Type I Diabetes with Undetected Underlying Gluten Sensitivity for 36 Years!

Celiac.com 09/29/2021 - My endocrinologist suspects I have celiac sprue.  I am 47 years old and have had type 1 diabetes since I was 11 years old.  HOWEVER...long before the diabetes I experienced severe cramping episodes for which my physicians could never identify a cause.  I learned to live with it for 36 years.  I am insulin resistant, and “carbohydrate sensitive”, and with the help of a highly competent endocrinologist, have gone from 231 lbs to 177 with an ultimate goal of 135 lbs.

I went on an insulin infusion pump in May.  The well-meaning diabetes educator was “instrumental” in setting the controls to my pump with the “idea” that I need not go below 120 grams of carbohydrate daily for weight and blood glucose management.  As a result I have gained 9 lbs since May, and am working my pump settings back down with the idea of eating 55 - 60 grams of complex carbohydrates daily.  My insulin usage is about 67% of what it used to be, yet I can’t take this additional weight off.  I was “taught” to eat crackers and juice for low blood glucose level management.  

Celiac.com Sponsor (A12):
All of this paints a picture of my situation today.  A few weeks ago I talked to my endocrinologist about my cramping issues.  After a boat-load of vials of blood she has arrived at the suspicion that I may have celiac sprue.  Since she said that, I have read many articles about this disorder and it seems to fit.  It is likely the cause of my lifetime of cramping issues.  My mother had “colitis”, and so does my sister.  During times of distress they experience intense cramping paired with dizziness, nausea, weakness, and sometimes headaches.  Sure sounds like a food issue to me.

I try to maintain a 1000 calorie diet.  Sometimes (especially if I have had gluten-laden foods, now that I look back and think about it...) I just about starve to death!!!!  I am trying to adhere to the South Beach diet.  I will be going for a G.I.  consult in the near future.  

As a result of Ron Hoggan’s article in the Spring 2006 edition of this newsletter regarding the low incidence of celiac disease diagnoses with obese people,  I now have hope that I can lose the pain AND the weight with proper diet and exercise.

Today I shall try to bear in mind the many great kindnesses that God has done for me, and ignore the relatively insignificant dis-pleasures in my life.  

A month later: 

I have stopped eating gluten with a few rare exceptions when my blood glucose levels are low and only glutinous foods are available.  The interesting thing is, since I stopped eating the darned stuff, the cramps have ceased!  That seals it for me!!