Might be celiac? (17 y.o.)

[JJP]

First off, I have a cousin who is celiac and 2 uncles and a grandmother with diabetes, which is a mild risk factor I think? I've been somewhat gluten-free for about 10 months, but I break it sometimes. Before I adopted the diet, I was 138 lbs (62 kg), while being 6'0 (1.82 m), which is pretty underweight. After cutting it out, I've gained back weight. I was 154 (70kg) at my heaviest, now about 150 (68 kg). I was also shitting myself constantly, and in pain a lot. I had crazy gas too, like one time I farted and emptied a whole train car (but that was kind of fun). I thought it was just gluten intolerance. But now, when I break the diet, I get mild muscle aches and light-headed, almost like I'm gonna pass out. My s$#& has been green on and off??? I can't handle dairy anymore, and I have diarrhea occasionally. I don't know if all these symptoms are connected, it could be an extreme lactose intolerance or perhaps even early-onset diabetes given my family. IDK, you guys are probably the experts. And if it does seem like celiac, is it worth getting tested? I've heard the tests are rough, and maybe not even worth it; I could just be a lot more strict with my diet. Your help is greatly appreciated...I haven't felt really "healthy" in months.

[GFinDC]

If you want to get tested for celiac disease you need to eat gluten daily for 12 weeks.  The tests check levels of antibodies to gliaden a protein in wheat.  If you aren't eating gluten regularly the antibody levels won't be consistent in the bloodstream for accurate testing.  The usual destination for the antibodies is the gut where they do their "work" (destroying the villi).

The villi lining of the small intestine is how we absorb nutrients.  The villi also make an enzyme that digests dairy sugar (lactase). No villi, no lactase, no dairy fun, i.e. lactose intolerance, and an empty train car.

The green stool could be related to gallbladder function.  Our gallbladder stores and releases bile which neutralizes stomach acid that enter the small intestine.  The small intestine calls for bile when needed through chemical signaling.  Which is broken/impaired by a celiac damaged gut.  So people with celiac can get gallbladder symptoms and damage.

It sounds to me like your weight improved significantly on going mostly gluten-free.  That's a good enough test IMHO.  You probably do have celiac disease IMHO but I am not an doctor.

What you may not know is that celiac is an AI (auto-immune) condition. There is a genetic tie-in.  The immune system is pretty insistent about always attacking invaders/enemies of our body.  And once it gets spun up it goes on attacking for weeks to months.  That's why you read about flare-ups in AI conditions.

Welcome to the forum and feel free to ask questions.

 

[Awol cast iron stomach]

Yikes lightheaded on the verge of passing out. I spent all of 2008 like that !!!!. I was told take a good vitamin when that didn't work, I was told all in my head.( I had gi issues my whole life. Misdiagnosed in my early 20's etc.) 

In 2008 I I went to general Dr, asked about thyroid etc, then ob/gyn, immunologist/allergist, and  dermatologist. Bad times. 

I was not diagnosed officially until 2016. When a new team with an immunologist/allergist and including a gi were willing to test me for celiac. 

 I do experience vasovagal issues and since I'm on my feet many hours at work water and compression socks are a part of my life now. It gets worse if cc event occurs.

If a Dr is willing to test you this may help you determine if gluten is an issue. 

May you find relief or some answers to help you manage symptoms of whatever you are dealing with.