Jump to content

  • 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

Weight Loss

Montefisto

By Montefisto
in Related Issues & Disorders

Recommended Posts

Montefisto Rookie
Montefisto
Posted

I'm 9 months gluten-free and I feel like I'm on the mend.

 

When I compare how I feel now to even 3 months ago, I feel like I've come a long way forwards in my recovery.

 

The one thing that worries me still is my weight. I lost a stone and a half at some stage which I know can be a common symptom. I didn't weigh much to begin with anyway and the loss of weight makes me underweight. It's also made me incredibly paranoid as it's something people seem to comment on most.

 

But anyway, when I saw other people with celiac have suffered the same thing I wasn't worried about it. My issue is that despite feeling a lot better, I haven't regained any weight. I weigh the same as I did 9 months ago. And it's made me doubt the progress of my recovery.

 

I always thought with healing my weight would come on bit by bit until it returned to normal and would be the most likely indication of how my body was healing. It went up some at some stage before going back down but I think that was more down to me trying to eat more food to compensate for the lost weight, which I've now stopped.

 

So yeah, my question is this really. For anybody who suffered weight loss in recovery, how did it come back. Is it something that will more likely come back all at once or should I have put some weight on by now if I'm feeling a lot better in myself?

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


124chicksinger Apprentice
124chicksinger
Posted

I know these are obvious questions, but are you eating more than you did when you were sick?  Are you eating dairy, and if yes, are you making full fat choices?  Can you indulge in icecream now and again?  I am no expert, fairly new to this, and as to doubting your recovery because you have not gained weight, I would say look to what other positive results you are getting.  Other symptoms must have abated.  If the inability to gain weight is the final hurdle, I would think you should choose the full fat dairy options, perhaps more oils on salads, or more nuts and fruits, and have some gluten free treats of your choice, of course that you can tolerate, and see if that adds any pounds.  

 

I hope someone else more knowledgeable than I will chime in with good advice.

cyclinglady Grand Master
cyclinglady
Posted

What is your BMI?

Montefisto Rookie
Montefisto
Posted
  • Author

I know these are obvious questions, but are you eating more than you did when you were sick?  Are you eating dairy, and if yes, are you making full fat choices?  Can you indulge in icecream now and again?  I am no expert, fairly new to this, and as to doubting your recovery because you have not gained weight, I would say look to what other positive results you are getting.  Other symptoms must have abated.  If the inability to gain weight is the final hurdle, I would think you should choose the full fat dairy options, perhaps more oils on salads, or more nuts and fruits, and have some gluten free treats of your choice, of course that you can tolerate, and see if that adds any pounds.  

 

I hope someone else more knowledgeable than I will chime in with good advice.

 

I probably used to eat more before i got sick. I'm dairy intolerant so I've had to cut that. Also, I have to watch that I don't eat too much sugar as I suffer from bloating and gas if I do. But I don't think the differences in what I eat now and then are too great and will not account alone for the sort of weight loss I have experienced, though it may account for a few of the pounds. 

 

I tried eating more earlier in my recovery to the point that I'd try and stuff myself beyond full with every meal. This helped a little and pushed me up a few pounds but I was still aways from my normal weight and in the end I decided to abandon the strategy and eat normal amounts and just wait for the weight to come back naturally as my gut heals.

 

And to clarify, I do feel I've come a long way forwards in the 9 months since I've gone gluten-free but I've still some way to go. As I mentioned before, I suffer from bloating and gas after most meals, my BM's are still not normal and I still have days where mentally I don't feel right. There's been improvement in pretty much all of these areas though, it's just the weight than continues to stay the same.

 

My BMI is 19.6. So it's within the healthy range. Before I got Celiac Disease it was 22.5. It bothers me as I said because it's the thing people notice most. I'm continuously told by people I look like I need to gain weight.

 

Maybe I'm just worrying about it more than I should. I have to be recovering as many symptoms have abated or are improving. And I guess the weight will just come back on with time.

