Jump to content
This site uses cookies. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. More Info... ×
  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.




  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):



    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):


  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Help Celiac.com:
    eNewsletter
    Donate

Do I Have Celiac?


gowmichelle

Recommended Posts

gowmichelle Newbie

Please help!

Do I have celiac?

My history

Graves Disease at age 17 resulting in complete thyroidectomy at age 19....radioactive treatments did not work

Long history of depression

Diagnosed with sleep apnea 2 years ago, treated with C PAP

Constipation since birth of my son 10 years ago at age 36.

Four episodes of bloody stool last year resulting in scope....negative findings

Low normal B12 diagnosed last year. Took B12 supplements for year and now mid normal levels

No history of UTIs until 12 months ago and have now had 7 this past year

Chronic pain in shoulders, arms and feet

Normally weigh 130 pounds but have gained 40 pounds in last year.

Sister just diagnosed with celiac one month ago, also had Graves disease (hyperthyriod), but her symptoms where chronic diahrea, not constipation

If I do have celiac why did it not show up on scope?. Should I try Gluten free diet before testing to see if it helps?

Thanks

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):



Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):



nvsmom Community Regular

It is possible but to be honest, your symptoms also sound like hypothyroidism to me. How are your Free T4 and free T3 levels? Are they in the upper half (about 75%) of your labs normal range?

Constipation is a sign of celiac for some but it is for hypo sufferers as well. I'm guessing that's what caused your bloody stools... that's happened to me many times in the past. If your colon was scoped, it would not show any celiac damage since celiac disease affects the upper small intestine.

If you request blood tests from your doctor you will get a good idea if you are a celiac ;about 75% of celiacs will have positive blood tests. The most commonly run blood tests are:

total IgA

ttg IgA and ttg IgG

IgA EMA

DGP IgA and IgG (I think)

You need to be eating gluten for some time to have a positive test so don't go gluten-free yet if you plan on testing.

Good luck! I know how frustrating it is to not have answers when you don't feel well.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
gowmichelle Newbie

Thanks Nicole.

My T3 and T4 are all a high normal so I don't think that is the issue. My Dr is pretty good at testing my thyroid levels once a year and actually increased my dose of thyroxine about two years ago...first increase necessary since my thyroidectomy in 1988

.

My sister was diagnosed with blood work only with biopsy pending in January. She had been incorrectly diagnosed for four years as IBS.

Thanks for listing the blood work needed, I will take it to my Dr in New year. Will continue to eat gluten as well to insure accurate results.

Michelle

Link to comment
Share on other sites
rosetapper23 Explorer

Even if the bloodwork comes back negative, you might wish to try the gluten-free diet. Hopefully, you'll start feeling better soon!

Link to comment
Share on other sites
gowmichelle Newbie

Even if the bloodwork comes back negative, you might wish to try the gluten-free diet. Hopefully, you'll start feeling better soon!

How long does it take to start to feel better once you are gluten-free? I am assuming that the cilia take a few months to repair themselves (if ever) and wonder if anyone noticed a difference right away.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
nvsmom Community Regular

How long does it take to start to feel better once you are gluten-free? I am assuming that the cilia take a few months to repair themselves (if ever) and wonder if anyone noticed a difference right away.

I noticed that my stomach aches that used to happen when I ate gluten didn't happen if I, well, didn't eat gluten. That was immediate. My bloating started to go away within a few weeks but it would come back. It was pretty much gone after 2 or so months. My migraines were gone pretty soon too; within a few weeks. My hair regrowth was noticeable within a couple of months too.

I have a few symptoms that took months to clear, but I suspect they were due to hashimoto's and are clearing up as my meds are better matched to what I need. Those symptoms include "c" (3 months) and fatigue (6 months).

My joint pain was not improved... hoping it will be. :)

I didn't have any real nutrient deficiencies, which is unusual for a celiac so my recovery might be different than others.

Best wishes to you.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.


  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):



  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      120,156
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748

    Lisa Pieterse
    Newest Member
    Lisa Pieterse
    Joined

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):


  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      120.2k
    • Total Posts
      1m

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):





  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):



  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • CatherineWang
      I'm pretty sure that in stores, you can find plenty of gluten-free options. But they are usually a bit more expensive.
    • cristiana
      Hello @BunnyBrown and welcome to the forum. I cannot say that I have had the procedure you describe, but recently I did have general surgery and was routinely intubated.  That pain was what troubled me most after the operation, far more than the operation site.  It took a few days to really settle down, I was quite badly bruised. It was taking so long I was a bit concerned so asked the question on another forum. A few patients came back to me and said they had suffered the same.  I imagine in my own case possibly the throat got bashed about a bit,  maybe they had difficult inserting the tube?  I've suffered with a painful throat post-endoscopy too, but never as long as the intubation pain.   I hope you will be feeling better very soon.   PS BTW - love the name!  I saw this today in an Easter display in a shop and your name reminded me of it.🙂  
    • cristiana
      This wonderful, Anne. I think you have a point about why people disappear off forums.  I found the first few years post diagnosis a real struggle and frankly wondered if I would ever feel better (not to dishearten people, but just to say it can take a while longer for some folk to heal).  However, once my antibodies were back within normal range it really has made a big difference to my health.  I've chosen to stick around because I'm a Mod, otherwise I might have been one of those that disappeared, too!      
    • Exchange Students
      Yes absolutely, we work with all public schools and some private schools in all 50 states.
    • Scott Adams
      Just a quick question, can the host live in any state in the USA?
×
×
  • Create New...