Could This Be Celiac?

[Sasha87]

I am extremely tired, no matter how much sleep I get, and even if I sleep relatively early I still need 10-12h of sleep. Even then, 2h after I become tired.

I often get cramps and bloating, and feel the urge to have a bowel movement after eating (had it for some years).

I sometimes get more loose stools and other times more harder stools. I get some mild joint pains that come and go (as in they last for 5 seconds and go away and so on).

Thanks

[mushroom]

It is certainly possible you could be in early stages of celiac disease, or gluten intolerance, and it might be worthwhile to get yourself tested at this point. Your primary care doctor can order the testing, known as a celiac panel:

Anti-Gliadin (AGA) IgA

Anti-Gliadin (AGA) IgG

Anti-Endomysial (EMA) IgA

Anti-Tissue Transglutaminase (tTG) IgA

Deamidated Gliadin Peptide (DGP) IgA and IgG

Total Serum IgA

Ask your doctor to run all of them because it is possible to be positive on one or more and negative on others. If she/he demurs, make sure to at least have the last four run.

Many celiacs alternate between constipation and diarrhea in their bowel movements, and cramps and bloating - and the need to run to the bathroom after eating - is common, as is unreasonable fatigue.

Welcome to the boards, Sasha, and good luck on getting your testing accomplished. Even if it were to come back negative, it would be good to trial the diet, because non-celiac gluten intolerance produces the same kind of symptoms; you just don't get the diagnosis but the treatment is the same.

[nvsmom]

Mushroom gave you great info. I just wanted to add that my youngest son, who tested negative for celiac, used to have to run to the bathroom during every meal, as well as a few more times during the day. Going gluten-free has almost entirely cured him of that after a couple of months.

Good luck with your testing. Remember to keep eating gluten until you are done all your tests.