Gluten Free Diet in Hashimoto's Hypothyroidism

Study Summary

Hashimoto's thyroiditis is an autoimmune condition that reduces functioning of the thyroid gland and can lead to a substantial decline in quality of life for patients, with impacted patients often describing unremitting brain fog, fatigue/malaise and weight gain leading to difficulty functioning in their jobs and homes. It is the most common cause of hypothyroidism in the U.S. and affects up to 10% of the global population. The typical treatment for Hashimoto's is thyroid hormone replacement with medications such as levothyroxine. However, despite adequate treatment as defined by thyroid hormone levels within the reference range, up to 10% of patients will experience persisting symptoms which can dramatically impair quality of life. While various theories have been postulated for the residual symptoms, several studies indicate that they are related to the thyroid autoimmunity, specifically the autoantibodies that are made by the immune system in Hashimoto's thyroiditis in response to the thyroid (ie thyroid peroxidase \[TPO\], thyroglobulin \[Tg\] antibody \[AB\]) and the associated inflammation with the immune response. Removal of thyroid (ie total thyroidectomy) reduces levels of these thyroid antibodies and results in significant improvement in quality-of-life. However, thyroidectomy is an invasive procedure with potential for morbidity such as damage to the recurrent laryngeal (nerve that controls the vocal cords and thus speech), bleeding and infection, so there is interest in other more conservative modalities for lowering the inflammation and autoimmune burden in Hashimoto's thyroiditis. In an effort to identify a less invasive approach for reducing the levels of thyroid antibodies and inflammation, attention has moved to the intersection of Hashimoto's thyroiditis and the gut. Hashimoto's has a strong association with autoimmune disorders impacting the gastrointestinal tract, in particular celiac disease and non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS). NCGS is a c

Primary Outcome

Change in quality-of-life metrics

Conditions Studied

Interventions

• DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT Gluten Free Diet in Hashimoto's Hypothyroidism

Study Locations (1)