Basic Question Needing Basic Answer

[lorka150]

I started a gluten-free diet in late August. Went dairy free around the same time, then quickly casein free.

I have had a few slip ups, and glutenings, but I think I've done really well.

Before diagnosis I lost about 10lbs in a matter of weeks. Since then, I've lost about 15 more. I haven't lost more, except when I get glutened, I drop a few, and then they seem to come back and flucuate around the same area.

So now it's been about 3 months.

How long until most of you started noticing a significant weight gain? Ever? Did you just steady out?

I'm so impatient. Does anyone else feel like this? Could it be from my accidental glutenings? Could it be that maybe I am really damaged? (I did not get a biopsy, and I will not).

Any ideas? Thanks.

[cgbenson]

any type of cheating on a celiac diet is going to have consequences. however, if you have not had a biopsy to confirm celiac it is impossible to know what could be causing your problems. I strongly recomend the biopsy. it is quick about 5 minutes and pain free.

I started a gluten-free diet in late August. Went dairy free around the same time, then quickly casein free.

I have had a few slip ups, and glutenings, but I think I've done really well.

Before diagnosis I lost about 10lbs in a matter of weeks. Since then, I've lost about 15 more. I haven't lost more, except when I get glutened, I drop a few, and then they seem to come back and flucuate around the same area.

So now it's been about 3 months.

How long until most of you started noticing a significant weight gain? Ever? Did you just steady out?

I'm so impatient. Does anyone else feel like this? Could it be from my accidental glutenings? Could it be that maybe I am really damaged? (I did not get a biopsy, and I will not).

Any ideas? Thanks.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

[Canadian Karen]

Hi Lorka:

In order for you to get your biopsy now, you would have to go back on gluten for three months, I don't think you are willing to do that by the sounds of it.....

Have you always been on the petite/fragile/thin side? Perhaps it is just your physical constitution and gluten-free or not, that is how you are going to be.... My older daughter, who is now 12, is almost taller than me (I am 5'9") and wears a size nine ladies shoe. From day one, she has always been off the scale, much larger than normal (not fat or anything, just incredibly solid and big boned....) My younger daughter on the other hand, who is now 7, has always been in the lowest percentile and pediatrician says she will always be petite - that is just her make-up and nothing is going to change that..... She is the tiniest, petite, little angel you could ever imagine....... I think a lot of the way we are is genetics (and not only inheriting crappy genes like celiac genes), but other things we inherit (physical traits, size, shape, etc....)

Either way, you must also consider that it has only been since August that you have been gluten free. For many people, it takes longer than that for their body to correct itself...... Be patient, it will come......

Hugs.

Karen

[cornbread]

any type of cheating on a celiac diet is going to have consequences. however, if you have not had a biopsy to confirm celiac it is impossible to know what could be causing your problems. I strongly recomend the biopsy. it is quick about 5 minutes and pain free.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

After 3 months gluten-free wouldn't a biopsy automatically be negative?

Lorka - a lot of celiac's are the reverse. I lost 8lbs when I first went gluten free and gain a few each time I get glutened.

[MySuicidalTurtle]

Are you really under-weight? It varies from person to person on how you gain weight back. Just talk to your doctor about it if you are concerened about your weight.

[ravenwoodglass]

if you have not had a biopsy to confirm celiac it is impossible to know what could be causing your problems. I strongly recomend the biopsy. it is quick about 5 minutes and pain free.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I have to strongly disagree with this. There are risks inherent with any procedure, if a dietary change has helped you know your answer. As to other food intolerances they can be found by working with an allergist and doing an elimination diet. As to weight gain or loss, I beleve it varies for many. Most of my weight loss was fluid, I had severe edema but it wasn't noticeable to doctors because it was spread over my whole body, (I even lost 2 shoe sizes!!) my weight has stabalized now, 3 years gluten-free, and while I am on the light side at 105 lbs at 5'4" I feel healthy unless glutened.

[Carriefaith]

How long until most of you started noticing a significant weight gain? Ever? Did you just steady out?

I started noticing my weight coming back around 3-6 months into the diet, it was a slow process.

[swittenauer]

I guess everyone is different. My husband lost about 25 or so pounds before he was diagnosed. It took him about 2 months before it was back for the most part. Being totally gluten free is the key.

[jenvan]

i agree with what's been said here--you can't expect real weight gain until you have been vigilantly gluten-free for a while--no mistakes.

[elisabet]

My son lost some kilos after going gluten-free,and after about 5 months he gained wheight.

just be patient!!

[Guest Kalynn]

[Guest Kalynn]

[Guest nini]

I had the opposite problem. I was overweight before my dx, and after going on the gluten-free diet my weight fluctuated up and down at first as my system started to heal, now 2 1/2 years into it I have lost 85 pounds and have gone from a 3x to a 14/16 (med) in size... actually eating more food now than I ever did when I was sick. It just takes the body a while to figure out where it's supposed to be and then eventually it should normalize out.

I completely disagree that the biopsy is the only way to find out what's going on. The biopsy can only confirm damage IF it has occurred throughout the entire intestine, and the procedure involves risks, however small. AND if the Dr. doing to procedure doesn't take enough samples or takes them from places without damage, it can't confirm anything. It can only confirm a dx of celiac, but it can NEVER completely rule it out.