increased insulin dosage after gluten free diet?

[Flaco]

Haven't asked my doc yet, but wondering if anyone has had this experience.  I'm 70, a type 1 diabetic for 25 years, and after going gluten free for 6 weeks, I have had to increase my insulin dosage.  Makes me wonder if there is a connection.  My daily nausea is gone and so is the knee joint pain and ear itch.  But my blood sugar numbers have been running higher.  Now that my body is getting the nutrients, could that be why in need more insulin?  The only change in diet is to be gluten free.  Thanks.. 

[trents]

Dennis, most gluten-free processed foods are high in carbs, lower in fiber and practically devoid of nutrition. gluten-free flours are not required to be enriched with vitamins and minerals as are their gluten counterparts. I'm wondering if this may be the issue. I also think that people with undiagnosed celiac disease may be instinctively cutting back on carbs from wheat-based foods and then up their carbs after diagnosis with celiac disease since they now have "safe" breads and snacks.

[Flaco]

10 minutes ago, trents said:

Dennis, most gluten-free processed foods are high in carbs, lower in fiber and practically devoid of nutrition. gluten-free flours are not required to be enriched with vitamins and minerals as are their gluten counterparts. I'm wondering if this may be the issue. I also think that people with undiagnosed celiac disease may be instinctively cutting back on carbs from wheat-based foods and then up their carbs after diagnosis with celiac disease since they now have "safe" breads and snacks.

Thanks.  Your reply makes sense to me.  I've noticed that some gluten-free breads are very high in carbs and I dose accordingly.   As you probably know, blood sugar can be affected by things other than food, like stress.  And, it has been a bit stressful with the life style changes required by going gluten free.  Like eating at a restaurant, or not eating out.  My wife is unfairly along for the ride and our restaurant activities have been reduced.  That in itself bothers me and causes a bit of anxiety. 

[trents]

6 minutes ago, dennis yoder said:

Thanks.  Your reply makes sense to me.  I've noticed that some gluten-free breads are very high in carbs and I dose accordingly.   As you probably know, blood sugar can be affected by things other than food, like stress.  And, it has been a bit stressful with the life style changes required by going gluten free.  Like eating at a restaurant, or not eating out.  My wife is unfairly along for the ride and our restaurant activities have been reduced.  That in itself bothers me and causes a bit of anxiety. 

I understand. It's a big adjustment. But eventually it becomes the new norm.

[Tracy414]

2 hours ago, dennis yoder said:

Haven't asked my doc yet, but wondering if anyone has had this experience.  I'm 70, a type 1 diabetic for 25 years, and after going gluten free for 6 weeks, I have had to increase my insulin dosage.  Makes me wonder if there is a connection.  My daily nausea is gone and so is the knee joint pain and ear itch.  But my blood sugar numbers have been running higher.  Now that my body is getting the nutrients, could that be why in need more insulin?  The only change in diet is to be gluten free.  Thanks.. 

I have a strange question. Can you tell me more about your ear itch? I ask because I started having itchy ear around the time a bunch of my other symptoms started. Just curious if it’s the same “itch” if you will! All my labs were negative for celiac, but I feel 99% better not eating gluten!! 

[Flaco]

10 minutes ago, Tracy414 said:

I have a strange question. Can you tell me more about your ear itch? I ask because I started having itchy ear around the time a bunch of my other symptoms started. Just curious if it’s the same “itch” if you will! All my labs were negative for celiac, but I feel 99% better not eating gluten!! 

Yeah, both ears itched.  Just inside the ear canal.  About 18 months ago my ENT doc thought it was due to our dry climate and he suggested Pro Ear ear drops.  It helped, but now that I have about 6 weeks of gluten free, it's all but gone.  I feel fortunate that the gluten-free diet is making me feel better. 

[Tracy414]

13 minutes ago, dennis yoder said:

Yeah, both ears itched.  Just inside the ear canal.  About 18 months ago my ENT doc thought it was due to our dry climate and he suggested Pro Ear ear drops.  It helped, but now that I have about 6 weeks of gluten free, it's all but gone.  I feel fortunate that the gluten-free diet is making me feel better. 

Mine was more on the top part of my ear, but it was intense and has also significantly improved since eliminating gluten. So interesting! Glad you’re feeling better

[Beverley Ann Johnson]

On 9/27/2022 at 4:00 PM, Tracy414 said:

Mine was more on the top part of my ear, but it was intense and has also significantly improved since eliminating gluten. So interesting! Glad you’re feeling better

I had itchy inner ears as well.  It was very bothersome and now I realize it is gone, gluten free since April.  No more vertigo, itchy ears, nausea, brain fog, stomach issues, bloating and lower left intestinal pain.  A whole lot less pain in general.