Glutening symptom? oily stool

[ognam]

Has anyone had Steatorrhea (oily/fatty poop) as a temporary glutening symptom or should I be concerned I've introduced chronic gluten somewhere (like in meds)?

I haven't gotten Steatorrhea since before I went gluten free. However, I moved in the past few weeks and haven't been as careful - I've eaten at restauraunts with cross contamination but only experienced minor symptoms like headache. The past week, I ate only gluten free food at home except I went to Red Robin and got fries (told them gluten-free; allergy). The next day I had Steatorrhea and the day after that.

 

I know it's a symptom of malabsorption so I was wondering if it was the kind of thing that could be caused by one event or if it was due to a more chronic issue. Of course I will speak to a GI but I recently moved and need to find one.

 

Thank you for any info

[pdm1981]

It's also a symptom of EPI.

[Scott Adams]

Steatorrhea (oily or fatty stools) can indeed be a symptom of malabsorption, which is often linked to gluten exposure in individuals with celiac disease. While it’s possible that a single glutening event, like cross-contamination at a restaurant, could trigger temporary steatorrhea, it’s also worth considering whether there’s a more chronic source of gluten exposure, such as in medications or ongoing dietary mistakes.

Since you’ve been less careful recently and experienced this symptom after eating out, it’s plausible that the fries or other cross-contaminated foods could be the culprit. However, if the steatorrhea persists, it might indicate ongoing gluten exposure or another underlying issue, such as pancreatic insufficiency or bile acid malabsorption.

Until you can see a GI doctor, it might help to strictly avoid any potential sources of gluten, including cross-contamination, and monitor your symptoms. If the issue continues, it’s important to investigate further, as persistent steatorrhea can lead to nutrient deficiencies. In the meantime, keeping a detailed food and symptom diary could help identify patterns or triggers. Good luck finding a new GI doctor—hopefully, they can provide clarity soon!