Is There Any Validity To Going Gluten-free With Being Hypothyroid?

 Anyone reading this post going through hypothyroid? I know weight loss is slower but I tell you, there's hope!!!

Hypothyroid is a real struggle. Losing weight is very hard for most people. They haven't been able to lose any weight in many years, while others have lost few pounds on few months by just following simple macros - no keto, no gluten-free. However, people that suffers from multiple conditions like Hashimotos Hypothyroidism and PCOS had said they only found it possible to loss weight when they had cut out gluten. But, others said they went gluten-free for allergy reasons. 

As a general rule, unless you are Celiac or need to cut out gluten for a diagnosed medical need, going gluten-free isn't a good weight loss strategy. Many gluten-free items have similar macros as their gluten full counterparts. They just come from a different type of flour. Of course, there are certainly people who feel better if they eat less bread, pasta e.t.c - but that isn't the same as an allergy. Most people personally don't eat a ton of bread or pasta because they always eat too much and then they felt gross.

Gluten does not make you lose weight specifically, however, I have heard most people going back to eating gluten and got their thyroid levels crashed. But went strict gluten-free again, and the numbers went back down. They don't eat soy, breads or eat pasta and stay in a deficit. If you have Hashimotos or Celiac, you need to look at eliminating inflammation. Cutting gluten helps a lot of people with autoimmune issues. So it's worth a shot, but gluten won't be the cause of weight gain unless your body have a sensitivity to it.

Endocrinologist recommends exercise as very important, especially for people sensitive to gluten. Working out 6 days/ week for 40-60 minutes and eating 1200-1350 calories. However, don't bank too much on calories you burn at the gym. You should also stop being too dependable on your sport watch, because it lies!!!. You need to workout daily and then try really hard to get in a 20 minutes walk after work. It is sometimes frustrating and you may want to give up and start again countless times mostly because your scale seems to be stack when others lose so much weight with half the effort. Most people are in normal range but the scale still doesn't move. Usually, when you are consistent with macros and exercise, your body shows the impact by losing inches but almost no weight change. If you are in this situation, what might help is to go by body measurements and cloth fitting. Scale won't budge but clothes fit different. And one more thing, if you haven't see an endocrinologist over your GF for your thyroid, I'd suggest seeing one.

Calories deficit is still the best way to lose weight. Even if you are on medications, you still need to drop your calories less than the macros to get into a deficit. You may need to adjust your calories a bit to find your sweet spot. Here is the secret - set your calories at 1500 and eat with 100 calories of that most days. You need to get very strict (unless you are on vacation in which case you track calories but not macros) in counting every single thing as far as your macros go. Avoid eating out a lot, however, when you do, you estimate and you still track. There is hope. You need to be patient and trust the process. It's hard not to get discouraged when you realized others lose weight with little effort. But, keep in mind - what works for some may not work for others. However, I have noticed even when people are not noticing weight loss, they can tell their body composition is changing. If your thyroid is in check, you are just like anyone else. You get this.

Medications is other option you can try with cutting out on gluten. Even if you don't have experience with gluten-free, medication can help. Most people take Levothyroxine and Liothyronine. You can try Synthroid too. However, Synthroid is missing 4 other thyroid hormones. A lot of people don't do well on it. It's missing T0, T1, T2, T3 and Calcitonin. Remember, there's no magic medication dose to maintain levels - your body's hormone need change - particularly in times of greater stress. So, it may feel like we can't get levels right - get regular blood tests and make sure you are medicated off your T4 and T3 levels, not your TSH.

I have heard several doctors says that meds might cause thyroid to completely stop working (since the meds just takes over the "work"). So, instead you can see a board certified doctor that also recognises holistic methods. Try to do the natural route for as long you can do. The side effects are minimal than the synthetic one's. I do believe in modern medicine, but also believe in the power of natural/holistic treatment. Some people don't like the way they feel on meds and don't have time to play around to find one that work. Especially people who have another auto immune issue aside hypothyroid. Natural dessicated thyroid a.k.a Armour is a go to area. It works very effective for proper thyroid levels. However, sometimes you have to shop around to find a doctor who will prescribe Armour.

What is Armour? You may ask

Armour is created from dessicated pig gland. So more natural than lab/synthetic.

It takes consistency and a little trial and error. I have found a couple of foods can cause one to retain a little water, but they don't impact overall weight loss. You don't have to avoid anything completely, just know/plan for what you want to eat and work around it if you know you are going to retain a little water because of it. No need to cut any food groups but definitely learn to listen to your body and eat cleaner. You can try some GF/DF "cleanse" that work when it comes to bloating, however, they are not sustainable for everyone and really only help loss water weight. Just make sure you are being accurate with tracking and definitely in a deficit.

There is a eating protocol called AIP, (you can eat nothing but lettuce) where you work out what foods cause inflammation specifically for you. After doing that, you could do macros within your food range to see if that helps with weight loss. For some - all grains. They stopped eating grains, and they felt well and energetic. Read about AIP. It's not easy. But only do it for 3 weeks, then add one food group back in at a time. Within no time you'll workout what makes you feel well and what doesn't.

Green vegetables are good to eat, a healthy protein and only rice or potato's for carbs. Your macros could be a 40% protein, 30% carbs, 30% far on MFP (depending on what works for you). You have to hypefocus on your macro numbers especially to lose, but it's totally possible. Also, you can go fully vegan and try as much to avoid high gluten or lots of soy. Being consistent, using macro app and not going over on calories. Oh!!!, and weighing your food/portions. You will get there.

Losing weight is very hard with thyroid. My advice: don't weigh yourself. It will only bring you down. Just keep going and eventually you will see the changes. You can check Laurie Kristine King on Instagram. She has a lot of good info and she's always posting some really great stuff, workouts, and nutritional advice.

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