i also think i know what you mean by a thread sticking out now. i had one this morning but it was brown, therefore old. and i do remember seeing things like this several times before. but right now i am expelling candida (the little tan pieces)with almost every single BM so i think i am finally making progress.
i believe i already have leaky gut, but i take l-glutamine every single night powdered free form mixed in water, so i am working on healing the gut. if i don't have leaky gut, at least i am preventing it, and l-glutamine is good for the immune system anyways.