Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsRisk RelationshipThyroid and GlutenGluten-Free DietsBenefitsDrawbacksA Word From Verywell
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Risk Relationship
Thyroid and Gluten
Gluten-Free Diets
Benefits
Drawbacks
A Word From Verywell
Verywell / Ellen Lindner
The Risk Relationship
The risk of celiac disease is substantially higher for people who have AITD. And people who have celiac disease are four times more likely to have AITD.
Given these risks, some experts recommend that patients with each condition should be routinely screened for the other.
AITD and celiac disease have a few commonalities, including sharing some of the same genes, a higher risk for other autoimmune conditions, and even some of the same symptoms.
Shared Genes
While it’s still unclear exactly why celiac disease and AITD often occur together, at least some of the explanation seems to be that they share specific genes.
The gene variants DR3–DQ2 and/or DR4–DQ8 predispose to celiac disease and to AITD. Other specific genes, including CTLA-4, the HLA genes, and PTPN22, are found in celiac disease and AITD as well.
Many people have the DR3–DQ2 and/or DR4–DQ8 gene variants and never go on to have either celiac disease or AITD, indicating that other factors are also involved in developing these conditions.
Genetic Testing for Celiac Disease
Higher Risk of Other Autoimmune Diseases
People with celiac disease and/or AITD are also more likely to develop other autoimmune conditions, liketype 1 diabetes,Addison’s disease,rheumatoid arthritis,lupus,Sjögren’s disease, andautoimmune hepatitis.
Shared Symptoms
Celiac disease shares some symptoms with both forms of AITD, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (HT) and Graves' disease (GD).
Celiac Disease SymptomsWeight lossFatigueConstipation and diarrheaJoint painDepression and/or anxietyHair lossInfertilityRisk of miscarriageHT and GD SymptomsWeight loss (GD)Fatigue (both)Constipation (HT); diarrhea (GD)Joint pain (HT)Depression (HT); anxiety (GD)Hair loss (both)Infertility (both)Risk of miscarriage (both)
Celiac Disease SymptomsWeight lossFatigueConstipation and diarrheaJoint painDepression and/or anxietyHair lossInfertilityRisk of miscarriage
Weight loss
Fatigue
Constipation and diarrhea
Joint pain
Depression and/or anxiety
Hair loss
Infertility
Risk of miscarriage
HT and GD SymptomsWeight loss (GD)Fatigue (both)Constipation (HT); diarrhea (GD)Joint pain (HT)Depression (HT); anxiety (GD)Hair loss (both)Infertility (both)Risk of miscarriage (both)
Weight loss (GD)
Fatigue (both)
Constipation (HT); diarrhea (GD)
Joint pain (HT)
Depression (HT); anxiety (GD)
Hair loss (both)
Infertility (both)
Risk of miscarriage (both)
Interactions Between Thyroid and Gluten
Studies show that celiac disease and/or gluten may affect how your thyroid functions.
For instance:
The Role of a Gluten-Free Diet
Research is unclear as to whether or not implementing a gluten-free diet is helpful when you have AITD but not celiac disease. Experts do note that eliminating gluten can help reduce inflammation in your gut, a problem for many AITD patients.
And, some studies have shown thatthyroid antibodies, which are common in AITD, decrease after implementing a gluten-free diet. For instance, in a 2018 study, 34 women with AITD were divided into two groups; one was put on a gluten-free diet and the other was not. After six months, the women on the gluten-free diet had reduced levels of thyroid antibodies while the other group had no noticeable change.
Gluten-Free Diet Benefits
Going on a gluten-free diet can have these benefits:
Talk to Your Healthcare ProviderDon’t ever start a gluten-free diet without your healthcare provider’s approval since there could be risks for your individual health status.
Talk to Your Healthcare Provider
Don’t ever start a gluten-free diet without your healthcare provider’s approval since there could be risks for your individual health status.
Overview of the Gluten Free Diet
Gluten-Free Diet Drawbacks
Though some people eliminate gluten for weight loss and other purposes, little research has been conducted on whether or not a gluten-free diet is a good choice for those who don’t have celiac disease or gluten sensitivity.
Disadvantages of a gluten-free diet include:
If you think you may havesymptoms of celiac diseaseor thyroid disease, talk to your doctor. These conditions can be managed to reduce symptoms and prevent complications.
