A gluten allergy, or celiac disease, is a genetic condition. If you have this disorder, consuming gluten prompts an inappropriate response by your immune system. This autoimmune response might lead to a number of symptoms, including malnutrition caused by damage to your intestine. MayoClinic.com lists having an autoimmune disease, or having a close relative with an autoimmune disease, as a risk factor for hypothyroidism.
Thyroid
Your thyroid is a 2-inch gland located just below your voice box, at the front of your neck. This gland is responsible for producing the thyroid hormones thyroxine, or T4, and triiodothyronine, or T3. These two hormones are responsible for stimulating every cell in your body to make protein that is then used by your body to oxygenate your blood. T3 and T4 play an important role in regulating your metabolism and the level of calcium in your body.
Hypothyroid
Hypothyroid is a condition that occurs when your thyroid gland produces too little of the T3 and T4 hormones. Symptoms of this condition include fatigue, trouble with concentration, headaches, dry skin, aching muscles, constipation, sensitivity to cold and weight gain. Women might also experience a milk-colored discharge from their breasts and irregular menstrual periods. Factors contributing to this condition include having an autoimmune condition or a close relation with one, polycystic ovarian syndrome, radiation treatment to the chest or thyroid surgery, or being a woman over the age of 50.
Gluten Allergy
A gluten allergy is also known as both gluten intolerance and celiac disease. Gluten intolerance is different from other food allergies in that you experience an inappropriate immune response to gluten, a protein found in barley, wheat and rye. This autoimmune response results in damage and destruction of your villi, small finger-like protrusions that increase the surface area of your small intestine and promote absorption of nutrients. This condition prompts a number of side effects including gastrointestinal symptoms, malnutrition and neurological problems such as neuropathy.
Research
Celiac disease is commonly known as a clinical chameleon, meaning that its presentation varies from case to case. Research published in the February 2000 edition of "Digestive Diseases and Sciences" reports a connection between celiac disease and autoimmune thyroiditis, also known as Hashimoto's disease. Hashimoto’s disease is an autoimmune form of hypothyroid disease. The study included 172 people, finding higher rates of celiac disease in individuals with autoimmune thyroiditis, recommending screening for celiac disease in this population.
References
- MayoClinic.com; Celiac Disease; 2010
- The University of Chicago Celiac Disease Center: Living With Celiac Disease -- Gluten-Free Diet
- MayoClinic.com; Hypothyroidism -- Highlights; 2010
- University of Maryland Medical Center; Hypothyroidism -- Causes; Harvey Simon, M.D.
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Thyroid Gland
- Celiac.com; Thyroid & Pancreatic Disorders and Celiac Disease; Scott Adams
- "Digestive Disease and Sciences"; Usefulness of Screening Program for Celiac Disease in Autoimmune Thyroiditis; Irene Berti, et al.; February 2000
