Prickly Itchy Skin after going gluten-free

[alexandra064]

I have been suffering with various symptoms for about 9 months and have recently decided to try a gluten-free diet. My symptoms have been: constant bloating (i used to have quite a flat stomach but I now look about 5 months pregnant, morning, noon and night!), rapid weight gain with no change in diet and despite diet and exercise I cannot shift any of it (I went up from 123lbs to 142lbs in 9 months), stomach/digestive pain, night sweats, headaches and muscle aches (particularly in my right arm and shoulder), irritability, low testosterone (according to my GP) and acid reflux.  I have been to the doctor and had various tests and I don't have PCOS or a thyroid problem.

I have been gluten-free for 5 days now and this weird prickling sensation has started happening in patches on my skin. There is no rash or redness that I can see. The other day it was mainly on my lower back, but now it seems to be principally on my ankles/lower calf area and forearms. I know that there is something called peripheral neuropathy that is a symptom of being gluten intolerant, but it seems weird to get this after going gluten free??

I do think I am starting to feel better from going gluten free but part of me wonders whether it is my imagination because I am so desperate to find an answer to all my symptoms. Although last night was the first night in a long time where I didnt wake up clamy from nightsweats, which I guess is a positive.

[ravenwoodglass]

Has your doctor done any celiac testing? If so what were the results and if not you should get back on gluten and get the panel run.  You should get full vitamin and mineral panels run. Sometimes pins and needles can be caused by low B12 which can happen with celiac. Have your doctor run a B12 level when he does the panel. If he has done one before have the results compared to see if the B12 level is dropping.  The body can lose the ability to utilize B12 before the lests will end up in the low numbers. Recent research shows you should supplement if less than 500. The level used to be around 200 to 250.

There are also other vitamin and mineral deficits that can cause this as well as the possibility of your being sensitive to something in processed gluten free foods to which you are sensitive.