Gluten free for a week, not well, reduced dose also

[alfonsina]

I have posted here before about how difficult has been for me this last year when my cluster headaches started and had not gone away. My primary determined it was not my thyroid because we moved my doses every three months or so and nothing worked. I finally decreased it since my FT4 was too high as well as my reverse.

Since along with the headaches I started to lose weight and get constipated among other things (and my hair loss got worse) I did some testing and my vitamin D is 14. I am now in a large dose weekly and I do not see any difference.

I went to the GI and did endoscopy and I don't have celiac

I went to the nutritionist one week ago and she said I need to add more carbs to my diet, since I was not eating much and also protein (and read meat since I don't eat them), because that is why I was losing my hair. She also asked me to try a gluten free diet for three weeks to see how I feel.

I have been reading good posts here about experiences with gluten free diet, but I am sure if it has really made a difference in those with only intolerance. To be honest it has been only one week and I am eating more carbs (gluten free bread and crackers and potatoes) and more dairy, because of the protein (lactaid, Greek yogurt and cheeses), but I am even more bloated than before and I don't want to eat anymore....it is a vicious circle.

I was thinking about going dairy free, but I am wondering if I should wait more on the gluten free diet.Maybe the carbs are making me bloated?

Plus I started two weeks ago magnesium supplements and last week I started to get hives as I was increasing my dose. I am only taking for two days now 400mg and I had a lot of hives in my face yesterday. I am still constipated, not sure if that is causing me the bloating. Magnesium has given me a soft skin and in general I feel more "moisturized"  so I am not sure I want to give it up. Although my cluster headaches are still there and going worse day by day.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[alfonsina]

I added first T3 medicine to my NT regime in a effort to lower my Reverse T3 which it was high. Because I felt worse my doctor tried another approach and dropped T3 and added T4 to my NT and I started to feel better with my palps and anxiety although constipation, hair loss and headaches got worse or did not change at all.

As a result my Reverse is extremely high after the T4 addition. I rather comeback to my NT regime with a in range reverse. I know my Ft4 will be a little low and my Ft3 a little higher (all in range), but at least everything will be more in range.  I am concern about my FT4 in the low part of the range because I tend to get depressed when that happens.

To be honest I have not seen any difference with all the changes. I have not gotten any better. I will see my doctor in two more months. Thanks!

[Barb135]

Yes, fiber fills you up and is healthy for you, but be aware that too much fiber can also cause the bloating discomfort you have, as well.  Most sources recommend at least 35 grams of fiber/day, but if you get too much, all at once you will have issues.

Why would you want to drop the synthroid?  

Keep in mind that you should only ever make one change at a time, in diet, medication, etc.  If you change too many things, all at once, you'll never know what really helps and what doesn't help.  If you change one thing for a period of time, and it doesn't make you feel better, you know you have to try something else.  It's a very slow process and nothing happens overnight.

[alfonsina]

oops, lol, I meant simple carbs...complex carbs have more fiber and I want that because they are healthier and also fill me up. This diet thing is a whole new discovery for me. I never paid too much attention to my diet, if I was getting the nutrients I needed, very careless about it...never late to start listening to my body. Thanks!!!

[Barb135]

I think you misunderstand -- complex carbs are the ones you want; simple carbs are the ones you should avoid....

[alfonsina]

Thanks, I have been reading today about complex carbs and simple carbs and I have a lot of questions for my nutritionist to answer about how I can  get a balance diet with  varied menu without adding too many complex carbs. I am taking note.

And I was thinking about that yesterday, about how my reverse T3 is so high that is might be a contributor to my digestion being so slow. I do feel that I digest very slow and if I binge or eat too much in a sitting I will feel bad at that moment, but I will be suffering hours later. The same if I eat too often.

