Why Thyroid Disease Sufferers should avoid Gluten and How.

Celiac Disease and Thyroid Disease

A significant number of patients with autoimmune thyroid disease also have celiac disease. The link between celiac disease and autoimmune thyroid disease is well established. Celiac disease and autoimmune thyroid disorders share a common genetic predisposition. This genetic predisposition may explain the higher incidence of thyroid autoimmune disorders among celiacs than in the general population.

It has been shown in studies that the prevalence of celiac disease in patients with autoimmune thyroid disease is 4-15 times greater than that in the general population. 

Various findings for the prevalence of celiac disease in Hashimoto's thyroiditis have been reported, between 3.3% and 4.8% in adults. According to a 2007 study published in the World Journal of Gastroenterology, patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis should be screened for celiac disease and patients with known celiac disease should be screened for Hashimoto's thyroiditis.

In a large study published earlier by a group in the UK, confirmed celiac disease was found in 4.5% of adults with Graves disease.

According to the University of Chicago Celiac Disease Program, introducing a gluten-free diet in patients with celiac disease, with subclinical thyroiditis (only increased autoantibodies but no disease yet) is effective in most cases in bringing autoantibodies down to normal within two years. According to the study, if a patient with celiac disease already has diagnosed thyroiditis, then the gluten-free diet might not be effective.

What are the symptoms of hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism?
The following are symptoms for hypothyroidism:  Fatigue, abnormal menstruation, forgetfulness, weight gain, dry and coarse skin and hair, hoarse voice, depression, intolerance to cold and the development of a goiter (enlargement of the thyroid gland).

The following are symptoms for hyperthyroidism: Irritability, nervousness, muscle weakness, tremors, lighter menstrual periods, weight loss, sleep problems, vision problems or eye irritation and heat sensitivity.

http://www.celiaccentral.org/Celiac-Disease/Related-Diseases/Thyroid-Disease/40/

Why take a chance on hurting your body and your health? If you are like me and have been suffering from Thyroiditis then cutting Gluten out of your diet is the way to go. 

GLUTEN-FREE FOOD LIST:

Alternative grains, flours, starches and thickeners that are safe* for celiac and wheat allergies include:

Corn, grits, polenta and cornmeal

Buckwheat, buckwheat cereal, kasha and buckwheat flour

Rice- white, brown, risotto, basmati, jasmine, sticky rice, rice cereal

Rice flour- white rice, sweet (glutinous) rice and brown rice flour

Quinoa, quinoa cereal flakes, and quinoa flour

Millet and millet flour 

Sorghum flour

Amaranth and amaranth flour

Certified gluten-free oats and oatmeal (milled from a dedicated GF source and labeled as such)

Coconut flour

Teff flour

Nut meals and flours- almond, chestnut, pecan, cashew

Chick pea flour, garbanzo flour, soy (soya) and bean flour

Tapioca starch/tapioca flour (aka manioc)

Potato starch (used in baking)

Potato flour (used sparingly as a thickener)

Sweet potato and yam flour

Arrowroot starch

Cornstarch
Chestnut flour

*Safe if milled in a dedicated GF facility/source. Check with companies to determine if they are using allergen safety protocols, and a gluten-free facility.

Read more: http://glutenfreegoddess.blogspot.com/2009/04/gluten-free-cheat-sheet-how-to-go-g.html#ixzz2qQyLjXRY

Sufferers

Gluten-Free Vegan Recipe for my Hypo-Thyroid Fighting Friends. Substitute Walnuts or Almonds for Hyper-thyroid!!!

This is a great Recipe for Hypothyroid Fighters.

 Cashews are something us Hyper-thyroid people need to avoid. 

But You can Substitute one Nut for another one!!! 

 Raw Cashew Cream and a Curry Ranch Dressing Recipe

If you have had a chance to try these already please let me know what you think. 

Feel free to print these recipes and take with you anywhere! 

