Gluten and thyroid – obesity

Autoimmune diseases such as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (the main cause of hypothyroidism) occur when the immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s own tissues. In the case of the thyroid gland, this is due to a malfunction of the immune system.

Gluten may play a role in the development or exacerbation of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. This is because gluten (a protein found in wheat, rye, and barley) can trigger immune responses that indirectly affect the thyroid gland. .:

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1. Molecular mimicry

• Gluten contains proteinsProteins are high-molecular organic substances consisting of alpha-amino acids linked in a chain by a peptide bond. In living organisms, the amino acid composition of proteins is determined by the genetic code. During synthesis, 20 standard amino acids are used in most cases. Many combinations of them determine the great diversity of properties of protein molecules. Proteins play a key role in the immune response and can perform transport, storage, catalytic, structural, and receptor functions. Proteins are an important part of the nutrition of animals and humans. The main sources of proteins are meat, poultry, fish, milk, nuts, legumes, and grains. that can ‘mimic’ the structure of thyroid proteins (for example, thyroperoxidase).
• In people with a genetic predisposition, the immune system, reacting to gluten, can begin to attack not only gluten, but also thyroid proteins that are similar in structure. This phenomenon is called molecular mimicry.

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2. Celiac disease and autoimmune diseases

• Celiac disease is an autoimmune disease in which gluten consumption causes damage to the lining of the small intestine.
• People with celiac disease have a significantly higher risk of developing other autoimmune diseases, including Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. This is due to common genetic and immune mechanisms.
• Even if a person does not have overt celiac disease, gluten sensitivity (non-celiac gluten sensitivity) can contribute to inflammation and autoimmune reactions.

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3. Increased intestinal permeability (leaky bowel syndrome)

• Gluten can increase the permeability of the intestinal wall in predisposed individuals. This allows toxins, bacteria, and undigested proteins to enter the bloodstream, causing systemic inflammation and activation of the immune system.
• Chronic inflammation can contribute to the development or exacerbation of autoimmune diseases, including Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.

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4. Research and data

• Studies show that people with autoimmune thyroid diseases are more likely to have gluten sensitivity or celiac disease.
• In some patients with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, eliminating gluten from the diet results in reduced thyroid antibody levels and improved symptoms.

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What to do?

If you have Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, consider the following steps::

1. Checking for celiac disease:
   • Take tests for tissue transglutaminase (tTG) and endomysium antibodies (EMA), and check your total IgA level.
   • Before excluding gluten from the diet, it is important to get a diagnosis, as a gluten-free diet can distort the results of tests.
2. Gluten exclusion:
   • If the tests are negative, but there is a suspicion of gluten sensitivity, you can try a gluten-free diet for 2-3 months and assess changes in your health and thyroid antibody levels.
3. Consultation with your doctor:
   • Talk to your endocrinologist or dietitian about avoiding gluten and other potential triggers of autoimmune reactions.

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Important!

Not all patients with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis need to exclude gluten. However, in some people, it can significantly improve the condition. Therefore, the approach should be individual, based on analysis and observation of the body’s response.