AITD (Autoimmune Thyroid Disease) and gluten intolerance

AITD (Autoimmune Thyroid Disease) and gluten intolerance

There have been several studies conducted that have shown the strong connection between gluten intolerance and autoimmune thyroid disease or AITD such as Graves' disease and Hashimoto's disease. The researchers in the study strongly recommend that every patient diagnosed should also be screened for AITD and vice versa.

Apparently the cause is a case of mistaken identity. This is because gliadin, a type of protein found in gluten, has a close resemblance to the thyroid. When gliadin enters the bloodstream by breaking the protective barrier in a person's intestines, the immune system will immediately aim to destroy it. If you continue to eat foods containing gluten after an intolerance, your immune system will continue to attack your own thyroid.

Unfortunately, our body's immune response to gluten can take six months. Unfortunately, the 80/20 rule does not apply to intolerance. This would mean that a diet that is “mostly” gluten-free does not completely stop this autoimmune attack.

If you really want to prevent immune destruction of your thyroid, you need to be firm about being 100% gluten-free.

Laboratory tests

Unfortunately, one cannot rely solely on standard laboratory tests to confirm that they are intolerant. Standard tests only test for antibodies to gluten that are already in the blood. However, these antibodies in the bloodstream are only visible when the intestine has already become permeable enough to allow gluten to pass through successfully - and this is already an advanced stage of intolerance. This would indicate that standard laboratory tests can only detect advanced cases of gluten intolerance and doctors would miss many cases of gluten intolerance that are still in a milder stage.

Stool analysis

Stool analysis can prove to be very helpful in detecting earlier stages of gluten intolerance. This is because stool analysis can detect antibodies while they are still in the digestive tract and have not yet entered the bloodstream. This was the same method experts used to discover that nearly 35% of Americans have gluten intolerance.

Cheek swab test

Another method that has proven to be very helpful in testing gluten intolerance is the cheek swab test, which can help determine certain types of genes related to celiac disease and gluten intolerance. Individuals with HLA-DQ genes have been found to be at higher risk of celiac disease, gluten intolerance and autoimmune diseases compared to the general population.

It is unfortunate to note that many cases of gluten intolerance go undetected or untreated because some doctors and patients have the misconception that this condition only leads to digestive problems. What many people don't realize is that it can also cause inflammation of the brain, respiratory tract, skin, and joints, the effects of which have no obvious symptoms of leaky gut.

If you have thyroid problems and suspect you have gluten intolerance, seek a diagnosis immediately. Remember, earlier detection leads to earlier treatment, which can significantly reduce your risk of autoimmune diseases or AITD and other conditions associated with gluten tolerance.

Inspired by J Russell Hart