Happy Thyroid Fighting! 

Various types of nuts like peanuts, cashews, pine nuts, pecan nuts, Brazilian nuts, pistachios, hazelnuts, almonds, etc. also need to be avoided upon consultation with the health care provider. All these types of nuts and several types of fruits like dates, strawberries, mango, apples, apricots, pineapple, etc. should be reduced from the diet of the patients suffering from hyperthyroidism. All these aforementioned foods are called as hyperthyroidal foods as they increase the secretion of thyroid hormones. Cutting back on these nuts and fruits will definitely stop overproduction of this hormone to a certain extent. http://diyhealth.com/foods-avoid-people-hyperthyroidism.html

(For a Hyperthyroid Friendly Version Sub in Walnuts or Almonds) 

Raw Cashew Cream and a Curry Ranch Dressing Recipe

You'll need:

1 cup organic raw cashews
Fresh filtered water

Instructions:

Rinse the cashews in a colander and place them in a glass or ceramic bowl. Cover them with fresh filtered water.

Cover the bowl with a clean tea towel and let them soak for two hours.

Drain and use in recipes.

Read more: http://glutenfreegoddess.blogspot.com/2010/07/how-to-make-cashew-cream-and-curry.html#ixzz2qQvCEHUF

Curry Ranch Dressing - a raw vegan recipe

Cashew cream makes a luscious creamy base for ranch style dressings and sour cream style sauces. Here I combined traditional ranch flavors with a kiss of curry. We enjoyed it on crisp herbal salad greens, and as a dip for fresh carrot sticks.

Ingredients:

1 cup soaked raw cashews
1/2 cup fresh filtered water
1 tablespoon fresh lemon or lime juice
1/2 to 1 teaspoon mild gluten-free curry powder, to taste
1/4 teaspoon organic garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon organic onion powder 
Pinch of sea salt, to taste 
Black pepper, to taste1 teaspoon fresh minced dill
2 teaspoons fresh minced parsley
2 teaspoons fresh minced basil leaves

Instructions:

Combine the soaked cashews, water, lemon juice, curry, garlic and onion powder in a Vita-Mix or blender and blend until smooth and creamy. If the sauce is too thick, add a tablespoon of filtered water to thin; pulse. Add another tablespoon, as needed.

Season with sea salt and black pepper, to taste.

Add the fresh chopped herbs. Pulse briefly to combine. Don't over do it.

Taste test! Adjust seasonings to your liking. Store in a covered glass jar or storage container. The flavors get better as it chills.

Use as a salad dressing or as a dip for carrot, celery, and zucchini sticks, and broccoli florets.

Makes four servings.


Read more: http://glutenfreegoddess.blogspot.com/2010/07/how-to-make-cashew-cream-and-curry.html#ixzz2qQvJk0yp

Shopping Organic and whole foods for your Thyroid

Last week I began my new blog and healthy shopping adventure.  I am currently battling Thyroiditis,  Thyroid Disease and hyperthyroidism.  I have enlarged thyriod and goiter. I'm on an all natural food choice regime, cutting out foods that cause inflammation and goiters.  This is my goiter in my neck you can see it clearly. This picture was taken January 13th,  2014.

Some of the highlights to my new food experience are below.  Feel free to comment. 

Shopping at Aldi

Here is my most recent shopping trip to Aldi. The pictures were taken in a hurry. My bill was just over $200. That includes additional items not shown here. . You may notice multiple items in each separate photo, that is because I purchased more than one of that particular item.  The items you see have no HFCS, are organic, all natural and or little to no preservatives.  I shop on my own  with my own money.  I do not have any affiliations with Aldi other than being a customer. 

If you have any questions please comment below.

