The Hashimoto’s & Gluten Saga: Unmasking the Forbidden Relationship

Did you know that your body and a cheesy pizza share a common enemy?

Allow me to introduce you to the notorious duo of Hashimoto’s and gluten. 

In this post, we’re going to dive into the seedy underworld of autoimmune diseases, while cracking inappropriate jokes and making witty remarks along the way. 

You might be thinking, “What’s in it for me?” 

Well, stick around and you’ll uncover secrets to deep healing that could potentially save your life – or at the very least, make you feel like a million bucks.

Hashimoto’s and Gluten

Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is like that irritating neighbor who insists on mowing their lawn at 7 AM on a Saturday, completely disrupting your peaceful weekend slumber.

Except in this case, your immune system is the obnoxious neighbor, and your thyroid gland is the unsuspecting lawn being targeted.

Your immune system, in a bizarre act of misguided enthusiasm, decides to get all up in your thyroid’s business, relentlessly attacking it like an overzealous landscaper. This unwanted attention leads to inflammation, damage, and eventually an underactive thyroid, or hypothyroidism, as your thyroid struggles to produce the necessary hormones to keep your body functioning optimally.

Just like that neighbor who ruins your precious weekend sleep, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis can have a significant impact on your quality of life, turning what should be a well-functioning endocrine system into a hormonal battleground.

But why does your overzealous landscaper go on the attack in the first place?

Is he drunk?

Does he just want to use up the last little bit of his gas?

Did he get carried away while listening to an audiobook?

We may never know… but what I can tell you is why your immune system is attacking you.

You see, your immune system will only attack proteins it doesn’t recognize just like how a landscaper will (hopefully) only take a weed whacker to weeds (although I’ll never forget when someone did that to my mom’s garden… that’s another blog for another day).

Your body will damage it’s own proteins and this will give your immune system proteins to attack!

Why does this happen?

There’s two big reasons

1- Molecular mimicry

2- Something secret I’m going to tease you with. I’m going to delay it in a feint tactic to get you to read the whole dang thing (I have your best interest in mind).

Let’s talk about mechanism 1 first.

Autoimmune Disease, Molecular mimicry and Hashimoto’s

Picture this: your immune system is like a bouncer at a swanky nightclub, keeping a watchful eye out for any shady characters trying to crash the party (no the analogies don’t stop).

It’s pretty good at its job, but sometimes, it gets a bit too zealous, and that’s where the trouble starts.

Enter molecular mimicry, a sneaky little phenomenon that’s like an identity thief dressed up as your favorite movie star.

Essentially, certain foreign proteins – say, from a bacteria or virus – can closely resemble proteins in your body. Your immune system, ever the vigilant bouncer, spots the foreign protein and decides it’s time to throw down.

However, in its enthusiasm, it may get a bit overzealous and accidentally attack your own body’s proteins that resemble the foreign ones. It’s a classic case of mistaken identity, with your thyroid getting caught in the crossfire.

Now, let’s bring Hashimoto’s thyroiditis into the mix. The theory goes that certain proteins in gluten may closely resemble proteins found in your thyroid gland.

If you have a sensitivity or intolerance to gluten, your immune system might start attacking it like an overeager bouncer. But in its fervor, it might also confuse your thyroid proteins for gluten’s evil twins, resulting in collateral damage and inflammation of the thyroid gland.

And that, my friends, is how molecular mimicry and gluten could be implicated in the onset or worsening of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.

Now, this only plays a role in the process. There’s more to this story

Before we dive more into gluten… let’s talk about Celiac disease.

Celiac Disease

Enter celiac disease, the autoimmune disorder where your immune system attacks your small intestine when you eat gluten. It’s like your body’s own version of Game of Thrones, with gluten as the villain everyone loves to hate.

And just like that, we have a plot twist.

You see, while celiac disease is the most well-known gluten-related villain, it’s not the only one on the block.

There’s also non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS).

Now, imagine your immune system is not just an annoying neighbor, but also a confused detective who’s been watching one too many crime dramas.

When it comes across gluten containing foods, it mistakes it for a threat and goes into full attack mode.

