Celiac Diease And Obesity

[Lolabell]

Hi all, Ive been reading here the last few days and have many questions, but I'll start out slow...LOL I have MANY symptoms of Celiac disease EXCEPT weight loss. Matter of fact I have gained about 100 pounds over the last 3 years. (after gall bladder surgery) Last time I visited the doctor, I discussed many of the symptoms. He said that I could not have celiac because I was now obese. He suggested a procedure that basically burns out the lining of my uterus for the excessive menstrual bleeding and clots, water pills for the swollen feet and ankles, Zoloft for depression, Nexium for the gerd symptoms, Requip for my restless and tingling legs and Phentermine for my obesity and more fiber for my chronic diarrhea. I left all the scripts on the examine table and left frustrated. I found 1 article on the web about a person being diagnosed with celiac disease and suffering from obesity...but only one. Does anyone out there have both? IS it more common than an occasional misfit?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[k-amy32]

Hi all, Ive been reading here the last few days and have many questions, but I'll start out slow...LOL I have MANY symptoms of Celiac disease EXCEPT weight loss. Matter of fact I have gained about 100 pounds over the last 3 years. (after gall bladder surgery) Last time I visited the doctor, I discussed many of the symptoms. He said that I could not have celiac because I was now obese. He suggested a procedure that basically burns out the lining of my uterus for the excessive menstrual bleeding and clots, water pills for the swollen feet and ankles, Zoloft for depression, Nexium for the gerd symptoms, Requip for my restless and tingling legs and Phentermine for my obesity and more fiber for my chronic diarrhea. I left all the scripts on the examine table and left frustrated. I found 1 article on the web about a person being diagnosed with celiac disease and suffering from obesity...but only one. Does anyone out there have both? IS it more common than an occasional misfit?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Lolabell,

I have not been diagnosed with Celiac disease however I am very gluten sensitive. I had my testing completed through

Enterolab. I too struggle with weight issues. I had gained about 75 pounds over several years after having my gall bladder out as well. I think there are a lot of people here that are in the same boat. Just read the gluten diet and weight issues forum. I think you will find a lot of support here and many people who can relate to what you are going through. Good luck to you. I am new here myself with much to learn!

[cruelshoes]

Overweight and celiac can certainly coexist. See the study below

Overweight in celiac disease: prevalence, clinical characteristics, and effect of a gluten-free diet (Oct 2006).

Open Original Shared Link

1: Am J Gastroenterol. 2006 Oct;101(10):2356-9. Links

Dickey W,

Kearney N.

Departments of Gastroenterology and Dietetics, Altnagelvin Hospital, Londonderry, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom.

BACKGROUND: It is well established that a minority of celiac patients present with "classic" symptoms due to malabsorption. However, few studies have focussed on the distribution of body mass index (BMI) in celiac populations and its relationship to clinical characteristics, or on its response to treatment.

METHODS: We reviewed BMI measurements and other clinical and pathological characteristics from a database of 371 celiac patients diagnosed over a 10-yr period and seen by a single gastroenterologist. To assess response to gluten exclusion, we compared BMI at diagnosis and after 2 yr treatment in patients with serological support for dietary compliance.

RESULTS: Mean BMI was 24.6 kg/m(2) (range 16.3-43.5).

Seventeen patients (5%) were underweight (BMI <18.5),

211 (57%) were normal, and

143 (39%) were overweight (BMI >/=25), including 48 (13% of all patients) in the obese range (BMI >/=30.0).

There was a significant association between low BMI and female gender, history of diarrhea, reduced hemoglobin concentration, reduced bone mineral density (BMD), osteoporosis, and higher grades (subtotal/total) of villous atrophy. Of patients compliant with a gluten-free diet, 81% had gained weight after 2 yr, including 82% of initially overweight patients.

CONCLUSIONS: Few celiac patients are underweight at diagnosis and a large minority is overweight; these are less likely to present with classical features of diarrhea and reduced hemoglobin. Failed or delayed diagnosis of celiac disease may reflect lack of awareness of this large subgroup. The increase in weight of already overweight patients after dietary gluten exclusion is a potential cause of morbidity, and the gluten-free diet as conventionally prescribed needs to be modified accordingly.

PMID: 17032202 [PubMed - in process]

[TrillumHunter]

Hi,

I'm overweight and I was diagnosed by blood work. I'm ten weeks in and if I had any doubts they have been removed by my excellent response. I'm not the only one as there is currently a thread running of people trying to lose weight.

