My bone structure is disintegrating and I’m having to have my teeth removed

[StaciField]

I had an ex ray yesterday and I was told that my bones in my jaw were broken and falling away. I have 2 front bottom teeth that are wiggling and I have to take them out. I am so scared of this as I have more broken teeth that I’m wanting removed. If I have them removed would I be able to get false teeth if I have a bone problem?? 

[trents]

Welcome to the forum, @StaciField!

That is a question for a dental professional.

But let's get some background info from you in relation to things we are more qualified to give input about.

Have you been diagnosed with celiac disease? If so, are you consistent in gluten free eating? 

If you haven't been checked for celiac disease, you certainly should be as mineral depletion of the bones is a common symptom of the condition. Celiac disease results in vitamin and mineral malabsorption.

[StaciField]

I was diagnosed with coeliac disease about 8 months ago. I have been on a gluten free diet since then but I am still struggling with symptoms. 

My bones hurt all over my body, my hips and elbows especially. My arms are tingling a lot and feeling numb.

[StaciField]

I am so scared of going to my doctor because she didn’t give me any information on my condition just saying remove gluten. I have a number of things that relate to coeliac disease but the doctor never picked up on it years ago when I was questioning my health.

[trents]

Your story is one shared by many of us in the celiac community, Staci. Unfortunately, many of us lived for decades with celiac disease before we got a diagnosis and by then there was significant, sometimes irreversible, damage done to body systems. Fortunately, knowledge and awareness about celiac disease within the medical community and within the general public has improved significantly in the last couple of decades but there is still a long way to go. Too many physicians, especially those who have been out of medical school for many years, are pretty ignorant of the true prevalence and the range of symptoms associated with celiac disease. They are only looking for classic GI symptoms.

May we ask your age?

One thing that would be helpful for you would be to start taking some high potency vitamin and mineral supplements to compensate for the malabsorption problem created by long term undiagnosed celiac disease. I'm talking about more than just a multivitamin product. In situations like yours we commonly recommend the these supplements: sublingual B12, high-potency B-complex, 5-10,000 IU D3 daily, magnesium glycinate, and zinc picolinate. Make sure all are gluten free.

This might be helpful in getting you off to a good start in eliminating gluten from your diet: 

Do you have the option in your healthcare system of seeking out another physician who might be more current on celiac disease support?

[Wheatwacked]

Vitamin D plays a key role in absorbing and retaining calcium and phosphorous for bone and tooth mineralization.

15 hours ago, StaciField said:

My bones hurt all over my body, my hips and elbows especially. My arms are tingling a lot and feeling numb.

When vitamin D levels are low and the body isn't able to properly absorb calcium and phosphorus, there is an increased risk of bone pain, bone fractures, muscle pain, and muscle weakness. In older adults, severe vitamin D deficiency (levels less than 10 ng/mL) may also contribute to an increased risk of falls.

Common Nutrient Deficiencies in People with Newly Diagnosed/Untreated Celiac Disease

[StaciField]

I’m 41. You have helped me achieve the goals of finding a way of getting nutrients into my body so I will see how it works for me. Thank you so much.

[trents]

Staci, take note of the forms of magnesium and zinc I recommended. With some of the vitamins and minerals, the formulation can be very important in how well they are absorbed. Many of the vitamin and mineral products on supermarket shelves are in a form that maximizes shelf life rather than bioavailability which, in your case, would seem to be a critical issue. And with magnesium, if you use the typical over the counter form (magnesium oxide) you may find it has a definite laxative effect (think, "milk of magnesia") simply because it isn't well absorbed and draws water into the colon. Spend some extra money and get quality vitamin and mineral products and research the issue of bioavailability. There are forum members who are knowledgeable in this area who may have recommendations. Do you have Costco stores where you live? Is Amazon available to you?

[StaciField]

There’s a Cosco in Auckland in New Zealand. It’s a bit away from where I live but it’s worth the travel for me. Very appreciative of your advice.

[trents]

Are you on acid blocking medication like a proton pump inhibitor or something? I mean for acid reflux.

Edited November 25, 2024 by trents

[StaciField]

I am not taking anything except for the multivitamins that I purchased from the supermarket.

[trents]

I am glad to hear you are not taking acid blocking meds as they increase gut PH which inhibits mineral absorption which, in turn, often causes the body to rob it's own bones of the calcium it needs for various metabolic processes. I was asking about that because acid reflux is very common in the celiac community.

Edited November 26, 2024 by trents

[Celiac comments]

I don't absorb magnesium much orally. After a LOT of research I opted for magnesium and other shots about every 6 weeks. When restless legs symptoms worsen I know I am overdue for a shot. Bone tests decades ago were great. 66 now, diagnosed about 15 years ago and just had a DEXA hip and spine test, and it could have been better. 

[DALTE04]

Check out Sally K. Norton’s work on oxalates. She wrote a book called Toxic Superfoods. Your symptoms are similar to some of mine. Many of us with celiac disease have oxalate toxicity because of the damage to our guts. Oxalates chelates our minerals and calcium binds to oxalates. At least check out her website, it may help a lot. Good luck.

[Lkg5]

On 12/4/2024 at 10:48 AM, DALTE04 said:

Check out Sally K. Norton’s work on oxalates. She wrote a book called Toxic Superfoods. Your symptoms are similar to some of mine. Many of us with celiac disease have oxalate toxicity because of the damage to our guts. Oxalates chelates our minerals and calcium binds to oxalates. At least check out her website, it may help a lot. Good luck.

 

On 12/3/2024 at 1:45 PM, Celiac comments said:

I don't absorb magnesium much orally. After a LOT of research I opted for magnesium and other shots about every 6 weeks. When restless legs symptoms worsen I know I am overdue for a shot. Bone tests decades ago were great. 66 now, diagnosed about 15 years ago and just had a DEXA hip and spine test, and it could have been better. 

Totally agree with you about oxalates.  Changed my diet recently since reading about them.  No more daily handfuls of almonds or almond milk.  Turns out they are very high in oxalates.  Noticed an immediate improvement in my digestion and urine was no longer cloudy.  Pecans and walnuts are a safer alternative.  Spinach, too, is a definite no-go.