Unfortunately, the innocent thyroid gland gets caught in the crossfire because of an overactive immune system.

So when your immune system starts launching assaults against gluten, it inadvertently targets your thyroid as well.

Thyroid Gland – The Domino Effect of Disrupted Hormones

And, we need to gain some common ground on the thyroid gland first.

Picture your thyroid gland as the conductor of your body’s hormonal orchestra, keeping everything harmoniously in tune.

When your brain needs to kick metabolism on, it will secret thyroid releasing hormone to stimulate the production of thyroid hormones.

Thyroid hormones (T3 and T4 which have fancier medical names but we’ll just keep things simple) then go to ALL your cells to increase energy production.

It’s important to know that thyroid hormone turns on your mitochondria to produce energy (keep that fact in your back pocket for now).

When Hashimoto’s thyroiditis disrupts the delicate balance of hormones produced by your thyroid, it sets off a domino effect of health issues that can impact your day-to-day life in more ways than you might realize. Let’s explore some of the most common downstream effects of an underactive thyroid:

1. Weight Gain: One of the primary roles of thyroid hormones is to regulate your metabolism. With a sluggish thyroid, your body burns fewer calories, leading to unwelcome weight gain that can feel frustratingly out of your control.

    

2. Fatigue: Low thyroid hormone levels can make you feel like you’re constantly running on empty. Your energy levels take a nosedive, and all you want to do is curl up on the couch and binge-watch your favorite show.

    

3. Depression and Mood Swings: Thyroid hormones play a crucial role in maintaining your mental well-being. When they’re out of whack, it can lead to mood swings, anxiety, and even depression.

    

4. Cognitive Dysfunction: Brain fog, anyone? A malfunctioning thyroid can make it difficult to concentrate and remember things, leaving you feeling like you’re wandering through a mental haze.

    

5. Hair Loss and Brittle Nails: Thyroid hormones are essential for healthy hair and nails. When your thyroid is under siege, you may notice your locks becoming thin and lackluster, and your nails prone to breakage.

    

6. Menstrual Irregularities: Hormonal imbalances caused by Hashimoto’s thyroiditis can lead to irregular periods, heavy bleeding, or even infertility in women.

    

7. Cold Intolerance: Struggling to stay warm, even when everyone else seems toasty? Low thyroid hormone levels can make it difficult for your body to regulate its temperature, leaving you shivering in your sweater.

These are just a few examples of the downstream effects caused by a thyroid gland under attack from Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. The good news is that understanding the connection between your immune system, gluten, and your thyroid may hold the key to regaining control of your health and putting an end to this hormonal chaos once and for all.

With all these negative effects, making a dietary change such as removing gluten seems like a great idea (if it works fully).

Gluten Free Diet

This is completely unrelated to you ever eating gluten again, but I first want to state that I went gluten free before it was trendy.

Many moons ago, I lived above a Subway sandwich shop.

I’m not sure if you’ve even been forced to smell pseudo-bread every single day or not…

But, in doing so, the idea of bread or any wheat products became vomit-producing at a deep spiritual level.

Gluten free diets have been shown to reduce inflammation and improve symptoms in some people with autoimmune diseases, autoimmune conditions including Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.

Does gluten really affect Hashimoto’s?

Yes! (Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise…)

Gluten consumption affects Hashimoto’s disease.

In fact, some studies have shown a connection between gluten sensitivity and other autoimmune diseases and thyroid disease, suggesting that gluten might be poking the bear when it comes to your immune system’s attack on your thyroid.

Is gluten or dairy worse for patients with Hashimoto’s?

While we’re here, let’s talk about milk.

In my mind, this question is like asking whether a paper cut or a splinter is worse.

Gluten is often considered the main culprit, but dairy can also contribute to inflammation and exacerbate Hashimoto’s symptoms.

Now, gluten and dairy are typically the top culprits… but there are others to be aware of!

What foods worsen Hashimoto’s and cause flare-ups?

Foods that can worsen Hashimoto’s include gluten, dairy products, soy, and processed foods. It’s like a who’s who of dietary troublemakers. Eliminating these foods can help reduce inflammation and improve symptoms.