Let's see what I have in common with you--heavy periods, swollen feet, depression, heartburn, restless legs, and daily d. Yeah, those are mostly gone now that I'm not eating gluten. I even had my first normal cycle in maybe 13 years. By normal I mean it was only four days long.

Get the blood test. Tell him to humor you. If he won't, ditch him as he's clueless. By the way, I've lost 20 lbs since this started. I had no idea I was so bloated. Gone is the gnawing, obsessive hunger I had before I was diagnosed.

Try again and come back and let us know what happened.

[Kaycee]

Hi, I was another obese coeliac, and the weight was going up and up. I just could not satisfy my hunger, so I ate, it was uncontrollable. But now being gluten free, I can curb my eating without a problem, but have I lost weight, no, not much, I think everything I eat sticks.

So yes, you can be a coeliac and overweight, so if I were you I would push for the testing, and failing that or if they were inconclusive I would trial going gluten free and see what happens. Just remember that after being gluten free for a while, it will skew the blood tests results.

Cathy

[little d]

Hi Lolabell

Welcome, I too struggle with being overweight, I do not have an official diagnoses, because I was Gluten free prior to testing. For years after the birth of my daughter who is now 7 before her I weight 126lbs and I am only 4'11" during my pregnacy I only gained 12lbs she took a lot of room she was 7lb 8oz I had a hard time eating because she laid on my stomach and I was always felt full, I would have to eat a few bits and stop then I could eat some more 30 min to an hour later after just a few bits literally, anyway after I had her I lost all the weight plus some 20lbs I think I looked like I did in High school. but because I thought at the time that I increased my calories because I was nursing my baby I gained all back plus some and then I continued to gain through the years I increased my weight some yes over ate but not that much and when I would hardly eat you would think that I would losse some weight but I just continued to climb I am now at 154lbs I just lost 6lbs. last year when I started the diet I lost 14lbs and when I got the call that I was negative I ate regular food again and gained 25 back within months plus. so I hope that this helps some.

donna

[Karen B.]

Yes, you can be overweight and Celiac. I was overweight at the time my Celiac was diagnosed by biopsy. I was so deficient in iron, folic acid and B vitamins that they had told me they thought it was colon cancer. Celiac was the good news. My weight has gradually been going down with a normal diet so long as I stay gluten-free and get lots of fiber. The downward trend hit a dead halt for several weeks when my office crew served me a gluten-free cake for my birthday with all the sugary icing.

My Mom was overweight at diagnosis by blood test. Since I had been diagnosed by biopsy, her doc didn't make her go through an endoscopy.

My Sis is overweight and so severly allergic to wheat that she can't eat enough gluten for a test to come out positive.

Check out the articles here:

Obesity, Overweight & Celiac Disease

https://www.celiac.com/st_main.html?p_catid...-44107604922.63

I thought I was going to have to wrestle my Mom's doc to the ground to have her tested. He insisted she couldn't have it and finally, I said I'd pay for the test if it came back negative.

Personally, I think it is no coincidence that America is becoming more obese and wheat products have more gluten than ever before in history due to selective breeding of the wheat we grow. Also, products like white bread have gluten added to keep them soft and fresh.

[ptkds]

I just had to add that I am 100+ lbs overweight. I have been for years, and I tested positive for celiac disease in November by bloodwork. Unfortunately, I haven't lost any weight though since going gluten free. My dd (the 1st in my family to test postive) wasn't too small. She was in the normal weight range for her age, but she tested + through bloodwork.

Request the test, insist on the test if needed. I feel so much better now.

[Karen B.]

I just had to add that I am 100+ lbs overweight. I have been for years, and I tested positive for celiac disease in November by bloodwork. Unfortunately, I haven't lost any weight though since going gluten free. My dd (the 1st in my family to test postive) wasn't too small. She was in the normal weight range for her age, but she tested + through bloodwork.

Request the test, insist on the test if needed. I feel so much better now.

