Shocking Symptoms of Gluten Sensitivity. It’s WAY More Than Tummy Troubles! In an interview with Dr. Datis Kharrazian Gluten: Why hypothyroidism patients often fail to get better he said, “There’s just no question that many people that have Hashimoto’s and hypothyroidism have gluten sensitivity. For some patients, it’s life- changing when they go gluten- free.” Here’s the thing. ![]() I’ve heard from countless Hypothyroid Mom readers who have no idea gluten sensitivity could be a factor in their hypothyroidism. What is particularly interesting about this list of gluten sensitivity symptoms is that each and every one of them is also a potential symptom of hypothyroidism. I suspect there are many more than we even imagine. Written by Bethany Trainor and Jennifer Fugo of Gluten Free School. Have you ever felt like doctors don’t take you seriously? You know that something is wrong with your health, but your practitioner is too quick to dismiss the concerns you experience. Through your own research you stumble upon this concept called gluten intolerance and realize that all of the signs of gluten sensitivity listed are identical to what you’re experiencing. When the founder of Gluten Free School Jennifer Fugo was in college, she too chased after elusive answers regarding her health while every doctor she saw felt her case wasn’t worth the time. A total of seven different doctors over the course of two years attributed her undiagnosed gluten intolerance (at the time) to other seemingly unrelated individual symptoms that got her nowhere. All of her severe symptoms that were actually related to gluten were boiled down to “being a typical female college student” (what does that even mean?!), chronic fatigue, depression, anxiety, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), chronic migraines, and one doctor even said she was just being paranoid. Their solution was to throw medication at the various problems which included sleeping pills, separate anti- depressant and anti- anxiety medications, and muscle relaxants. Despite her persistent prodding for real answers and diagnostic testing, these common “fixes” were equivalent to placing the tiniest band- aid over a gaping wound—She was not being helped, healed, or listened to. Can you relate to her experience? Sadly, We’ve found this rings true for many people out there who remained undiagnosed with gluten sensitivity for years and were given false answers that led nowhere. If you still don’t have all of your answers, know that you may exhibit one or several nagging and debilitating symptoms that many medical practitioners don’t attribute to a very possible root cause of gluten intolerance or sensitivity. What’s worse, you’re more likely to be left in the dark without answers if you aren’t experiencing gastrointestinal related symptoms like diarrhea. Gluten sensitivity and intolerance can manifest as much more than just IBS- like symptoms and stomach problems. That’s why doctors are more likely to dismiss the idea that you even have this because if they don’t hear about digestive problems as your chief complaint, then it must be something else. It can be an exclusively neurological disease for many. In 2. 01. 3, an in- depth study by a team of researchers including renowned Dr. Alessio Fasano stated that, “Both Celiac Disease and gluten sensitivity may present with a variety of neurologic and psychiatric co- morbidities, however, extraintestinal symptoms (outside of the digestive system) may be the prime presentation in those with gluten sensitivity. However, gluten sensitivity remains under- treated and under- recognized as a contributing factor to psychiatric and neurologic manifestations.” (source)It’s very important to note that not all cases of neurological symptoms are caused by gluten. However, issues like depression and anxiety which are not typically linked directly to gluten consumption CAN be signs of gluten sensitivity for some. Too often, pain killers and prescriptions are thrown at patients when no clear diagnosis is made, missing the real cause behind the symptoms bubbling up on the surface. The bottom line is that gluten sensitivity can affect processes in the body beyond the digestive tract, wreaking havoc on your skin (our largest organ!), joints, bones, mouth, endocrine system and more. Your myriad of symptoms that don’t make sense to the doctor may mean that they’ve no clue that you’re reporting back to them the signs of gluten sensitivity. The current model of medicine treats symptoms rather than looking for the underlying cause which further explains why doctors are quick to prescribe medication that might ease only your momentary suffering. But it certainly doesn’t excuse the lack of education and openmindedness that would serve patients better if they knew more about the interaction between food and the body. If you don’t feel listened to, then it may be time to find a new doctor. Jennifer eventually found a doctor who listened and told her she needed to stop eating gluten—for good. In a mere two weeks off gluten, all her plaguing symptoms began to cease and things she didn’t realize were actual problems with her body started to clear up, including