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Research links Celiac Sprue Gluten-Intolerance to Autoimmune Thyroid Disease
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| 12/13/2003 |
According to research recently reported on in the
medical journal Digestive Diseases and Sciences (http://thyroid.about.com/cs/latestresearch/a/celiac.htm#ref), a significant number of patients with autoimmune thyroid disease also have
celiac disease. Celiac disease is a disorder that causes the intestines to react
abnormally to gluten, a protein found in wheat, rye, barley, oats, spelt, kamut,
and other related grains.
"...researchers found that...organ-specific
autoantibodies (i.e., thyroid antibodies) -- will disappear after 3 to 6 months
of a gluten-free diet."
Celiac disease, which is sometimes referred
to as celiac sprue, sprue, or gluten intolerance, makes it
difficult for the body to properly absorb nutrients from foods. Symptoms include
various intestinal difficulties, recurring abdominal bloating and pain, nausea,
anemia, gas, tingling numbness in the legs, sores inside the mouth, painful skin
rash on elbows, knees, and buttocks, cramping, hives, joint/muscle pains and
aches, diarrhea, and constipation, among others.
Untreated, celiac disease
raises risks of contracting certain stomach cancers by more than double.
The researchers studied 172 patients with autoimmune thyroid disease,
and two control groups, and found that the 3.4% of patients with autoimmune
thyroiditis had celiac disease, and the prevalence was only 0.6% and 0.25% among
the control groups. The study also found that undiagnosed celiac disease may
actually be part of the process that triggers an underlying autoimmune disease.
In their findings they wrote: "We believe that undiagnosed celiac disease can
cause other disorders by switching on some as yet unknown immunological
mechanism. Untreated celiac patients produce organ-specific autoantibodies."
Of perhaps greatest importance to thyroid patients, the researchers
found that the various antibodies that indicate celiac disease - organ-specific
autoantibodies (i.e., thyroid antibodies) -- will disappear after 3 to 6 months
of a gluten-free diet.
The researchers suggest that patients with
autoimmune thyroiditis "may benefit from a screening for celiac disease so as to
eliminate symptoms and limit the risk of developing other autoimmune disorders."
(Digestive Diseases and Sciences, February
2000;45:403-406.)
More On Celiac Disease
The underlying
propensity to develop celiac disease is considered hereditary, and the condition
often runs in families.
Some practitioners theorize that celiac disease
may be triggered after infection by a type of virus that biologically resembles
the proteins in gluten. After the infection, the body cannot distinguish between
the invading virus and the gluten protein, and subsequently, the body reacts
allergically, releasing mucous into the intestinal tract upon gluten exposure,
and causing damage to the intestines.
In addition to viral infections,
celiac disease is also known to be triggered in susceptible people by pregnancy,
severe stress, or physical trauma. Celiac disease also is more common among
people with type 1 diabetes.
Impact for Thyroid Patients
This is important information for autoimmune thyroid disease patients
(Hashimoto's Diseae, Graves' Disease) , who are typically told that there is
nothing that can be done to reduce antibody levels, or to improve the
"autoimmune" aspect of their thyroid conditions. While some recent books have
reported on the impact of diet and nutrition on antibody levels, this research
demonstrates scientifically how diet may in fact have a major role in autoimmune
reactions.
To diagnose celiac disease, your doctor can do a blood test
to measure the levels of antibodies to gluten. These antibodies are called
antigliadin, anti-endomysium, and antireticulin. A preliminary diagnosis of
celiac disease can be confirmed by the results of your going on a totally
gluten-free diet, or, in more extreme cases, an intestinal biopsy.
The Gluten-Free Diet: The Cure for Celiac Disease
The only
real treatment for celiac disease is strict adherence to a 100% gluten-free diet
for life. Following a gluten-free diet can prevent almost all complications
caused by the disease. A gluten-free diet means avoiding anything that contain
wheat, rye and barley, or any of their by-products.
Foods which can be eaten
on in a gluten-free diet include: Fresh meats, fish and poultry; milk and
unprocessed cheeses; dried beans; plain fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables
and corn and rice.
Foods prohibited on a gluten-free diet: Any bread, cereal
or other food made with wheat, rye, barley and oat flours or ingredients and
byproducts made from those grains. Also processed foods containing wheat,
gluten-derivatives, or thickeners are prohibited. These foods include hot dogs,
ice cream, salad dressings, canned soups, dried soup mixes, non-dairy creamers,
processed cheeses, cream sauces, and hundreds of other common foods.
Source: http://thyroid.about.com/cs/latestresearch/a/celiac.htm
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