No more antibody attacks on a gluten-free diet.

Well, three months after giving up gluten and I am now down from 150 Synthroid and 10 Cytomel to 112 Synthroid and 2.5 Cytomel and my neck swelling and antibody attacks are gone. Just pop over to my profile pics and look at my neck.

In February, I was maxed out on thyroid hormone and my labs were in the upper 1/3. I was feeling okay, despite fatigue and stomach pain.

I've always struggled with IBS and bloating, ever since childhood, I can remember my mom loading me up on prune juice.

After reading Dr. Datis Kharrazian's book at:

www.thyroidbook.com

everything about my life fell into place. He blames Hashimoto's on gluten intolerance. Even though I tested negative for Celiac, and many Hashis will not test positive, he says we still are intolerant. After years of eating gluten, it wears down the lining of the gut and seeps into the bloodstream. Antibodies attack the foreign substance. Because the thyroid resembles the molecular structure of gluten, our poor innocent thyroids are eventually attacked by the antibodies. Thus, Hashimoto's is born.

Makes perfect sense.

So I've been gluten free for three months. My lumpy little ball of Swiss cheese that used to be a beautiful pink butterfly is finally working again. I need less hormone. My stomach pain is all but gone. Except for today. I experimented with raw cashews, wondering if they had caused my stomach upset a few weeks ago. Yep. It's the cashews. Note to self. Don't be so stupid. Stay away from cashews and all tree nuts in general.

I am now seeing a doctor who trained under Dr. K. His name is Charles Webb at Imagine Wellness in San Antonio. He and his team of doctors follow Dr. K's protocol with the 21 day gut detox. Hopefully, my gut will heal after years of eating the wrong foods. I'm on day eight. I sure hope those cashews don't impede my progress.

I am feeling better than I've felt in years. Dr. Webb believes in five components of health: nervous system, spine, exercise, eating healthy and gut detox. Once all three are complete, I should be feeling much better.

We are working on reducing yeast in my gut - another common problem with us Hashis. Ever get oral thrush or yeast infections? I bet your leaky gut was the source. Here's a good site on leaky gut syndrome.

http://www.leakygut.co.uk/

Another reason I believe Hashis have gluten intolerance and sometimes even other foods such as nuts, corn, dairy, soy and sugar.

I am awaiting on my adrenal test results. Dr. Webb believes that the 24 hour saliva test is the only reliable method for testing adrenals because cortisol levels fluctuate throughout the day, you need several samples, not just one blood cortisol test. Why don't most endos test and treat adrenals when adrenal fatigue almost always accompanies low thyroid function? If my adrenal tests confirm that I am indeed low, he will start me on natural, not steroid,  adrenal therapy.

I'm feeling well enough to lift weights again. Strength training is part of Dr. Webb's program. I used to be very fit and healthy and I'm hoping for another chance at good health.

Giving up gluten is a small price to pay. Eating the right foods is a small price to pay.  I just want my health, so I can be a good mommy and wife again.

As I write this, I am periodically annoyed by a distinct ringing in my ears - another sign of hyperthyroidism. Do I need to cut back on my thyroid meds again? I will have to call my endo next week and schedule another blood draw. So far, he's pleased that I'm using less hormone, but he didn't seem interested in hearing what I had to say about Dr. K.'s book. He's a good doctor, and I respect him, but I fear getting most endos on board with this new method of treating Hashimoto's will be challenging.

:) Tamra