When the Gluten Free RN went on a gluten-free diet 11 years ago, her thyroid settled down and the associated symptoms and disorders—Graves’ disease, weight gain and hair loss—resolved.
But when Nadine was inadvertently hit with gluten two years ago, several of those symptoms returned, along with a few new ones. She was losing hair and gaining water weight again. On top of that, her sinuses were congested. She developed asthma, a rash on her lower right leg and a scary case of pulmonary edema (excess fluid in the lungs).
Hindsight being 20/20, Nadine realizes that her recent diagnosis of hypothyroidism is associated with that accidental gluten ingestion. Further study made it clear that there is a potential connection between her thyroid problems and pulmonary edema, as the leaky gut that comes with celiac disease can cause fluid shifts into body tissues.
Today the Gluten Free RN explores the links among celiac disease, thyroid disorders and pulmonary edema. She explains the function of the endocrine system, the symptoms associated with hypothyroidism, and the diet she recommends for patients with thyroid issues. Listen in for Nadine’s insight around how gluten affects the thyroid gland and why the resulting low sodium levels might trigger edema in celiac patients.
The function of the endocrine system
The connection between celiac disease and thyroid disorders
Nadine’s symptoms of hypothyroidism
How damp rash lotion resolved Nadine’s symptoms
Nadine’s thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels
The relationship between thyroid issues and edema
The research around thyroid disorders and celiac disease in Current Allergy and Asthma Reports
The diet Nadine recommends for celiac patients with potential thyroid issues
Why patients with unexplained pulmonary edema should be tested for celiac disease AND thyroid disorders
The symptoms associated with hypothyroidism
‘Pregnancy Complicated with Pulmonary Edema Due to Hyperthyroidism’ in the Journal of the Chinese Medical Association
‘Sleep Apnea, Hypothyroidism and Pulmonary Edema’ in CHEST Journal Letters to the Editor
‘Thyroid and Fluid Retention’ on the Wilson’s Syndrome Site
‘Acute Pulmonary Edema as a First Manifestation of Hyperthyroidism in a Pregnant Woman’ in Revista Medica de Chile
‘Hypothyroidism and Non-Cardiogenic Pulmonary Edema: Are We Missing Something Here?’ in Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism Case Reports
‘Celiac Disease and Autoimmune Thyroid Disease’ in Clinical Medicine & Research
‘Celiac Disease and Autoimmunity: Review and Controversies’ in Current Allergy and Asthma Reports
‘An Unusual Cause of Flash Pulmonary Oedema’ in BMJ Case Reports
‘Challenges in the Management of a Patient with Myxoedema Coma in Ghana: A Case Report’ in Ghana Medical Journal
‘Hyponatremia and the Thyroid: Causality or Association?’ in the Journal of Clinical Medicine
‘Interactions Between Thyroid Disorders and Kidney Disease’ in the Indian Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism
‘Your Skin on Gluten’ on YouTube
Melodies of the Danube Gluten-Free Cruise with Nadine
Dough Nation: A Nurse's Memoir of Celiac Disease from Missed Diagnosis to Food and Health Activism