Keurig K-Cups

[MaggyMay]

Good Morning! Just signed up here. I have been reading some comments regarding K-cups. I have been using one for many years however I am concerned about how that foil is attached to the plastic container for the k-cup. Does anyone know for sure if the glue is gluten-free? My Ttg has been elevated for a bit and I just can not seem to pinpoint the cause. I am confident that I am not getting any gluten anything I eat! I check everything. Thanks!

[kareng]

Glue isn't usually made with wheat, that seems to be an Internet myth.  Using wheat based glue for something that gets hot and wet, doesn't really make any sense as wheat is solvable with hot liquid.  

 

Maybe your tTg is elevated for another reason?   

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After going gluten-free, can a positive tTG mean anything other than gluten present in my diet?

tTG normalizes slowly when on a strict gluten-free diet. This process may take years if the starting level is very high. If tTG is still high after a long time, aside from gluten sneaking into one’s diet, this may simply mean, especially with low titers, that it’s falsely elevated—common in patients who have other autoimmune conditions, such as chronic liver disease, Type 1 Diabetes, Crohn’s Disease or thyroiditis.

 

[MaggyMay]

I know in the past the envelope past was gluten based. Probably not so much now as per your comment. My Gi figures it is refractory Celiac. I have other Autoimmune diseases so the refractory is probably what the issue is. Thanks. I just wanted to know if anyone else was having any issues.

[kareng]

Envelope glue is another internet myth.

You didn't mention that you had had repeat endoscopies showing continued villa  damage. (That is how refractory is diagnosed)That is completely different than a bit elevated tTg .  True refractory is pretty rare.  As you can see from my links, a slightly elevated tTg may have nothing to do with gluten ingestion and does not mean you are " refractory".    Before resorting to drastic treatments, you might want to look into the " Fasano diet".  It is a super strict diet - mostly whole foods, no eating out, etc -that cleared up people being labelled " refractory".  If that doesn't do it, look at the University of Chicago Celiac Center site,  they have some studies going for people with refractory.  

And really, if you have other autoimmune diseases and have not had a repeat positive endoscopy, the other AI s are probably causing the elevated tTg and has nothing to do with Celiac and no villi damage.   That wouldn't be refractory.

 

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[cyclinglady]

Many celiacs are not healing because they are not diet compliant due to hidden sources of gluten.    Read this research paper about this subject.  As Karen said, refractory celiac disease is rare but some doctors are quick to jump to that diagnosis  because they are not celiac savvy.  

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welcome to the forum!

[kareng]

Sorry,  I know you didn't ask for info on refractory but I am worried that your GI does not  know much about Celiac.  I would hate for you to have to have the massive amounts of steroids, even Chemo, that will be prescribed for refractory Celiac.  If you haven't even had a repeat endoscopy, and he is just diagnosing based on a slightly elevated ttg (which could be from your other AI disease)... well that is a bit like getting a mammogram and finding a small lump and jumping right to invasive cancer with a complete breast and lymph node removal and chemotherapy!  Without even a biopsy of the lump!

[MaggyMay]

I haven't really disclosed much at this point as i just joined. Yes...I have Endoscopies done on a regular basis. yes...my dr here in NS is one of the main GI specialists who does specialize in Celiac Disease. I am actually having all the procedures done again next week. Just diagnosed with Limited Scleroderma. Also suffer from IBS and diabetes. We hardly ever eat out. My kitchen is completely gluten-free. I do have a separate toaster and a few untensils in case my hubby wants regular toast! Specialist has said that of all the Celiac patients has has I am probably one of a few who are extremely careful when following a gluten-free diet...however...I am seeing a dietician at the Hospital clinic to review my diet! I think I have addressed all of your questions and I commend you all for asking! I was diagnosed in 2010 but from the biopsies had the disease for 23yrs from then but wasn't experiencing major symptoms. Dr and I have talked about Prednisone however due to all my other issues we feel it's best for now just to do the procedures on a regular basis. I know refractory is rare however with my autoimmune issues..this probability is high. The only real consistent factor that I was questioning is the K-cups. I will probably be following a FODMAP for a bit under the consultation of the dietician. We'll see what happens!

[kareng]

That's good... Sort of.... Not good about the health issues, but good to know the docs aren't taking it lightly.  

 

There are refillable k cups.  You could grind your own coffee and use them, if you thought that might help.

[Gemini]

If you have Type 1 diabetes, that will keep tTg slightly elevated.  If you have just been diagnosed with Limited Schleroderma, then you could be having an autoimmune flare and that may cause elevated tTg.  If you have refractory celiac, that tends to make people really sick because they never heal.....are you really sick?

I ask because I have 4 autoimmune diseases myself and my tTg was in the high normal range for awhile.......almost positive.  It eventually came down to low normal but it took a very long time and it was all because I had so many AI issues. I have never taken any prednisone and have learned you have to be careful with doctors.  Even the guy with the most degrees can make big mistakes. Having multiple AI issues does not mean you have refractory.

I really hope things settle down and you will feel better soon. Having mulitple AI diseases is not easy but very manageable.  You can recover your health....it just takes a bit longer.  Good luck!

[MaggyMay]

Hi Gemini. tTg has been elevated for a bit. My GI specialist has been monitoring it due to fact of AI diseases. But he and I don't want to leave it any longer. I have been trying desperately to figure out what i had been consuming that may have had trace of gluten. I am positive on the tTg..and symptomatic. Anyway...the biopsies will tell for sure. In the mean time...I think I will put my Keurig to sleep for a bit and change to brewed coffee and tea! I just really like having the Keurig. Thanks for all the input! I appreciate everyones help! Have a great day and evening!

 

Kareng...i have the refillable receptacle. Will give my system a good cleaning and then may use that. I only used regular coffee/tea k-cups....no flavored ones at all! Thanks for your help!