The Effects of a Gluten-Free Diet on Thyroid Function in Individuals with Hashimoto's Thyroiditis: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Objective: To review relevant literature regarding the effects of a gluten-free diet on thyroid function in patients with Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis.

Methods: Literature was gathered through PubMed and Google Scholar and assessed for the effects on thyroid function from a gluten-free diet. The intervention was a gluten-free diet (GFD) used to manage the disease Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis (HT).

Results: Five of the eight articles analyzed in this review found that a gluten-free diet has favorable effects on thyroid function for managing HT. Only one study did not find favorable effects. The other two studies did not find favorable effects, but they advised that a GFD could still be implemented since there were no harmful effects.

Conclusion: The use of a GFD in patients with HT has shown to improve thyroid function to help manage their disease. The long-term effects of a GFD on thyroid function and symptoms of the patient should be researched further.