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Can hypothyroid be caused by gluten and selenium deficiency? More and more researchers are looking at gluten in the diet as a contributing factor in thyroid diseases.
In the following peer reviewed study, researchers shed light on the fact that gluten induced intestinal inflammation leads to malabsorption of selenium. The researchers go on to say that selenium deficiency can cause thyroid diseases and can lead to unregulated inflammatory damage of the gland. Quotes from the study go on to illustrate two very key points:
the target organs are not limited to the gut, but include thyroid, liver, skin and reproductive and nervous systems…
Thus, selenium malabsorption in CD (celiac disease) can be thought as a key factor directly leading to thyroid and intestinal damage.
Medical Source: Ann Ist Super Sanita. 2010;46(4):389-399.
It is no medical mystery that gluten can cause vitamin and mineral deficiencies. Selenium is a mineral with multiple functions within the body. Some of selenium’s more common roles are listed below:
This study points out that no only does gluten induced selenium deficiency cause abnormal thyroid hormone production, it leads to excessive inflammation and autoimmune disease.
In previous posts we have discussed how going on a gluten free diet can improve hormone function. One of the reasons this happens for many is that a gluten free diet helps the thyroid gland start working again.
The most important thing to do, is ask WHY? Why is your thyroid not working? Could it be gluten? Could it be nutritional deficiencies? Remember that many endocrinologists are not trained The following lab tests can be helping in determining the “WHY” for you.
It is time for doctors to start ruling out gluten sensitivity, celiac disease, and nutritional deficiencies in patients with thyroid disease. If your doctor will not investigate these areas for you, look for a functional medicine doctor who will.
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The entire contents of this website are based upon the opinions of Peter Osborne, unless otherwise noted. Individual articles are based upon the opinions of the respective author, who retains copyright as marked. The information on this website is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice. It is intended as a sharing of knowledge and information from the research and experience of Peter Osborne and his community. Peter Osborne encourages you to make your own health care decisions based upon your research and in partnership with a qualified health care professional.
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16 Responses
My thyroid is still getting worse after a year on a grain free diet. It is so frustrating!
Have you looked to identify nutritional deficiencies and other food or environmental allergens?
Funny, I have had Rheumatoid Arthritis since age 3, and recently tested a bit low in T3, progesterone and AM cortisol. I also had testing done through Spectracell and was deficient in selenium, among other things (magnesium, zinc, vitamins A, D, K, C, most B complex, choline, asparagine, antioxidants, glucose-insulin interaction, etc.). I’ve also had HLA DQ2/DQ8 testing done through LabCorp, but it came back negative, as well as the thyroid antibodies test for Hashimoto’s. My mom is also hypothyroid, has gastro issues, and occasionally a rash that closely resembles dermatitis herpetiformis on her arms and neck…
What am I missing to determine a true gluten sensitivity? I’ve gone grain-free for significant lengths of time, but still seem to have low-grade inflammation in certain joints…Besides a sugar-free and grain-free diet, what can I do to balance my hormones and put my RA into remission for good?
JL,
Your HLA-DQ testing needs to be looked at for genes other than DQ2 and 8. Most doctors are not aware of the genetic relationship with non-celiac gluten sensitivity. You should also look at having a food and environmental allergy test performed. Other foods can trigger and contribute to autoimmune disease.
All the best,
Dr. O
JL,
I’m curious about this. My problems are more along the lines of fatigue, but I started a high-fat diet, which meant eating lots of beef suet. It made a pretty huge difference along with grain free and mostly sugar free diet. my email is cloudffvii88@gmail.com if you want to write back and tell me what happens. Good luck, -Charlie
why won’t most doctors and endo’s check all thyroid hormones other than TSH? I went undiagnosed for 2 years with severe hypo symptoms but because my TSH was in the normal range I was told I was not hypo until a doc. checked my free T3. Now that I’m on armour I’m much much better. I’m going to go gluten free now too to see if it helps.
Dear Dr. Osborne,
My daughter has polycystic ovaries and is not ovulating. Both my husband and I have tested positive and now are on the diet for gluten sensitivity. Could the gluten be the cause of her ovaries not working? She needs some hope.
Gluten sensitivity is commonly associate with PCOS. Have your daughter watch the following video:
https://stg-gfsociety-testing.kinsta.cloud/video-tutorial/gluten-sensitivity-what-is-it/
My 19 yr old daughter has Celiac and several food intolerances. She is very thin and had been having hair loss. Her Thyroid tests a yr ago were normal. I asked the doctor to run her tests again and her Free T3 was low. She is now on a low dose of Armour. Her hair stopped falling out and she said her brain didn’t feel foggy anymore. Unfortunately, she has lost a few pounds since she has been on her thyroid medications. Trying to figure out how to help her gain weight without most grains, dairy, eggs, soy, and beef.
Ask your doctor to perform an iodine loading test. Iodine is a mineral that is essential for the body to produce thyroid hormone. Additionally, have the doctor perform a spectracell vitamin and mineral analysis (blood test).
Lack of nutrients can contribute to weight gain issues.
Can gluten-intolerance also lead to hypER thyroid issues? I had hyperthyroidism that was out of control just a few weeks after having my appendix out, which I believe now was connected to a gluten-intolerance I didn’t know I had at the time. in order to correct the hyperthyroidism, they gave me radioactive iodine, which now means I am hypothyroid, but luckily that can be controlled, for the most part with synthetic hormone replacement.
This is for Susan, June 16 th. I went gluten free i Jan 2012. had trouble with my Armor thyroid and recently found out that it has gluten in it.
I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism about 9 months ago and have been advised by a friend to start a gluten free diet. Will this help with the symptoms I have??
Julie,
Read this article on thyroid disease and gluten:
https://stg-gfsociety-testing.kinsta.cloud/gluten-induced-nutritional-deficiencies-contributes-to-thyroid-hormone-disease/
All the best,
Dr. O
For those struggling to address gluten allergies you must first eliminate all grains. Secondly you must eliminate any intestinal permeability by healing your GI system.
Help , my daughter has hashimotos and found out she can not eat gulten. She keeps gaining weight( 30lbs.) since 9th grade and is only 18 yrs. old. She is working with a Naturopathic Dr. which has helped some but still has a long way to go. By the way, I have hypothyroidism.