Celiac And Diabetes Or Blood Sugar Issues?

[eblue]

Hey everyone.

 

Last month I was diagnosed with celiac. Eventhough this disease is no picnic I am thankful for a diagnoses because I was feeling so terrible before the dr. could find out what was wrong with me. I am concerned about my blood sugar levels. I have also read that celiac disease and type 1 diabetes go hand in hand, which makes me more nervous.

 

Here is why:

Last November I started to have a few of symptoms of diabetes ( I didnt know they were diabetes symptoms at the time)- I was constantly thirsty (like had to have a bottle of water at all times, cant finish a sentence without taking a drink thirsty), urinating all the time, and had 3 strange episodes where suddenly my vision would go blurry, and then return to normal within a minute or two. Those symptoms have continued, and have gotten worse. I havent had anymore vision problems, but have some days where I am constantly drinking water and going to the bathroom.  It just feels like I can never get enough to drink. But its not everyday, just probably about 50 percent of the time. Also, I got up 8 times to go to the bathroom the other night.

 

 I have also within the past month or two started having these spells where I am extremely light headed and feel like I am going to faint. I thought it was gluten withdrawl, but it will not go away. It got so bad at church last sunday that I was afraid to stand up...I literally thought I was going to pass out.

 

I am worried because now I know that these are all symptoms of diabetes, and that celiac and type 1 diabetes go hand in hand sometimes. I am really worried. I am young, in my early 20's, and have never been overweight. I dont know what to do. I just moved to the area so I dont have a primary care dr yet. I have an appointment to see one in September to get established as her patient, but I am kind of worried about letting this drag on until then.

 

Anyone here have an opinion on what I should do? Or does anyone have any experience with something similar? Please help. I am really worried about this

[eblue]

Oh, and one mroe thing I forgot to mention....Whenever I start feeling faint and lightheaded, I start shaking all over....

 

This isnt an everyday thing. It probably happens 50 percent of the time. Yesterday, for example, I was fine. The day before...not so much

 

But there is a pattern...the days where I am extremely thirsty and going to the bathroom all the time are only the days where I have the light headed, shaking episodes

 

Some days I have nothing

[shadowicewolf]

When my blood sugar gets low, I get light headed and having the shakes. Eating something high in protein helps.

 

However, it does seem to indicate that you should look into being tested.

[cahill]

Since your appointment with your new Doctor is not until September I would suggest getting a glucose monitor and testing/ watching  your blood sugar until your appointment . .

[eblue]

Since your appointment with your new Doctor is not until September I would suggest getting a glucose monitor and testing/ watching  your blood sugar until your appointment . .

thanks, that is a good idea

[GFinDC]

You can get an A1C test kit at some pharmacies.  They give you a rough idea of your glucose control in the past few months.

[kvirmani]

This is my first post to any online group.  I have just joined this one becaise I was diagnosed with Celiac and have had type1 diabetes for 48 years (both autoimmune diseases)  I would strongly encourage you to make an appointment with your doctor for today or tomorrow.  The symptoms you have described are serious and you need to find out ASAP what is going on.  The need to constantly drink  water and frequent urination can be a symptom of very high blood sugar and the lightheadedness and shakiness can be a symptom of very low blood sugar, both of which are potentially life-threatening left unchecked.  Your doctor will probably order tests to be done STAT so you will have an answer quickly.  I feel for you because going to the doctor with symptoms you suspect are serious is very scary.  If it turns out you have type 1 diabetes, it is important for you to find out right now  Another possibility is to go to an urgent care clinic and get your glucose measured there right now.   When I was diagnosed back in the 60s, there was no finger stick blood tests, insulin pumps or the many other tools that make management much easier. I was 26, pregnant and scared and thought I had been given a diagnosis which would shorten my life. That was not at all true for me.  I'm now 70 and am VERY active and never let diabetes get in my way. Mine has been especially hard to manage, but I have.    If you happen to have Type 1 diabetes it will require a bit more time out of your already busy schedule and at first you will feel confused and scared, but IT CAN BE MANAGED  VERY SUCCESSFULLY with the help of your doctor and diabetes educator  and you will feel so much better quickly and can lead a perfectly normal life by just following a few guidelines with a few minor inconveniences.  Diabetes does not have to keep you from doing anything you want as long as you follow the guidelines.  Hope this helps.  ~Newbee with Celiac

[frieze]

kvirmani....nothing says it like experience.!

