Could Prolonged Gluten Sensitive Cause Liver Damage?

[fireflights]

I am 35 years old, I have been having symptoms of Gluten sensitivity since 2005, it stopped for a while due to my lowering my wheat intake but has recently returned with a vengence, even sending me to the ER three weeks ago. They told me to cut all fiber, all foods uneasily digested from my diet and I have started to feel better. Since then, I have been researching many things, like gluten allergies and wheat. I noticed the symptoms of this seem to fit everything I experience. So I met with my doctor today and told her my concerns, she is beginning the testing for Gluten allergies, but something concerning in the bloodwork from the E.R. has me a little concerned. I am not sick otherwise, yet my liver enzymes were high, signaling something possibly wrong with my liver. I don't drink, don't smoke, so there isn't anything I can think of that could or would cause this, unless prolonged, untreated gluten exposure can cause this in someone. If anyone knows, please let me know so I can address my concerns with my doc if it is a gluten allergy.

[kareng]

I am 35 years old, I have been having symptoms of Gluten sensitivity since 2005, it stopped for a while due to my lowering my wheat intake but has recently returned with a vengence, even sending me to the ER three weeks ago. They told me to cut all fiber, all foods uneasily digested from my diet and I have started to feel better. Since then, I have been researching many things, like gluten allergies and wheat. I noticed the symptoms of this seem to fit everything I experience. So I met with my doctor today and told her my concerns, she is beginning the testing for Gluten allergies, but something concerning in the bloodwork from the E.R. has me a little concerned. I am not sick otherwise, yet my liver enzymes were high, signaling something possibly wrong with my liver. I don't drink, don't smoke, so there isn't anything I can think of that could or would cause this, unless prolonged, untreated gluten exposure can cause this in someone. If anyone knows, please let me know so I can address my concerns with my doc if it is a gluten allergy.

 

It can be a sign of Celiac disease.  Get tested for Celiac , not allergies.  However, you need to be eating gluten consistently to get tested.  How long have you been gluten free?

 

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Do your liver enzymes return to normal after going gluten free?

Yes, if the increase was caused by celiac disease. No, if they were elevated for another reason.

Elevated liver enzymes are one of the extra-intestinal signs of celiac disease, so patients with elevated liver enzymes should be tested for it.

[fireflights]

I have gone gluten free the moment I tried to eat wheat again and ended up doubled over in tears for hours because it hurt so bad. I didn't want to feel the pain anymore so I stopped eating gluten, but I am having a ultrasound on my liver on the 18th as doc says they are still high as of the 21st which is the day she told me to test out foods by readding them to my diet and see which ones hurt. I have not since had my blood work done since going gluten free. 

[cyclinglady]

Well, if you know it's wheat/gluten that's bothering you and you don't want to consume it in order to get a complete Celiac blood panel, then you have to get off gluten.  And that means no gluten at all -- not  just cutting back on the gluten.  

 

Check out the newbie thread on this forum.  Learn about cross contamination, beauty products, etc.  

 

Stay gluten free and you might improve your liver.  But talk to your doctor about a Celiac blood panel (complete set of blood tests).  celiac disease is not the same as a wheat allergy.

[sweetsailing]

My liver enzymes were elevated for a time before I went gluten free, so yes it is related to celiac and it can happen.  They didn't find any other reason for my liver enzymes to be elevated.  They are now normal since I have been gluten free.

[kellysensei]

My liver enzymes are really high, too, even though the blood work was done six weeks after being off gluten. I got retested yesterday and am waiting for those results. 

 

I've heard that herbal supplements and painkillers like Tylenol can elevate liver enzymes. That may be my problem, since I took Tylenol the day before my first blood test (and unfortunately, had to take it again the day before yesterday's test due to a bad headache...).

 

I'm also wondering how serious prolonged elevated liver enzymes are.

[fireflights]

I will bring it up to my doc after my ultrasound on my liver and yes, I did go gluten free and I don't wear makeup lol but if I want the Celiac disease diagnosis, I will ask doc if she can set up a date for the testing so I can add some gluten back into my diet and go through the testing to be sure. Thanks guys