Natural Treatment

Natural treatment
Apart from traditional hyperthyroidism treatment, there are certain lifestyle changes that are also recommended, for managing the condition. One of the most important steps in curing the condition is following a proper hyperthyroidism diet, i.e., a diet which is high in proteins, vitamins, minerals and other healthy calories. Hence, people suffering from hyperthyroidism should consume high amounts of cereal, poultry, meat and eggs.

The consumption of certain vitamins (A, B complex and C) and minerals should be increased to at least twice a day.

http://www.home-remedies-for-you.com/remedy/Hyperthyroidism.html

Shopping at Aldi

corn, whole grain rolled oats, sugar, almonds, rice, brown sugar, whole grain wheat, whole grain oat flour, corn syrup, wheat bran, vegetable oil (contains one or more of the following oils: sunflower, soybean, canola), salt, high fructose corn syrup, malt syrup, cinnamon, honey, natural and artificial flavor and bht (a preservative), vitamins and minerals: sodium ascorbate (vitamin c), reduced iron, niacinamide, zinc oxide (source of zinc), pyridoxine hydrochloride (vitamin b6), riboflavin (vitamin b2), thiamin mononitrate (vitamin b1), folic acid, vitamin a palmitate, vitamin b12, and vitamin d.

 Making healthy choices at the organic market and Aldi.   

The reason I shop at Aldi is because of the simplicity of the store and the low prices. 

Walking into  Aldi, to your right, you will find all of the pre-packaged  nuts that you would need in your diet. 

Continuing on you will find cereal. You will want to look for cereal that  has no preservatives no food coloring and no wheat(if possible, and if you follow a gluten free diet.) 

There are also several juice options in the nearby cooler to choose from, various brands, flavors. Be sure to notice the label and try to avoid any high fructose corn syrup.

Moving on you will find Lean meat for reasonable prices. Always check especially BBQ items for HFC. 

Moving on to the fresh  fruit you will find fresh fruit such as lemon, lime, avocado, oranges, also pineapple.  Those are fruits that Aldi sales, that you do not feel bad about buying non-organic.

A new favorite of mine is almond milk. it is available for reasonable price at Aldi. 

Many of their can good items have natural ingredients with no salt added check the label of the  canned vegetables and also fruits,  and you will find many that you can add to your  diet for under a dollar a can.

My goal is to shop Aldi and my local organic market place. By shopping this way  you will be able to afford to eat healthy all natural food at a reasonable price for you and your family.

Look for Aldi's  fit and active brand. This brand is my favorite however there are several items in the fit and active brands that contain HFC, food coloring, preservative.

Check every label when you're shopping no matter where you are. The products below were purchased at Aldi in Maryland. 

Nutrition Facts

Superior Nut Company - Fancy Salted Mixed Nuts (No Peanuts)

1. Servings:  3 Tablespoons 1 Tablespoons 1 container (96 tablespoons ea.)

Calories	200	Sodium	110 mg
Total Fat	17 g	Potassium	0 mg
Saturated	3 g	Total Carbs	6 g
Polyunsaturated	0 g	Dietary Fiber	1 g
Monounsaturated	0 g	Sugars	0 g
Trans	0 g	Protein	5 g
Cholesterol	0 mg
Vitamin A	0%	Calcium	4%
Vitamin C	0%	Iron	6%

*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Calories

200

Sodium

110 mg

Total Fat

17 g

Potassium

0 mg

Saturated

3 g

Total Carbs

6 g

Polyunsaturated

0 g

Dietary Fiber

1 g

Monounsaturated

0 g

Sugars

0 g

Trans

0 g

Protein

5 g

Cholesterol

0 mg

 

 

Vitamin A

0%

Calcium

4%

Vitamin C

0%

Iron

6%

Kirkwood All Natural Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts are perfect for summer grilling or baking your favorite 
casserole. Leftover chicken breasts from the grill are ideal for shredding and incorporating into a light chicken salad.

• 1.75-lb average tray size
• 100% natural
• Fresh, never frozen
• USDA inspected
• Grade A

Please note retail varies per store. Check in store for details.