 

124chicksinger Apprentice
124chicksinger
Posted

I am glad you are recovering.  Too bad you have dairy issues because that is where one can easily up the calories without upping the volume.  There are definitely food choices you can make that are high calorie, low volume, that won't overstuff you.  Bacon for instance is pretty much a frivolous empty calorie food, but people do add some bacon to a salad for the added caloric content.  Nuts are high calorie - add a few nuts?  Not knowing your dietary restrictions/issues, its hard for me to suggest appropriate high calorie/low volume foods, but I think since you're getting other good results, its a good suggestion.  Its difficult, for instance, to eat 2 servings of something - when you are full, you are full, but if you can find some high calorie/low volume foods to add during the day to each meal, it might help in the gaining weight arena.  Also, many of the gluten free recipe "treats" are empty calories, and it seems you may need extra calories.  Lastly, perhaps next time you visit the doctor you could suggest thyroid testing for hyper thyroid conditions, and also diabetes type 1 which tends to keep people thin. Though I hope it would not be either of those.  

cyclinglady Grand Master
cyclinglady
Posted

Okay, that is good news about your BMI. I can totally relate to comments about being thin! When I had issues with my gallbladder (non-functioning) people made comments like, "Do you have cancer? Are you anorexic?" Gee, I could not eat without pain. Luckily, I stayed within the BMI ranges but it was still noticeable.

I think you need to give it more time. Try to ignore the comments. Let's face it. There are more heavier people around than thin. People are just getting used to a heavier look even though it is not good.

I think the weight will come back as your ability to digest food improves. Remember, it can take a couple of years to completely heal. For the lucky ones only a few months. Just make sure that gluten is not sneaking into your diet! You might have more than a dairy intolerance too. Try keeping a food journal.

My food tip? A tsp. or more of refined coconut oil in your morning coffee! I am on a low carb, high fat diet to combat diabetes.

Archived

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

Go to topic listing
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):


  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      131,549
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    Blough
    Newest Member
    Blough
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.4k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):


  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • Scott Adams
      Taken Seriously

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      Your post demonstrates the profound frustration and isolation that so many in the Celiac community feel, and I want to thank you for channeling that experience into advocacy. The medical gaslighting you endured for decades is an unacceptable and, sadly, a common story, and the fact that you now have to "school" your own GI specialist speaks volumes about the critical lack of consistent and updated education. Your idea to make Celiac Disease a reportable condition to public health authorities is a compelling and strategic one. This single action would force the system to formally acknowledge the prevalence and seriousness of the disease, creating a concrete dataset that could drive better research funding, shape medical school curricula, and validate the patient experience in a way that individual stories alone often cannot. It is an uphill battle, but contacting representatives, as you have done with Adam Gray, is exactly how change begins. By framing it as a public health necessity—a matter of patient safety and protection from misdiagnosis and neglect—you are building a powerful case. Your voice and your perseverance, forged through thirty years of struggle, are exactly what this community needs to ensure that no one else has to fight so hard just to be believed and properly cared for.
    • Scott Adams
      Looking for a gluten-free roomie in Denver CO

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      I had no idea there is a "Louisville" in Colorado!😉 I thought it was a typo because I always think of the Kentucky city--but good luck!
    • Scott Adams
      Allergy medication: cetirizine by the HealthA2Z is it gluten free?

