Jump to content

  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):

    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

Gaining Weight Post-diagnosis? Also, Hair Loss?

knav76

Recommended Posts

knav76 Newbie
knav76
Posted

I was diagnosed with Celiac disease about 2 months ago and have been 99% gluten-free for about a month and a half. I have always been on the thin side, but it seems like since going gluten-free I have been gaining weight. According to my doctor, I have gained 4 pounds in a month.

Is this normal? Is this a sign that I was malnourished and not properly absorbing fats and nutrients before I was diagnosed?

Also, since about a month prior to my diagnosis, I started losing hair and it has not let up. I have very thick hair, so it's not too noticeable, but I worry that if it keeps up it will be! Is THIS normal?

Thanks very much. This forum helps me feel SO much better knowing I am not alone!

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


ravenwoodglass Mentor
ravenwoodglass
Posted

I think your doctor is right about the weight gain, as you heal you will be absorbing more from your food and this will help you put a bit of weight on. Not a bad thing if you have always been a bit underweight. Also many of the specialty gluten free foods are very high in carbs and calories and that can also contribute if you are eating a lot of them.

Now on to the hairloss. I lost a lot of hair before celiac was found, and I still lose hair for a week or two if I get glutened or soyed. My hair loss continued for a while after diagnosis, along with the itchiness, (I have DH). It didnt stop until I had a duh moment and checked my shampoos and toiletries. Gluten was in almost every personal care product I used. The loss finally stopped when I switched to gluten free shampoos and such. I also take a gluten-free vitamin for my hair and skin which seems to help also.

draeko Apprentice
draeko
Posted

Hi I have the same issues. I have gained a total of 6 lbs but it comes and it goes depending on being glutened or not! I have hair loss also and trying to figure out if it is due to a lack of vitamine that is still not being absorbed. Are you feeling better?

knav76 Newbie
knav76
Posted
  • Author

Physically, since going gluten-free, I am feeling much better. My digestive issues and fatigue have let up almost entirely. But the weight gain and hair loss continue. I am going to try and switch my shampoo and conditioner -- does anyone know of any?

Hi I have the same issues. I have gained a total of 6 lbs but it comes and it goes depending on being glutened or not! I have hair loss also and trying to figure out if it is due to a lack of vitamine that is still not being absorbed. Are you feeling better?
ravenwoodglass Mentor
ravenwoodglass
Posted

I can take a while for the antibody reaction to leave which for many of us plays a part in the hair loss. Try and be patient although I know how hard that is. Suave will clearly label gluten and Dove will also. I prefer the Dove but used to use Giovanni products but had to stop because of a soy allergy. A lot of people like those also. If you ask about brands on the products section many will most likely know of others.

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):

  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      133,243
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    Maya Baum
    Newest Member
    Maya Baum
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.6k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):

  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • knitty kitty
      Accuracy of testing concerns

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      Welcome to the forum, @McKinleyWY, For a genetic test, you don't have to eat gluten, but this will only show if you have the genes necessary for the development of Celiac disease.  It will not show if you have active Celiac disease.   Eating gluten stimulates the production of antibodies against gluten which mistakenly attack our own bodies.  The antibodies are produced in the small intestines.  Three grams of gluten are enough to make you feel sick and ramp up anti-gluten antibody production and inflammation for two years afterwards.  However, TEN grams of gluten or more per day for two weeks is required to stimulate anti-gluten antibodies' production enough so that the anti-gluten antibodies move out of the intestines and into the bloodstream where they can be measured in blood tests.  This level of anti-gluten antibodies also causes measurable damage to the lining of the intestines as seen on biopsy samples taken during an endoscopy (the "gold standard" of Celiac diagnosis).   Since you have been experimenting with whole wheat bread in the past year or so, possibly getting cross contaminated in a mixed household, and your immune system is still so sensitized to gluten consumption, you may want to go ahead with the gluten challenge.   It can take two years absolutely gluten free for the immune system to quit reacting to gluten exposure.   Avoiding gluten most if the time, but then experimenting with whole wheat bread is a great way to keep your body in a state of inflammation and illness.  A diagnosis would help you stop playing Russian roulette with your and your children's health.      
    • trents
      Accuracy of testing concerns

      By trents · Posted

      Welcome to the celiac.com community, @McKinleyWY! There currently is no testing for celiac disease that does not require you to have been consuming generous amounts of gluten (at least 10g daily, about the amount in 4-6 slices of wheat bread) for at least two weeks and, to be certain of accurate testing, longer than that. This applies to both phases of testing, the blood antibody tests and the endoscopy with biopsy.  There is the option of genetic testing to see if you have one or both of the two genes known to provide the potential to develop celiac disease. It is not really a diagnostic measure, however, as 30-40% of the general population has one or both of these genes whereas only about 1% of the general population actually develops celiac disease. But genetic testing is valuable as a rule out measure. If you don't have either of the genes, it is highly unlikely that you can have celiac disease. Having said all that, even if you don't have celiac disease you can have NCGS (Non Celiac Gluten Sensitivity) which shares many of the same symptoms as celiac disease but does not involve and autoimmune reaction that damages the lining of the small bowel as does celiac disease. Both conditions call for the complete elimination of gluten from the diet. I hope this brings some clarity to your questions.
    • McKinleyWY
      Accuracy of testing concerns

      By McKinleyWY · Posted

      Hello all, I was diagnosed at the age of 2 as being allergic to yeast.  All my life I have avoided bread and most products containing enriched flour as they  contain yeast (when making the man made vitamins to add back in to the flour).  Within the last year or so, we discovered that even whole wheat products bother me but strangely enough I can eat gluten free bread with yeast and have no reactions.  Obviously, we have come to believe the issue is gluten not yeast.  Times continues to reinforce this as we are transitioning to a gluten free home and family.  I become quite ill when I consume even the smallest amount of gluten. How will my not having consumed breads/yeast/gluten for the better part of decades impact a biopsy or blood work?  I would love to know if it is a gluten intolerance or a genetic issue for family members but unsure of the results given my history of limited gluten intake.   I appreciate the input from those who have gone before me in experience and knowledge. Thank you all!
    • trents
      A little about me and my celiac disease

      By trents · Posted

      I know what you mean. When I get glutened I have severe gut cramps and throw up for 2-3 hr. and then have diarrhea for another several hours. Avoid eating out if at all possible. It is the number one source of gluten contamination for us celiacs. When you are forced to eat out at a new restaurant that you are not sure is safe, try to order things that you can be sure will not get cross contaminated like a boiled egg, baked potatos, steamed vegies, fresh fruit. Yes, I know that doesn't sound as appetizing as pizza or a burger and fries but your health is at stake. I also realize that as a 14 year old you don't have a lot of control over where you eat out because you are tagging along with others or adults are paying for it. Do you have support from your parents concerning your need to eat gluten free? Do you believe they have a good understanding of the many places gluten can show up in the food supply?
    • Peace lily
      Gluten Free Coffee

      By Peace lily · Posted

      Okay went online to check green mountain k cups .It was said that the regular coffees are fine but they couldn’t guarantee cross contamination.with the flavors. im trying to figure out since I eliminated the suyrup so far so good. I’m hoping. thanks it feels good to listen to other people there views.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

NOTICE: This site places This site places cookies on your device (Cookie settings). on your device. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy.