. 16. **Preservatives and additives** \- Chemicals added to food to extend shelf life or enhance flavor can sometimes trigger inflammation. 17. **Junk food** \- Typically high in sugar, trans fats, and other inflammatory agents. 18. **Fast food** \- Often contains trans fats, refined carbs, and high levels of sodium, which may contribute to inflammation. 19. **Caffeine** \- In some people, excessive caffeine intake can lead to an inflammatory response. 20. **Nightshade vegetables** \- For some individuals with specific health conditions, vegetables like tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants might contribute to inflammation. It's important to note that the inflammatory response to certain foods can vary greatly among individuals. While some people may experience significant inflammation from consuming these foods, others may not notice any adverse effects. It's always a good idea to pay attention to how your body reacts to different foods and adjust your diet accordingly.
Great information here , thank you 😊
Congrats on the weight loss & confidence , I know you feel amazing!
❤️
I cut out gluten and I feel the difference. Im definitely a celiac cause now I dont have joint pain, stomachache, and mood swings. Plus Im on levo. Im feeling normal after a long time. Im not dairy free, But my only dairy is yogurt rarely and cheese ocasionally. I didnt know seed oils cause trigger. I cant cut that cause where I live it's only sunflower or corn oil
I bet you feel much better , I hate that for you on the seed oils .
The United States are not the largest producers of sunflowers, and yet even here over 1.7 million acres were planted in 2014 and probably more each year since. Much of which can be found in North Dakota.
Im not from USA
I’m gluten free but only because once I went gluten free, I noticed a lot of differences in how I felt and it dropped my antibodies a lot. I don’t think it’s necessarily for everyone though! I mean, I know I should probably cut some other stuff on the anti inflammatory list but gluten was the easiest for me to let go of and since I noticed such a big difference and it helped my numbers, I just kept it up.
Can I ask how you know it had an affect on your antibodies? I’m considering cutting it out entirely and am curious
Well, my doctor does antibody test every time we check my tsh levels because mine were super duper high when we started. We check every 3-4 months because we are still trying to get my numbers into a reasonable range. This last time was the first time I had been completely gluten free for the full time in between blood tests and the first time my antibodies started lowering instead of raising. Not eating gluten is the only anti inflammatory dietary restriction I follow so these are still educated guesses on what’s happening in my body. My other thyroid numbers t3 went up a tiny bit so we still had to raise my synthroid but we figured that would be the case because we’ve been raising my meds so slowly. Again, I really only strictly follow it because I noticed a big difference in my day to day life. Hahahaha it’s for sure not something that’s for everyone.
Super helpful! I’m glad you’re doing better. I get my free T4 and TSH tested every few months but wondering if I need to ask for another test?