Re: GLUTEN & autoimmune - how does it behave?

[Guest guest]

hello naI dont know what you mean by 'borderline for gluten' . I have gluten antibodies and am gluten sensitive but not coeliac - my consultant is a neurologist as my symptoms were peripheral neuropathy and dizziness, tiredness, memory/concentration problems. I dont really have gut problems at all. Your symptoms sound like these to me! My neurologist described to me that there is a wide range of symptoms with gluten sensitivity and that coeliac (which causes enteropathy) is only one of the diseases/symptoms.I have not tested free of antibodies yet and have been gluten free for over a year - the antibodies will last for some months after the last time you have gluten _ i think this will be the same for the thyroid antibodies.Think of the antibodies as your body saying gluten is not food and trying to get rid

of it by attacking with the antibodies - in the same way as it would bacteria. I think the problem is caused when parts of our bodies are similar in structure to gluten cells and these get attacked as well - this is the case with the thyroid being attacked by gluten antibodies - though Im not sure that I have the science right but its along these lines! Other symptoms, maybe the dizziness for me, is caused because of poor absorption of vitamin and minerals thereby causing malnourishment - e.g. I was shown to be low in vitamin E in particular. interestingly I take levothyroxine and was on 125 mcg a day, now only 50 mcg due to improved absorption!I can tell pretty much straight away if I have something with gluten in, i get dizzy, foggy brained and strangely a funny taste in my mouth.I would say you should go gluten free - its really much easier than you think and not only will you feel better but you will not be

storing up some of the health hazards that can be caused if you're gluten sensitive - its not really an option to stop on some days and not others as you will still have the antibodies.It seems there is a strong link between gluten and thyroid problems but I am not familiar with thyroid antibodies as I dont have them, only the gluten (gliadin) antibodies!also, do remember that gluten sensitivity is not well known by many GPs/gastroenterologists or dieticians - many of them only know coeliac disease so you do have to research yourself. I was very fortunate that i figured it out myself and then got to see a neurologist who is a leading world expert on gluten sensitivity and neuropathy - although Im not 100% going gluten free has made a massive difference to my health.Id recommend a couple of books - Dangerous Grains and Healthier without Wheat - cant remember the authors but they will come up on Amazon.sorry if Ive

waffled, Im getting tired, hope some of this is helpful.GillTPA Trustee

I have many food allergies but was surprised to find I am borderline for gluten as I never get an upset gut with wheat. I decided that because there was not much I could replace wheat with I would try and cut down this is what happened:

My TPA was 314 (ref 0.0-49.0) on 30/03/11

I stopped gluten on SOME days completely. This meant that if I had rice for lunch I would have rice snack too later in the day & NO gluten that day.

Other days I had wheat & would have a wheat snack.

Originally I would have had a mixture most days.

I expected the TPA result would be a bit lower but no!!

[Guest guest]

Hello

I

know little to nothing about gluten intolerance and gluten antibodies, except

that we recommend members who have Hashimoto's disease to take Selenium 200mcgs

daily as this helps kill antibodies and to go on a gluten free diet as

antibodies thrive on gluten. Here is an article that will tell you more about

the gluten/thyroid connection http://chriskresser.com/the-gluten-thyroid-connection

Can

you tell me what TPA stands for please? Is this Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies?

Luv

- Sheila

My TPA was 314 (ref 0.0-49.0) on 30/03/11

I kind of hoped that if that was the gluten then as I have now gone totally

gluten free I would feel great but I don't! Its now 12 days ago.

Can anybody cast light on these two odd events? I feel a bit nervous of

repeating the challange of trying gluten again as it really ended my day and I

feel it must have been the wheat.

[Guest guest]

Sheila thanks for posting this article – very interesting

– especially as my antibodies will not come down from 1200 each blood

test although once thyroid meds were given it came down from over 3,000 !!!

Thanks again

Best wishes

Mandy

[Guest guest]

Hi , yes I am having similar problems, not sure where the hidden wheat in most things are.! one day i am good and don`t eat anything bad the next day i think what i am eating is OK but it`s not and get spacey and tired and am only fit to knit or read. have been getting upset tummy and not able to get to sleep until 2.00am. so tired the next day. horrible . today not to bad. its the hidden glutenthat is the problem for me. have only gluten free bread and biscuits now and feel a lot better but it is going to be a slow ride home.I may have had my problem some time so the tummy may need a bit of time

to get better. Angel. who is having tapioca pudding for tea.

