Link between Gluten Intolerance and Thyroid Disease?
AITD (Auto-Immune Thyroid Disease) and Gluten Intolerance There have been several studies conducted which have shown the strong link between gluten intolerance and autoimmune thyroid diseases or AITD such as Grave’s and Hashimoto’s diseases. The researchers in the study highly recommend that anyone diagnosed should also be checked for AITD and vice versa. Apparently the […]
<h3> <span style="color: #3366ff;"> <img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-1119" src="https://irp-cdn.multiscreensite.com/a2dcf249/thyroid-295x300.jpg" alt="thyroid" width="295" height="300" srcset="https://irp-cdn.multiscreensite.com/a2dcf249/thyroid-295x300.jpg 295w, http://grappinchiropracticclinic.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/thyroid-768x781.jpg 768w, http://grappinchiropracticclinic.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/thyroid-1007x1024.jpg 1007w, http://grappinchiropracticclinic.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/thyroid.jpg 1066w" sizes="(max-width: 295px) 100vw, 295px"/> AITD (Auto-Immune Thyroid Disease) and Gluten Intolerance </span> </h3>
There have been several studies conducted which have shown the strong link between gluten intolerance and autoimmune thyroid diseases or AITD such as Grave’s and Hashimoto’s diseases. The researchers in the study highly recommend that anyone diagnosed should also be checked for AITD and vice versa.
Apparently the cause is a case of mistaken identity. This is because gliadin, which is a type of protein found in gluten has a close resemblance with that of the thyroid. When gliadin penetrates into the bloodstream by breaking the protective barrier that is found in a person’s gut, the immune system will immediately target it for destruction. After an intolerance occurs, if you keep on eating foods that contain gluten, your immune system will also keep on attacking your own thyroid.
Unfortunately, our body’s immune response to gluten may last for six months. Sadly, the 80/20 rule does not apply to intolerance. This would mean that a diet that is “mostly” gluten-free does not completely put an end to this autoimmune attack.
If you really want to prevent the immune destruction of your thyroid, you have to be firm about being 100% gluten-free.
Laboratory Tests
Unfortunately, one cannot rely solely on standard lab tests to be able to confirm that they are intolerant. Standard testing will only test for antibodies to gluten that are already in the bloodstream. However, these antibodies in the bloodstream can only be seen when the gut has already become permeable enough for gluten to successfully pass through – and this is already an advanced stage of intolerance. This would indicate that standard lab tests can only detect advanced cases of gluten intolerance and doctors would miss a lot of gluten intolerance cases that are still in milder stages.
Stool Analysis
Stool analysis may 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 reached into the bloodstream. This was the same method used that helped experts discover the fact that almost 35% of Americans have a gluten intolerance.
Cheek Swab Test
Another method proven to be very helpful in testing gluten intolerance is the cheek swab test that helps determine certain types of genes that are linked to celiac disease and gluten intolerance. Individuals who have HLA DQ genes were found to have higher risks of celiac disease, gluten intolerance and autoimmune disease compared to the general population.
It is unfortunate to note that many cases of gluten intolerance are left undetected or untreated because some doctors as well as patients have the misunderstanding that this condition only leads to digestive problems. What many people do not realize is that it can also cause inflammation to the brain, respiratory tract, skin and joints in which the effects do not have any obvious symptoms of leaky gut.
If you have thyroid problems and suspect yourself to have a gluten intolerance, seek diagnosis immediately. Remember that earlier detection leads to earlier treatment which can largely reduce your risks of autoimmune diseases or AITD and other conditions associated with a gluten tolerance.
At Grappin Chiropractic of North Port, FL we offer nutritional testing and consultation. Call for an appointment today! 941-426-9551
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About the Author: Russell (Rusty) Hart is the founder of the Health, Fitness & Sport Club, a website devoted to the promotion of health, fitness and wellness. Should this subject matter be of interest you can visit the HF & S Club home site where you’ll find over 1,300 quality posts with new posts being published daily. To quickly access those that are of interest you can select any of 20 Categories broken down by over 260 Sub-Categories for easy access.
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