I am going to have to work with my doctor in my replacement therapy and I was thinking about dropping Synthroid (although my mood has improved with it) and only stay with NatureThroid. We'll see what he says. Thanks again:)

[sunrock]

Not to mention that when your Thyroid is out of balance it affects your GI tact and  it doesn't seem to matter what you eat or don't eat.
When your T's get in balance and you are feeling "normal" your GI tact will start to improve.

Mia

[sissaphus]

I agree with switching out your gf bread for complex carbs during your three week trial period.

I've been having skin problems since childhood and GI symptoms in the last few years.

I'm tossing out another idea. Sorry because you have a lot of ideas and really want answers and it's frustrating to not have answers. You mentioned apples, grapes and pineapples. Birch pollen can cross react with apples and wheat among other foods and grapes and pineapple can cross react with many pollens to cause allergic reactions such as hives.

[Barb135]

As goolarra mentioned, you can become sensitive to anything you haven't eaten in a long time, and you have to add it back in, very slowly, in very small amounts - like maybe even a couple bites, to start.  

Raw veggies do not have more fiber than cooked, though cooking does help break it down so it's easier for some to digest. Lightly steaming them is best to preserve the vitamins/minerals; leave off the butter and sauces and season them with oil, lemon, vinegar, herbs, spices, etc.

Yes, you should protein for breakfast, such as eggs, yogurt, cheese, etc. Each meal should contain some protein and carbs.

You just have to make sure you're getting the "right" carbs.  You might want to do some research on simple carbs and complex carbs.  Simple ones are the refined sugary, floury, fatty type that break down quickly, spike your blood sugar and leave you craving more.  Complex carbs are those that come from veggies, fruit, whole grains that take much longer to break down, don't spike your blood sugar and leave you feeling fuller longer.  

Fats are essential for feeling satisfied and the "good" fats can also help control weight.  Opt for fats from things like olive oil, avocados, nuts, seeds, etc, over saturated fats from meat or dairy, though *some* saturated fat is good.

It's common for sweets and simple carbs to  make you crave more and yes, once you start eating them, it's hard to stop, because you get a vicious cycle going.  

Even though it's often recommended that we eat several small meals each day, that doesn't always work well.  I don't do well, eating every 2-3 hrs, either.  

[alfonsina]

I just checked my allergy test results and I have no allergies to cow milk nor wheat.

The cereals I tried to eat were Total and Bran All. They gave me stomachache.

I mostly eat raw veggies and fruits and I know I should cook some of those, but I always forgot they are tough on my stomach. I think that if they are raw they have more fiber though.

And yes, corn makes me blot and I stopped eating it long ago.

My nutritionist told me about the importance of getting protein and cabs with every meal. The neurologist told me today to start my breakfast with protein, to prevent migraines.

I am not sure about the importance of fat, like it was mentioned above, but I personally don't like anything fat free, it just tastes awful so I eat everything with regular fat in it.

I only know one thing about my diet; the less often I eat the better I feel and I know that that goes against what everybody is telling today about eating every three hours. I feel better in terms of bloating and gases. I feel light and comfy. The same when I cut carbs like bread, pasta, rice, potatoes, I feel better than  ever, no stomachache and that same feeling that I am having a great digestion.

The more sweets and carbs I have the more I crave, another reason for me to try to avoid them. The more sugar I have the more insomnia and anxiety I get.  The problem for me, and what I call my own addiction, is that once I start eating I cannot stop (I mean difficult to). And I am supposed to have small meals.
No problems with sugar levels so far, I guess the nutritionist mentioned it as a prevention.

I feel better about the bloating today maybe because I did not take magnesium for two days in a row. I got another brand today. If it gives me hives again or bloating I am quitting it for ever.

Thanks everyone!!!

[LazyMoose]

"I am eating more carbs (gluten free bread and crackers and potatoes) and more dairy, because of the protein (lactaid, Greek yogurt and cheeses), but I am even more bloated than before "

- that is what makes some people bloated. You might NOT be intolerant to all or any gluten, but other things just dont agree with you. You need to figure this out one at a time, and be almost scientifc about your aproach.

