Jump to content
This site uses cookies. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. More Info... ×

  • 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):
    GliadinX

    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):
    GliadinX

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

Fat Malabsorption & Deficiencies

beadgirl

Recommended Posts

beadgirl Rookie
beadgirl
Posted

Hello everyone.

 

Just a quick question!

 

Is it possible to experience fat malabsorption and/or vitamin and mineral deficiencies WITHOUT some form of intestinal damage? (Assuming your dietary intake is normal).

 

Thanks very much.

 

ETA: Particularly B12, iron and magnesium. I seem to always get deficient unless supplementing heavily...

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Little Northern Bakehouse
Food for Life

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):
Food for Life

beadgirl Rookie
beadgirl
Posted
  • Author

No one has any ideas?

cyclinglady Grand Master
cyclinglady
Posted

What is your definition of intestinal damage? I suppose you could have normal villi but a non-functioning gallbladder. That could cause fat malabsorption. You could have a big parasite (e.g. Hookworms) in your gut feasting on all your food and leaving you with little.

Here is a government link regarding malabsorption syndrome:

Open Original Shared Link

As you can see, the list is endless.

nvsmom Community Regular
nvsmom
Posted

Non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS) can result in vitamin deficiencies, and those with NCGS have no intestinal damage.  Actually, most autoimmune diseases can result in vitamin deficiencies; I think it is from the inflammation rather than the damaged intestines.

 

I don't know about the fat malabsorption... I'm a celiac who never had a problem with that.

sreese68 Enthusiast
sreese68
Posted

I recently got the results of stool testing and had a high amount of fecal fat, so I'm not absorbing fat correctly.  My gallbladder, pancreas, and liver are all fine.  I haven't had lactose in 3 years.  Don't know if it's intestinal damage or what.  I'm currently looking into this, too.  It's such a slow process getting the appointment, doing the test, waiting for results, etc.

 

I did find this article.

 

Open Original Shared Link

frieze Community Regular
frieze
Posted

I recently got the results of stool testing and had a high amount of fecal fat, so I'm not absorbing fat correctly.  My gallbladder, pancreas, and liver are all fine.  I haven't had lactose in 3 years.  Don't know if it's intestinal damage or what.  I'm currently looking into this, too.  It's such a slow process getting the appointment, doing the test, waiting for results, etc.

 

I did find this article.

 

Open Original Shared Linke

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

what testing has ben done to determine that all these are functioning ok?

greenbeanie Enthusiast
greenbeanie
Posted

My biopsy was negative for celiac, and I had low magnesium and potassium years before (presumably from chronic diarrhea, though I had no idea what was causing it then). I also had low cholesterol on and off for years, despite eating meat, eggs, and a fair amount of cheese. I still had an abnormal fecal fat test after a full year gluten free, though subjectively it seemed to be getting better gradually over time.

It's been almost two years now and I haven't had vitamin and mineral tests done lately, but I feel like everything is still continuing to get better. It's just very, very slow. I did have huge improvements in many symptoms within weeks of going gluten free, but the fat digestion thing has been much slower to improve. My gallbladder and pancreas tests were also normal. I'm not confident in my biopsy results for all sorts of reasons, but in any case it's definitely possible to have malabsorption without any intestinal damage that is obvious enough to be found with a few biopsy samples.

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Food for Life
Little Northern Bakehouse

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):
GliadinX

beadgirl Rookie
beadgirl
Posted
  • Author

Thank you so much for your responses! It definitely cleared it up for me.

 

I'm awaiting my biopsy result but I've most definitely had concerning symptoms (as stated), so I just wondered if this HAD to be the result of intestinal damage, i.e. celiac or Crohn's. I wasn't sure if non-celiac gluten intolerance could do this also - it does make me wonder how it does though, if there's "no damage".....

 

cyclinglady, I certainly hope it's not a hookworm!  :o

Archived

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

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


  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      129,910
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    IrishGal83
    Newest Member
    IrishGal83
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):
    Lakefront Brewery

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.3k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):
    GliadinX


  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):
    Little Northern Bakehouse


  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • cristiana
      confirmed via biopsy, quite depressed

      By cristiana · Posted

      We've definitely all had such thoughts.  But as Scott says, it does get easier with time.  I'm not sure where you are posting from but in England where I live, over the last ten years or so most things I missed at first now have gluten free substitutes.   I still miss Twix bars, and chocolate Penguins (a type of biscuit) but I'm hoping sooner or later someone will create a decent substitute for them! One thing that I remember my husband said to me when I was feeling down one day  was: "Why don't you try to think of all the things you can still eat, rather than the things you can't?"  The list is long, and it did help - sort of!  
    • Scott Adams
      Quaker Instant Grits, gluten-free?

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      It looks like they are naturally gluten-free, but not labeled gluten-free. https://www.quakeroats.com/products/hot-cereals/grits/instant-grits-plain
    • Scott Adams
      confirmed via biopsy, quite depressed

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      I’m so sorry you’re feeling this way—your emotions are completely valid. A celiac diagnosis, especially at your age, is a huge adjustment, and it’s okay to grieve the foods and conveniences you’ve lost. Even with a supportive partner (which is wonderful!), the mental toll is real. Many of us have been there, staring longingly at ‘forbidden’ foods while feeling isolated or frustrated. It does get easier with time, though. The initial shock fades, gluten-free substitutes become more familiar, and you’ll find new favorites. But please be gentle with yourself now. If the sadness feels overwhelming, talking to a therapist or joining a celiac support group (online or in-person) might help. You’re not...
    • Scott Adams
      Waiting on biopsy after positive bloodwork, but also not really believing this is real

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      Approximately 10x more people have non-celiac gluten sensitivity than have celiac disease, but there isn’t yet a test for NCGS. If your symptoms go away on a gluten-free diet it would likely signal NCGS. 
    • Scott Adams
      Gluten-Free Drinks

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      While some radlers are made with gluten-free beer, many traditionally contain wheat-based beer, so it’s definitely good you double-checked. It’s surprising you didn’t have symptoms, but reactions can vary widely among celiacs. Some people are asymptomatic or have delayed reactions, while others feel effects immediately. Even if you didn’t notice symptoms, there could still be internal damage occurring, so it might be worth verifying the brand’s ingredients or contacting the manufacturer for clarity. In the future, sticking to certified gluten-free options or cider-based radlers could be a safer bet. Glad you’re feeling okay, but always better to err on the side of caution!
×
×
  • Create New...