By understanding how dairy and other foods cause flare-ups, you can begin to understand more about the underlying causes of Hashimoto’s (and all autoimmunity in fact).

First, let’s cover cheese.

Dairy contains several compounds like lactose and certain proteins.

These compounds will raise inflammation.

And, when you have more inflammation, this leads to more damage to products that trigger your immune system!

Now, for this to happen your immune system and cells need to be in a pretty bad spot already (hence why all cheese-eaters aren’t dead… yet).

For processed foods, the main culprits are typically sugar and inflammatory fatty acids.

We won’t cover why the fatty acids cause issues (because we literally just did).

But why does sugar cause havoc?

Well, sugar is like diesel fuel for your mitochondria.

You’ll produce a lot of energy, but at a cost (besides the weight gain).

When burning sugar, your mitochondria actually produce more free radicals that then lead to more damaged proteins that lead to… (are you starting to see a theme yet?!?!)

Do I really have to be gluten-free and dairy-free if I have Hashimoto’s?

No, you don’t.

I’d like to remind you this is the internet and not Guantanamo Bay.

Heck, if you want to eat bread while reading this article, then I’m not going to cry (too much) about it.

And, if you really want to double down on it, put some cheddar on it.

What I can tell you is that you will need to remove these foods to help kickstart the initial healing process.

However, if you’ve been reading carefully, I’ve been saying that neither gluten, dairy, or processed foods CAUSE hashimoto’s or autoimmune thyroiditis.

In other words, these foods potentiate a problem that’s already there in the first place.

It’s just like throwing gasoline on a smoldering campfire. The campfire, in this case, represents the underlying issue that’s causing Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.

It’s already there, albeit in a more controlled and manageable state. But when you introduce gluten, dairy, or processed foods into the mix, it’s like tossing gasoline onto those glowing embers. Suddenly, you’ve got yourself a raging inferno, with flames shooting up and smoke billowing everywhere.

These foods don’t cause Hashimoto’s thyroiditis on their own. Instead, they act as accelerants, taking a pre-existing problem and making it exponentially worse.

It’s like going from a cozy campfire sing-along to a full-blown forest fire that’s threatening to consume everything in its path.

So, while you can’t blame gluten, dairy, or processed foods for single-handedly causing Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, you can certainly hold them responsible for fanning the flames of an existing condition.

And in order to bring that fire under control, you might want to consider cutting back on the gasoline – or in this case, reevaluating your diet and eliminating potential triggers.

Now, before we get into exactly how to tailor your diet… let’s get some important questions answered.

Are people with Hashimoto’s gluten intolerant?

This is more a technical question for my fellow academic snobs in the room.

Not everyone with Hashimoto’s is gluten sensitive or intolerant, but there is a higher prevalence of gluten sensitivity among those with other autoimmune disorders or thyroid disease. It is for Hashimoto’s patients like being part of an exclusive club, but not one you necessarily want to join.

Does gluten cause Hashimoto’s?

And while us academic snobs are here, let’s discuss this one.

There is some evidence out there in the literature.

However, I wouldn’t bet my cat that gluten leads to Hashimoto’s.

Instead, gluten triggers a system already damaged and susceptible to Hashimoto’s.

Can Hashimoto’s turn into celiac disease?

Let me be very bold here and give you a firm answer on this:

“Kinda.”

You see, people with one autoimmune disease have a higher risk of developing another autoimmune condition.

Why’s that?

That’s because there is a common fault in the mitochondria.

Does gluten cause high thyroid antibodies?

Yes!

Gluten can contribute to high thyroid antibodies in those with autoimmune thyroid disease, as it triggers an immune response that mistakenly attacks the thyroid gland.

This will lead to elevations in thyroid antibodies such as anti-thyroid peroxidase (TPO) and anti-thyroglobulin (TG) antibodies, which are often markers of an autoimmune response to thyroid conditions like Hashimoto’s thyroiditis or Graves’ disease.

