The connection between celiac disease and hypothyroidism is stronger than many people realize. In fact, those struggling with ongoing thyroid symptoms—like fatigue, weight gain, or brain fog—may unknowingly have an underlying gluten-triggered autoimmune issue contributing to their imbalance.
Whether you’ve been diagnosed with Hashimoto’s or are just beginning to explore why your thyroid isn’t functioning at its best, it’s worth looking at what’s happening in the gut—and how gluten may be playing a silent role. Let’s look deeper.
Celiac Is More Than Digestion—Here’s What to Know
Celiac disease isn’t just a “gluten issue”—it’s an autoimmune condition that can quietly disrupt systems far beyond the digestive tract. If you’ve ever felt like your symptoms don’t fully line up with what’s considered “classic” for gut trouble, this could be part of the picture.
Celiac disease is triggered when the immune system mistakes gluten—a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye—as a threat. This sets off an inflammatory cascade that damages the lining of the small intestine, specifically the villi (those tiny finger-like structures that absorb nutrients). Over time, this damage makes it harder for your body to absorb key vitamins and minerals, which can ripple out into everything from hormonal shifts to skin issues and mood changes.
While many people associate celiac disease with digestive symptoms, it’s actually a whole-body condition that often presents in more subtle, systemic ways.
Common symptoms include:
- Digestive distress: bloating, cramping, constipation, diarrhea
- Fatigue that doesn’t improve with rest
- Skin rashes, especially dermatitis herpetiformis
- Brain fog, mood swings, or feeling “off”
- Nutrient deficiencies (especially iron, B12, D, and zinc)
- Menstrual irregularities or fertility challenges
Some people don’t notice major digestive complaints at all, but still deal with the downstream effects of inflammation, malabsorption, and immune stress. Because of this, celiac disease often flies under the radar—especially in adults.
Celiac Disease and Hypothyroidism: The Connection
If you’re dealing with both digestive symptoms and signs of thyroid imbalance—like fatigue, weight changes, or mood shifts—you’re not imagining the overlap. The gut and thyroid are deeply connected, especially when autoimmunity enters the picture. It can shift the way the immune system behaves throughout the body, and one of the most common targets it turns toward next is the thyroid. Research shows that people with celiac are much more likely to develop autoimmune thyroid diseases like Hashimoto’s and Graves’.
Here’s what’s happening under the surface:
- Both celiac disease and autoimmune thyroid conditions share similar genetic markers (especially HLA-DQ2 and DQ8), which may make the immune system more prone to confusion.
- A damaged intestinal lining leads to increased permeability—aka “leaky gut”—which lets tiny particles like gluten peptides and food proteins sneak into the bloodstream.
- In some cases, the immune system confuses gluten with thyroid tissue, triggering a cross-reaction that inflames the thyroid over time.
There’s also a nutrient connection here. The small intestine, especially the upper part, is where we absorb key thyroid-supportive nutrients like selenium, zinc, iron, and iodine. When that lining is damaged, these nutrients can run low—making it harder for the thyroid to function optimally, even before an autoimmune diagnosis appears.
So if you’ve been struggling with ongoing thyroid symptoms and suspect celiac or gluten sensitivity may be involved, it’s absolutely worth exploring deeper.
When Your Symptoms Don’t Add Up—But Might Be Connected
You know that feeling when your body just isn’t clicking into place—like you’re dragging through the day, your skin’s being weird, your digestion feels off, and your mood’s all over the place? It’s easy to chalk it up to being “just tired” or “just hormones,” but sometimes, it’s more than that. Sometimes, your gut and thyroid are tangled up in the same story.
These are the kinds of symptoms that tend to show up when both your digestive and hormonal systems are under stress:
- You feel wiped out, even when you’ve slept well.
- Your weight is shifting, and you don’t know why.
- You’re dealing with anxiety, low moods, or feeling mentally foggy.
- Your skin’s dry, your hair’s thinning, and you’re constantly cold.
- Your periods are irregular, or you’re having trouble with fertility.
When these symptoms come as a package deal, it’s a good idea to zoom out. Because the truth is, your gut and thyroid have a very real connection—and if something’s off in one, it often spills into the other. The good news? Once you understand the link, you can actually do something about it.
