Gluten-Related Disorders
I had been having strange symptoms: Weight gain, extreme fatigue, feeling cold all the time, my hair was shedding like crazy, and the if that wasn’t bad enough, I was so depressed for no reason at all. Over a short period of time the symptoms worsened and it was with bittersweet relief that I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism. The doctor said that I would need to take a thyroid supplement for the rest of my life. I proceeded to do so with a sigh of resignation.
Several years later, the next step began with my newfound religion and along with that, learning that the God of the Bible desires our happiness above all. Part of that happiness is found in obedience to the Laws of Health. When in obedience to those health laws, we assist our human body to function in its highest capacity. Even though damage had been done due to a lifestyle that did harm, and possibly other unknown factors, happiness was also found in knowing that I have a God that not only teaches me how to be healthy, but is a powerful God that can heal as well, with my cooperation. My lifestyle change brought me into a happier state in so many ways. And in trusting the One who brought this all about, with diet and lifestyle changes, I stopped taking the meds for hypothyroidism and never did take them again.
Flash-forward 10 years. Something is going wrong again. My skin is itching. Neverending sores appear from scratching and there is no relief. Later, I learn it is a skin condition known as dermatitis herpetiformis. I had heard that this happens to some people who have wheat sensitivity so I decided to do a little experiment. Refraining from eating wheat gave me some relief, but little was I to know that the protein that makes up wheat would be the root of much more serious problems. I also did not realize that I had been suffering from other symptoms that one can easily pass off such as stomach and intestinal pain, frequent headaches, tiredness, weakness, and very mild symptoms of hypothyroidism. What’s was going on?
A recent blood test revealed that the hypothyroidism I had been diagnosed with was actually called Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism, an autoimmune disorder. The doctor who did the original blood test had failed to see the antibodies my immune system was creating in its attack of the thyroid gland. According to the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists, more than 27 million Americans suffer from thyroid dysfunction, half of whom go undiagnosed. Of the detected cases of hypothyroidsim, more than half are due to an autoimmune disorder called Hashimoto’s disease(2). I am thankful to God that I stopped taking the thyroid medication when I did, for in doing so, I would have caused my thyroid to permanently depend on medication and stop producing its own. I was shocked to learn recently that in autoimmune hypothyroidism, there is nothing wrong with my thyroid, only that my immune system was going crazy due to an outside factor.
A great many people are genetically-disposed to reject the wheat, rye and barley gluten protein known as gliadin. Gliadin sets off many reactions in individuals sometimes totally unrelated to the digestive system, which is why it oftentimes takes many years to get an accurate diagnosis, an average of 11 years according to statistics(1). For me, having known that the hypothyroidism I suffered from was Hashimoto’s way back when might have given me an indication sooner and prevented some of the problems that I am now facing. Now I rely on God’s health plan even more so and am stricter in maintaining His perfect program. Eating a lot more live plant foods, making sure I’m getting enough protein in the form of beans, gluten-free grains, and other plant foods plus brown rice protein smoothies help to boost it up. Eating a variety of plant foods to supply the nutrients I need. Right now, supplements such as calcium/magnesium, B12, D3, and echinacea with Vit. C help also help as my body had not been able to absorb the nutrients from all the healthful foods I was eating due to the damaged small intestine as well as causing my immune system to be compromised. But the most important thing is avoiding all gluten-containing foods, even the minutest amount. In a healthy diet, I also avoid anything refined and have even stepped it up to avoiding anything processed and packaged.
So I’m allowing my body to heal right now, it will take time. I must always be diligent about not letting any bit of gluten protein into my diet or I will suffer damage and symptoms again. Right now, it’s taking my all in allowing the healing process and dealing with the gluten-induced hypothyroidism and the infections, fungus, bacteria and parasites due to the lowered immune system as a result. Among that, the problems of my nutrient deficiencies have caused other health issues and allergic reactions to other foods.
If you have any unexplained illnesses or disease, I would urge you to first start researching this issue and then get tested for gluten sensitivities (3). The problems associated with this illness are far-reaching, and the sooner it is recognized, the better it will be to help avoid permanent problems associated with this disease.
Please feel free to contact us if you have questions and God bless you as you continue to seek better health.
(1) The Gluten Effect How “Innocent” Wheat Is Ruining Your Health by Drs. Vikki & Richard Petersen.
(2) Why Do I Still Have Thyroid Symptoms? When Lab Tests Are Normal by Datis Kharrazian, DHSc, DC, MS.