Just FYI, I've been diagnosed since 4Q03 but it wasn't until the last 12 months that the scales started easing down. I've been eating lots of veggies and salads all along. I make high fiber muffins from Namaste Spice Cake mix for a morning treat with coffee (sometimes I leave the water out and make cookies instead). I trained myself off of sodas and now I drink sparkling water and I avoid high fructose corn syrup like a plague. But it didn't start going down until I was able to stop taking aspirin every day for arthritis. A doc that has Celiac told me that aspirin can keep you from losing weight and sure enough, as soon as I shifted to Turmeric and fish oil for my arthritis, I started seeing a half pound here or there,. Nothing dramatic, just bits but it's the first time I've been able to get the scale to go the other direction in years. And I've found that a dinner like hot instant quinoa or canned green beans and bacon bits will usually help (high fiber).

This struggle has made me wonder how many people give up because dieting seems to make no difference.

[Lolabell]

Thank you all who responded. I will call tomorrow and "demand" the blood test. This has got to stop. I hate going anywhere for fear of the dreaded D. My girl friends stopped asking me to go shopping because they know I'll say no. Hubby & Kids would love to go on a vacation this summer, but I'm afraid to be stranded in the middle of the desert, (or interstate traffic) and have to GO. The stomach cramps can be worse than labor! My hair is fALLING OUT BY THE BUCKET LOADS!

I'll keep this sight bookmarked for sure. THank you.

[ptkds]

Just FYI, I've been diagnosed since 4Q03 but it wasn't until the last 12 months that the scales started easing down. I've been eating lots of veggies and salads all along. I make high fiber muffins from Namaste Spice Cake mix for a morning treat with coffee (sometimes I leave the water out and make cookies instead). I trained myself off of sodas and now I drink sparkling water and I avoid high fructose corn syrup like a plague. But it didn't start going down until I was able to stop taking aspirin every day for arthritis. A doc that has Celiac told me that aspirin can keep you from losing weight and sure enough, as soon as I shifted to Turmeric and fish oil for my arthritis, I started seeing a half pound here or there,. Nothing dramatic, just bits but it's the first time I've been able to get the scale to go the other direction in years. And I've found that a dinner like hot instant quinoa or canned green beans and bacon bits will usually help (high fiber).

This struggle has made me wonder how many people give up because dieting seems to make no difference.

One of my problems is that I can't eat green veggies. I have some kidney problems, and for some reason my body produces too much of some nutrient (don't know what it is called) that is also found in green veggies. So the dr told me to avoid them. Plus I have NEVER liked veggies (except corn, potatoes, etc). I just don't know what to do. I am seriously considering the gastric bypass surgery, but insurance won't pay for it.

sorry, just had to vent!

ptkds

[natalie]

I too am overweight... about 80lbs. I have steadily gained for the last 6 years, no matter what I do it won't come off. My daughter was diagnosed 1 1/2 years ago and in doing my research I was sure I had it myself. I had the blood work, it was negative. I had Entrolab testing done and I was through the roof. My doctor decided to do a biopsy given I have been anemic over the years...sure enough completely flattened villi...but neg blood work.

I have been gluten-free for 6 weeks and I have lost 6 pounds with no other changes. I still have ankle and foot swelling, but not as bad.

[Karen B.]

One of my problems is that I can't eat green veggies. I have some kidney problems, and for some reason my body produces too much of some nutrient (don't know what it is called) that is also found in green veggies. So the dr told me to avoid them. Plus I have NEVER liked veggies (except corn, potatoes, etc). I just don't know what to do. I am seriously considering the gastric bypass surgery, but insurance won't pay for it.

sorry, just had to vent!

ptkds

I really wouldn't consider a gastric bypass. My sis had one and had so many complications that they had to reverse it. Catch is when the bypass is done, your body adapts by increasing the absorbtive surface in the tissue left behind so when they reconnected everything, she put the weight back on even though she was eating a low cal diet under her doc's supervision. The gastro doc that handled reconnecting everything said the surgery shouldn't have been done given that she already had other complications. She also had a fracture in each hip before she hit 40 due to osteoporosis and the doc said she probably absorbed little to no calcium during the time the bypass was in place even though she was taking supplements the whole time.

[Tephie]

One of my problems is that I can't eat green veggies. I have some kidney problems, and for some reason my body produces too much of some nutrient (don't know what it is called) that is also found in green veggies. So the dr told me to avoid them. Plus I have NEVER liked veggies (except corn, potatoes, etc). I just don't know what to do. I am seriously considering the gastric bypass surgery, but insurance won't pay for it.

sorry, just had to vent!

ptkds

Hi,

I just wanted to let you know, that if you are seriously looking into gastric bypass, don't give up. Yes the surgery can have complications. But in my opinion it's definately worth it. Both my husband and I had surgery about three and a half years ago, and we both have done extremely well. He has lost about 220 pounds and I have lost about 150, and both have maintained this weight until this day. You do have to be faithful about taking supplements the rest of your life, but it's worth it. I would do it again in a heartbeat if I had to. Since being diagnosed with celiac disease, I have been gluten free for eight days and have lost eight pounds. So even though with the surgery, I didn't reach my goal weight, I do believe with the new gluten free diet and getting my body healthy again I will now reach my goal.

Good luck in whatever you decide. Stephanie

[Rusla]

Not only can Celiac's be obese but in my two years gluten-free mine has gotten worse. I don't eat read meat, fatty fried foods, drink pop, eat salt, of course no wheat etc. I eat a chocolate bar maybe once every two days. I have no dairy and in the last month my weight went up 30 lbs. I drink lots of water, some fruit juices once in awhile. People say I look puffy. I am trying to find a doctor because it is most likely a pituitary problems. I have a friend who went through all of the same things and after taking her pituitary tumor out she is back at normal weight. I have thyroid problems and asthmatic which can also lead to pituitary problems.

I would like to know if anyone else has had the pituitary thing.

[Karen B.]

Hi,

I just wanted to let you know, that if you are seriously looking into gastric bypass, don't give up. Yes the surgery can have complications. But in my opinion it's definately worth it. Both my husband and I had surgery about three and a half years ago, and we both have done extremely well. He has lost about 220 pounds and I have lost about 150, and both have maintained this weight until this day. You do have to be faithful about taking supplements the rest of your life, but it's worth it. I would do it again in a heartbeat if I had to. Since being diagnosed with celiac disease, I have been gluten free for eight days and have lost eight pounds. So even though with the surgery, I didn't reach my goal weight, I do believe with the new gluten free diet and getting my body healthy again I will now reach my goal.

Good luck in whatever you decide. Stephanie

Just FYI, my sis took all of her supplements but couldn't absorb them. Her bones became depleted during the time the bypass was in place but it didn't become apparent until about 5 years after the reconnect. It's been over 12 years since then and she's had major problems with hairline fractures and bones not healing after surgery. I am obese and Celiac but in good health otherwise.

If you had asked her 3 years after the bypass, she loved it. If you ask her now, you get a very different answer. My only point is to say please consider the long term when you decide to do something drastic. You may be thrilled with it for 5 years but 10 years later may be a very different story.

[darlindeb25]

I was at my highest weight before going gluten-free and I was sick most of the time. After going gluten-free, I did lose weight, yet any time my health takes a nosedive, my weight goes up. Doctors will not listen to me, just keep telling me I would feel better if I lost weight. They can't or won't try to understand there is a problem causing this. I watch other people eat and I know that if I could eat as much as they do, I would be one of those people who couldn't get out of bed.

One of the docs I saw put me on a 1000 calorie a day program, eating no more than 100 calories every 2 hours--to reset my metabolism. I felt stuffed, it's more than I normally eat. So why the weight issue? It's frustrating.

[gfpaperdoll]

I have not had gastric bypass but my sister has, she has a lot of medical problems knows that she has gluten intolerance but cannot or will not stay on the diet. remember that gluten & dairy both have an opiate effect on the brain & just makes you want to eat more so you will feel better & better...

also, have ya'll read the book "eat right for your blood type"? I HIGHLY recommend this book. I just ignore the parts about wheat - gluten grains & dairy. But it is right on for me & I feel much better when I eat this way.

I am double DQ1 and I also recommend the books "dangerous grains" & that book about grain free ( it is in another room at the moment...) I cannot eat any of the replacement grain things. I have three boxes of brownie mix that I am going to have to give to someone else. I also cannot eat sorghum flour or potato flour, so I am just finally throwing in the towel when it comes to eating any of that stuff. I am also DF & have some other food allergies. I do eat mission brand white corn tortillas and Lundberg rice chips, but not everyday.

I know that if you are overweight there is a problem, you just have not found it yet, I encouage you to keep looking and to consider the possibility of no grains and that you might have other food allergies. I also think that all the gluten-free goodies are cross contaminated and makes those of us that are extra sensitive to continue to have problems, so you have to take a good hard look at what you are eating.

To the person that cannot eat green veggies, there are other colors of veggies. Also read the book "Eat Right for your blood type".