Can celiac disease Cause Constipation?

[mamaloca2]

I recently discovered I have a gluten intolerance but not because of GI problems. I had cracked lips, depression, and fatigue. I wonder if my 2 year old may have it. She has had constipation and especially foul-smelling stools with what looks like dark sand in it. I have heard of others with sandy diapers but with diarrhea. Could she be intolerant and be constipated instead, or could it be some other food sensitivity? Anyone know? My mother thinks I'm being a hypochondraic but I know what's normal for her. Could I be imagining it worse than it is because of my own experience?

[Juliet]

We had cycles of constipation for days, one really hard stool, then uncontrollable diarrhea for 3 movements or so, then constipation again. The constipation came from the fact that his small intestine was so swollen it caused a blockage. So, yes, it can happen. I do not think you're being a hypochondriac; after what I went through I would definitely check just to be on the safe side.

[Michi8]

Yes, constipation can be a symptom. Some have only constipation, some switch between constipation and diarrhea, some only have diarrhea and some have no GI symptoms at all. There is a very long list of possible symptoms associated with celiac disease and/or gluten intolerance.

I recommend checking out the book Celiac Disease: A Hidden Epidemic by Dr Peter Green. It is very informative and current about signs & symptoms, diagnosis, associated auto immune disorders and treatment.

Michelle

[Eriella]

They are testing me for the primary reason of constipation. My GI told me that a lot of patients he has seen only have constipation, but most have diarrhea as well. Try giving your daughter a lot of fruit and veggies. If she is still having problems, consider getting her tested.

[Team Young]

I recently discovered I have a gluten intolerance but not because of GI problems. I had cracked lips, depression, and fatigue. I wonder if my 2 year old may have it. She has had constipation and especially foul-smelling stools with what looks like dark sand in it. I have heard of others with sandy diapers but with diarrhea. Could she be intolerant and be constipated instead, or could it be some other food sensitivity? Anyone know? My mother thinks I'm being a hypochondraic but I know what's normal for her. Could I be imagining it worse than it is because of my own experience?

My 3 1/2 year old son has had constipation as his major symptom. We do not have an "official" biopsy diagnosis. But our GI specialist agrees with me that it is likely Celiac considering how dramatic the changes have been on a Celiac Diet.

My daughter is starting to show similiar signs, constipated from too much wheat etc. I am going to have her blood work done, and then take her off Gluten and see how she does. Keep in mind, that often the blood work for children is not accurate, you can get a false negative. However, is you find that after loading up on fruits/veggies, etc your2 year old still is constipated I would have her blood work done since you have a gluten intolerance. Also, she could be reacting to dairy or something else.

I have found doing a food dairy with BMS has really helped track my children's symptoms. You might want to try that.

Good luck!

[sarahelizabeth]

My 22 month old was tested for celiac with constipation as his main symptom. He has a HUGE fruit and veggie diet... seriously 80+% of his diet is fruit and he's still constipated and has to be treated with Miralax. His blood test came back negative but the Dr's say it wasn't accurate because he doesn't have much gluten in his diet anyway.

[Nic]

My son's only symptom was constipation, very severe I will add. He was diagnosed 2 years ago by blood and biopsy.

Nicole

[Ed-G]

I recently discovered I have a gluten intolerance but not because of GI problems. I had cracked lips, depression, and fatigue. I wonder if my 2 year old may have it. She has had constipation and especially foul-smelling stools with what looks like dark sand in it. I have heard of others with sandy diapers but with diarrhea. Could she be intolerant and be constipated instead, or could it be some other food sensitivity? Anyone know? My mother thinks I'm being a hypochondraic but I know what's normal for her. Could I be imagining it worse than it is because of my own experience?

That sounds like me, but I can go from constipation to diarrhea.....and the stools smell awful.

Ed