[Guest guest]

Hi Gill,

You certainly didn't waffle! Thank you very much, that is so interesting!

I will go to Amazon & buy the books you mentioned. I'm very slow reading though

as concentration poor (still reading Dr P's book on Thyroid).

Its really interesting to hear that you have similar reaction with the foggy

head, I felt like I had been drugged. l have actually fallen asleep before now

(several times) during a meal, just as though a switch is flipped and I rush to

get to the end of the meal as I know I am " going " ! I was astonished at the

reaction with the " Challenge " test of gluten though as I was completely unaware

it was a problem. I am hoping that I will eventually notice a difference. I

haven't started any treatment yet though for thyroid.

You did well to find your neurologist! Thank you for that info. I have never

heard it before. My brother has a severe reaction to gluten but his is

gastro-intestinal.

The " Borderline for gluten " was discovered via " The Red Apple Clinic " . It was

part of the " Expanded GI Panel " and was from saliva sample. I thought it was

stool but just checked. It says " Gliadin Ab, SigA " whatever that means. The

result was " 13 borderline " (ref Borderline is 13-15 U/ml or Positive >15 U/ml)

All the best Gill and thanks for you helpful reply,

>

>

> I dont know what you mean by 'borderline for gluten' . 

>

>

>I was very fortunate that i figured it out myself and then got to see a

neurologist who is a leading world expert on gluten sensitivity and neuropathy -

although Im not 100% going gluten free has made a massive difference to my

health.

>

> Id recommend a couple of books - Dangerous Grains and Healthier without Wheat

- cant remember the authors but they will come up on Amazon.

>

> sorry if Ive waffled, Im getting tired, hope some of this is helpful.

>

> Gill

> TPA Trustee

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Sheila,

Thanks for reply & link to Kresser. Its a very steep learning curve, so

much to learn. I did read it all and the blog!

I have started to take Selenium 180mcg by Nutrisorb about a week ago now, thanks

to info here.

>

>

> <http://chriskresser.com/the-gluten-thyroid-connection>

> http://chriskresser.com/the-gluten-thyroid-connection

>

> Can you tell me what TPA stands for please? Is this Thyroid Peroxidase

> Antibodies?

Oops, sorry Sheila, I meant TPO (peroxidase) TPA is this website!! At least

with thyroid problems it makes a useful excuse for being a bit daft at times!

>

>

> My TPA was 314 (ref 0.0-49.0) on 30/03/11

Best wishes & thanks,

x

[Guest guest]

Hi Angel,

Thanks for the reply. Its reassuring to hear from people that what I

experienced could in fact be from gluten. I have had difficulty for years with

overwhelming drowsiness & foggy brain/confused thinking. i suppose some of it

is bound to be from the hypothyroidism (still not had an official diagnosis yet)

but hopefully before I start any treatment gluten wont be able to confuse things

now.

Its so interesting that some people have been able to reduce their thyroid

medication once they stopped gluten products.

I wonder if you have other food allergies as well though. I know I had loads,

perhaps the gluten caused leaky gut that then allowed undigested food into the

circulation. I did a York Test which I found incredibly helpful (a finger prick

blood test). I did experience a lot of improvement with the sleepiness when I

stopped a lot of foods that I was intolerant of. I have been able to

reintroduce some of them. I found that the arthritis in my fingers didn't flair

up to whilst I avoided them - the best thing though was the upset gut (I had to

leave work for 2 years - unpaid!) to recover. Yeast was one of the worst & I

still avoid it.

I like the idea of tapioca - must get some but will have to use soya & sugar

that day!!

all the best Angel

x

>

> Hi , yes I am having similar problems, not sure where the hidden wheat in

most things are.! one day i am good and don`t eat anything bad the next day i

think what i am eating is OK but it`s not and get spacey and tired and am only

fit to knit or read. have been getting upset tummy and not able to get to sleep

until 2.00am. so tired the next day. horrible . today not to bad. its the hidden

gluten. Angel. who is having tapioca pudding for tea.

>

[Guest guest]

Hi,

I have autoimmune thyroid issues and was beginnign to feel great benefits from

T3.

In the week someone was leaving and the office ordered pizzas in for a shared

lunch - I had a few slices. I also had a small slice of cake in the week and

yesterday we had some firends over for afternoon tea - I made scones and we also

had various cakes and sandwiches - all very yummy.