5 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Beyond Celiac.Celiac Disease and Thyroid Disease | BeyondCeliac.org. [online]. 2019.Kahaly GJ, Frommer L, Schuppan D.Celiac disease and endocrine autoimmunity - the genetic link.Autoimmun Rev. 2018;17(12):1169-1175. doi:10.1016/j.autrev.2018.05.013Sharma BR, Joshi AS, Varthakavi PK, Chadha MD, Bhagwat NM, Pawal PS.Celiac autoimmunity in autoimmune thyroid disease is highly prevalent with a questionable impact.Indian J Endocrinol Metab. 2016;20(1):97–100. doi:10.4103/2230-8210.172241Krysiak R, Szkróbka W, Okopień B.The Effect of Gluten-Free Diet on Thyroid Autoimmunity in Drug-Naïve Women with Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis: A Pilot Study.Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes. 2019;127(7):417-422. doi:10.1055/a-0653-7108Niland B, Cash BD.Health Benefits and Adverse Effects of a Gluten-Free Diet in Non-Celiac Disease Patients.Gastroenterol Hepatol (N Y). 2018;14(2):82–91.Additional ReadingKahaly GJ, Frommer L, Schuppan D.Celiac Disease and Endocrine Autoimmunity – the Genetic Link.Autoimmunity Reviews. 2018 Dec;17(12):1169–1175. doi:10.1016/j.autrev.2018.05.013.Krysiak R, Szkróbka W, Okopień B.The Effect of Gluten-Free Diet on Thyroid Autoimmunity in Drug-Naïve Women with Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis: A Pilot Study.Experimental and Clinical Endocrinology & Diabetes. 2018 Jul 30. doi:10.1055/a-0653-7108.Lerner A, Jeremias P, Matthias T.Gut-Thyroid Axis and Celiac Disease.Endocrine Connections. 2017;6(4):R52-R58. doi:10.1530%2FEC-17-0021.Sharma BR, Joshi AS, Varthakavi PK, Chadha MD, Bhagwat NM, Pawal PS.Celiac Autoimmunity in Autoimmune Thyroid Disease Is Highly Prevalent With a Questionable Impact.Indian Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism. 2016;20(1):97–100. doi:10.4103%2F2230-8210.172241.Sun X, Lu L, Yang R, Li Y, Shan L, Wang Y.Increased Incidence of Thyroid Disease in Patients with Celiac Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.PLoS One. 2016;11(12):e0168708. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0168708.
5 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Beyond Celiac.Celiac Disease and Thyroid Disease | BeyondCeliac.org. [online]. 2019.Kahaly GJ, Frommer L, Schuppan D.Celiac disease and endocrine autoimmunity - the genetic link.Autoimmun Rev. 2018;17(12):1169-1175. doi:10.1016/j.autrev.2018.05.013Sharma BR, Joshi AS, Varthakavi PK, Chadha MD, Bhagwat NM, Pawal PS.Celiac autoimmunity in autoimmune thyroid disease is highly prevalent with a questionable impact.Indian J Endocrinol Metab. 2016;20(1):97–100. doi:10.4103/2230-8210.172241Krysiak R, Szkróbka W, Okopień B.The Effect of Gluten-Free Diet on Thyroid Autoimmunity in Drug-Naïve Women with Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis: A Pilot Study.Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes. 2019;127(7):417-422. doi:10.1055/a-0653-7108Niland B, Cash BD.Health Benefits and Adverse Effects of a Gluten-Free Diet in Non-Celiac Disease Patients.Gastroenterol Hepatol (N Y). 2018;14(2):82–91.Additional ReadingKahaly GJ, Frommer L, Schuppan D.Celiac Disease and Endocrine Autoimmunity – the Genetic Link.Autoimmunity Reviews. 2018 Dec;17(12):1169–1175. doi:10.1016/j.autrev.2018.05.013.Krysiak R, Szkróbka W, Okopień B.The Effect of Gluten-Free Diet on Thyroid Autoimmunity in Drug-Naïve Women with Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis: A Pilot Study.Experimental and Clinical Endocrinology & Diabetes. 2018 Jul 30. doi:10.1055/a-0653-7108.Lerner A, Jeremias P, Matthias T.Gut-Thyroid Axis and Celiac Disease.Endocrine Connections. 2017;6(4):R52-R58. doi:10.1530%2FEC-17-0021.Sharma BR, Joshi AS, Varthakavi PK, Chadha MD, Bhagwat NM, Pawal PS.Celiac Autoimmunity in Autoimmune Thyroid Disease Is Highly Prevalent With a Questionable Impact.Indian Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism. 2016;20(1):97–100. doi:10.4103%2F2230-8210.172241.Sun X, Lu L, Yang R, Li Y, Shan L, Wang Y.Increased Incidence of Thyroid Disease in Patients with Celiac Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.PLoS One. 2016;11(12):e0168708. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0168708.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Beyond Celiac.Celiac Disease and Thyroid Disease | BeyondCeliac.org. [online]. 2019.Kahaly GJ, Frommer L, Schuppan D.Celiac disease and endocrine autoimmunity - the genetic link.Autoimmun Rev. 2018;17(12):1169-1175. doi:10.1016/j.autrev.2018.05.013Sharma BR, Joshi AS, Varthakavi PK, Chadha MD, Bhagwat NM, Pawal PS.Celiac autoimmunity in autoimmune thyroid disease is highly prevalent with a questionable impact.Indian J Endocrinol Metab. 2016;20(1):97–100. doi:10.4103/2230-8210.172241Krysiak R, Szkróbka W, Okopień B.The Effect of Gluten-Free Diet on Thyroid Autoimmunity in Drug-Naïve Women with Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis: A Pilot Study.Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes. 2019;127(7):417-422. doi:10.1055/a-0653-7108Niland B, Cash BD.Health Benefits and Adverse Effects of a Gluten-Free Diet in Non-Celiac Disease Patients.Gastroenterol Hepatol (N Y). 2018;14(2):82–91.