I will be posting my receipts to show you exactly what I'm buying and how much it cost.

Adopting new eating habits.

January 7th, 2014
Tuesday
Following my meal plan day by day. This is what i'm eating and how i'm feeling.

Breakfast:  Bottled Water, Bowl of Raisin Bran w/ whole milk.

Lunch:  Coffee, Orange, Beef & Chicken patty

Dinner: Roasted Red Pepper Tomato Soup, Organic Mashed Potato, Millet/Chia Gluten free bread with almond butter. Green Tea with honey & organic coconut extract

1 Co Q 10  100 mg tablet by Mom's organic market
1 Thyroid Strength Tablet by Mega Food

What am I feeling like during the day? I'm tired but in an elevated mood. My goal today, Staying Positive.
What am I feeling like by the end of the day?  Thyroid (both sides) and goiter very swollen.

Take 1 Naproxen before bed.

Eat clean, Eat organic, Eat vegan recipes, add lots of lean protein, those are my goals.

What i'm eating, how i'm feeling.........

Starting with the research I have done i'm changing my eating habits and adding supplements in order to find out what is working for me. Everyone with Thyroid disease should know by now that everyone and what works for them is different.

I would like to share with you what I am eating. I would like to share with you how I am feeling.  What food and supplements are working and what is not. Trying out new foods from the food plan that I have made
 ( and will also be sharing that on my blog.)

Here is an overview of what my new eating plan has consisted of this week.

Monday January 10, 2014

Breakfast
1 cup of coffee   1/2 coffee cake ( not a good choice I  know but i'm being honest here!!!)
 1 bottle of water
1  200mg Naproxen Sodium (for my swollen thyroid and headache)
1  Thyroid Strength tablet by Mega Foods
Egg Substitute
1/2 cup - 2 large eggs. (interesting smell, thin mixture, tasted good, not convinced its worth
adding to my food plan due to all the "extra" ingredients that are not all natural. For now I need
the protein because Hyperthyroidism causes muscle loss.)

Lunch
Lean baked chicken with Cream of Chicken Soup. Cup of Blackberries.
Water and Green Tea

Dinner
Large Salad

Question; End of day how and I feeling?  Throat very swollen, enlarged thyroid and goiter is very uncomfortable.

Question; What do I think about my food choices?  I think breakfast is my biggest challenge. I am happy with food choices for lunch and dinner. I am trying to do better and cut the sugar down. Sugar is bad for your mood.

Lunch

Breakfast

https://www.aldi.us/en/grocery-items/aldi-brands/fit-active/cooler/cooler-detail/ps/p/fit-active-egg-substitute/

https://www.aldi.us/en/grocery-items/aldi-brands/fit-active/cooler/cooler-detail/ps/p/fit-active-egg-substitute/

Making Healthy Choices

Thyroid Journal Entry

Sunday January 5, 2014.

I would like to share with you what I am eating. I would like to share with you how I am feeling.  What food and supplements are working and what is not. Trying out new foods from the food plan that I have made  ( and will also be sharing that on my blog.) 

Starting off the new year is emotional. When you have any health problems at all it can be very emotional. I made the decision that I something must change. 

I woke up today with strong heart palpitations. Heart racing and body shaking.  Muscles weak could barely get out of bed. Feeling chest pains and shaking all over I rushed to eat a bowel of Raisin Bran w/ whole milk.

Took one dose of  CoQ10 (30 mg)  This is all I take to control this heart issue. I no longer take beta-blockers due to all the side effects.  A few hours later feeling normal again. My husband checked my pulse said it feels like you have been jogging. took one more dose, my last CoQ10 (30 mg)and said I’ll start the 100mg tomorrow.

Day is half way over. The shakes have not gone away much. I don’t feel well to say the least.

Stomach upset, headache, body aches. Not a good day.

Overview of what i'm eating. 