So, if you’re a scientist or just curious, you could consider testing your antibodies before and after being gluten-free

How to go gluten-free

Remember!

Going gluten-free is necessary, but not sufficient to heal people with Hashimoto’s disease.

Just like how matches are necessary for a fire, but not sufficient (you still need wood and your pyromaniac friend).

It’s time to say hello to the gluten free foods if you want to give your thyroid some much-needed TLC. But don’t you worry, I’m here to hold your hand and guide you through this perilous journey of banishing bread and bidding cheese goodbye. So buckle up and let’s do this thing.

Step 1: Throw a tantrum (optional)

Yep, I said it. Give yourself a moment to mourn the loss of your beloved baguettes and brie. Scream into a pillow, have a good cry, or binge-watch some sappy rom-coms. Once you’ve gotten that out of your system, it’s time to move on and conquer the world (or at least the grocery store).

Step 2: Read labels like a pro

It’s time to unleash your inner Sherlock Holmes and scrutinize those food labels like your life depends on it. Gluten and dairy can lurk in the most unexpected places (I’m looking at you, soy sauce and salad dressing). So, be vigilant and let no sneaky gluten or dairy molecules slip past your watchful eye.

Step 3: Discover a whole new world of deliciousness

Yes, we know, you’re going to miss the heck out of your croissants and camembert. But guess what? There’s a whole universe of gluten-free and dairy-free yumminess just waiting to be explored. Gluten-free bread, almond milk, and even cashew cheese are ready to sweep you off your feet and whisk you away to a land of culinary delight.

Step 4: Learn to cook (or fake it till you make it)

You don’t have to be a master chef, but learning a few gluten-free and dairy-free recipes will save your sanity (and your wallet). There are a gazillion blogs and YouTube channels out there to help you channel your inner Gordon Ramsay (profanity included). So, put on your apron and get ready to dazzle your taste buds.

Step 5: Remember, it’s not a prison sentence

Look, going gluten-free and dairy-free isn’t a life sentence of culinary deprivation. You’re doing this to help your poor, beleaguered thyroid and show Hashimoto’s who’s boss. So, embrace the challenge, find joy in discovering new foods, and take pride in taking control of your health.

Don’t forget about healing the underlying issues

This sentence is only here to remind you to read to the end.

Can I eat gluten-free oatmeal with Hashimoto’s?

Heaven forbid I take away someone’s oatmeal.

Most people with Hashimoto’s can safely eat gluten-free oatmeal, as long as it’s certified gluten-free and not cross-contaminated with gluten-containing grains.

Who we’ve seen benefit from going gluten-free

Now, it’s one thing to get your questions answered and get some science… but how does this play out for real people in the real world?

Let’s go through a few case studies, shall we?

(names are changed because these people are in the witness protection program)

Sarah

Sarah had tried everything to manage Hashimoto’s symptoms, including countless medications, diets, and even acupuncture. Despite her efforts, she still felt exhausted, foggy-headed, and achy. Sarah was hesitant to invest in her health and skeptical about the benefits of a gluten-free diet, but she decided to give it a try.

Within weeks, Sarah’s energy levels soared, her mental clarity improved, and her aches and pains diminished. She felt like a new person, and her family couldn’t believe the transformation. Her partner, who had been bearing the brunt of Sarah’s symptoms, was overjoyed at the positive change in their relationship.

John

Another example is John. John had been struggling with Hashimoto’s for years, and his symptoms were taking a toll on his work and personal life. He was hesitant to try a gluten-free diet, as he couldn’t imagine life without his beloved bread and pasta. However, after some convincing, John decided to give it a shot.

To his surprise, John’s symptoms improved dramatically. He had more energy, better mental clarity, and improved mood. His family noticed the change too and were thrilled to see John feeling better and more engaged in their lives. His partner, who had been feeling the strain of John’s health issues, was grateful for the positive impact the dietary change had on their relationship.

Now, there’s a slight twist for Sarah and John.

Yes, they avoided gluten.

