IBS & Possibly Undiagnosed Celiac Disease

[cricketboots]

For as long as I can remember I was diagnosed with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). It basically controlled my life - how far I could travel, when I could conduct meetings, what I could eat, what time I ate, etc. Then, this past October I was diagnosed with Celiac Disease. I had my first follow up appointment with my GI doctor this month (January). I asked her what was the possibility that I may have had undiagnosed Celiac Disease all these years. She told me is may be very likely. This scared me because I had previously read of the potential complications that can occur for longer Celiac Disease goes undiagnosed. So, more tests are being done now. My first being a Bone Density Test on February 14th. More bloodwork was done at my appointment. 

Now, I will be discussing with my therapist about the potential of there being a link between Celiac Disease and my diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder. I read on the Forum here there has been shown to be a link between Celiac Disease and Mental Health issues. I just wonder if it may apply to me. I think it would might be a good thing if it did; for if it did, then maybe my prognosis with Bipolar Disorder would be much more favorable. I do not know.

[knitty kitty]

Yes, @cricketboots, there's definitely a link between Celiac, mental health issues and also nutritional deficiencies.  

"The Role of Vitamins and Minerals in Psychiatry"

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3046018/#!po=10.0000

The vitamins and minerals discussed in this article are the very ones found to be deficient or insufficient in Celiac Disease.

Google "celiac and bipolar nih" and you'll find study after study about the connection between them.  NIH is the National Institute of Health.  

Happy reading!

 

[Scott Adams]

It's better to learn about you having celiac disease later than never! It will be interesting to see how the gluten-free diet may affect your other issues, which definitely may be related to undiagnosed celiac disease. We've summarized much research on mental issues and CD here:

https://www.celiac.com/celiac-disease/celiac-disease-amp-related-diseases-and-disorders/schizophrenia-mental-problems-and-celiac-disease/

https://www.celiac.com/celiac-disease/celiac-disease-amp-related-diseases-and-disorders/depression-and-celiac-disease/