Loosing weight after going gluten-free

[dani2323]

Hi everyone ! I was diagnosed with celiac disease and prediabetes about 1 and half months ago and I changed my diet immediately with professional help. The main gastrointestinal symptoms improved shortly after I stopped eating gluten, but I am still losing weight and I am extremely worried because I cannot lose any more kilograms (height: 160 cm, weight: 45kl, age: 23) I mostly notice it in areas such as my breast, stomach, legs, arms and hands. Has anyone else lost weight after going gluten free? I just want to know if it is something that one has to expect because of the change of diet or if it is something worth to check. I don’t know any celiac, so I appreciate any advice. 

[dani2323]

I have to add that I have always had trouble gaining weight (all my life underweight) but now Im worried because I was expecting everything to improve after going gluten-free

[trents]

dani, how many calories are you consuming daily?

[Scott Adams]

Double check your diet and make sure there is no hidden gluten, which means that you may need to stop eating outside your home if possible, and avoid restaurants. The average time to villi and symptom recovery is two years, but this can likely be one year or less if you’re diet is 100% GF.

[MADMOM]

On 8/28/2021 at 6:45 PM, dani2323 said:

I have to add that I have always had trouble gaining weight (all my life underweight) but now Im worried because I was expecting everything to improve after going gluten-free

it took me roughly 3-4 months before i started to see weight gain - your body has to heal 

[AlwaysLearning]

Separate from any damage from gluten affecting your ability to absorb nutrients, I would look at a couple things.

1. Next time you see your doctor, have them check your hormone levels specifically looking for thyroid issues. If your thyroid is hyperactive, long term difficulties with gaining weight would be expected, and thyroid issues are common among celiacs.

2. If you haven't already, get tested for vitamin deficiencies. Different deficiencies often go along with different health problems so they can be a clue to help figure things out.

3. I would also make sure to get rechecked for being prediabetic. Now that you have changed your diet and stopped consuming gluten, that diagnosis could have changed as well. If you are avoiding foods such as carbohydrates because of the prediabetes diagnosis, that could also explain weight loss.

Congratulations on getting a diagnosis, going gluten free, and starting down the road to recovery!

 

[Wheatwacked]

Do you get hungry? Other than your concern about getting "too skinny" do you feel well? Gluten has a appitite stimulating effect so it may take time to get over it. Did your professional base the diet on reducing calories by going low fat or reducing glycemic load through low carbohydrates? Does it target the Celiac or the prediabetes? Recent research on the DASH diet has shown the full fat Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension was benificial.   Study Finds Higher Fat Variation of DASH Diet Beneficial (todaysdietitian.com)   https://www.todaysdietitian.com/news/032316_news.shtml

182cm male: I dropped from 84 kg to 72 kg then back up to 76 kg. Until I was 25 years I weighed less than 68 kg. Don't worry, you will gain weight. Being underweight used to be one of the classic symptoms of celiac disease.

Eat lots of vegetables, fruits and protein. Skip processed food. Your most important concern with Celiac Disease is vitamin status and not eating wheat, rye, and barley; not calories.

[MADMOM]

9 minutes ago, Wheatwacked said:

Do you get hungry? Other than your concern about getting "too skinny" do you feel well? Gluten has a appitite stimulating effect so it may take time to get over it. Did your professional base the diet on reducing calories by going low fat or reducing glycemic load through low carbohydrates? Does it target the Celiac or the prediabetes? Recent research on the DASH diet has shown the full fat Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension was benificial.   Study Finds Higher Fat Variation of DASH Diet Beneficial (todaysdietitian.com)   https://www.todaysdietitian.com/news/032316_news.shtml

182cm male: I dropped from 84 kg to 72 kg then back up to 76 kg. Until I was 25 years I weighed less than 68 kg. Don't worry, you will gain weight. Being underweight used to be one of the classic symptoms of celiac disease.

Eat lots of vegetables, fruits and protein. Skip processed food. Your most important concern with Celiac Disease is vitamin status and not eating wheat, rye, and barley; not calories.

i agree - during my first 3 months i wasn’t gaining any weight but from months 4 to present i’ve gained 12 pounds and look and feel so much healthier - i also felt very hungry in the beginning - as long as ur eating clean and healthy you will see a gain in weight as you heal 

[fllstuart77]

I lost 7 pounds after going gluten free...   I only lost like 4 pounds while I was still eating gluten...  even gained 3 pounds while still eating gluten...

after 1 year gluten free still can't gain a pound...    my antibody levels have dropped to weak positive range..  7 points from normal...

[Ivana]

Hello,

try to give it some more time.

I was always thin (175 cm, 60 kg). When I was diagnosed with celiac last year my weight went immediately down to 57, mostly from anxiety and no apetite. I also worried that there was something else wrong with me on top of celiac, so I started eating all the time (gluten free, of course) to "prove" that I can gain weight and that I am fine. For a few months nothing much happened and the scale would just not budge, but afterwards I started gaining weight and now at 62 kg I find myself having to watch what I eat, as I would like my weight to remain more or less the same as it has always been. Funny thing is that before I knew I was a celiac, if I ocassionally lost some weight (due to stress, being busy), I never thought anything of it, and was even happy to look "model like". But after my diagnosis, at 57 kg, my weight represented sickness to me and only made me worried, even though objectively it was not extremely thin and I felt fine strength and energy-wise.

[GodsGal]

Hi!

Thanks for sharing your journey! 

I am not a medical professional. I agree with what everyone else has said. I would keep an eye on it. But, I think that what you are experiencing is pretty typical. Make sure you are eating a balanced diet.  Your main focus at this point should probably be on being gluten free. 

That being said, feel free to consult your doctor/dietitian. Especially if you are feeling anxious or concerned.

It takes time. Your body is healing and adjusting. 

Have you looked at non-food items in your home that may contain gluten? Prime examples would be toothpaste, medicines, lotions, cosmetics, soaps, detergents, shampoos, pet food, toasters, etc? Did you replace your toothbrush?

Going gluten free was really overwhelming for me when I first started. I tell people that it was like trying to get a drink of water from a fire hose! Seeing a counselor has really been beneficial for me. 

Hang in there, my friend. You can do this!