Low stomach acid enzyme deficiency

[Kylebailey1994]

Hey everyone.  I am new to the celiac forums and just recently became aware that I am gluten intolerant last week.  Very excited because I realize how much my life will improve after having some pretty bad gi symptoms for a very long time.  Anyways, just wondering if celiac and low stomach acid and digestive enzymes often are related? Can the stress on our digestions that celiac causes cause us to have low stomach acid and low enzyme production? I myself have both and have tested negative for h pylori through stool test and am clear of candida.  It makes a lot of sense to me that this disease would cause them. Thank you to whoever takes the time to respond to my questions.

[kareng]

8 hours ago, Kylebailey1994 said:

Hey everyone.  I am new to the celiac forums and just recently became aware that I am gluten intolerant last week.  Very excited because I realize how much my life will improve after having some pretty bad gi symptoms for a very long time.  Anyways, just wondering if celiac and low stomach acid and digestive enzymes often are related? Can the stress on our digestions that celiac causes cause us to have low stomach acid and low enzyme production? I myself have both and have tested negative for h pylori through stool test and am clear of candida.  It makes a lot of sense to me that this disease would cause them. Thank you to whoever takes the time to respond to my questions.

So... you were diagnosed with Celiac last week? Are you also diagnosed with the low acid/enzymes?  Celiac is really a disease of the small intestines not the stomach.

[Ennis-TX]

Well I have celiac, and ulcerative colitis, and learned a while back that my pancreas was not producing enough enzymes. Mine progressively gets worse into the evenings and I have to take porcine enzymes. Recently have been taking betaine HCL for raising stomach acid as my PH in the evenings is often 3-5 and they said should be much lower on the PH scale. But they suspect mine now is caused by nerve damage in my t7 vertebra and they did a reading and found the signals in that area to be 15% of what they should be. With me I get gluten ataxia with my celiac reactions also, so it not only attacks my gut but my nervous system also, so I suspect they are related.

I have found some other interesting articles and studies that show issues with enzyme production and food management. Posterboy knows alot more about the acid issues and can give you studies on that...I am sorta of new to the acid issues.


 

[cyclinglady]

Many members here have had issues with enzyme deficiencies that (if I recall) resolve with the healing of celiac disease.  I can speak for low acid.  I had a repeat endoscopy (post five year celiac disease diagnosis) which revealed a healed small intestine (celiac disease in remission), but chronic autoimmune gastritis, which in my case, is definitely a separate issue.  

[Kylebailey1994]

Hey cyclinglady, you can or can't speak if celiac causes low stomach acid?

[cyclinglady]

I am not a doctor, but celiac disease typically affects the small intestine, but is considered systemic.  So, other organs can be affected.  Usually it is a result of malnutrition (inability to absorb nutrients).    For example, anemia is common due to iron deficiency as is osteoporosis due to absorption issues (e.g. calcium, vitamin D, etc.).  

I can not quickly find any studies (except bloggers, NP’s and “sell-you-stuff sites) about a direct link with low stomach acid and celiac disease.  

I would suggest that you see a Gastroenterologist.  I am not sure what you mean by just being gluten intolerant.  Some people think a blood test will reveal a firm diagnosis, but it does not.  The endoscopy obtaining small intestinal biopies is the gold standard.  During this time, the doctor can biopsy the stomach as well to rule out (h. Pylori) for sure.  My biopsies showed no H. Pylori  but antibodies in my stomach wall.  So, I have not only celiac disease, but an additional autoimmune disorder.  

How do you know you have low stomach acid?  Maybe you have been taking OTC medications?  Many other things can cause low stomach acid but gluten is probably not the trigger!  

If you are still on a gluten diet, please consider standard approved by The American and British (heck  — world) Gastroenterologist Association recommendations, along with all the world major celiac centers.  

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