Progesterone pills - are they gluten free??

[Mettedkny]

Not sure where to start - been diagnosed for 17 years, and for 16 years my bloodwork has been perfect. Last May I started on HRT (estrogen patch & progesterone pill) for post menopausal symptoms, and to help with mild osteoporosis.
In June my Gliadin IgG numbers suddenly went up to 59 (from previously being below 5 for 16 years). Did a deep dive on the progesterone pill manufacturer (Aurobindo) to ensure that the medication IS gluten free - and was told multiple times that there is no gluten in the pills.
The pill is the ONLY thing that has changed, and my son, who is also celiac has perfect numbers. 
Scoured my life to try and find out where the gluten could be coming from and the only thing I found was a tea I drank that had "possible wheat straw" (had been drinking this tea for about 5 years with no issues - and was confirmed by the manufacturer that their tea is certified gluten-free despite the "straw") - cut the tea out thinking that it MUST be the tea. Repeated the blood test 3 months later and it dropped to 55 - not indicative that the gluten has been found and removed from my diet.
Had bloodwork done again yesterday and it is now 95 😳
I am completely floored. WHERE is it coming from??? I am SO careful. Would NEVER cheat, don't eat out and like I said, my son has NO issues and his number is 3 (as of yesterday).
Has anyone had a problem with progesterone pills? It is the only variable that I can think of, but how do I prove that it is the problem without discontinuing to take the HRT (which I really need for post menopausal symptoms, sleep, anxiety, brain fog and hot flashes).

[trents]

Welcome to the forum, @Mettedkny!

Your ttg-igg numbers are elevated but what about your ttg-iga numbers? Were your ttg-iga numbers elevated at your original diagnosis? The reason I ask is because elevated igg antibody test scores are more likely to be caused by something else besides a celiac reaction to gluten. The ttg-iga test is considered to be the centerpiece of celiac disease blood antibody testing. But some people are seronegative for the iga celiac tests, particularly if they are iga deficient. If they are iga deficient, the igg tests can be helpful. Have you ever had a "total iga" test run to check for iga deficiency?

[Scott Adams]

You can search this site for prescriptions medications, but will need to know the manufacturer/maker if there is more than one, especially if you use a generic version of the medication:

To see the ingredients you will need to click on the correct version of the medication and maker in the results, then scroll down to "Ingredients and Appearance" and click it, and then look at "Inactive Ingredients," as any gluten ingredients would likely appear there, rather than in the Active Ingredients area.

• https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/ 

 

[Mettedkny]

12 minutes ago, Scott Adams said:

You can search this site for prescriptions medications, but will need to know the manufacturer/maker if there is more than one, especially if you use a generic version of the medication:

To see the ingredients you will need to click on the correct version of the medication and maker in the results, then scroll down to "Ingredients and Appearance" and click it, and then look at "Inactive Ingredients," as any gluten ingredients would likely appear there, rather than in the Active Ingredients area.

• https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/ 

 

Thank you Scott, I have looked at the ingredients (and also spoke to Aurobindo, the manufacturer) and all looks like it should be (and I'm being told is) manufactured without gluten - BUT - wondering if it could be cross contaminated.

[Scott Adams]

It is very doubtful that prescriptions medications would be cross-contaminated. It's not impossible, but most companies make many different medications and have very strict protocols for their manufacture.

[Mettedkny]

13 hours ago, trents said:

Welcome to the forum, @Mettedkny!

Your ttg-igg numbers are elevated but what about your ttg-iga numbers? Were your ttg-iga numbers elevated at your original diagnosis? The reason I ask is because elevated igg antibody test scores are more likely to be caused by something else besides a celiac reaction to gluten. The ttg-iga test is considered to be the centerpiece of celiac disease blood antibody testing. But some people are seronegative for the iga celiac tests, particularly if they are iga deficient. If they are iga deficient, the igg tests can be helpful. Have you ever had a "total iga" test run to check for iga deficiency?

