A Gluten Free Diet Helped

Diet Programs From the Thyroid Patient Perspective

Name of the Diet/Weight Loss Program or Service: 

When did you follow this diet/weight loss program?: 

Website/URL:: 

My Review 

I have Hashimotos and have had some problems getting control of the autoimmune aspects of the ailment. For example, my TPO is high. Thyroid Peroxidase (TPO) antibodies, are also known as Antithyroid Peroxidase Antibodies, and are an indication of autoimmune response in the body. In other words, it shows that your immune system is irritated and is attacking your thyroid.

According to research reported on in the medical journal Digestive Diseases and Sciences, a significant number of patients with autoimmune thyroid disease also have celiac disease. Celiac disease is a disorder that causes the intestines to react abnormally to gluten, a protein found in wheat, rye, barley, oats, spelt, kamut, and other related grains. "...researchers found that...organ-specific autoantibodies (i.e., thyroid antibodies) -- will disappear in celiac patients after 3 to 6 months of a gluten-free diet." There are different levels of gluten intolerance. For example, some celiacs cannot eat a speck of gluten, while many, like me, are just sensitive to it, and it shows up in tests and in water retention.

I finally went on a gluten free diet after learning about it over a year ago. I was in denial at first, then rather angry that I might have to give up some of my favorite foods. I already had been following a fairly low carb diet (no more than 2-3 servings of low-carb foods per day) and had lost 55 pounds about 5 years ago. So I felt I had been taking care of myself and my diet and didn't relish the idea of every more restrictions. But I finally made up my mind and plunged ahead.

I found it wasn't really that difficult. I haven't weighed myself, but I know I have lost about 5 pounds without really trying (I only have about 8 more pounds to lose) I have been on the diet for about 6 weeks, but lost most of the weight within the first few weeks. Some of the weight that I have lost seems to be water weight, since I no longer retain water in my hands, the place I notice it the most.

Did you successfully lose weight on this diet? 

How much weight did you lose so far? 

Pros for Thyroid Patients? 

The gluten-free diet brings down the autoimmune factors, helps release excess water weight, and if someone is more significantly overweight, it could help them lose more weight. For example, if I am at a function with bread and desserts, I probably can't have them anyway, so the temptation is removed.

Cons for Thyroid Patients? 

None.

Would you recommend this to a friend?