Gluten in Prescription Drugs – Hashimoto’s Warning

Gluten in Prescription Drugs!

Gluten in Prescription Drugs

The illegitimate inclusion of wheat in an estimated 150 different prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medications has prompted the suing of the FDA by a man suffering from celiac disease.

Approximately 1 percent of the population suffers from celiac disease – however the number of people with sensitivity to gluten is vastly higher. Gluten sensitivity can be a serious issue; and abstinence from wheat is of primary importance to avoid a range of health issues including inflammation, auto-immune disorders such as Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism, neurological disorders, skin and gut problems, and joint pain.

Anecdotal evidence and several studies indicate a link between Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism and gluten sensitivity, and sufferers of Hashimoto’s should be particularly careful to steer clear of gluten.

The lawsuit mentioned above was the result of the FDA being unwilling to respond to a petition filed by a man that developed gluten reactions to a generic drug.

For celiac or gluten-sensitive people required to take prescription or OTC drugs, it really is the luck of the draw with regards to wheat content. This is because manufacturers do not disclose the usage of wheat as filler ingredients, which can change regularly. The man filing the aforementioned lawsuit had to call the manufacturer specifically regarding the single batch of drugs.

The root of the problem lies in the absence of clear labeling of products containing gluten – however a university pharmacist has set about cataloging drugs that don’t contain gluten, with a list of 150 so far. Even these, however, may be cross-contaminated with products or equipment that have come into contact with gluten, and therefore are not gluten-free themselves. Corn, potato, or soy are ingredients often found in many prescription drugs, and may cross-react with gluten, causing symptoms.

Knowledge is power in this case, and specifically identifying which products may contain gluten when dealing with autoimmune diseases such as Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism is important. Gluten sensitivity and Hashimoto’s are linked, and if you are taking medication regularly to manage your auto-immune condition (such as insulin) it is important to identify whether it is gluten-free. Gluten is linked to 55 diseases of mostly neurological and autoimmune nature and should not be taken lightly – calling the manufacturer of the drug in question directly is the best way to ensure it is gluten free.

Hidden Gluten in Household Products = Hidden Danger for Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism

It is not just medications that can contain hidden gluten. Be wary when dealing with household items and some body products, as the majority of these are not required to list gluten as an ingredient. When managing your Hashimoto’s it is worth exercising caution in these details.

Manufacturers are quite blasé with the use of wheat in fillers, lubricants or absorbents in a wide range of body products. Even though gluten cannot be absorbed through the skin, the transference of trace amounts from hands to mouth and subsequent ingestion is a very real possibility.

Everyday applicable items including cosmetics and lip balms, lotions and sunscreens, toothpastes and soaps may all contain hidden gluten. Even items such as stickers, stamps and envelope glue, play dough, pet food, and laundry detergent are known to often contain gluten.

It is always better to err on the side of caution with respect to body and household products when you have Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism, as any accidental contact and ingestion can cause symptoms.

Protect Yourself from Hidden Gluten when you have Hashimoto’s Hypothyroidismm

However, gluten content information can elude even doctors and pharmacists regarding your prescription drugs – it may be down to you as the consumer to conduct a little research. The list of gluten-free drugs compiled by the university pharmacist is a great starting point.

The news is better regarding body and household products; many people that have encountered problems of their own and already conducted some subsequent research have produced results online. Rather than chase up the right person at a particular company, product safety can often be determined in a few clicks on the Internet.

As the importance of gluten content becomes more and more recognized, companies are beginning to create and market gluten-free body products. In these instances, a quick check of the label could give you peace of mind when dealing with Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism.

Further, almost all name-brand play dough is wheat based, and finding safe options can be difficult. Some gluten-free brands of play dough have become available online, and are worth looking into when we know kids playing with the stuff won’t be able to keep their hands out of their mouths!

The little bit of extra effort in sticking to medications and other products that are gluten free is always worth it in the long run, as any inflammatory reactions and symptoms can easily escalate into very real problems.

If you have questions, or would like some help with your Hashimoto’s or low thyroid symptoms, just let me know. I work with patients from around the world via phone and skype, so you don’t have to live close enough for in office visits. Have a great day!