I feel awful, bloated, a bit well not right really - I think it is possible that

the wheat, glutens or whatever has impacted on me. When I stick to the low carb

lean proteins and fruit/veg thing I feel cleaner. I actually feel like I want

to be on my own and am not very communicative with my partner - all very wierd.

I have never been a big eater of bread and pastries but I have eaten rather a

heavy amount of cake and pizza this week! Back to normal now and hopefully I

will feel OK by tomorrow!

We really are what we eat!

Isn't a lovely weekend, weatherwise though!?

Stacey

[Guest guest]

Hi there, don`t seem to be having any problems with the yeast as yet, but i am still not over the worse of it, it may take months to get back to some thing like normal what ever that is ,. (smiling) you have to keep vigilant or you go back to the bad days. their is so much hiddenin spices and most sauce. have been researching all week to find lists of the good food and also the bad. angel.on ward and up ward as Sheila would say.!!!!!

[Guest guest]

Hi Stacey,

I tried to eat Gluten free bread last week and it tasted vile! It was like raw

dough with a hint of fairy liquid! Would rather eat no bread than that stuff,

unless there are better makes of bread out there.

Just started reading 's book and haven't had any T4 since Tuesday.

Going try 12.5mcg T3 twice daily to start with this week - what do you think of

that starting dose?

the thought of self-medicating is scary, but I am keen to try T3 and will keep

an eye on my pulse (currently low 50's) and temp. on waking (36.5), and

hopefully with the aid of 's book and keeping in touch with people like you

who are doing well on it, I will be OK!?

Why are all the things we like:- pizza, cake and alcohol, all bad for us Hashi

sufferers?

Regards,

Jayne

>

>

>

>

> Hi,

>

> I have autoimmune thyroid issues and was beginnign to feel great benefits from

T3.

>

> In the week someone was leaving and the office ordered pizzas in for a shared

lunch - I had a few slices. I also had a small slice of cake in the week and

yesterday we had some firends over for afternoon tea - I made scones and we also

had various cakes and sandwiches - all very yummy.

>

> I feel awful, bloated, a bit well not right really - I think it is possible

that the wheat, glutens or whatever has impacted on me. When I stick to the low

carb lean proteins and fruit/veg thing I feel cleaner. I actually feel like I

want to be on my own and am not very communicative with my partner - all very

wierd.

>

> I have never been a big eater of bread and pastries but I have eaten rather a

heavy amount of cake and pizza this week! Back to normal now and hopefully I

will feel OK by tomorrow!

>

> We really are what we eat!

>

> Isn't a lovely weekend, weatherwise though!?

>

> Stacey

>

[Guest guest]

Not all GF bread is that bad - try different brands. I'm not mad on any of them

though, they tend to be a bit dry and mainly consist of air. One hint is that

they are *all* better toasted. Sainsburys and Tesco both do nice multiseed baps,

which are about the only thing I'd use for sandwiches when I'm travelling,

although they are better toasted too. I make my own GF bread and it's much

nicer! It might be cake, technically, as it contains eggs. I got the recipe from

this fantastic book:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Best-Ever-Wheat-Gluten-Baking/dp/1592331319/ref=sr_1_7?s\

=books & ie=UTF8 & qid=1331484738 & sr=1-7

It's American, so you have to use substitute ingredients sometimes; but unlike

many GF cookbooks, it's all useful, they haven't wasted space on stews and

salads and things you could figure out for yourself.

> I tried to eat Gluten free bread last week and it tasted vile! It was like

raw dough with a hint of fairy liquid! Would rather eat no bread than that

stuff, unless there are better makes of bread out there.

[Guest guest]

I hvent tried this yet myself but Im told that gluten free bakery does great tiger bread and other things - Genius and Warburton's are the best off the shelf ones Ive tried.for other cakes biscuits etc the supermarkets do some good reasonably priced biscuits and buns such as cherry bakewells and Ikea does a lovely cake, though unfortunately not their meatballs!Gill

Not all GF bread is that bad - try different brands. I'm not mad on any of them though, they tend to be a bit dry and mainly consist of air. One hint is that they are *all* better toasted. Sainsburys and Tesco both do nice multiseed baps,

[Guest guest]

> I like the warburton's bread better it's not quite as dry. The stuff from the

health food shop is very horrible! Did you know you can get gluten free

brownies and muffins in M & S cafe, and also in Starbucks. They are chocolate

though and I can't eat chocolate, it gives me arrythmia.

>

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[Guest guest]

Thanks Helen,

Will look at trying Tesco/Sains multiseed, got to be better than this stuff from

Asda which was horrendous even toasted! Thanks for link. I am not really a

baker, but may give it a go, depends how energetic I am feeling!