achy joints (at age 2. And for all the doubters out there,gluten sensitivity is oh so very real. The South Beach Diet Gluten Solution (2013) is a version of the South Beach Diet that is modified to help you to recognize whether you have gluten sensitivity.Here’s a checklist of some of the surprising symptoms and signs that have been linked to gluten sensitivity and make sure to work with a qualified health professional to get tested. Depression and Anxiety. Depression is a serious health concern for many people. Symptoms of depression can include feelings of hopelessness, lack of interest, low energy, appetite changes, sleep changes, anger, and more. Some patients do require medication to correct persistent imbalances with depression. However, often underlying causes of depression are not investigated. Research now confirms that Celiac disease and gluten intolerance are linked to depression, anxiety and mood disorders. Once gluten is removed from the diet in the gluten sensitive, depression and anxiety can actually be resolved. Symptoms of anxiety often go hand in hand with depression which makes it very hard to relax and think clearly. Some may experience sensations of panic, loss of control, heart racing, chest pains, trouble breathing or feelings of passing out. Anxiety attacks can even mimic heart attacks so it’s important to be aware of the distinction. ADHDAttention deficit hyperactivity disorder affects children and adults alike, but many don’t make the connection of their symptoms to diet. ![]()
After being confined to health-food stores for years, gluten-free foods now show up everywhere. Supermarket aisles abound with products proudly labeled “Gluten free. Ron Hoggan, Ed. D, co- author of the best selling book, “Cereal Killers,” wrote an article on Celiac. ADHD and gluten together. He states, “The concept of drugging a child to facilitate learning is upsetting to me, especially when there is cause to suspect that, on the gluten free diet, she may improve without intervention.” (source)And by intervention, Dr. Hoggan is referring to medicinal intervention. Alternative approaches address food sensitivities and intolerance as a root cause of behavioral disorders. This follows the line of research and treatment that Dr. Charles Parker uses to treat patients in his psychiatric practice. He first looks at the gut because neurotransmitters are produced directly by what’s broken down in the digestive system. Leaky gut can facilitate a number of mental health issues because gluten and other food proteins are essentially sneaking into the body where they don’t belong. Brain Fog. Being unable to think clearly is just as stifling as it sounds. When you feel disconnected or just plain “out of it”, it might not be all in your head. Gluten can have the affect known as “foggy brain” in sensitive individuals. While it can be difficult to quantify gluten induced “brain fog”, researchers in a 2. Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry found that there may be significant cross reactivity of Ig. G antibodies to gluten and other different antibodies that could result in mental fogginess. These antibodies can also cause inflammation which can further exacerbate the condition. ![]() ![]() Autoimmune Diseases. Gluten consumption has been linked to numerous autoimmune diseases. Sarah Ballantyne Ph. D, author of The Paleo Approach: Reverse Autoimmune Disease and Heal Your Body, says, “Every single autoimmune disease in which gluten as a contributor has been investigated has shown that gluten sensitivity is a contributor to that disease.” Scary right? But luckily, making the connection is the first step towards better health. It’s even possible to know if autoimmune issues are brewing years before they bubble up to the surface and you end up with a diagnosis. This gives you time to make nutritional and lifestyle adjustments that can impact whether you eventually develop a full- blown autoimmune disorder. ![]() Just to be clear. Low Immunity. If you’re prone to frequently getting sick, you should consider gluten to potentially be an issue. The first sign of Jennifer’s gluten intolerance was an extremely depressed Ig. A result in testing she completed in early 2. To break this down into simpler terms, Ig. A is a class of antibodies in your body that exist primarily in saliva, tears and in the gastrointestinal tract (though some do exist in the blood). Think of them as your first line of defense when a cold comes knocking at your door. When you’re sensitive to gluten or have celiac disease, one sign is a depressed level of Ig. A antibodies meaning that you don’t have the proper defenses in place to keep you well. Believe it or not, Ig. A deficiency is “the most common immunodeficiency in Caucasians” occurring at a rate of 1 in 6. ![]() It is seen in many autoimmune diseases including the thyroid condition known as Graves’ disease, Lupus, Type 1 diabetes, Celiac disease and rheumatoid arthritis. Dental Issues. Cavities, canker sores (mouth ulcers) broken teeth, and tooth decay can plague those with undiagnosed gluten sensitivity as well as Celiac disease. ![]()
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