Help, I am so confused...

[Jocelyn2018]

Firstly,  I was diagnosed with Hypothyroidism 18 months ago.. (TSH 39) Synthroid 100 to start with and by this April was increased intermittantly to 212mcg...  My Levels seemed to decrease initially, but then began to rise again (still at 19.42),,  Dr. referred me to a specialist (saw in May) who suspected Malabsorption to possibly the "brand" of Med and switched to Eltroxin.  My other symptoms include -Weigh GAIN, High Blood Pressure (2 meds) Extremly dry skin especially on instep of feet and all over general dryness. Ocular migranes.  Extreme fatigue and fog brain.  I have tested positive intermittantly with microscopic blood in the urine, and had a internal bladder scope showing no problems....   So, being so frustrated with the cycle weight gain causes increase BP, tiredness etc.  I did a ton of research and Started a KETO diet.. My followup (after labs) with the specialist was 3 days ago and she advised that she had labs done on Thyroid - still at 19.26 - but advised that I am positive (2 tests)  for "Silent Celiac" and I am not absorbing my meds. I told her I had gone Keto and hadn't had any grains etc for 4 weeks and I still feel the same..     So where do I go from here?

[GFinDC]

Hi,

Keep going on the gluten-free diet.  It can take 18 months or more to heal, sometimes several years.  Try reading the "Newbie 101" thread in the "Coping with Celiac" section.  It has some getting started on the gluten-free diet advice.

The best way to start the gluten-free diet IMHO is to stick with non-processed foods.  Things like meats, veggies, nuts, eggs.  Skip the dairy and oats for a few months.  Avoid sugar and carbs.  It sounds like your keto diet should be doing these things already.  That's good! 

You also need to watch out for / avoid gluten cross contamination.  Even a small crumb can cause an immune reaction.

Another thing to do is have your vitamin and mineral levels checked.  You may be low on some nutrients that your body needs to heal.  People with celiac are often low on B vitamins and vitamin D.  Sometimes iron and selenium too.

I am assuming you don't want to do the endoscopy and get a full diagnosis.  If you are planning to do the endoscopy you should be on gluten for a couple weeks ahead of time.

[cyclinglady]

You did not say what the cause of your hypothyroidism was.  Is it autoimmune (Hashimoto’s)?  Were you tested for thyroid antibodies?  If your body is under attack by “self”, it can cause your thyroid to work on and off.  Celiac disease or not, it might not just be related to malabsorption (but it could). 

If you had two positives on the celiac panel, you should consider seeing a Gastroenterologist  and getting an endoscopy.  Not only can it identify damage to the small intestine from celiac disease, but rule out other concurrent issues (Gastritis, cancer, SIBO, ulcers, etc.)  but that is not always possible for financial or access to medical care. 

If you do go gluten free, have those celiac antibodies retested to see if you are adhering to the diet and/or help confirm a celiac diagnosis. It can take over a year for antibodies to come down.  It can take months or years to feel well (it sound like you may have two concurrent autoimmune issues).  

I wish you well!