Thanks again,

Jayne

>

> Not all GF bread is that bad - try different brands. I'm not mad on any of

them though, they tend to be a bit dry and mainly consist of air. One hint is

that they are *all* better toasted. Sainsburys and Tesco both do nice multiseed

baps,

[Guest guest]

Many people who follow a gluten-free diet make their own bread as you can get

much better results. If you want to look into this I would join a

gluten/coeliac group and ask about recipe books. I used to have a good

one, but I'm sorry I can't remember now what it was called.

Miriam

>> I tried to eat Gluten free bread last week and it tasted vile! It was like

raw dough with a hint of fairy liquid! Would rather eat no bread than that

stuff, unless there are better makes of bread out there.

[Guest guest]

Hi , well it seems you have a gluten sensitivity. go gluten free is better for us, not easy to do at first. i have started going gluten-freethis week as i feel antibodies making me giddy and my balance is not that great anyway. the hidden wheat in products is hard to find,.but i have found LOT OF INFO on-line which is good. you can buy a lot of gluten free foods now and it helps to make all food from scratch. hope you resolve this problem soon! angel. PS- their is a difference between being gluten sensitive and celiac.!!!!

[Guest guest]

I have a recipe for GF flat bread. i am off to the kitchen to try it now for lunch . Angel.

[Guest guest]

Hi , yes i am using the warburton`s at this minute. do these cafe`s have GF rolls of bread.? as well as cakes.just a thought as i could have one for lunch with out going back home if out shopping. have been looking for a GF holiday.! their is one hotel in Norfolk and one in devon. so not much choice so far. angel.

[Guest guest]

Hi

I have been looking into a connection between Gluten and Parkinsons for a friend of mine. I found this - see the mention of thyroid disease/celiac on this website http://lupushope.blogspot.com/2011/12/gluten-and-parkinsons-disease.html :

My dad has Parkinson's and my daughter and I have celiac. He is 87 and I can't get a doctor to give him a simple blood test. It is so frustrating. I am certain he is at the least gluten sensitive, if not celiac. I want the family to know and take this seriously so they can avoid the same fate. His father had Parkinson's as well. Father and grandfather both have/had macular degeneration. Both my daughter and grandfather have/had rheumatoid arthritis. Also both my daughter and I have autoimmune thyroid disease. Gee, I wonder if it is all connected to celiac?? Yes, I think so. I just wanted to share and cheer you on. I wish you all the best.

Margaret

>> Hi , well it seems you have a gluten sensitivity. go gluten free is better for us, not easy to do at first. i have started going gluten-free> this week as i feel antibodies making me giddy and my balance is not that great anyway. the hidden wheat in products is hard to find,.> but i have found LOT OF INFO on-line which is good. you can buy a lot of gluten free foods now and it helps to make all food from scratch. hope you resolve this problem soon! angel. PS- their is a difference between being gluten sensitive and celiac.!!!!>

[Guest guest]

Margaret, perhaps a letter to his GP might do the trick. Doctors

do pay more attention to the written word especially if you ask for the letter

to be placed into your Dad's medical notes and keep a copy yourself in case it

is needed at a later date. Just ask the GP to do the tests your Dad (and you

and your daughter as family members) needs to see whether he could be suffering

with gluten intolerance or Celiac disease. Mention that his father also had

Parkinson's disease and that there is macular degeneration in the family. Ask

for a convenient date when your Dad can go in for the appropriate tests, and

mention that if your GP is unable to do it, then your Dad needs a referral to a

specialist who would do this. Never take NO for an answer.

Luv - Sheila

I have been looking into a connection between

Gluten and Parkinsons for a friend of mine. I found this - see the

mention of thyroid disease/celiac on this website http://lupushope.blogspot.com/2011/12/gluten-and-parkinsons-disease.html

:

My dad has Parkinson's and my daughter and I have celiac. He is 87

and I can't get a doctor to give him a simple blood test. It is so frustrating.

I am certain he is at the least gluten sensitive, if not celiac. I want the

family to know and take this seriously so they can avoid the same fate. His

father had Parkinson's as well. Father and grandfather both have/had macular

degeneration. Both my daughter and grandfather have/had rheumatoid arthritis.

Also both my daughter and I have autoimmune thyroid disease. Gee, I wonder if

it is all connected to celiac?? Yes, I think so. I just wanted to share and

cheer you on. I wish you all the best.