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:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

Bladder Problems And Gluten Sensitivity?


aurora

Recommended Posts

aurora Newbie

I don't have celiac's but a gluten sensitivity but also have major bladder problems! does anyone know if there is a link? I had an endoscopy just to look inside my bladder and the bladder wall was very inflamed - has anyone else experienced this or is it totally unrelated? I have only just found out about the gluten thing so don't know yet if a gluten free diet will help or not.


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



Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):



Felidae Enthusiast

I don't know if I have celiac, but I responded positively to the gluten-free diet. I have taken one cranberry pill a day for about six years now. This is because I used to get frequent bladder infections. I don't know if going gluten-free would have changed the bladder infection rate, so I religiously take my cranberry pill.

cornbread Explorer

Before I went gluten-free I used to need to urinate all the time, and often felt like I had cystitis. Since going gluten-free the problems have vanished. When I get glutened, the frequency returns.

ravenwoodglass Mentor
I don't have celiac's but a gluten sensitivity but also have major bladder problems! does anyone know if there is a link? I had an endoscopy just to look inside my bladder and the bladder wall was very inflamed - has anyone else experienced this or is it totally unrelated? I have only just found out about the gluten thing so don't know yet if a gluten free diet will help or not.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I've gotten a great deal of relief from the gluten-free diet. It still feels like I am peeing glass when I get glutened, and I will also have microscopic bleeding when that happens. But if I am gluten-free I have no problems and have even seen an improvement in incontinence problems I had since childhood. For me there is a definate connection.

Striss Newbie

Over the last 3 years, I've been having a lot of bladder issues...Having to make very frequent bathroom visits all the time. I started the gluten-free diet about a week ago and already it's beginning to clear up a little bit. I'm very happy to find somebody else who's also had the same results.

julie5914 Contributor

Bladder problems are assiciated with candida. I know some doctors don't think candida is a real thing, but I know someone who has it and was diagnosed by a GI doc. They saw the yeast during endoscopy (esophagus).

floridanative Community Regular

For years I've have to urinate three times more than any of my friends/family. It isn't uncommon for me to go when I get to a restaurant, then go again before I leave. I was told by a doctor years ago that I probably have a small bladder but maybe it's related to celiac disease?.. Anyway, my question is does anyone out there ever have bright yellow urine? I'm talking about reg. Gatorade yellow. This has just started this week and I haven't been drinking anything yellow. Just lots of water, coffee and tea as usual. And it is not like that every trip. Anyone ever heard of this?


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



Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):



skbird Contributor

Hey Floridanative - are you taking B complex supplements? That will turn your pee Gatorade yellow (very descriptive!).

I have been having bladder issues this past year but I think it has something to do with possible endometriosis. Coincidentally, this has started since I went gluten-free.

Stephanie

WRowland Newbie

I'm 52 and was having increasing problems with both urinary and fecal incontinence before I found my gluten problems. Researching my osteoporosis lead me to celiac.

So I've been eliminating gluten for about three months now, progressively better, but still not perfect. Both problems have improved so much that I no longer think about them.

Dr. Fine says that there is nerve damage, especially to the sphincter muscles that close off bladder, rectum and stomach. So acid reflux and bladder and fecal incontinence are definitely associated with gluten sensitivity and celiac.

floridanative Community Regular
Hey Floridanative - are you taking B complex supplements? That will turn your pee Gatorade yellow (very descriptive!).

I have been having bladder issues this past year but I think it has something to do with possible endometriosis. Coincidentally, this has started since I went gluten-free.

Stephanie

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Oh my gosh!! Yes I just started taking a B-complex vitamin per my derm. recomendation until I get biopy/start diet. Thanks so much!!!

Tiffany M.

mookie03 Contributor
I don't have celiac's but a gluten sensitivity but also have major bladder problems! does anyone know if there is a link? I had an endoscopy just to look inside my bladder and the bladder wall was very inflamed - has anyone else experienced this or is it totally unrelated? I have only just found out about the gluten thing so don't know yet if a gluten free diet will help or not.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I was wondering this same thing! I have had 2 seemingly unrelated problems for my whole life- recurring UTI's and terrible problems w/ chronic diarrhea. I have finally solved one of the problems (i have a gluten sensitivity if not celiac disease) but the UTI's are a mystery. I have had several procedures done (when i was 4, 9, 12, and 18) to figure out what is causing them but they couldnt come up w/ an answer (except for the inflammation and an "extra lining" i have. I havent had one since going gluten-free but it has only been 5 months. Think we are onto something here???

Stefi

Rusla Enthusiast
I was wondering this same thing!  I have had 2 seemingly unrelated problems for my whole life- recurring UTI's and terrible problems w/ chronic diarrhea.  I have finally solved one of the problems (i have a gluten sensitivity if not celiac disease) but the UTI's are a mystery. I have had several procedures done (when i was 4, 9, 12, and 18) to figure out what is causing them but they couldnt come up w/ an answer (except for the inflammation and an "extra lining" i have.  I havent had one since going gluten-free but it has only been 5 months.  Think we are onto something here???

