Gluten Challenge and Crazy High Blood Sugars- Do I Continue On?

[Ginger38]

I am on day 24 of my gluten challenge. I have been consuming the recommended daily amount of gluten.  I am also a diabetic. Since starting the gluten challenge my sugars have been crazy uncontrolled and high. I take metformin and januvia for my diabetes. My doc increased my januvia to 100 mg daily bc my sugars have been so much higher. But nothing seems to be helping keep my sugars controlled. My sugar hasn’t been below 200 basically for weeks now. It runs from 220-360 all day everyday. I feel terrible. I have had a lot of diarrhea and am struggling with dry skin, dry gritty eyes etc. I figure that’s some dehydration. Does consuming gluten / having celiac affect blood sugars this much? It’s crazy what I am doing to my body , kind of scares me 😑This morning I woke up nauseated , sick and anxious with palpitations. My sugar was around 300. I felt dry so I drank a Gatorade zero sugar and ate a few saltine crackers to settle my stomach, and my sugar spiked to 350 and won’t come down. I don’t take insulin. My biopsy is September 26th.  I just don’t understand what is going on , it’s not like I didn’t eat any carbs before they were just gluten free carbs. Now I don’t know if I should continue or what to do. I’m a bit scared 

[GardeningForHealth]

Are you making sure to eat protein and fats every time that you consume gluten? Protein and fat help to keep blood sugars in control. What proteins do you typically eat when you consume gluten?

[Ginger38]

  On 9/11/2024 at 8:05 PM, GardeningForHealth said:

Are you making sure to eat protein and fats every time that you consume gluten? Protein and fat help to keep blood sugars in control. What proteins do you typically eat when you consume gluten?

Expand Quote  

Most of the time I do yes. Like if I toast I have eggs or if I have pasta I have meat with it. There have been times when it’s been naked carbs, like saltine crackers to calm my stomach. Other than that I do try to eat protein 

[knitty kitty]

@Ginger38,

Call your doctor that treats your diabetes about the Januvia and about being at your tolerance level for the gluten challenge.  Encourage this doctor to get the appointment with the gastroenterologist moved up.  

The increase in the dosage of Januvia may be causing side effects.

"JANUVIA may have other side effects, including stomach upset and diarrhea, swelling of the hands or legs, when JANUVIA is used with metformin and rosiglitazone (Avandia)."

https://www.januvia.com/possible-risks-and-side-effects/

Metformin is known to cause Thiamine deficiency.  Gastrointestinal Beriberi causes symptoms like you describe.  Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea/constipation, anxiety, and palpitations are all symptoms of Thiamine deficiency.

Talk to your doctor about supplementing with Thiamine and checking for other nutritional deficiencies.  

Thiamine deficiency disorders: a clinical perspective

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8451766/

 

Call your gastroenterologist and let them know you are at your limit on the gluten challenge.  You are endangering your health if you continue.  Request your appointment be moved up.  

!!!Throw out the Gatorade Zero Sugar!!!  The artificial sweetener in that ACESULFAME POTASSIUM is really bad.  It messes with your body's ability to regulate glucose metabolism.  It also messes with your intestinal bacteria, resulting in diarrhea and bloating.  It also increases inflammation.

The artificial sweetener acesulfame potassium affects the gut microbiome and body weight gain in celiac disease-1 mice

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5464538/

I hope you feel better!

Keep us posted on your progress!