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Elimination Diet To Find Out If I Am Celiac?

Rosemary3

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Rosemary3 Newbie
Rosemary3
Posted

Hello everyone,

 

This is my first post as just joined today.  I was wondering if anyone else has been through the process I am currently in.  I'm hypothyroid with all the associated symptoms even though my thyroid test results show normal (I take 75mg levothyroxine a day).  I was referred to a endo consultant who felt that I am showing all the signs of being celiac (test for this was negative) but also could have other food intolerances.  So I have had to do a three day water fast, followed by 7 days on a very restricted diet, after which I then have to introduce foods one at a time to see how I react. Has anyone else had any success from doing this?  One of my biggest concerns is that even on a diet of fish, fruit and vegetables my cholesterol was high and still rising before I started the fast etc. Does a gluten intolerance/allergy impact on cholesterol?

 

Also could anyone tell me what single food has the most gluten in - a slice of toast, dohnut, pasta? I'll have to test my reaction.

 

Many thanks in advance. 

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cyclinglady Grand Master
cyclinglady
Posted

My doctor recommended something plain  like Cream of Wheat cereal.  The other items you described would have yeast and/or other items you could react to.  I suppose the pasta is just wheat.  Don't eat anything else on top of it!

 

I can't speak about your cholesterol question as mine has always been ridiculously low (e.g. 112 total) which I attribute to celiac disease.  Hopefully others will be able to comment.  

 

Welcome to the board!  And don't forget to check out the newbie site if you go completely gluten free.  

bartfull Rising Star
bartfull
Posted

Good for you that you are doing an elimination diet! It's hard and it seems like it takes forever, but it's the only way to figure out MOST intolerances.

 

I believe pasta has more gluten than anything else. Not 100% sure, but I think I read that here somewhere.

 

We can also be intolerant of certain fruits and veggies, such as nightshades (potatoes, tomatoes, peppers and eggplant), corn, soy, and others. Dairy is also a problem for many folks. Maybe (if you can handle it) you should start with just meat and something like sweet potatoes. Then add something like broccoli. If that works, add a different veggie or fruit. Go for things that have the most nutrition first. If you can find organic stuff, so much the better. I was reacting to pesticide residue, even though I washed my veggies well. It took a few months before I could eat grocery store produce, and that was because my gut was so raw it couldn't handle anything.

 

Oh yeah, you need to be aware of cross-contamination. Read the Newbie 101 thread and it'll teach you about places gluten can hide. And be aware that any supplements or medications you take may have gluten or soy, and almost definitely have corn.

 

Anyway, when you trial gluten you will find out within hours to a couple or three days if gluten is a problem for you. Our reaction times vary. Did you have any other symptoms besides thyroid? A lot of us don't get the classic celiac symptoms, but there are other symptoms like rashes, brain fog, insomnia, anxiety, and a host of others.

 

You will most likely go through withdrawal for the first two or three weeks too. It is an actual physical withdrawal. You'll get headaches and mood swings. You may feel hungry all the time. I actually felt a bit dizzy for a while too, and had a general sense of "unwellness". But stick with it and you will be able to pinpoint what foods bother you.

 

Best of luck to you. If you have any questions, ask away, and please keep us informed of your progress. :)

answerseeker Enthusiast
answerseeker
Posted

I attribute cholesterol in celiacs as being low not high. Due to fat malabsorption

Right before diagnosis it was pasta that caused the worst reaction in me. I had dizziness like the room was spinning along with the other horrible symptoms

deb-rn Contributor
deb-rn
Posted

Good for you that you are doing an elimination diet! It's hard and it seems like it takes forever, but it's the only way to figure out MOST intolerances.

 

I believe pasta has more gluten than anything else. Not 100% sure, but I think I read that here somewhere.

 

We can also be intolerant of certain fruits and veggies, such as nightshades (potatoes, tomatoes, peppers and eggplant), corn, soy, and others. Dairy is also a problem for many folks. Maybe (if you can handle it) you should start with just meat and something like sweet potatoes. Then add something like broccoli. If that works, add a different veggie or fruit. Go for things that have the most nutrition first. If you can find organic stuff, so much the better. I was reacting to pesticide residue, even though I washed my veggies well. It took a few months before I could eat grocery store produce, and that was because my gut was so raw it couldn't handle anything.

 

Oh yeah, you need to be aware of cross-contamination. Read the Newbie 101 thread and it'll teach you about places gluten can hide. And be aware that any supplements or medications you take may have gluten or soy, and almost definitely have corn.

 

Anyway, when you trial gluten you will find out within hours to a couple or three days if gluten is a problem for you. Our reaction times vary. Did you have any other symptoms besides thyroid? A lot of us don't get the classic celiac symptoms, but there are other symptoms like rashes, brain fog, insomnia, anxiety, and a host of others.

 

You will most likely go through withdrawal for the first two or three weeks too. It is an actual physical withdrawal. You'll get headaches and mood swings. You may feel hungry all the time. I actually felt a bit dizzy for a while too, and had a general sense of "unwellness". But stick with it and you will be able to pinpoint what foods bother you.

 

Best of luck to you. If you have any questions, ask away, and please keep us informed of your progress. :)

I don't see the Newbie 101.... where do I find that thread?

kareng Grand Master
kareng
Posted

I don't see the Newbie 101.... where do I find that thread?

https://www.celiac.com/forums/topic/91878-newbie-info-101/

Rosemary3 Newbie
Rosemary3
Posted
  • Author

Thanks to those who replied.  I hadn't thought through the potential of being intolerant of other ingredients when I test gluten such as yeast if I eat bread.  It's interesting and quite sad to see that celiacs also have other intolerances, as if if there is not enough to deal with!  I suppose as grim as it is at the moment I am in the best to find out exactly what the problem foods are so I will have to see how I get on.  My symptoms are very similar to celiac symptoms which is why the doc wanted me to go through this process first to see if I feel better. Can't help looking forward to having a cup of tea! but then again I am British!

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      Thank you! That's helpful. My kids eat very little processed food. Tons of fruit, vegetables, cheese, eggs and occasional red meat. We do a lot of rice and bean bowls, stir fry, etc.  Do you think with all the fruits and vegetables they need a vitamin supplement? I feel like their diet is pretty healthy and balanced with very limited processed food. The only processed food they eat regularly is a bowl of Cheerios here and there.  Could shaking legs be a symptom of just a one-time gluten exposure? I guess there's no way to know for sure if they're getting absolutely zero exposure because they do go to school a couple times a week. We do homeschool but my son does a shared school 2x a week and my daughter does a morning Pre-K 3 x a week.  At home our entire house is strictly gluten free and it is extremely rare for us to eat out. If we eat at someone else's house I usually just bring their food. When we have play dates we bring all the snacks, etc. I try to be really careful since they're still growing. They also, of course, catch kids viruses all the time so I  want to make sure I know whether they're just sick or they've had gluten. It can be pretty confusing when they're pretty young to even be explaining their symptoms! 
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