Cross-Contamination Worsens After gluten-free?

[hazelnutty42]

After going gluten-free, do you notice that you are even MORE sensitive to gluten?  Last night I made my kids tacos and I can't recall if I used my knife to cut their flour tortilla but I must have because I was sick the rest of the night. I was not usually so sensitive before but now I think I should be more careful. Anyone find this ultra-sensitivity happening? 

[GFinDC]

Yep, sure seemed like I was more sensitive to gluten after I stopped eating.  I am not sure if that was it or I was just noticing the symptoms more.  It sure doesn't take much gluten to get our immune systems attention.

[Cara in Boston]

Yes, it is not uncommon to become more sensitive to even smaller amounts.  Your symptoms can change and become more severe too.

[nvsmom]

I don't think I became more sensitive, but I think my reaction became more obvious.  Before I was diagnosed I was constantly feeling poor - it was my normal. After being gluten-free for many months, illness was no longer my normal so if something bothered me, it was much more obvious.  KWIM?

 

For example, when I had a stomach ache after almost every meal, some major cramping was not unusual.  Now, if I get that pain, it really stands out because I don't have that high background pain level.

 

I don't think my gluten sensitivity changed, just my reaction and/or how I perceived that reaction.

[linen53]

From what I've read, when you go gluten-free your body no longer produces antibodies for gluten so the answer is yes, you do become more sensitive.

[nvsmom]

From what I've read, when you go gluten-free your body no longer produces antibodies for gluten so the answer is yes, you do become more sensitive.

I'm not sure I understand what you mean... Do you mean that the autoantibodies are starting at near zero so the will go higher when you eat gluten?

[luvs2eat]

Oh heck yeah... I can count on one hand the real glutenings I've had over the last 10+ years. They got progressively worse until the last one where I swore I would NEVER make the CC mistake again!!

[linen53]

nvsmom, If you don't eat gluten, your body no longer needs to produce antibodies since you are no longer consuming the gluten.  Short answer to your question.  Yes.

[Nikki2777]

Yes.  Same here.

[cap6]

You can become more sensitive.  It's motivation for not taking any chances!

[BoJonJovi]

I am fighting that now. I was pretty much asymptomatic. Now anything set me off. Like you, I generally have no idea what it is. It seems each time gets worse. 

[fran506]

Same here. The longer I go gluten-free the more sensitive I become and the more severe my symptoms.