For millions of Americans who suffer from hypothyroidism, thyroid hormone medications improve symptoms and normalize hormone levels. But for some people, even with medications, symptoms persist. According to Dr. Peter Green, director of the Celiac Disease Center at Columbia University, a gluten-free diet may improve symptoms of hypothyroidism. Researchers have shown a strong link between the autoimmune diseases celiac disease and autoimmune thyroid disease (ATD), as reported by Chin Lye Ch'ng, et al., in a 2007 article in "Clinical Medicine and Research."
Symptoms of Hypothyroidism
When the thyroid gland fails to produce adequate thyroid hormone, energy metabolism is affected. A major symptom of hypothyroidism is an increase in weight, even with a decrease in appetite and increased physical activity. Other symptoms include fatigue, the inability to maintain warmth, dry skin and brain fog or poor memory.
Autoimmune Thyroid Disease (ATD)
The most common cause of hypothyroidism is thyroid failure from Hashimoto's disease. Up to ten million people in the U.S. have Hashimoto's disease, according to EndocrineWeb.com. Hashimoto's is an autoimmune thyroid disease in which the body's immune system attacks the thyroid cells. Other causes of thyroid failure are from surgical removal, radiation treatment and certain medications.
Link between ATD and Celiac Disease
There is a link between celiac disease and ATD, with 2 to 5 percent of ATD patients found to also have celiac disease, according to Ch'ng, et al. Celiac disease is also an autoimmune disease in which the body attacks intestinal cells when gluten (a protein found in wheat, rye and barley) is ingested. One of the diagnostic markers of celiac disease is elevated levels of antitissue transglutaminase (tTG). In 2008, a study from Columbia University concluded that tTG binds and reacts to thyroid tissue, and high levels of tTG may contribute to the onset of autoimmune thyroid disease, as reported by A.J. Naiyer, et al., in the journal "Thyroid."
Gluten-Free Diet as Treatment:
The gluten-free diet is currently the only treatment for celiac disease. A gluten-free diet removes all sources of wheat, rye, and barley from the diet. When the gluten-free diet is followed, an individual with celiac disease will see serum tTG levels in the blood normalize. The reduced tTG levels may also reduce inflammation of the thyroid.
Professional Recommendation
A November 2010 article in "Today's Dietitian" reports that registered dietitians suggest a gluten-free diet may help improve thyroid conditions, even in patients who do not have celiac disease. The current information available on the benefits of a gluten-free diet for hypothyroidism are mainly anecdotal, however; reports of improvement from patients and clinicians are based on experience rather than evidence-based studies. Based on current research and clinician reports, a trial gluten-free diet may be helpful for patients with hypothyroidism symptoms that do not improve with medication.
References
- "Celiac Disease a Hidden Epidemic"; Peter H.R. Green MD; 2006.
- "Clinical Medicine and Research"; Celiac Disease and Autoimmune Thyroid Disease; Ch'ng CL, Jones MK, Kingham JGC; 2007
- Endocrine Web: Hypothyroidism Facts and Tips
- "Thyroid"; Tissue transglutaminase antibodies in individuals with celiac disease bind to thyroid follicles and extracellular matrix and may contribute to thyroid dysfunction; Naiyer AJ, et al.; 2008
- "Today's Dietitian"; Two of a kind--Research connects celiac and thyroid diseases and suggests a gluten-free diet benefits both.; Harris, Cheryl; Kaplan, Gary; November 2010