[kvirmani]

Thanks!  I realized after I sent post that I was responding to a post that was sent last June (Newbee lesson #1 - check date of post!). Thanks for reading it and commenting.  I felt a little silly when I realized my mistake.  I hope to get an update on the member whose concern I addressed.  I also meant to say that the symptoms described could also fit with other illnesses including anxiety.  Hopefully s/he went to a doctor and is now doing well and I'm hoping it was a very benign diagnosis.

[cyclinglady]

Do not feel silly! You did just help someone -- me. I am officially pre-diabetic. Because I did not want to change my diet based on one test, I purchased a meter. I do have issues processing carbs and when I go back to my doctor, I will ask to be tested further to determine which type I have. It is nice to know that you are managing quite well.

[Seeking2012]

Hey everyone.

 

Last month I was diagnosed with celiac. Eventhough this disease is no picnic I am thankful for a diagnoses because I was feeling so terrible before the dr. could find out what was wrong with me. I am concerned about my blood sugar levels. I have also read that celiac disease and type 1 diabetes go hand in hand, which makes me more nervous.

 

Here is why:

Last November I started to have a few of symptoms of diabetes ( I didnt know they were diabetes symptoms at the time)- I was constantly thirsty (like had to have a bottle of water at all times, cant finish a sentence without taking a drink thirsty), urinating all the time, and had 3 strange episodes where suddenly my vision would go blurry, and then return to normal within a minute or two. Those symptoms have continued, and have gotten worse. I havent had anymore vision problems, but have some days where I am constantly drinking water and going to the bathroom.  It just feels like I can never get enough to drink. But its not everyday, just probably about 50 percent of the time. Also, I got up 8 times to go to the bathroom the other night.

 

 I have also within the past month or two started having these spells where I am extremely light headed and feel like I am going to faint. I thought it was gluten withdrawl, but it will not go away. It got so bad at church last sunday that I was afraid to stand up...I literally thought I was going to pass out.

 

I am worried because now I know that these are all symptoms of diabetes, and that celiac and type 1 diabetes go hand in hand sometimes. I am really worried. I am young, in my early 20's, and have never been overweight. I dont know what to do. I just moved to the area so I dont have a primary care dr yet. I have an appointment to see one in September to get established as her patient, but I am kind of worried about letting this drag on until then.

 

Anyone here have an opinion on what I should do? Or does anyone have any experience with something similar? Please help. I am really worried about this

 

I recommend what others have said, do an A1C test and a fasting glucose test to see if you are already diabetic. If you do have diabetes you need to know if it's Type 1 or Type 2 because those are treated differently. Type 1 is another autoimmune disorder in which the body's immune system attacks the Islets of Langerhans cells in the pancreas and it means you don't make any insulin so you'll have to have insulin all the time. Type 2 is not autoimmune and it means that your body still make some insulin, so with type 2 you will still need some insulin but not as much. Your doctor should know how to test to see which one it is, if indeed you are diabetic.

 

It sounds to me like you are experiencing episodes of hyper and hypoglycemia. Hypo would be when you get shaky and feel woozy and tired. Hyper would be when you get blurry vision and are constantly thirsty. My mom has T2 diabetes and I have insulin resistance so I'm familiar with this stuff. So even if you are not diabetic, you still need to eat more like a diabetic. I used to have the same symptoms as you. What I did was lower my carb intake and increase protein. Protein with every meal is really important, and decreasing sugar intake is just as important. This really goes a long way to eliminating the blood sugar roller coaster ride that causes hyper and hypo glycemia symptoms.

 

EDIT: Oh I just realized that this is an old threat. I hope the OPer comes back to let us know what's going on.

[GF Lover]

The OP has not been on the Forum since October of 2013.  Always a good idea to check dates of threads.

 

Colleen