Question About Weight Loss...

[lrmilas]

I'm wondering if anyone out there has an understanding of weight loss when it comes to gluten intolerance.  I'm still trying to figure out if GI or Celiac is my problem.  (Or maybe it's time for me to wave the white flag and go get some antidepressants.)

 

In the last two months I have lost 20 pounds.  It's true, I've been through a big life trauma (my son passed away).  But I have continued to eat, eat, eat.  In fact, I've been keeping a log, just to prove to my doctors that I am, indeed, eating at least 2000-2500 calories a day. 

 

I am very constipated, and so I do NOT have diarrhea and there is no fat in my stool.  So, if I'm still eating about the same amount of calories, and do not have diarrhea, then how can I be losing weight?

 

So the question is... where does the food go, if not as weight onto my body?  In other words, do Celiac's lose weight only because they have diarrhea?  Can there be other ways to lose weight?  I'm just baffled...

 

I did do quite a bit of cheating on my diet in January... 

 

Thanks for any thoughts you all might have on this!    

[NoGlutenCooties]

According to the Mayo Clinic (Open Original Shared Link) unexplained weight loss can be caused by a number of things:

 

No. 1: Unexplained weight loss

Losing weight without trying might sound like a dream come true, but in reality it can signal a health problem. If you've lost up to 10 percent of your weight during the past six months — for instance, 15 pounds (7 kilograms) if you weigh 150 pounds (68 kilograms) — consult your doctor.

An unexplained drop in weight could be caused by various conditions — including overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism), diabetes, depression, liver disease, cancer or disorders that interfere with how your body absorbs nutrients (malabsorption disorders).

 

 

The bit about "disorders that interfere with how your body absorbs nutrients" included Celiac.

 

As to your specific question... I don't honestly know where the food goes.  It just isn't going where it is supposed to.

[lrmilas]

Thank you so much!  I guess part of the dilemma from here is that my doctors are thinking this is "depression".  My question has been...ok, do depressed people lose weight even while they are eating?  If so... then that may fit.  No point in keeping a log of all the food I'm eating if depression causes weight loss regardless.

 

But I am really wondering if my weight loss is due to gluten.  So, I guess only time will tell...

 

Thanks again for your thoughtful reply.

[tri-gal]

First, I am so very sorry that you are going through the loss of your son. My sympathies to you.

 

In terms of your question, my view is that if you are eating proper meals with little change from your former diet, you should  investigate the cause of weight loss, including the celiac disease possibility. celiac disease, while being genetic in predisposition, can  be triggered (or become more active, perhaps) from major stress. So, it would actually be plausible that your trauma could have triggered the onset or the onset of more severe symptoms.

As for depression, it can also result in weight gain. I've always understood it to be based on calories in versus calories out. I suppose the stress could lead to other subtle lifestyle changes, changes in activity level, metabolism etc. but perhaps you are not absorbing your intake.  Not sure where it goes, maybe your body is trying to hold onto every bit of nutrition it can, hence the constipation.

 

Take care

[124chicksinger]

...or diabetes type 1...or overactive thyroid...those 2 were my first guesses if celiac is not the answer.  Those 2 are easy(ier) to check than celiac it seems.  I'm terribly sorry to hear about the loss of your son.  You have my deepest sympathy.