Stefi

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I have had bladder and kidney problems since I was 2 years old and almost died from it then. I have had 2 bladder and 2 kidney surgeries and I would be interested in finding out if this is something that happens with Celiac. No one else in my family has had this problem

floridanative Community Regular

[

quote=cornbread,Oct 19 2005, 10:39 PM]

Before I went gluten-free I used to need to urinate all the time, and often felt like I had cystitis. Since going gluten-free the problems have vanished. When I get glutened, the frequency returns.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

tammy Community Regular

I too have chronic bladder infections according to my lab work but no symptoms. I have been on the gluten-free diet since December 2002!!!!

I had symptoms in my early twenties and it seemed corrected when I started taking a regular dose of probiotics and cranberry juice.

Now, I am considering an ultrasoundbut wonder if I will always have this? :huh::(

mookie03 Contributor
I too have chronic bladder infections according to my lab work but no symptoms. I have been on the gluten-free diet since December 2002!!!!

I had symptoms in my early twenties and it seemed corrected when I started taking a regular dose of probiotics and cranberry juice.

Now, I am considering an ultrasoundbut wonder if I will always have this? :huh:  :(

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I have had many ultrasounds and none have been productive. Cranberry works best for me- and intermittent antibiotics (on an as-needed basis). You are lucky you have no symptoms though- mine are terrible!!!

gabby Enthusiast

My bladder problems turned out to be sugar related. I used to get between 4 and 6 UTIs every year for about 10 years. I also had the scopes, x-rays, cat scans, etc. But they couldn't figure it out. Because of an insulin problem, I had to go on a no sugar and low glycemic index diet which I follow to this day (along with a gluten-free diet). The bladder problems vanished.

Until....

I had to have a glucose tolerance test done. So I had to drink a big glass of glucose liquid and test my sugar every 15 minutes. I got the shakes, could barely stand up, and then walked into a wall that I didn't see. The next day I woke up with the mother of all UTIs. So I have adopted the low glycemic index diet for life...and it seems to be keeping the bladder problems at bay. Be careful with cranberry juice...it is pretty much pure sugar.

When you do get bladder discomfort, try drinking a big glass of room temperature water with 1/4 teaspoon baking soda. Avoid all sugar including fruits until it goes away. And drink tons of water.

There is a great book called: You don't have to live with cystitis (can't remember the author).

Hope this helps,

Gabby

danikali Enthusiast
For years I've have to urinate three times more than any of my friends/family. It isn't uncommon for me to go when I get to a restaurant, then go again before I leave. I was told by a doctor years ago that I probably have a small bladder but maybe it's related to celiac disease?.. Anyway, my question is does anyone out there ever have bright yellow urine? I'm talking about reg. Gatorade yellow. This has just started this week and I haven't been drinking anything yellow. Just lots of water, coffee and tea as usual. And it is not like that every trip. Anyone ever heard of this?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

It's quite amazing to read all of this because I NEVER thought my bladder problems could have had anything to do with gluten. But YES, I urinate SOOOOO frequently, I also thought I had interstitial cystitis because for a while, I had burning every single day, but NO INFECTION found by doctors! My doctor also told me I have a small bladder, and irritable bladder, and there is nothing I could do about it. I also took cranberry pills, they used to work, but eventually, I was taking them all day long and realized they weren't doing anything anymore. Allllso, my urine is most of the time bright yellow, like you said. Also, I noticed, when I am feeling sick (not done with tests yet to judge my gluten problems), but my urine smells like a chemical, very weird. No doctor knows what I am talking about. Anyone else notice anything like that?

kelliac Rookie
Allllso, my urine is most of the time bright yellow, like you said. Also, I noticed, when I am feeling sick (not done with tests yet to judge my gluten problems), but my urine smells like a chemical, very weird. No doctor knows what I am talking about. Anyone else notice anything like that?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Do you take vitamins? That could cause bright yellow, as does concentrated urine from lack of enough fluids. Other causes but we won't go there yet.

mightymorg Rookie

This is an interesting possible connection. I'm not officially diagnosed with anything yet (go back to the GI a week from today), but no matter what my fluid intake is I always have to go pee! Plus, I had hemmoragic (sp?) cystitis a month and a half ago. It was my first one, but man, I thought I was going to die, it hurt SO bad!! :blink:

danikali Enthusiast

Yeah, I know what you mean about vitamans. Actually, I know it's bad, but I haven't taken a multi for a while......I always forget. But no, it's not that. And I do drink a lot of water and herbal tea, and sometimes it is still yellow.

