"Why Do I Still Have Thyroid Symptoms? When My Lab Tests are Normal" by Datis Kharrazian

[goolarra]

An open discussion of the book...



Let me preface this by saying that this book has had a lot of recent exposure on this forum.  Many of us have read it due to the recommendation of another member.  Some of us found it severely lacking in fact and scientific backup.  I found it to be little more than an infomercial promoting a shaky theory and a network of “trained practitioners” around the country.  It also pushes a line of products available “only through the author”.  The book claims to explain the cause of Hashi’s and suggests that the protocol can “cure” (eliminate thyroid antibodies) Hashi’s.

So, I’d like to open up a discussion.  Anyone is welcome to ask questions that the book generated, and anyone is welcome to answer those questions…even if you haven’t read the book, if you have any insight that will help explain some of the inconsistencies, I’d love to hear from you.

I have so many questions that it’s difficult to know where to start, so let me start by examining K’s theory on the cause of Hashi’s:

K’s theory is that gluten is the cause of Hashi’s.  Anti-gluten (gliadin) antibodies spill out of a “leaky gut” into the bloodstream.  Once out of the gut, these antibodies attack thyroid “tissue” because it has a “similar” molecular structure to gluten.  According to K, this is how Hashi’s arises.

My first question:  Since gluten antibodies are only present in full-blown autoimmune celiac disease, how does this apply to those of us without celiac?  What causes Hashi’s in those of us without anti-gluten antibodies?

I suspect we will have a lot more questions than answers on this thread.  I hope those question will help members decide whether it’s worth buying this book and will help them read it in an appropriately critical manner if they do buy it.      

[magpieannie]

Welcome back! We've missed you! I've only read 1/2 the book. I think I'll go ahead and finish it now after all these threads about it. I'll let you know when I finish it. All the T1 / T2 stuff confused me some in the first chapters, and since Hashimotos disease is not the issue for us, I just lost interest when it got confusing. I will keep in mind the immune system response as I finish the book. Leave it to you to see the forest through the trees! Your input is a valued asset to us all on this forum. Thanks for chimming in!

[goolarra]

I agree with you, Stella.  That's why I've been trying to figure out how to fill in the holes or missing links in K's explanation of the cause of Hashi's (see my many questions above).  The concept of "mistaken identity" (gluten molecule and thyroid tissue molecule) is central to the whole book, so I think you have to be able to accept his explanation of cause or the rest of the book falls apart.  But, I agree that the discussion does digress at times into the merit or lack thereof of a g/f diet.

[stella5349]

I believe more thought needs to be on the immune system response first - vs the argument of Gluten and Celiac being sole. This is how I am understanding the material of that book and find the base of that stream lining the other issues.

[magpieannie]

Thanks for the great post. It really cleared some questions up for me in regards to my daughter. I will continue to "limit" my daughter's exposure to gluten due to past issues with fungal overgrowth in her intestines. However, if it can't be avoided, I will not fret as much if she gets a little bit here and there. (like at her 2 week summer camp - it was up to her to make good choices on her food-however I was not there to cook it or tell her no, so I'm sure she ate some snacks/food that had it) I want to do my best in helping her to remain her best, however I don't want to go "overboard" with restrictions that may not need to be quite so regid. Although, I will not let her eat  like she use to, the way most kids do, (donuts and pizza and cokes- a definite No No) I will relax a bit and try to let her have a break every once in awhile when it's difficult to avoid. I am thankful that the effects of gluten on her are due to low metabolism (slow gut) and fungal overgrowth, instead of antibodies and Celiacs. Thanks again for all the help! You are all the best!

[Smilerdeb]

Sorry was supposed to read...Ulcerative Colitis...typo lol

[Smilerdeb]

I have read your postings and would like to add that Diabetics ALSO have a slow metabolism in the gut and if left untreated can result in Ulcerative Cilitis.
So as your postings have pointed out (very well I might add)....gluten is NOT always the culprit for gut problems.
Great postings from everyone!