Lately, I have heard that there might be a possible connection between hypothyroidism and being gluten sensitive. One who is gluten sensitive, perhaps, does not test positive for celiac's disease, yet that person may exhibit some of the same symptoms as a person with confirmed celiac's disease. There are no standard tests for gluten sensitivity as yet. One possible way to suspect that one is gluten sensitive is to eliminate gluten from the diet ( for at least a week or so ) and note how one is feeling. Some of the common symptoms of non-celiac gluten sensitivity are:
*bloating, gas, abdominal pain
*diarrhea or constipation
*nausea
*headache
*brain fog
*joint pain
*fatigue
*rashes
An article that I read on gluten sensitivity suggested that after the process of eliminating gluten foods, and noting how one feels, one might then add gluten back to the diet and see if any previous symptoms return. The article, as well as I , urge anyone who tries to eliminate gluten from their diet to do so in conjunction with the advice of their physician. GI diseases and symptoms can be tricky, and you want to make sure that you are dealing with the correct disorder/problem.
A disorder that goes along with gluten sensitivity is called " leaky gut", and has to do with how our small intestines react to a substance found in gluten. Normally, our intestines become permeable so that nutrients may be exchanged. Ideally, the permeability will be temporary. Gluten containing foods may cause this permeability to be extended- toxins, microbes and other substances are then " leaked"- thus the name leaky gut, into the bloodstream. From this leakage, the immune system is stimulated to work overtime. Chronic inflammation may occur as well as the development of autoimmune diseases. Leaky gut can also be caused by yeast overgrowth ( think over use of antibiotics, for one thing), steroid use, birth control pills, as well as stress. ( what chronic disease is NOT influenced by the amount of stress people have in their lives?!). Here is a newsflash though, new research shows that using Roundup weed killer ( Glyphosate) on the wheat is also a major factor in having leaky gut and gluten sensitivity.
Now that I have explained a little about gluten sensitivity and leaky gut, I will now tell you why it matters to me. After months of speculation, and a few doctors appointments to rule out other disorders, I decided to eliminate gluten products from my diet for two weeks to see if anything improved. Guess what- IT DID! The symptoms that I have listed above either went away, or were greatly improved. I sure wish I could say that my brain fog disappeared, but I still blame that on my chemotherapy. Besides feeling better, I have lost 13 pounds, and hope to lose a few more. I wish that I could say that I will never eat gluten again, but that is not the case. Were I to have celiac's disease, I would certainly have to completely eliminate gluten because there are serious consequences if one does otherwise. But being gluten sensitive, I will try hard to eliminate most of the gluten. There will be times- now especially, during the holidays, when I will have some gluten containing foods. I am just going to be mindful of what I will be eating, as well as the consequences concerning how I will be feeling.
One side note: I did read a statement published on the "Gluten Intolerance Group" website that stated that "....being on the gluten free diet allows the small intestine to heal, and thyroid medication may be better absorbed." This is just a theory, and is not, as yet, backed up by any scientific studies, but is interesting to note.
The concept of being gluten sensitive and having thyroid disorders may be a difficult one to address during the holidays! But I feel that it is an important subject to consider. After all, cancer patient or not, everyone hungers to feel better.
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