Puckster Rookie

I've had regular, horrible UTI's as well. I just went gluten-free a month ago and haven't had one yet (fingers crossed). I just wanted to mention that there's a supplement called D-Mannose out there that really helps with UTIs. It's a simple sugar that our body cannot absorb and for some reason bacteria in the urinary tract attach to the sugar when we pee and vioal! All washed out. I'm pretty sure D-mannose is the thing in cranberry juice and cranberry supplements that helps with UTI's. It's much stronger than cranberry supplements, is a little more expensive and tastes great! You can find it at health food stores near the cranberry supplements.

floridanative Community Regular
It's quite amazing to read all of this because I NEVER thought my bladder problems could have had anything to do with gluten. But YES, I urinate SOOOOO frequently, I also thought I had interstitial cystitis because for a while, I had burning every single day, but NO INFECTION found by doctors! My doctor also told me I have a small bladder, and irritable bladder, and there is nothing I could do about it. I also took cranberry pills, they used to work, but eventually, I was taking them all day long and realized they weren't doing anything anymore. Allllso, my urine is most of the time bright yellow, like you said. Also, I noticed, when I am feeling sick (not done with tests yet to judge my gluten problems), but my urine smells like a chemical, very weird. No doctor knows what I am talking about. Anyone else notice anything like that?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I found out from skbird that my b-complex was making my urine yellow. But this brings up another stupid thing the hemotologist said to me yesterday (others may have read about my experience on another thread) but I forgot to mention the following comment. I told the doc (who I'd never met before) that I have the frequent urination problem and wanted to know what that could indicate. I told him I finished lunch and a cup of tea at 12:20 and did not consume one more ounce of liquid after that. I left the house at 1:45 pm for my appt. with him and had used the bathroom FIVE times from 12:30 to 1:45. Okay so here is his response - 'well I bet you're really fun to travel with' and he laughed. I was glad I was in a chair or I may have fallen off his exam table. I could NOT believe he could be that insensitive. He ran the Celiac panel tests I wanted so I have to be happy about that and forget what a jerk he was.

Archived

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


  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):



  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      130,233
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748

    JGBJ
    Newest Member
    JGBJ
    Joined

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):


  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.3k
    • Total Posts
      1m

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):





  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):



  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • Scott Adams
      That’s a really insightful observation about antibody testing and the gluten challenge! You’re absolutely right that antibody levels can remain elevated for months or even years after going gluten-free, especially if there’s ongoing cross-contamination or occasional slip-ups. The immune system doesn’t reset overnight—it can take time for antibodies like tTG-IgA to normalize, which is why many doctors recommend waiting at least 6–12 months of strict gluten-free eating before retesting. For someone who’s been gluten-free for less than two years or hasn’t been meticulous about avoiding cross-contact, there’s absolutely a chance they’d still test positive, since even small amounts of gluten can keep antibodies elevated. This is partly why the gluten challenge (where you eat gluten before testing) exists—it’s designed to provoke a measurable immune response in people who’ve been gluten-free long enough for antibodies to drop. But you raise a great point: the challenge isn’t perfect, and false negatives can happen if the timing or amount of gluten isn’t sufficient to trigger a strong antibody response. This is why diagnosis often combines antibody tests with other tools like genetic testing or endoscopy. Your question highlights just how nuanced celiac testing can be! For people with celiac disease hidden gluten in their diets is the main cause of elevated Tissue Transglutaminase IgA Antibodies (tTG-IgA), but there are other conditions, including cow's milk/casein intolerance, that can also cause this, and here is an article about the other possible causes:      
    • Betsy Crum
      Thank you for your response! I have considered starting a food diary in the past, I suppose this is as good a time as any to start.  
    • Betsy Crum
      I don't have health insurance so I have never had any testing done. I always thought if I stay away from gluten Ill be fine but I suppose that isn't enough anymore. I will look into getting an allergy test. Thank you for your input! 
    • trents
      I remember reading an article summarizing testing done by Gluten Free Watchdog on several brands of dried lentils. They were all heavily cross contaminated with wheat and the commentary was to the effect that dried lentils in general were the most heavily cross contaminated product category in their testing data base. So, I would definitely not use any dried lentil product that was not tested to be Gluten Free (<20ppm of gluten) or Certified Gluten Free (<10ppm of gluten).
    • Scott Adams
      While spices, lentils, beans and chickpeas are naturally gluten-free, the main concern with any brand is cross-contamination during processing and packaging. Since Suraj doesn't appear to certify their products as gluten-free or use dedicated gluten-free facilities, there is some risk of trace gluten exposure, especially with their corn flour which could be milled on shared equipment with gluten-containing grains. For absolute safety, I'd recommend looking for brands that are certified gluten-free by organizations like GFCO - good options include McCormick for spices, TruRoots or Bob's Red Mill for lentils and beans, and Anthony's for corn flour. That said, if you need to use Suraj products, be sure to carefully check labels for any wheat warnings, thoroughly rinse lentils and beans before cooking, and consider contacting the manufacturer directly to ask about their gluten testing protocols. Many in our community have found that investing in certified gluten-free brands gives them greater peace of mind and helps avoid accidental gluten exposure, especially for higher-risk items like flours.
×
×
  • Create New...