Thank you for your message. Still waiting for the ttg numbers to come back. So far I know that it were my Gliadin IgG number and the IgA number that was elevated, and the IgG number by a LOT.
My numbers have been consistently "perfect" for 16 year, and just recently (in the past 9 months) have become wonky...

50 minutes ago, Scott Adams said:

It is very doubtful that prescriptions medications would be cross-contaminated. It's not impossible, but most companies make many different medications and have very strict protocols for their manufacture.

I def agree Scott - just grasping for straws (and not the wheat ones lol). Trying to look for ANY variable that might be the reason for my wonky numbers.

[trents]

I agree with Scott. This same question has been asked many times on the forum and for the reasons Scott stated the consensus is that there it is very unlikely that cross contamination is occurring in these scenarios.

Hey, looking forward to hearing back about your igg and iga numbers. We would need the reference ranges as well as different labs used different reference ranges for negative vs. or normal vs. high.

Edited March 20 by trents

[Mettedkny]

1 minute ago, trents said:

I agree with Scott. This same question has been asked many times on the forum and for the reasons Scott stated the consensus is that there it is very unlikely that cross contamination is occurring in these scenarios.

Hey, I didn't hear back from about your antibody test numbers.

So sorry - just replied a minute ago. Not sure if I ever had a total IgA test done for deficiency, but since I have had perfect numbers in the past, wouldn't it be redundant?

[trents]

No, if you are IGA deficient, your IGA celiac antibody test numbers will be lower than they ought to be so they should not be relied upon if they are in the normal range.

[Mettedkny]

1 minute ago, trents said:

No, if you are IGA deficient, your IGA celiac antibody test numbers will be lower than they ought to be so they should not be relied upon if they are in the normal range.

So far the numbers, and references that I have are:
Gliadin (Deamidated)Ab (IgA) <15.0 Antibody not detected > or = 15.0 Antibody detected
Gliadin (Deamidated)Ab (IgG) <15.0 Antibody not detected > or = 15.0 Antibody detected

now waiting on the Tissue Transglutaminaseab, IgA

Just now, Mettedkny said:

So far the numbers, and references that I have are:
Gliadin (Deamidated)Ab (IgA) 3.3  (<15.0 Antibody not detected > or = 15.0 Antibody detected)
Gliadin (Deamidated)Ab (IgG) 95.1 (<15.0 Antibody not detected > or = 15.0 Antibody detected)

now waiting on the Tissue Transglutaminaseab, IgA

 

[trents]

Gliadin (Deamidated)Ab (IgA) is DGP-IGA. You really need to have a total IGA done.

This might be helpful. As you can see, terminology varies from place to place but this article pretty much lays out all the options in that regard.

 

[MO1984]

I’m curious where you’ve ended up with this journey? I’ve just started HRT for perimenopause, and have been having dermatitis herpetiformis symptoms, and even developed what seems to be a small patch of psoriasis (which I’ve not previously had)… basic googling has told me HRT can flare up some autoimmune diseases, including lupus and psoriasis, but dermatitis herpetiformis is not specifically mentioned. 
 

so, I’m curious where you’ve ended up 

[Mettedkny]

Thank you for your message - essentially I have not been able to figure anything out on this front. From all I can find, and from people here have answered, then it is extremely unlikely that the progesterone should contain gluten. I have an endoscopy scheduled soon to see if there is damage, and to try and figure out what or where the issue stems from. I did have a stool test done, that did not contain gluten (while taking the progesterone pills). 
So unfortunately I am still at a loss for answers. 
Out of curiosity, which dose and manufacture of progesterone pills do you take? 
I've tried both the 100mg and the 200mg progesterone pills, both from Aurobindo Pharm.
 

[MO1984]

I’ve got the patch, and then 100mg and says MFG XIROMED - is that generic manufacturer?  Pharmacist confirmed there’s no gluten, and im Not having celiac symptoms, just dermatitis herpetiformis symptoms, which is why I’m looking at hormone influence on inflammation/autoimmune issues writ large, and not looking at the gluten specifically. 

