Possibly Celiac? Should I Try A Gluten-free Diet?

[rik34]

Hey everyone. I'm 22 male and I've been having some health problems for many years now and only recently have I started looking into it.

My main complaint is my digestion. For some reason I experience foul smelling flatulence almost constantly. I eat alot of whole/raw foods, and I know that can cause gas, but is it normal for gas to smell foul (both sulphur and putrefying odors) all the time and so frequently? This is an embarrassing problem and I don't know why it's happening. Other than that I experience minor bloating occasionally. My bowel movements are normal for the most part, unless I eat alot of nuts; like almonds, cashews, sunflower seed, peanuts. Then my bowel movements come out all mushy and foul smelling. Ugh, I know it's gross, sorry...

I am also underweight for my height. I am 6'2 and I weigh about 145lbs. I am always hungry and I eat often, but no matter how many calories I consume, I don't gain a pound.

Hmmm, other symptoms include:

-poor circulation (cold hands, feet during the winter months)

-dry skin, dry eyes, dry hair

-heart palpitations

-vitiligo (spots on my skin where I am losing pigment)

-irritability

-occasional depression

-moderate anxiety

-occasional fatigue

I recently saw a naturopath doctor and she had me go on an allergy elimination diet. I didn't eat any dairy or wheat for 3 weeks. Although, I was eating rye and spelt bread because it was on the list of the foods I could eat. Anyway, when the 3 weeks were up, I ate both dairy and wheat and I felt fine.

So yeah, what do you all think? Should I try a gluten-free diet for a few months and see how it effects me? Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks

[CarlaB]

You can try gluten-free and see if it works, dietary response is a valid diagnostic tool.

I have most of those symptoms ... actually, all of them ... and I have Lyme Disease ... those symptoms can be a number of different illnesses, so if gluten-free doesn't work, KEEP LOOKING!!! It's not normal to feel bad all the time. If you want to look into Lyme (because of the heart palpitations, I would, it's a symptom), use IGenex -- they are the most accurate lab.

Low thyroid can cause some of those symptoms as well.

I think when you find out what's wrong the weight will come, so don't be consumed about your weight, look for what's making you feel bad. Raw foods can cause flatulence. If you eat broccoli and cauliflower, try lightly steaming it, then it doesn't cause as much gas. Beans are a culprit, too.

Welcome.

[rik34]

Thanks, CarlaB. I will look into it.

[mommida]

If you want an official diagnoses you have to remain on gluten and have the Celiac blood panel.

L.

[Looking for answers]

I had every one of your symptoms before completely giving up wheat years ago . . .and then voila! they all disappeared. However, about six months ago I started feeling sick again (gastritis) and went through a slew of tests, but because I hadn't been eating wheat for so long, the tests didn't turn up much. I decided on my own to go completely gluten free and I feel absolutely terrific now.

Although this is embarrassing to share, I too had HORRIBLE gas (I could have put any frat guy to shame, believe me! ). I'm happy to report that I hardly ever have gas now . . .no matter what I eat. Beans ... fresh veggies . .. no problem! And if I do, I don't clear a room.

I should also add that I take accicidolphilus (sp?) and digestive enzymes daily and I try to limit eating processed foods.

Even if you aren't diagnosed with Celiac, living gluten free has a ton of benefits. Wheat, rye, spelt are very hard for some people to digest and cause a lot of intestinal distress. And who wouldn't want to drop off the "BD" from their "SBDs?"

Best of luck!

[rik34]

I had every one of your symptoms before completely giving up wheat years ago . . .and then voila! they all disappeared. However, about six months ago I started feeling sick again (gastritis) and went through a slew of tests, but because I hadn't been eating wheat for so long, the tests didn't turn up much. I decided on my own to go completely gluten free and I feel absolutely terrific now.

Although this is embarrassing to share, I too had HORRIBLE gas (I could have put any frat guy to shame, believe me! ). I'm happy to report that I hardly ever have gas now . . .no matter what I eat. Beans ... fresh veggies . .. no problem! And if I do, I don't clear a room.

I should also add that I take accicidolphilus (sp?) and digestive enzymes daily and I try to limit eating processed foods.

Even if you aren't diagnosed with Celiac, living gluten free has a ton of benefits. Wheat, rye, spelt are very hard for some people to digest and cause a lot of intestinal distress. And who wouldn't want to drop off the "BD" from their "SBDs?"

Best of luck!

Awesome! This is great news! Thank you for responding. Now I will definitely consider eliminating gluten from my diet. What digestive enzymes are you taking? If you could tell me the brand name and the type of enzyme, I would appreciate that...

Thank you, Looking for answers

[Nancym]

Actually, I was going to say a bunch of your symptoms sounds like Graves Disease, hyperthyroid. I had it myself in my 20's. But if you're up for it and don't care about getting an "offical" diagnosis, give the diet a try.

[sonja69]

you might be fructose intolerant. if you eat a lot of raw foods, it will consist of a lot of fruits and veggies, which are highest in fructose. you can test it with a appropriate diet.

not every bowel can have whole food, especially not raw, since plants have special defending mechanisms against predators. these might be irritating your digesting system.

you might consider trying a more cooked diet.

but you can always try a gluten-free or dairy or whatever free diet.

Sonja

[rik34]

Actually, I was going to say a bunch of your symptoms sounds like Graves Disease, hyperthyroid. I had it myself in my 20's. But if you're up for it and don't care about getting an "offical" diagnosis, give the diet a try.

That was the first thing I brought up to my doctor. I had my thyroid levels checked, and they turned out to be within 'normal' ranges. I hear that blood thyroid tests can be unreliable in determining abnormalties of the thyroid gland, so I might bring that concern up again.

[rik34]

you might be fructose intolerant. if you eat a lot of raw foods, it will consist of a lot of fruits and veggies, which are highest in fructose. you can test it with a appropriate diet.

not every bowel can have whole food, especially not raw, since plants have special defending mechanisms against predators. these might be irritating your digesting system.

you might consider trying a more cooked diet.

but you can always try a gluten-free or dairy or whatever free diet.

Sonja

I probably shouldn't of said that I eat alot of whole and raw food, I am still eating more cooked food, and I will continue doing so until I fix my health problems. I usually eat raw veggies on my sandwiches (sprouts, tomato, cucumber) and raw fruits. That's about it. Usually I steam vegetables when I am about to eat them with a meal. It really doesn't matter what I eat, it all gives me gas. So yeah, I'm not even close to being on a raw food diet, but I will consider it in the future.

Anyway, I will look into fructose intolerance, thank you.