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      Navigating medication safety with Celiac disease can be incredibly stressful, especially when dealing with asthma and severe allergies on top of it. While I don't have personal experience with the HealthA2Z brand of cetirizine, your caution is absolutely warranted. The inactive ingredients in pills, known as excipients, are often where gluten can be hidden, and since the FDA does not require gluten-free labeling for prescription or over-the-counter drugs, the manufacturer's word is essential. The fact that you cannot get a clear answer from Allegiant Health is a significant red flag; a company that is confident its product is gluten-free will typically have a customer service protocol to answer that exact question. In situations like this, the safest course of action is to consider this product "guilty until proven innocent" and avoid it. A better alternative would be to ask your pharmacist or doctor to help you identify a major national brand of cetirizine (like Zyrtec) whose manufacturer has a verified, publicly stated gluten-free policy for that specific medication. It's not worth the risk to your health when reliable, verifiable options are almost certainly available to you. You can search this site for USA prescriptions medications, but will need to know the manufacturer/maker if there is more than one, especially if you use a generic version of the medication: To see the ingredients you will need to click on the correct version of the medication and maker in the results, then scroll down to "Ingredients and Appearance" and click it, and then look at "Inactive Ingredients," as any gluten ingredients would likely appear there, rather than in the Active Ingredients area. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/   
    • Scott Adams
      Protein or fat?

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      What you're describing is indeed familiar to many in the Celiac community, especially in the early stages of healing. When the intestinal villi are damaged from Celiac disease, they struggle to properly digest and absorb fats, a condition known as bile acid malabsorption. This can cause exactly the kind of cramping and spasms you're seeing, as undigested fats can irritate the sensitive gut lining. It is highly plausible that her reactions to dairy and eggs are linked to their higher fat content rather than the proteins, especially since she tolerates lean chicken breast. The great news is that for many, this does improve with time. As her gut continues to heal on a strict gluten-free diet, her ability to produce the necessary enzymes and bile to break down fats should gradually return, allowing her to slowly tolerate a wider variety of foods. It's a slow process of healing, but your careful approach of focusing on low-fat, nutrient-dense foods like seeds and avocado is providing her system the best possible environment to recover. Many people with celiac disease, especially those who are in the 0-2 year range of their recovery, have additional food intolerance issues which could be temporary. To figure this out you may need to keep a food diary and do an elimination diet over a few months. Some common food intolerance issues are dairy/casein, eggs, corn, oats, and soy. The good news is that after your gut heals (for most people who are 100% gluten-free this will take several months to two years) you may be able to slowly add some these items back into your diet after the damaged villi heal. This article may be helpful: Thank you for sharing your story—it's a valuable insight for other parents navigating similar challenges.
    • Beverage
      Diagnosed celiac for 1-2 months ago and everything makes me bloated.

      By Beverage · Posted

      I had a very rough month after diagnosis. No exaggeration, lost so much inflammatory weight, I looked like a bag of bones, underneath i had been literally starving to death. I did start feeling noticeably better after a month of very strict control of my kitchen and home. What are you eating for breakfast and lunch? I ignored my doc and ate oats, yes they were gluten free, but some brands are at the higher end of gluten free. Lots of celics can eat Bob's Red Mill gluten-free oats, but not me. I can now eat them, but they have to be grown and processed according to the "purity protocol" methods. I mail order them, Montana Gluten-Free brand. A food and symptoms and activities log can be helpful in tracking down issues. You might be totally aware, but I have to mention about the risk of airborne gluten. As the doc that diagnosed me warned . . Remember eyes, ears, nose, and mouth all lead to your stomach and intestines.  Are you getting any cross contamination? Airborne gluten? Any pets eating gluten (they eat it, lick themselves, you pet them...)? Any house remodeling? We live in an older home, always fixing something. I've gotten glutened from the dust from cutting into plaster walls, possibly also plywood (glues). The suggestions by many here on vitamin supplements also really helped me. I had some lingering allergies and asthma, which are now 99% gone. I was taking Albuterol inhaler every hour just to breathe, but thiamine in form of benfotiamine kicked that down to 1-2 times a day within a few days of starting it. Also, since cutting out inflammatory seed oils (canola, sunflower, grapeseed, etc) and cooking with real olive oil, avocado oil, ghee, and coconut oil, I have noticed even greater improvement overall and haven't used the inhaler in months! It takes time to weed out everything in your life that contains gluten, and it takes awhile to heal and rebuild your health. At first it's mentally exhausting, overwhelming, even obsessive, but it gets better and second nature.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

NOTICE: This site places This site places cookies on your device (Cookie settings). on your device. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy.