Possible Celiac Diagnosis?

[meaghan2]

Hi, I'm 17 and I had my annual physical last week. Ever since May, I've been having symptoms on and off that sort of point to celiac. I've never really thought about them since I've always been making excuses for everything.

I have had iron deficiency anemia for almost 2 years, so I thought the sore muscles and fatigue were due to low iron. When I got my levels checked last week, I had higher hemoglobin levels than I've ever had before. I was 12.3 back in January, but in July I was 15.6 and my supplement intake and diet havent changed.

I've had stomach pains, nausea, and diarrhea on and off for like two months. The last time I remember having really bad stomach pains was after a weekend of graduation parties where I had pasta and bread for basically every meal for 3 days last month. I thought I was just tired of eating ziti 24/7 and avoided eating it so much. I've always been under the impression that most people with celiac have had symptoms that are constant.

Some stuff has been constant. I have had angular cheilitis, a strange occurrence of eczema on the back of my hands and fingers (I've had it for years on my arms and calves), and dandruff accompanied by some acne-like bumps on my scalp for the past two months.

So for anyone who has been diagnosed, were your symptoms constant? Did you guys have stomach pains all the time, or did it only occur once in a while? I haven't switched to a gluten free diet yet, and I won't until have a diagnosis. Sorry for the long post, but I'm just curious on how everyone else felt before they were diagnosed. I'm still waiting for my blood work to be process, so nothing is definite yet.

PS: I'm sorry if anything I said came off as offensive, I'm not entirely sure if there's certain slang everyone uses or words that are avoided. I apologize in advance.

[cyclinglady]

Hemoglobin levels can fluctuate depending on iron absorption if this is your issue (e.g. Adding an iron supplement). Was your iron stores (ferritin) tested?

Celiac symptoms can wax and wane. Some of us never experience any abdominal symptoms. I encourage you to check out the University of Chicago's celiac website and hit the library to research celiac disease. It is good that you are being your own health advocate!

Let us know the test results and welcome to the forum!

[meaghan2]

I'm so glad I found this forum in the first place! If I do turn out to have celiac, it will be nice to have some people to talk to:)

I had a hemoglobin test on the office, then I was sent to do blood work sickle cell anemia (which was only because NCAA requires it), celiac, mono, vitamin d deficiency (requested by my coach), and thyroid abnormalities.

After my iron levels were raised from when I initially tested anemic, I've always been about 11-12.5. I always take those flintstone vitamins with iron, then when I'm on my period I swap them out for a 45 mg iron supplement to make up for the blood loss. The sudden spike baffled my doctor.

I'll know by then end of this week...

[Salohcin]

Hey meaghan2, welcome to the forums!

https://www.celiac.com/forums/topic/112131-possible-celiac-diagnosis/

^ Above is a link to a thread I made awhile ago detailing my story. If I were you, I would definitely look into getting some Celiac blood screening done. Some of my symptoms were similar, except I was always constipated and bloated as opposed to having diarrhea. All of my issues came and went too. Just do as much research as you can, and I wish you good luck - you are at the right place!