Jump to content
This site uses cookies. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. More Info... ×
  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.




  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):



    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):


  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

Has anyone lost leg mass after going gluten-free?


DHaney

Recommended Posts

DHaney Rookie

I was diagnosed in January with coeliac so I began my journey to a gluten free diet. I started feeling better but I've noticed that my legs look a lot smaller.  Almost to where I'm not comfortable with wearing shorts.  Has anyone experienced or noticed this and if you have did your legs fill back out ?? I'm in dire need of thoughts and remedies!! Thanks. 


Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):



Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):



trents Grand Master

Welcome to the forum, @DHaney!

May we ask, are you male or female? Women tend to store body fat below the belt whereas men tend to store it in the belly.

Have you lost weight or gained weight as a whole since going gluten free?

Are you consuming approximately the same amount of protein and calories as before going gluten free?

Have your exercise habits changed?

Could this be fluid loss or do you feel it is actual muscle loss?

DHaney Rookie

I am a male 45 yes old 

DHaney Rookie

My legs still feel muscular but I have not been as active as before.  It may be fluid loss.  I've actually gained a few pounds. Just my legs look way skinny now. I'm desperate to get them back to normal. 

trents Grand Master

You are also at an age where you may be naturally beginning to lose muscle mass due to falling testosterone levels.

Your decrease in activity level . . . Any particular reason for that?

One thing to consider is that gluten containing flours are fortified with vitamins and minerals ala USA federal mandates. Now I am assuming you are in the USA. Gluten-free facsimile flours are not fortified and largely devoid of nutrition naturally. Lots of rice and tapioca-based products. This can result in vitamin and mineral deficiencies. This is especially true in the early stage of recovery after going gluten free since there has probably been very little recovery of the villous lining of the gut. Consequently, it is very important to engage with some high potency vitamin and mineral supplementation. And I'm talking about much more than a multivitamin. 

Raquel2021 Collaborator
  On 3/10/2024 at 9:54 PM, DHaney said:

I was diagnosed in January with coeliac so I began my journey to a gluten free diet. I started feeling better but I've noticed that my legs look a lot smaller.  Almost to where I'm not comfortable with wearing shorts.  Has anyone experienced or noticed this and if you have did your legs fill back out ?? I'm in dire need of thoughts and remedies!! Thanks. 

Expand Quote  

Yes. I have the same issues. I have tried everything from eating more protein to eating more healthy fats. I am unable to gain any weight and lose weight easily.  I have been gluten free for 3 years now. I am unable to exercise due to very low iron levels. Not able to raise my iron levels either.  

DHaney Rookie

My decreased daily activity was due to going through heavy everyday lofe challenges. For a while I did not have energy nor the mental motivation before being diagnosed with coeliac. Drs kept misdiagnosing me. I asked them to check for coeliac. After doing the blood test and having a very high value then they moved forward with the biopsy. I really appreciate all the information from everyone on here. I'm going to try starting supplements. Anything outside of B-Complex and calcium?   


Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):



Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):



DHaney Rookie

Raquel2021 I'm sorry to hear that. I hope you can find some solutions that work.  I am in the beginning of my journey and I need all the help I can get.  Before I was diagnosed I lost 28 lbs.  Was in the ER 3 times in a month with GI issues.  This journey seems to be a roller-coaster for sure.  I'm sure everyone is dealing with this on different levels.  I've always had trouble gaining weight. I'm 6' - 3" and I weigh 220 Lbs. I weighed a little less before I hit the tipping point. 

trents Grand Master
(edited)
  On 3/11/2024 at 12:03 AM, DHaney said:

My decreased daily activity was due to going through heavy everyday lofe challenges. For a while I did not have energy nor the mental motivation before being diagnosed with coeliac. Drs kept misdiagnosing me. I asked them to check for coeliac. After doing the blood test and having a very high value then they moved forward with the biopsy. I really appreciate all the information from everyone on here. I'm going to try starting supplements. Anything outside of B-Complex and calcium?   

Expand Quote  

D3 (5-10k IU daily), magnesium glycinate or magnesium citrates and zinc to start with. I wouldn't take calcium long term. It can contribute to cardiovascular disease. Absorption of calcium is usually the problem rather than low dietary intake. Are you on a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) or other acid blocker? Having sufficient gut acidity is a key in proper absorption of calcium and other minerals.

Also consider adding in choline as a supplement.

It is possible the stress you were experiencing actually triggered the latent celiac genes you were carrying. 

Edited by trents
DHaney Rookie

Thank you very much for the information! I am not on a PPI. I've received very little help from my doctor. They referred me to a nutritionist but I've yet made that appointment due to my high travel for my job.  I would almost be certain that the stress triggered genes. 

trents Grand Master
(edited)

Boy, it's really tough to avoid gluten when you travel a lot and have to eat out. Studies have shown it's the number one sabotager of gluten free eating. You may order what seems to be gluten free menu items but you have no control over how it's prepared and handled back in the kitchen. Likely it's being cooked on the same surfaces and in the same pots and pans as gluten foods, stirred, sliced and served with the same utensils. Our forum administrator, Scott Adams, tells the story or ordering gluten free at Olive Garden and getting sick. He investigated what went on in the kitchen and discovered that the gluten free noodles in the order were cooked in the same pot and the same water as wheat noodles.

Edited by trents
DHaney Rookie

You are absolutely correct!! It's why this has been a roller coaster. I'm doing my best to pre-cook and prep my meals for travel. I've been in my career for 27 years. I will be forced to make some major decisions that will stop my traveling soon. Every time I've had to get take out it has made me sick.  

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):



  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      130,893
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748

    Heatherisle
    Newest Member
    Heatherisle
    Joined

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):


  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.3k
    • Total Posts
      1m

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):





  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):



  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • lehum
      The article was shocking - and horrifying - to read. For me it’s a good argument to cook as many fresh foods as possible. I personally can’t do grain free because I lose weight too quickly and don’t feel full, but I will be sticking to companies I trust like Lundberg for rice.    I live in Germany and thankfully, labeling here is more transparent and more trustworthy than it appears to be in the U.S. these days (where I’m also originally from).  I am so sorry to hear this! May you heal quickly. ❤️
    • Scott Adams
      Yes, it is unfortunate that the GFCO seems to have a policy that allows companies that it certifies to lower their guard the longer that they've had their certification. After jumping though the harder GFCO testing requirements for long enough they seem to "rubber stamp" companies and allow them to keep their certification with much less testing going forward. To me this is like having a restaurant where you train the staff one time about how do handle gluten-free foods, and do the training less and less over time, even though you might have high turnover in the industry. People in big food production and supply companies come and go, just like in restaurants, and it's important never...
    • Scott Adams
      There are tons of ingredients that can cause IBS-like issues in anyone, but especially in newly diagnosed celiacs, and it would probably make sense for us to do an article on that topic, but here is an article that might be helpful:  
    • Waterdance
      Thanks but that amount of gluten will def have me in chronic pain and discomfort. My hemorrhoids issues are quite severe. Part of the reason I've abandoned diagnosis. 
    • Beverage
      Are you exposed to any airborne sources of gluten? We have an older house and constantly fixing something. Cutting into old wall board or plaster can release gluten into the air. Also, the sickest i ever got was from taking care of my neighbor's chickens, they get excited and kick up everything, air filled with dust. Sure enough, their food contained gluten grain.  Any pets? If they are eating gluten, they lick themselves, you pet them .... my pets all eat grain free pet food. If I pet someone else's critters, which I am compelled to do, I immediately was hands.
×
×
  • Create New...