Folks, I have to consider going GF...

[Laura123]

...and I'm not thrilled about it. At all. I have been STRUGGLING with some debilitating hypothyroid issues over the last few years and it's reached critical mass lately. I have been seeing GF and hypothyroidism popping up together alot and I'm starting to think I may need to give it a go. I am a carb lovin gal so this is going to stink...but if it helps the way I feel and the god-awful weightgain and hair loss and other symptoms, I'm all for it. Is anyone familiar with a link between hypothyroidism and glutten free? I'm not sure I even understand it.

[duonyte]

So sorry you are going through all of that. Apparently there are some anecdotal reports of improvement in patients who go on a gluten-free diet, but it may be linked to the specific cause for the hypothyroidism. This is something you might want to discuss with your doctor.

http://www.livestrong.com/article/318895-hypothyroid-and-gluten/
http://www.ehow.com/way_5657633_gluten_free-diet-hypothyroidism.html

[**Jubes**]

Along with my Celiacs, I also have homrone issues that go with my PCOS. I've been gluten-free for eight years now. I can honestly say that being gf doesn't seemed to have helped the other issues at all...................though I have lost the bloat, restless legs, irritable bowel type symptons and the 'fogginess' caused from the wheat/gluten. I also seem to have an improved immune system as I am not getting every cold and virus that comes near me. My congestion has decreased and my fingernails have become stronger.

It may be worth a try for you and if it works........stay gluten-free. The allergy specialist I see believes in listening to your body. If being gf helps you....then it is the right thing for you to do.

It is easier to be gluten-free the longer you are on the diet. When you start to feel better it gives you more motivation. Reading labels and baking gluten-free becomes 2nd nature.

Wishing you luck with the gluten-free diet

[**Jubes**]

http://www.coeliac.org.au/content/magazine/jun2010/Your-Stories.pdf

You might be interested to read this article. It is on the Coeliac Australia website and was published in the Societies magazine in 2010.

-Julie

[Laura123]

Jubes and duontye, thank you both very much for the kind words and links. It doesn't look like hypothyroid issues are directly related to glutten-free eating but I might give it a try as suggested, if it helps the foggy brain and such, then great! Maybe I've developed a glutten allergy and don't realize it, blaming the symptoms on other issues. Sheesh..it's frustrating and confusing isn't it? I came across a glutten free recipe for flourless chocolate cake sweetened with honey..I am going to try it out this weekend. Mostly, it looks like dilligent label reading and recipe conversion become a part of daily life, especially for those with Celiac's...my heart goes out to those who are affected by it.

[duonyte]

And there are a lot of GF recipes here - when you use the sifter, select Diet then Free of then Gluten. You do have to read the recipes carefully - these categories are self-selected by the person posting the recipe, and they sometimes do not realize that an ingredient actually contains gluten. The more you educate yourself about various ingredients, the better able you will be to protect yourself.

If you do slow cooking, I can recommend this website - the blogger cooks gluten-free exclusively because of a child's sensitivity, so it's a great resource - plus the recipes are really good, I've made a number of them, http://crockpot365.blogspot.com/ She's published a couple of cookbooks, your library may carry them.

[sworange]

A gluten free diet reduced most of my IBS symptoms. Still get the migraines but have found regular exercise has lessened the symptoms. It helps that I have more energy now that I am gluten free

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