Morning /Breakfast

Half cup of coffee with 1 bowl of Raisin Bran and CoQ10 (30 mg)

Lunch CoQ10 (30 mg)

Clementine’s and green tea/ decaf (stomach aches not hungry)

Dinner

Lean Chicken, small serving

Large serving of Organic Small Red Bean, Large serving of Cut Green Beans, Water

After dinner tea. Healthy Fasting by Yogi w/ added coconut extract for sweetness.

Question; How am I feeling at the end of the day?  Feeling tired and aggravated by 6pm.  Nerves are not good. Stomach not good. 

About This Blog and The Writer.

2014 Thyroid Blog.

I am starting this new blog to help myself to keep track of my Thyroid disease and to help educate others about Hyperthyroidism. I am not a professional writer. Please feel free to comment and leave any educational information that would help Hyperthyroid patients who are reading this blog. 

I am currently 31 years old, female and mother of 2.

I had an onset of Hyperthyroidism after my first pregnancy 7 years ago.

I was gaining weight by the hour and my hair was falling out in handfuls. I had blood work done

At my gynecologists office and they told me my Thyroid levels were off and to see and Endocrinologist.

After one year of Thyroid Medication and Treatment my levels were normal again and my hair grew back.

Weight loss was amazing never felt better. I went on to become a Certified Hot Yoga instructor. Life was normal again.

Fast forward 6 years later. After child no. 2.  Right away after my second child, 6 weeks into breastfeeding no more milk production. I was drinking the teas and taking fenu greek and nothing helped.

At one point my throat started aching, terrible pains. Found a new family doctor. He said your thyroid is enlarged. You need blood work. Had the blood work done, my levels were off the charts. Started me on

A high dose of Thyroid meds and sends me for a scan. Comes back enlarged no nodules so that’s good.

and a month later I scheduled my first visit with my new Endocrinologist. He goes thru all of the checking of the blood work again, Thyroid has not improved. Legs swollen, Thyroid still enlarged.

He suggests I should stop taking my medication and wait 3 months to have the radio iodine treatment.

At this point I’m confused on what to do. My medicine is making me feel horrible, I’m sleeping too much, I’m am dropping weight for no reason.  Hair thinning again falling out slowly. Heart racing more and more.

 My thyroid medicine runs out. 6 months later my health is slowly taking a turn for the worse. Each side of  thyroid is enlarged. My Thyroid is out of control.  I can not swallow and I’m choking of food and water.

January 1^st 2014. . My throat is killing me. I am sick almost everyday. My quality of life is deteriorating.  . I have to do something but what are my choices……..

January 2^nd,

Start the day with splitting headache, it actually would not let me sleep it was so bad. 

 For the past 6 months, I have been eating whatever I want and not gaining a pound. It’s not a bad problem to have but like I said, I eat whatever, lots of sugars, breads, caffeine and more caffeine.  Taking my husband’s advice I start looking for Thyroid Friendly Foods, diets, anything that will help. There is a lot of information on Hypothyroidism and not too much on Hyper. Apparently hyper is less common, but it still sucks none the less. So I’m up at 2 am printing a million articles, eat this, don’t it that, wait I’m getting confused here. Is  this good or bad. What’s good for Hypo isn’t good for Hyper. Some of the articles I’m reading are not specifying. They are only saying Thyroid Disease.

Well I have that but I need to know about Hyper does anyone have a clue what I’m going thru…………………

January 3^rd.

I have a bunch of information about Thyroid Disease, this, that and the other. What am I supposed to be eating, not eating, drinking, ect. I am finally getting a game plan.  

January 4^th,

1^st shopping trip to Organic Market. This is where I have been buying my Thyroid Strength supplement and my Co Q-10 Heart Healthy supplement.   All I have to say is this is going to be one expensive shopping trip.   I will be posting pics and lists of what foods and tea’s I bought. Please stay tuned for more of that.

My swollen Thyroid visible below.