Hashimotos Thyroiditis, also known as Chronic Lymphocytic or Autoimmune Thyroid, occurs when the body develops antibodies to the thyroid. This condition impacts 1-4% of Americans, primarily women between the ages of 30 – 50. Common symptoms of Hashimotos include fatigue, weight gain, muscle aches, constipation, depression, and hair loss. While most symptoms are typically that of low thyroid function, a “flare” can cause a hyperthyroid state as the body comes under attack by antibodies. The thyroid gland should be an area of focus when healing these patients. However, the healing the gut and a gluten-free diet can play an important role in the recovery process.
While there is no known “cause” of Hashimotos, gluten has been evaluated as a possible trigger. Leaky gut or intestinal hypermeability is common in patients with autoimmune conditions. When the intestinal wall becomes “leaky”, the body begins absorbing improperly digested particles, including gluten. Within the gluten complex is a protein called gliadin. This protein closely resembles the thyroid enzyme transglutaminase – a phenomenon known as molecular mimicry. Since the immune system of the Hashimotos patient is already primed to attack the thyroid, intake of gliadin can lead to the production of more anti-thyroid antibodies, worsening symptoms of the disease. This is why abstaining from gluten is often a number one recommendation for Hashimotos patients. Ongoing exposure to gluten keeps the body in “attack-mode” and makes it nearly impossible to regulate the immune response. In a six-month evaluation, a gluten-free diet was shown to reduce thyroid antibody titers among female patients (Robert Krysiak, 2019).
In addition to eliminating dietary gluten, Hashimotos patients can also benefit from a gut regeneration protocol. The damaged intestinal lining can be restored with glutamine and colostrum and soothed with mucilaginous herbs like marshmallow root and aloe. A daily probiotic can also help balance the GI microbiome and support the immune system. Finally, digestive enzymes can assist with the breakdown of macronutrients, so that larger particles are do not pass through the leaky gut lining.
Gut-healing and a gluten-free diet will not cure Hashimotos or eliminate the need for other interventions. However it will help manage the underlying triggers to the immune system and help them see benefit from other therapies.
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