Some people dont tolerate certain grains. Sometimes the more whole the grain the worse it is for some people - backwards to modern thinking, but true. So basisically the grains - wheat, oat and corn, find out which ones you tolerate best. My body likes corn but not whole gain wheat that much - I limit it and take a specific probiotic for grain if I indulge in those "offenders".  

And as stated by others, dont forget veggies. Once one limits sweets, veggies become more tasty.

As far as animal protien, ckicken is the most healthy, and most agreable for most bodies. Red meat at every meal is one of the causes of heart disease -its very acidic meat, which thickens and acidifies blood, heart muscle does not need that.

[flyingfool]

Just went to a seminar talking about fitness and eating.

Interesting that the theory was to stabilize the blood sugar.  And he stated that people should eat between 5 to 6 "meals" a day.  In other words about every 2 to 3 hours you should eat something.

He went on to say that EVERY one of these meals or snacks MUST include three things:

1) Protein
2) Fat
3) Carbs

he stated that eating an apple or banana at say 9 AM is bad.  Not that the apple is bad. But that it will spike the blood sugar. If you combine that fruit with say cottage cheese or string cheese etc or nuts etc to add in a protein and fat source you will not spike your blood sugar. you also will not be hungry and crave things.

Also he did talk about steamed veggies and complex carbs and to avoid when you can simple carbs.

it is interesting to note #2 in the above list. He claimed that people who go nuts over eliminating fat on "diets" are just chasing your tail. you body NEEDS fat.  And in fact it needs to be balanced with the protein and carb to make your body work the best. People who starve themselves of fat (generally meat and other protein based foods) will actually burn muscle instead of fat from their body.  The exact opposite of what people are intending to do.

True body cravings are actually your unconscious body telling you what the body is lacking.  This is why so many people on traditional "diets" have uncontrollable cravings because they are starving their body of certain things.  It also is why people fall off the diets and they don't work for them.

Just reporting what I heard at the seminar.  Seems to make some sense.

I have tried starting this. And I do find that I am MUCH less hungry come lunch time when I have some cheese with my mid morning fruit snack. Which causes me to eat less at lunch.

[goolarra]

"I told my nutritionist that after introducing back cereal to may diet after a year without it I was so bloated I couldn't eat until later that day, cause I was feeling just awful."

You can become sensitive to anything you remove from your diet for a year.  A g/f diet can make you gluten intolerant.  When I quit g/f, I literally ate a craker one day, another the next, then two...  And then I had to have the pizza!  LOL

Seriously, go slow.  Don't eat a whole portion of anything you haven't had in a long time.

[Barb135]

True allergy to gluten would mean you have celiac; which you've already said you tested negative for.  

What types of cereal are you trying to introduce back in? In what forms?  I know there are people who allergic to wheat, but not to gluten......there's a difference.  

Raw veggies are not the only option and often not the best; do you eat any cooked/steamed veggies?  Cooking might help make them easier to break down and not so hard to digest.  Ever tried a baked apple or pear with cinnamon? yum and cinnamon has been proven to steady blood sugar levels.

Do you have issues with low blood sugar levels?  White rice and rice cakes are pretty much simple carbs and will spike your blood sugar, but when they wear off in a short time, your levels will dip again, requiring something to bring them up quickly again.  It becomes a vicious cycle (been there, done that, many times over)

If you don't have issues with hypoglycemia, your problem might lie with your nutritionist. But even if you DO have issues with hypoglycemia, you need to stick with low glycemic foods that will take longer to break down and will keep your blood sugar levels steady because constant rise/fall is very bad for you.

You're talking about simple carbs and the best way to beat an "addiction" which, in this case, is really a craving, is to stop eating them and opt for things that will keep blood sugar levels steady....... proteins are great for this, as are complex carbs.