[Mettedkny]

Yes that would be the generic manufacturer. My pharmacist and Aurobindo confirmed "no wheat", and from what I have been able to gather progesterone does not typically have gluten in the pills.
I also don't have "gluten symptoms" but my celiac bloodwork is completely out of whack - not sure what is going on "with us", but lets keep the post going as we find more information. Best of luck

[Ccoast Celiac]

Hi @Mettedkny

I’ve had the same problem with Xiromed Progesterone 100 Caps. I’m very careful about gluten and only have had gluten “gut issues” since starting these.

I previously had another brand, and no problems. So, even if Xiromed says “gluten free” perhaps in the manufacturing process there is gluten cross-contamination. I’m already requesting a different manufacturer to see if there is improvement.

 

[Mettedkny]

So interesting @Ccoast Celiac that you have experienced the same issue as @MO1984 with the same manufacturer. I don't have any "gut issues" that I can feel, but my bloodwork is out of wack. I have an endo scheduled shortly, and hope there is no sign of damage! Wondering if you have had bloodwork done that shows problems.

[HazelJade]

Have y'all checked for any binders with the manufacturing chemists? Binders on medications don't have to be listed in ingredients lists and the only surefire way to find out is to speak to the chemists directly. It's very difficult to find them, but if you do I would be very interested since I was just about to start Xiromed and already struggle with my diet. I would love to hear if you do find a safe source!

[Scott Adams]

The site I posted earlier does include ALL ingredients, including ANY binders.

You can search this site for prescriptions medications, but will need to know the manufacturer/maker if there is more than one, especially if you use a generic version of the medication:

To see the ingredients you will need to click on the correct version of the medication and maker in the results, then scroll down to "Ingredients and Appearance" and click it, and then look at "Inactive Ingredients," as any gluten ingredients would likely appear there, rather than in the Active Ingredients area.

• https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/ 

 

[Scott Adams]

2 hours ago, HazelJade said:

I would be very interested since I was just about to start Xiromed and already struggle with my diet. 

What is Xiromed? I see that it is a generic manufacturer, but not a drug.

[Mettedkny]

@Scott Adams Xiromed is one of the generic manufacturers of Progesterone pills.

[knitty kitty]

It's the Potassium Iodide in the HRT pills that is triggering Dermatitis Herpetiformis and the increased IGG levels.  

The thyroid is stimulated by the Potassium Iodide, which stimulates immune cells to make more IGG antibodies.  

Thiamine Vitamin B1 helps the thyroid function.  I like Benfotiamine and TTFD Thiamax.  

[Daisyskd]

I was just about to pop a progesterone pill into my mouth for the first time, before I read the label. It says, may contain soy or peanut on the cvs label. Mfr is Aurobindo. Maybe cvs just slaps this warning on all meds. Idk but now I have to dig into it.

[trents]

1 hour ago, Daisyskd said:

I was just about to pop a progesterone pill into my mouth for the first time, before I read the label. It says, may contain soy or peanut on the cvs label. Mfr is Aurobindo. Maybe cvs just slaps this warning on all meds. Idk but now I have to dig into it.

Do you have a soy or peanut allergy? This shouldn't be a concern purely from a celiac or gluten sensitivity perspective.

Edited August 24 by trents

[Mettedkny]

3 hours ago, Daisyskd said:

I was just about to pop a progesterone pill into my mouth for the first time, before I read the label. It says, may contain soy or peanut on the cvs label. Mfr is Aurobindo. Maybe cvs just slaps this warning on all meds. Idk but now I have to dig into it.

Thank you for your comment Daisyskd - I do not have a soy or peanut allergy (I have many others, but not these) so that was never a concern for me. I still have not figured out where my high numbers are coming from. Had an endoscopy done, which shows NO damage (yay) but my high numbers are still unexplainable. Very frustrating. I have a meeting with my celiac doc this week and I am very curious as to what he might suggest.