Gluten and Thyroid Health: Is It Safe For Hypothyroidism?

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While it’s fair to say the “gluten-free movement” has gotten out of hand, those with genuine gluten intolerance issues are at an increased risk for many health conditions if they continue to consume it.

But is gluten and thyroid health one of them?

Numerous studies have shown a strong link between so-called gluten sensitivity (as well as celiac disease) and hypothyroidism.

For those hypersensitive to gluten, it is thought their immune system can confuse components of gluten with thyroid tissue. The immune system then mistakenly attacks and damages the thyroid gland, characteristic of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. In fact, around 16% of those with celiac disease have antibodies that attack the thyroid.

Going by this theory, an individual with Hashimoto’s will not improve unless gluten is removed from the diet.

Many studies have found that a gluten-free diet reduces the number of antithyroid antibodies, which is favourable for treatment and in preventing new issues. However, there are also good studies that found no improvement.

It would be reaching to say that gluten definitively aggravates an underactive thyroid, but at the same time it could very well play a part. The honest truth is we don’t know.

Therefore, if you have an underactive thyroid it’s important to get tested for celiac disease first thing. And if you have a family history of autoimmune disease, or you want to play it extra safe, then eliminate gluten from your diet.

Gluten-containing foods do not offer any unique nutrients that you can’t get from other foods sources anyway.

If you don’t have symptoms to gluten and don’t feel any different on a gluten-free diet, then it’s likely not a problem. Weigh up the social aspect vs the health aspect and go from there.

I’d personally only have gluten-foods as a treat.

Dietitian: Joe Leech (MSc Nutrition)

More at http://myhealthguide.website/