Light or yellow stool after going gluten free

[NickG]

I’ve been diagnosed with celiac disease for about 4 years now. In do my best to abide by a gluten free diet but I’m sure I slip up with cross contamination semi regularly as we like to eat out.

 Occasionally I’ll go on streaks where my stool is yellow and fluffy or loose. This happens more frequently having a brown solid stool. When they are brown and solid they’re still somewhat light in coloration. 
 

my question is, is this normal when doing your best to follow a gluten free diet? Or does this sound like another issue?

[trents]

Welcome to the forum, NickG!

First, recent studies show that most people claiming to eat gluten free are actually eating a lower gluten diet but not gluten free. These studies also show that this is particularly true for those who still eat out. When you eat out, even when you order items that are naturally gluten free, you don't have much control over cross contamination issues back in the kitchen. Gluten free food items are being cooked in the same pots, on the same grills and being handled and sliced with the same utensils and hands that are handling gluten things.

Second, until you consistently eliminate all gluten from your diet, you may not experience healing in the villous lining of your small bowel which is the area damaged by the celiac autoimmune reaction to gluten. Even small amounts of gluten taken in frequently will prevent healing. This is probably what is causing your fluffy, loose stools. The color you describe sounds within normal range.

Sounds like you need to double down on your efforts to eat gluten free. And it can take up to two years to get complete healing of the SB villi once you go gluten free.

 

Edited February 1, 2022 by trents

[NickG]

51 minutes ago, trents said:

Welcome to the forum, NickG!

First, recent studies show that most people claiming to eat gluten free are actually eating a lower gluten diet but not gluten free. These studies also show that this is particularly true for those who still eat out. When you eat out, even when you order items that are naturally gluten free, you don't have much control over cross contamination issues back in the kitchen. Gluten free food items are being cooked in the same pots, on the same grills and being handled and sliced with the same utensils and hands that are handling gluten things.

Second, until you consistently eliminate all gluten from your diet, you may not experience healing in the villous lining of your small bowel which is the area damaged by the celiac autoimmune reaction to gluten. Even small amounts of gluten taken in frequently will prevent healing. This is probably what is causing your fluffy, loose stools. The color you describe sounds within normal range.

Sounds like you need to double down on your efforts to eat gluten free. And it can take up to two years to get complete healing of the SB villi once you go gluten free.

 

Man, you just answered all my questions. Much appreciated! It’s sooo hard to find information online regarding symptoms WHILE knowingly having celiac disease. Everything I read is showing symptoms prior to diagnosis. Thanks again! I’ll give it a go!