Feeling blah and down? What gluten has to do with it
Gluten, Hashimoto’s, and the Headlines That Make You Feel Crazy
I get questions all the time from women with Hashimoto’s asking for help interpreting medical headlines — and, honestly, for a little sanity.
Especially when headlines like “Gluten Intolerance May Not Exist” start circulating.
If you’ve eliminated gluten — really eliminated it — and felt dramatically better as a result, those headlines can feel invalidating and confusing. You start wondering: Is this all in my head? Did I imagine the improvement?
Short answer: no.
Why Gluten Is Different With Hashimoto’s
Most people associate gluten sensitivity with celiac disease — severe digestive symptoms, malabsorption, obvious GI distress. And because of that, there’s a widespread assumption that if gluten is “a problem,” it must show up in the gut.
But Hashimoto’s isn’t a digestive disorder.
It’s an immune-mediated autoimmune condition.
And gluten sensitivity is also an immune response.
Yes, the reaction often starts in the gut — because that’s where a large portion of the immune system lives — but the inflammatory response doesn’t stay there. Immune signaling chemicals can circulate throughout the body, affecting:
the brain (brain fog, anxiety, low mood)
joints and muscles (aches, stiffness)
skin (eczema, rashes)
energy and motivation
thyroid tissue itself
This is why many women with Hashimoto’s say things like:
“I don’t have stomach issues — but my brain clears, my joints feel better, and my energy improves when I avoid gluten.”
That’s not coincidence.
That’s immune biology.
What I See Over and Over Again
In my work, gastrointestinal symptoms are not the most common sign of gluten sensitivity in women with Hashimoto’s.
More often, I hear:
chronic low-grade depression
brain fog (“thinking through wet cement”)
fatigue that doesn’t match activity
joint pain or inflammation
autoimmune flares
Because gluten can increase intestinal permeability (“leaky gut”), it can amplify immune activation — which is the last thing an autoimmune body needs.
For this reason, long-term gluten elimination is something I recommend to every client with Hashimoto’s, even if digestive symptoms are minimal or nonexistent.
And I’ll be honest: when I experiment with adding gluten or excess sugar back in, my body lets me know within days — weight gain in my middle, restlessness, brain fog, and a general “blah” feeling. The pattern is consistent.
How to Know If Gluten Affects You
Headlines aside, the most reliable data point is your own body.
The only way to know how gluten affects you is through a true elimination trial:
100% gluten-free (not “mostly”)
for at least 4 weeks (6 is better)
no “cheat bites” — even small amounts can trigger an immune response
If symptoms clearly improve, that’s meaningful information.
If it’s unclear, a structured reintroduction can help:
After the elimination period, add back a full serving of gluten-containing food
Do this twice daily for three days
Then stop and observe
This stronger challenge makes it easier to see cause and effect, rather than letting symptoms slowly creep back in unnoticed.
Why Headlines Miss the Mark
Many media articles oversimplify or misrepresent research findings.
In the case of gluten:
some studies look only at IBS-type digestive symptoms
many use isolated gluten proteins in capsules instead of whole wheat
most do not study autoimmune populations
For women with Hashimoto’s, this distinction matters.
Wheat contains multiple compounds — not just gluten — that can stimulate immune responses. Some people may react to wheat broadly, not gluten alone. This nuance is often lost in click-worthy headlines.
The Bottom Line
Managing Hashimoto’s means learning to listen to your body more than the internet.
Gluten may not be an issue for everyone — but for many women with autoimmune thyroid disease, removing it reduces immune load and allows the body to calm.
This isn’t about fear.
It’s about supporting a system that’s already working overtime.
And one important reminder:
“Gluten-free” doesn’t automatically mean nourishing. Ultra-processed gluten-free junk food can still leave you inflamed, fatigued, and frustrated.
Whole foods still matter.
Consistency still matters.
Your lived experience still matters.
In steadiness and trust,
Angela 💛
If you’d like support navigating this — without extremes or overwhelm — I’m always happy to help.