Beyond Celiac.Celiac Disease and Thyroid Disease | BeyondCeliac.org. [online]. 2019.
Kahaly GJ, Frommer L, Schuppan D.Celiac disease and endocrine autoimmunity - the genetic link.Autoimmun Rev. 2018;17(12):1169-1175. doi:10.1016/j.autrev.2018.05.013
Sharma BR, Joshi AS, Varthakavi PK, Chadha MD, Bhagwat NM, Pawal PS.Celiac autoimmunity in autoimmune thyroid disease is highly prevalent with a questionable impact.Indian J Endocrinol Metab. 2016;20(1):97–100. doi:10.4103/2230-8210.172241
Krysiak R, Szkróbka W, Okopień B.The Effect of Gluten-Free Diet on Thyroid Autoimmunity in Drug-Naïve Women with Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis: A Pilot Study.Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes. 2019;127(7):417-422. doi:10.1055/a-0653-7108
Niland B, Cash BD.Health Benefits and Adverse Effects of a Gluten-Free Diet in Non-Celiac Disease Patients.Gastroenterol Hepatol (N Y). 2018;14(2):82–91.
Kahaly GJ, Frommer L, Schuppan D.Celiac Disease and Endocrine Autoimmunity – the Genetic Link.Autoimmunity Reviews. 2018 Dec;17(12):1169–1175. doi:10.1016/j.autrev.2018.05.013.Krysiak R, Szkróbka W, Okopień B.The Effect of Gluten-Free Diet on Thyroid Autoimmunity in Drug-Naïve Women with Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis: A Pilot Study.Experimental and Clinical Endocrinology & Diabetes. 2018 Jul 30. doi:10.1055/a-0653-7108.Lerner A, Jeremias P, Matthias T.Gut-Thyroid Axis and Celiac Disease.Endocrine Connections. 2017;6(4):R52-R58. doi:10.1530%2FEC-17-0021.Sharma BR, Joshi AS, Varthakavi PK, Chadha MD, Bhagwat NM, Pawal PS.Celiac Autoimmunity in Autoimmune Thyroid Disease Is Highly Prevalent With a Questionable Impact.Indian Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism. 2016;20(1):97–100. doi:10.4103%2F2230-8210.172241.Sun X, Lu L, Yang R, Li Y, Shan L, Wang Y.Increased Incidence of Thyroid Disease in Patients with Celiac Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.PLoS One. 2016;11(12):e0168708. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0168708.
Kahaly GJ, Frommer L, Schuppan D.Celiac Disease and Endocrine Autoimmunity – the Genetic Link.Autoimmunity Reviews. 2018 Dec;17(12):1169–1175. doi:10.1016/j.autrev.2018.05.013.
Krysiak R, Szkróbka W, Okopień B.The Effect of Gluten-Free Diet on Thyroid Autoimmunity in Drug-Naïve Women with Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis: A Pilot Study.Experimental and Clinical Endocrinology & Diabetes. 2018 Jul 30. doi:10.1055/a-0653-7108.
Lerner A, Jeremias P, Matthias T.Gut-Thyroid Axis and Celiac Disease.Endocrine Connections. 2017;6(4):R52-R58. doi:10.1530%2FEC-17-0021.
Sharma BR, Joshi AS, Varthakavi PK, Chadha MD, Bhagwat NM, Pawal PS.Celiac Autoimmunity in Autoimmune Thyroid Disease Is Highly Prevalent With a Questionable Impact.Indian Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism. 2016;20(1):97–100. doi:10.4103%2F2230-8210.172241.
Sun X, Lu L, Yang R, Li Y, Shan L, Wang Y.Increased Incidence of Thyroid Disease in Patients with Celiac Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.PLoS One. 2016;11(12):e0168708. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0168708.
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