The best magnesium is the citrate form.  Be sure to check out the fillers and specifically avoid soy.  

[alfonsina]

Thanks for the feedback

This is very interesting, I think  this is the first time I heard that for some gluten free was not an option or felt bad on it. I might not be gluten intolerant, but I could be allergic to gluten. I told my nutritionist that after introducing back cereal to may diet after a year without it I was so bloated I couldn't eat until later that day, cause I was feeling just awful.

I am open to it, if it does not work, I will not stay on it too long. Fruits make me bloat (pineapple, apple, grapes) and also ice cream and dulce de leche. I am not allergic to milk, I know that, but I could be intolerant, I will try that later. All I know is that every time I introduce cereal, pastas, bread , cookies to my diet I feel worse and I develop some kind of an addiction to carbs.

Barb- I eat a lot of raw veggies, still my nutritionist wanted me to eat rice and rice crackers, for energy and blood sugar levels, she said.

I have less hives today. I was searching for hypoallergenic magnesium supplements. I was taking the chelated one which is supposed to be better absorbed by the body. I wonder if the hypoallergenic would be fine.

Thanks!

[danie17075rm]

If you are not gluten intolerant I highly advise against doing the diet. I did for a year, my thyroid got worse, and I developed nutritional deficiencies. I also developed other diseases. I don't know if this was caused by gf,  but if you don't need to I would choose another way of eating healthy.

[Barb135]

Try changing your carbs.  Opt for vegetables over the crackers, bread and potatoes.  Veggie's, are complex carbs and take longer to break down in the stomach; that might eliminate the bloating/constipation.  

[goolarra]

I went g/f because a friend suggested the diet to me.  I didn't do it for thyroid reasons, and back then, I don't even know if it was being touted as good for thyroid.

Anyway, no, I did not have a good experience.  I ended up with some g/e problems that really were not pretty and ultimately had to have some minor g/e surgery.  In retrospect, I'm sure that I should have abandoned the g/f diet long before I did, but I had gotten myself into a place where I was afraid to make ANY changes until my new symptoms went away.

If a new diet, supplement or medication (most, anyway) doesn't make you feel better, then it's probably not worth pursuing.  Any benefit to your body from these things is going to make you feel better.  If you don't, then you probably don't need it.

I'm 61, and any upset in the applecart, even if it might be considered beneficial by someone younger, can upset lifelong habits ...something you might not want to do without careful consideration.

[alfonsina]

Thank you for your responses.

I think you are right and I will wait until I can see my nutritionist before eliminating dairy.

I will stop the magnesium today. I just noticed something weird. The hives started a week after I started the magnesium, but almost the same day I started the gluten free diet. I noticed that I had them yesterday after breakfast, and they came back tonight. The only thing that I have eaten in the morning yesterday and tonight is gluten free bread. Maybe is that. I will stop the magnesium first and then I will see. Thanks.

[sunrock]

After the G/F diet you may want to go Lactose free. I have problems with Lactose....

goolarra...."there were changes...not for the better"

Did you have problems with G/F diet?? Just wondering......
Mia

[goolarra]

Though it can require a lot of patience, there really is no substitute for making ONE change at a time so that you can truly evaluate what the change did.  For that reason, I'd definitely give the g/f diet the full three weeks the nutritionist suggested before making any more dietary changes.  I went g/f a few years ago for reasons other than thyroid.  I was g/f for close to a year, and I saw no changes to my thyroid condition whatsoever.  There were changes...not for the better.  So give it time to see what it does, but don't hang onto it if it doesn't seem to be doing anything, either.

Both the carbs and the constipation could be causing your bloat, especially if you're unused to eating so many carbs.  About anything "different" can cause bloating.  

It's going to take a while for your D levels to rise.

Perhaps a different brand of magnesium would be better?  Hives are usually an allergic reation.  Maybe the fillers in the supplement are a problem for you.