Should You Be Tested for Celiac if You Have Thyroid Issues?
If you’ve been diagnosed with Hashimoto’s, Graves’, or any kind of thyroid dysfunction—and you’re still not feeling quite right—there’s a good reason to consider celiac testing. It’s incredibly common for thyroid and gut-related autoimmune issues to overlap. And in many cases, people discover later in their journey that undiagnosed celiac disease (or gluten sensitivity) has been quietly fueling the fire.
Here are some signs that getting tested for celiac might be especially worth it:
- You have thyroid issues plus ongoing digestive symptoms like bloating, constipation, or discomfort.
- There’s a family history of autoimmune disease, especially celiac, type 1 diabetes, or thyroid conditions.
- You’re taking thyroid medication but still feel off, tired, or inflamed.
If any of these sound familiar, it’s time to talk to your practitioner. Testing might include a celiac panel (like tTG-IgA, EMA, and total IgA), a genetic screen for HLA-DQ2 or DQ8, and a full thyroid panel—not just TSH, but free T3, T4, and antibodies. Catching the connection early can make all the difference in how you feel and how your body heals.
From Fatigue to Clarity: Root-Cause Healing at hol+
When your immune system feels like it’s in overdrive and your thyroid’s barely keeping up, it’s time for care that actually sees the full picture. At hol+, we take a root-cause approach to conditions like celiac disease, Hashimoto’s, and other autoimmune imbalances that often leave people feeling confused, frustrated, and unseen.
We know it’s never just about one lab result or one system. That’s why our board-certified team blends advanced testing with deeply personalized care. Every plan is shaped around your unique biology, history, and goals—and we collaborate with your other providers to keep everything aligned and safe.
Here’s how we support your healing journey:
- Autoimmune Disease Assessment: We look at everything: gut permeability, hidden infections, nutrient levels, toxin load, and genetic markers. The goal is to understand what’s keeping your immune system on high alert—and how to calm it down.
- Hormone Balancing & Replacement: Whether you’re managing thyroid hormone levels, adrenal fatigue, or cycle irregularities, we bring a science-backed, holistic lens to restoring balance and energy.
- Nutrition Counseling & Gut Healing: Our practitioners guide you through anti-inflammatory eating, gluten-free living (if needed), and targeted protocols to repair the gut lining and reduce immune reactivity.
- Stress & Inflammation Support: Tools like acupuncture, herbal support, breathwork, and mind-body therapies help retrain the nervous system and quiet chronic inflammation.
At hol+, our aim is to help you feel like yourself again—steady, strong, and supported from the inside out.
Because You Deserve More Than Trial-and-Error
The connection between celiac disease and hypothyroidism runs deeper than many people realize. Autoimmune conditions often travel in packs, and your gut, thyroid, and immune system are all part of the same conversation. When gluten drives inflammation or nutrient malabsorption, the thyroid often takes a hit—leading to fatigue, hormone imbalance, and a range of symptoms that don’t always respond to standard treatment.
At hol+, we help you untangle those overlapping layers through personalized care that looks at the root cause. If you’ve been managing thyroid symptoms and suspect there’s something more going on, we’re here to help you find clarity—and a path forward. Book a consultation today.
FAQs
Can celiac disease cause thyroid problems?
Yes. Celiac disease is linked to autoimmune thyroid conditions like Hashimoto’s and Graves’. Gluten-driven inflammation and nutrient malabsorption can impact thyroid function over time.
What’s the link between celiac disease and hypothyroidism?
Celiac disease and hypothyroidism share genetic and autoimmune pathways. Gluten exposure can trigger thyroid antibodies and worsen thyroid symptoms, especially in people with Hashimoto’s.
If I have hypothyroidism, should I be tested for celiac disease?
It’s worth exploring—especially if you have ongoing digestive issues, other autoimmune conditions, or poor response to thyroid meds. A simple blood test can offer insight.
Can untreated celiac disease make hypothyroidism worse?
It can. Ongoing gut inflammation can interfere with medication absorption and nutrient levels critical for thyroid health, like selenium and zinc.
How do you approach thyroid and autoimmune care at hol+?
We take a whole-body view—testing gut, hormone, and immune health to find out what’s driving the imbalance. Every plan is personal and built around you.