SIFO

[mikemcm22]

So after three years of unexplained pain I was diagnosed with celiac disease and was so excited to feel better. That was 10 months ago, and I still feel pretty much the same. I've had some slight improvements overall. I was also diagnosed with SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth) with a positive hydrogen breath (zero on methane part) test two years ago. All along I have just been told I have to wait to heal but almost a year later not much has changed. I tried antibiotics (rifaxamin) but had zero response after multiple rounds, which is weird because usually there is some response typically. 

I started seeing a licensed nutritionist for the first time and she had me take a IgG allergy test and Candida test. Test results showed very high levels of Candida and my nutritionist thinks that my main issue is SIFO (small intestine fungus overgrowth), not SIBO. Anyone every deal with this? How did you resolve it? 

Thanks. 

[cyclinglady]

I think that you should see your GI again.  Maybe it is time to go aback in and take a look.  If he or she does not agree, find another doctor.    I would not accept a diagnosis from a nutritionist.  Those IgG allergy tests are not very accurate per the American Allergist Association (Europe and Canada too).    IgG is a memory immunoglobulin.  It remembers a lot of the foods you ate.  

learn more:
 

https://www.aaaai.org/conditions-and-treatments/library/allergy-library/IgG-food-test
 

How are your celiac disease antibodies doing?  Going down?  Normalized?  Newly diagnosed celiacs should get retested at 6 months and then annually.  

Edited September 6, 2020 by cyclinglady

[knitty kitty]

SIBO and SIFO can cause thiamine deficiency!  Candida produces thiaminase, an enzyme that destroys thiamine (Vitamin B1). 

Antibiotics can also cause low thiamine. Plentiful thiamine usually keeps those microorganisms in check.  Thiamine and niacin are needed for intestinal healing.  SIBO and SIFO can prevent proper absorption of vitamins and minerals.  Get checked for nutritional deficiencies!  

Ask your nutritionist about the Autoimmune Paleo diet.  It promotes healing and starves out those SIBO and SIFO organisms by cutting out carbohydrates which they feed on.  

Hope this helps!

[mikemcm22]

13 hours ago, cyclinglady said:

I think that you should see your GI again.  Maybe it is time to go aback in and take a look.  If he or she does not agree, find another doctor.    I would not accept a diagnosis from a nutritionist.  Those IgG allergy tests are not very accurate per the American Allergist Association (Europe and Canada too).    IgG is a memory immunoglobulin.  It remembers a lot of the foods you ate.  

learn more:
 

https://www.aaaai.org/conditions-and-treatments/library/allergy-library/IgG-food-test
 

How are your celiac disease antibodies doing?  Going down?  Normalized?  Newly diagnosed celiacs should get retested at 6 months and then annually.  

So two things. 

1. I had this pain for 2 years and went through 4 different doctors who all said GERD and nothing else they can do. So I do trust this doctor since she was he only one to diagnose me after all that time. 

2. I took the blood test multiple times (ate gluten months befroe etc...) and they were always negative. It was a positive biopsy during an endoscopy that diagnosed me. I had a 10 month follow up endoscopy recently that showed healing but still signs of it. I know for a fact my diet is perfect too, last time I was glutened was 8 months ago. 

Thanks. 

[mikemcm22]

6 hours ago, knitty kitty said:

SIBO and SIFO can cause thiamine deficiency!  Candida produces thiaminase, an enzyme that destroys thiamine (Vitamin B1). 

Antibiotics can also cause low thiamine. Plentiful thiamine usually keeps those microorganisms in check.  Thiamine and niacin are needed for intestinal healing.  SIBO and SIFO can prevent proper absorption of vitamins and minerals.  Get checked for nutritional deficiencies!  

Ask your nutritionist about the Autoimmune Paleo diet.  It promotes healing and starves out those SIBO and SIFO organisms by cutting out carbohydrates which they feed on.  

Hope this helps!

Did you just ask your physician for these tests? I feel confident that it is SIFO based off the diets I've tried. FODMAP did not work, low carb. definitely helps, and I cannot go near any sort of fructose. Rifaxamin (SIBO treatment) did not even make a dent. 

I actually started that diet last week. I thought it would be hard but I I've been eating very close to that diet for the past year so it was not too bad. I was still eating corn, potatoes, and nightshades but everything else I had already pretty much cut out so I hope it helps. 

Thanks.  

[knitty kitty]

Checking for nutritional deficiencies is part of proper follow up care for Celiacs.

I found great information here...

https://www.hormonesmatter.com/sibo-ibs-constipation-thiamine-deficiency/

Dr. Lonsdale and Dr. Marrs' book "Thiamine Deficiency Disease, Dysautonomia and High Calorie Malnutrition" has been very helpful.  

I struggled with getting my vitamin and mineral levels checked until I found a compassionate doctor who humored me.  He did a genetic test because I didn't test positive on blood work.  (I've got two genes for Celiac.)  He gladly tested for nutritional deficiencies afterwards.

 

[cyclinglady]

Thanks for letting me know that you had a repeat endoscopy.  I am glad you have improved from your first endoscopy.  Know that most  members report taking a year or longer to heal completely.  
 

SIBO can be difficult to treat, but you already know that.  I think the AIP diet and lowering your carb intake could be helpful.  You should be screened for nutritional deficiencies since you have not yet healed completely from celiac disease and are battling SIBO.    Please use the search button to find other members and their experiences with SIBO.  It might be helpful.  
 

I do not know much about candida infection.  My own personal experience was hormonal issues that caused chronic vaginal infections years ago.  My old doctor used to tell me to cut out the sugar.  I did take oral anti-fungals.  Looking back,  really I think  the underlying cause was undiagnosed celiac disease which was evident by my adult life-long anemia.  Celiac disease is systemic and it affects so many body systems.  
 

Do keep a food and symptom journal to help identify intolerances which are so common with celiacs.