But, that’s not all they focused on…

Mitochondria: The Foundation for Hashimoto’s Healing and Reducing Food Sensitivities

Hold onto your hats, folks, because it’s time for SECRET 2! Ready to dive into the world of cellular powerhouses and discover how they’re calling the shots in this Hashimoto’s saga? Let’s go!

You see, those tiny little mitochondria – you remember, the ones from high school biology class that you thought you’d never hear about again – are actually the key players in this whole gluten-triggered, thyroid-damaging fiasco.

These microscopic energy factories are responsible for producing the cellular energy that keeps your body running smoothly. But when they go rogue, all bets are off.

Bad mitochondria are like the ill-tempered, sleep-deprived employees at the cellular energy production factory. When they’re not operating at peak performance, they churn out free radicals like it’s going out of style.

These pesky free radicals then wreak havoc by causing your immune system to overreact. It’s like the world’s worst office party, and your immune system is the poor soul stuck on clean-up duty.

But wait, there’s more (let me go “infomercial” on you)!

These grumpy mitochondria also mess with your T-regulatory cells, preventing them from doing their job and keeping your immune system stuck in overdrive mode. It’s like having a broken thermostat in the middle of a heatwave – nobody’s happy, and things can go south pretty quickly.

To top it all off, bad mitochondria make your thyroid work harder than it should. Because mitochondria produce cellular energy, if there isn’t enough energy to go around, your thyroid has to pick up the slack.

While your thyroid is usually up for the challenge, if this goes on for too long, it can get worn out and become vulnerable to damage. It’s like asking a marathon runner to sprint the entire race – eventually, they’re going to hit a wall.

So, if you don’t powerfully address your mitochondria, then you end up restricting your foods forever while still having the real issue boil underneath!

And, when you get your mitochondria right, that helps restore balance to our immune system, ultimately reducing our sensitivity to gluten and other food triggers.

Remember, a happy mitochondria is the foundation for healing your thyroid and overcoming Hashimoto’s.

But How Do I Do That?

So, you’ve learned a ton about Hashimoto’s, about gluten intolerance, and the potential benefits of a gluten-free diet. You’ve seen the incredible transformations of Sarah and John, and you’re curious about how mitochondrial and circadian rhythm health can play a role in your healing journey. If you’re thinking, “Hey, maybe I should give this a try,” we’re here to help.

Consider booking a 1-on-1 health strategy session with our team to explore how we can help you achieve deep healing and a better quality of life.

Together, we can develop a personalized plan to tackle your Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and help you live a happier, healthier life.

Just use this link here: https://wy9wfehv62e.typeform.com/to/A5Im5qMJ#source=The-Hashimoto’s-&-Gluten-Saga:-Unmasking-the-Forbidden-Relationship

If not, no worries, take the lessons you’ve learned here or check out our other content!

References:

Sategna-Guidetti C, Volta U, Ciacci C, Usai P, Carlino A, De Franceschi L, Camera A, Pelli A, Brossa C. (2001). Prevalence of thyroid disorders in untreated adult celiac disease patients and the effect of gluten withdrawal: an Italian multicenter study. Am J Gastroenterol. 2001 Mar; 96(3):751-7.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11280546/

Ventura A, Neri E, Ughi C, Leopaldi A, Città A, Not T. (2000). Gluten-dependent diabetes-related and thyroid-related autoantibodies in patients with celiac disease. J Pediatr. 2000 Aug;137(2):263-5.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10931423/

Hadjivassiliou M, Grünewald RA, Kandler RH, Chattopadhyay AK, Jarratt JA, Sanders DS, Sharrack B, Wharton SB, Davies-Jones GA. (2006). Neuropathy associated with gluten sensitivity. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2006 Nov;77(11):1262-6.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17056649/

Kharrazian D. (2010). The role of mercury and cadmium heavy metals in vascular disease, hypertension, coronary heart disease, and myocardial infarction from the aspect of endothelial dysfunction. Altern Ther Health Med. 2010 Mar-Apr;16(2):44-9.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20232619/

Lerner A, Jeremias P, Matthias T. (2015). Gut-thyroid axis and celiac disease. Endocr Connect. 2017 May;6(4):R52-R58.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28450305/