Gluten Sensitivity and Thyroid Disorders

Below is an excerpt from our book, The Gluten Effect:

“If it is so well-known that gluten sensitivity is associated with autoimmune thyroid diseases, then why isn’t testing for gluten-related problems part of a thyroid medical workup? Numerous studies link the two disorders together, and, likewise, studies support that family members of individuals with autoimmune thyroid disorders should be tested for gluten sensitivity as well. This lack of awareness was one of the reasons why we chose to write this book”…

“From the data listed in this chapter’s overview, we know that about ten percent of the normal population has thyroid disorders. In a study examining fifty-two patients with gluten sensitivity, 19.2 percent were found to have clinical hypothyroidism, and another 21.2 percent were found to have subclinical hypothyroid disease. “Subclinical” means that their blood tests supported low thyroid function even though they had no complaints. This study, therefore found that forty percent of gluten patients have thyroid dysfunction”…

“In another pediatric study, 573 consecutive children were examined in a hospital setting. The gluten-sensitive children were then evaluated with thyroid antibody testing and thyroid blood testing. Out of the gluten-sensitive children, 26.2 percent had thyroid antibodies, but only two-thirds of this group had blood testing showing hypothyroidism. This means that thyroid antibodies circulate in many gluten-sensitive children long before they develop thyroid symptoms.”

…”two things are clear. First, gluten sensitivity is increased in patients with autoimmune thyroid disease, and thyroid disease is increased in patients with gluten sensitivity. Secondly, once both conditions are present, a gluten-free diet will help gluten symptoms and the risk of developing other serious diseases, but it does not eliminate thyroid dysfunction. It may be that in order to prevent thyroid disease in gluten-sensitive patients, avoiding gluten before the onset of thyroid antibodies may be the key”…

“If gluten exposure in gluten-sensitive patients triggers the development of autoimmune thyroid disease, making a diagnosis of gluten sensitivity early is very important”…

“If you have thyroid disease, or have a family member who does, you should be evaluated not only for your thyroid gland function but also for gluten sensitivity. And the sooner, the better. Delaying the diagnosis of gluten sensitivity only places your health at greater risk.”

Visit us at www.RootCauseMedicalClinic.com. If you have questions or need any help, I’m here for you! Call 408-733-0400.

I look forward to hearing from you.

To your good health,

Dr Vikki Petersen, DC, CCN, CFMP


IFM Certified Practitioner

Founder of Root Cause Medical Clinic
Co-author of “The Gluten Effect”

Author of the eBook: “Gluten Intolerance – What You Don’t Know May Be Killing You!”