Dr Appt Today With New Pcp

[deesmith]

I changed PCP because, as I posted on another topic, my former Primary Care Physician would not do the tests that Dr. Peter Green ordered. So today I saw my new doctor. He seems ok, and he said he'd do most of the tests, so I guess I'll keep going to him, for now. But I did have a minor issue with him:

He started to tell me about celiac disease and how some people look malnourished, etc. but most people don't, that's a misconception. (Like I didn't already know that). However, then I felt like he was treating me a certain way because of the way I look. I have a sister who is about 5'4 and weighs about 96 now (she gained a couple of pounds since going gluten-free in Jan). But I don't look like that. I'm about 5' and weigh more than I used to. I don't think I'm fat--- well, maybe a little. I just always used to weight about 110-115 forever and ever, until I started getting really sick.

But I have malabsorption issues. I do know that I'm not absorbing calcium. I wasn't absorbing iron, but that's leveled off since I've been gluten-free.

Anyway, I was mentioning to him that I'm a little concerned because my poop still floats most of the time, almost always. He said that was interesting because usually celiac's poop floats because they are not absorbing fats, but obviously I'm absorbing fat, because I definitely don't look malnourished or anorexic!

Is that true? Do you have to be one of the ones that's wasting away to not be absorbing fats?

I'm just curious, that's all.

Oh, also he said he'd do the bone density test but he thought that would come out normal. How can he tell that just by looking at me? OMG! I'm just going to wait to see what all the test say.

[Nancym]

Lots of celiacs are overweight or even obese. And you can get fat from more than just fat...

[deesmith]

Lots of celiacs are overweight or even obese. And you can get fat from more than just fat...

Yeah, I thought it was a stupid question. Your answer makes sense.

Thanks!

[Nantzie]

I was on the chubby side when I found out about all of this - size 14-16. Now I'm size 10, sometimes 8. I lost 30 pounds over the course of about six months just from going gluten-free - no additional diets or exercise. And more than my fair share of gluten-free junk food, I might add.

I think that the medical community in general just doesn't know much about how food effects our bodies. From what I understand, they don't even spend much time studying nutrition at all.

This might be a doctor you can educate as the symptoms get better. My doctor didn't know much about celiac either. But she was totally behind whatever I wanted to do as far as trying the diet. So just keep him informed when you see him about any improvements you experience.

Nancy

[deesmith]

I was on the chubby side when I found out about all of this - size 14-16. Now I'm size 10, sometimes 8. I lost 30 pounds over the course of about six months just from going gluten-free - no additional diets or exercise. And more than my fair share of gluten-free junk food, I might add.

I think that the medical community in general just doesn't know much about how food effects our bodies. From what I understand, they don't even spend much time studying nutrition at all.

This might be a doctor you can educate as the symptoms get better. My doctor didn't know much about celiac either. But she was totally behind whatever I wanted to do as far as trying the diet. So just keep him informed when you see him about any improvements you experience.

Nancy

You're right. Thanks for the advice. Today I told him about hidden gluten like in "natural flavors". He seemed interested and intrigued.

I just need to calm down and be more patient with educating people around me. I've just been getting frustrated lately. I used to be so mellow!