First Week Gluten Free

Gluten-free has replaced no-carb diets as the go-to fad for those seeking a simple and easy fix to all of the problems that ail them. It seems like everywhere I have turned for the last couple of years someone had diagnosed themselves or a loved one with gluten intolerance or sensitivity. Heck, I've even done it myself. This summer, I found myself telling my husband that I thought he had a gluten sensitivity and realized immediately how pervasive the group-think of the modern world really is.

Two things that I have learned in the last week: Gluten sensitivity is a real issue and going gluten-free is neither easy nor simple. 

A visit to an Endocrinologist a few weeks ago introduced me to Hashimoto's Disease, an autoimmune disorder that I had never heard of before. It took the Endo all of 10 minutes to suggest this was my problem. When she brought in another doctor for a consult, he readily agreed. A number of tests needed to be ordered to verify the diagnosis. Meanwhile, I was left with nothing but still-increasing symptoms and the Internet to occupy my time while I waited.

One of the first questions I had asked the Endocrinologist was if diet or other lifestyle changes could "heal" Hashimoto's Disease. She immediately said no, only medication. However, I found a number of books and websites devoted to the "Thyroid Diet," which is said to make the problems associated with certain disorders, including Hashimoto's Disease, all but disappear. Largely, these diets consist of clean eating, gluten-free foods, and no sugar. I prepared myself mentally for making these changes if the diagnosis for Hashimoto's was positive. I asked a friend for the name of her homeopathic doctor and waited.

Once the Endo called to confirm that indeed I do have Hashimoto's, I asked her again about lifestyle changes. Her tone changed to some extent. She said that I would still need to take the little pill, but that changing my diet would help greatly as well. She said that I also show signs of Celiac Disease, which can only be truly diagnosed with a biopsy of the small intestine. At the very least, she believes I have a gluten sensitivity. She also said that I would need to avoid sugar to feel healthier faster. Indeed, she basically reiterated all that I had read online. "Closely watch what you eat," she said, "and you will feel much better." Well, duh.

It has been almost a full week that I have been gluten-free. Do I feel better? No, not really. The Hashimoto's symptoms are slowly starting to abate, but I attribute that to my new medication and not to lack of gluten. But with all things, this takes time. I'm in it for the long haul regardless of the short-term outcome.