Hormones And Food Sensitivities, Are They Related?

[Guest LittleMissAllergy]

So, I'm a young college student and I've already had more health issues than my grandparents, but for the past six months I had finally gotten myself to a stable point. My health issues caused an insane amount of food allergies, but I had finally gotten to a point where I could add a few things back into my diet. But recently when my doctors attempted the next challenge, getting my hormones back on track (I haven't had a period in 2 and a half years), I started to feel bad again and things started to go backwards. Is the digestive system and hormones related? Hormones and food sensitivities? Ever since I took Provera (a low dose, for ten days, and it didn't work), I've been having constipation problems again, which I haven't had in over 6 months. I currently can't tolerate many forms of animal protein, gluten, dairy, ANY kind of oil, sugar, peanuts, or citrus fruits. I'm sure there are more sensitivities that I've forgotten to mention, but basically my diet is VERY limited. I was starting to add things back into my diet until we tried to attack the whole hormone issue, and now I just can't seem to get things back on track. Could they be related or am I crazy? I ate the same thing I do nearly everyday yesterday, and I had some pretty bad constipation and bloating this morning. I think it's tomato sauce...but I really don't want to have to add that to the list! But anyways, I'm currently trying to write a paper (while not feeling well), so I better get back to it, but I thought I'd just pick your brains first

[tarnalberry]

there are a number of hormone receptors in the digestive system. exactly how they are all related, I don't think anyone knows the details of. hopefully an endocrinologist and/or GI working together should be able to piece some things together, however.

[Guest LittleMissAllergy]

there are a number of hormone receptors in the digestive system. exactly how they are all related, I don't think anyone knows the details of. hopefully an endocrinologist and/or GI working together should be able to piece some things together, however.

I have never been to an endocrinologist, but I have been to a GI specialist and he was utterly useless. I'm now at a private M.D. who mixes Western and Alternative medicine, and we've been working on heavy metal detox and killing parasites and whatnot, and that has really helped, but I've hit a bump in the road. I think I might go to see a gynecologist for the first time ever, maybe that would help? Or are the not up on the whole connection to the digestive system? I'm not sure though if the pain that I have (aside from the constipation), is my intestines or my uterus. I have spasms and bloating just below my bellybutton, but nowhere else.

I'd love more input from anyone that knows anything! lol...

[Rachel--24]

I think you are on the right track with the heavy metals. This is something strongly linked to allergies and all sorts of imbalances in the body.

I'm not sure what type of protocol that you're on....or if you've been going through chelation?

What do you mean when you say you've "hit a bump in the road"? Have you stopped excreting metals? Are your minerals regularly looked at and addressed?

Heavy metal detox can be very challenging and very tricky....lots of things can prevent the body from letting go of the metals.

I dont know of many other things so strongly linked to multiple allergies...parasites and yeast are common links...however, they are also symptoms of heavy metal burden. If you know that you have issues with heavy metals I would focus on that as the primary cause for your allergies and intolerances.

[nmw]

I think I might go to see a gynecologist for the first time ever

This sounds like a good idea, given the circumstances. As an adult woman you should have an established relationship with a good gyno. You need to see a gyno who is like your integrated medicine doc who can at least accept that you have other, food-related issues. See if they can refer you to someone who would be a good fit for you.

Hormonal changes and food sensitivities can affect each other for sure.

[SpikeMoore]

I didn't understand if you were completely avoiding gluten as your message says many kinds of...gluten and then any kind of oil.

I'm 37 and wish I knew what I know now when I was your age. Including that its ok to question your doctor. I would encourage you to do a lot of reading on the different hormones that are involved in the menstrual cycle. A great and easy to understand resource is the book "Taking Charge of your Fertility". Maybe you need to see an endocrinologist and a gynecologist and a GI specialist. Has anyone checked your hormone levels? I am amazed looking back at the things that I have been told with no clinical basis, ie you have PCOS (without an ultrasound) and therefore you should take clomid, when really the problem was advanced endometriosis (which is linked to gluten).

There are many people on this board that have had both issues of hormones related issues and gluten issues.

I guess my point is, educate yourself as much as possible so that you know how much faith to have in the medical advice that your doctor is giving you.

[Guest LittleMissAllergy]

I think you are on the right track with the heavy metals. This is something strongly linked to allergies and all sorts of imbalances in the body.

I'm not sure what type of protocol that you're on....or if you've been going through chelation?

What do you mean when you say you've "hit a bump in the road"? Have you stopped excreting metals? Are your minerals regularly looked at and addressed?

Heavy metal detox can be very challenging and very tricky....lots of things can prevent the body from letting go of the metals.

I dont know of many other things so strongly linked to multiple allergies...parasites and yeast are common links...however, they are also symptoms of heavy metal burden. If you know that you have issues with heavy metals I would focus on that as the primary cause for your allergies and intolerances.

Oh yay, someone who knows all about metals! Yes, this is my primary issue but it causes SO many other issues! I'm a bit of a mess because of these silly metals. My body actually won't excrete them through chelation, so I've been using something that is called I think, the methylation process? I use B12, TMG, DMG, glutathione, Sam-e, ummm and some others that I'm probably forgetting, and we've been successful with that, but it made me really sick and I had to stop because I went off to college and can't manage both at once.

I didn't understand if you were completely avoiding gluten as your message says many kinds of...gluten and then any kind of oil.

Oh gosh I'm sorry, I worded that wrong, I stay FAR FAR away from ALL types of gluten. I meant that I only stay away from many kinds of meat, meaning I only eat turkey breast (on rare occasion) and sometimes sole/flounder, but not often because I'm afraid of the metals fish carry.

You mentioned endometreosis... do you mind me asking what the symptoms are for that? I'm sure it's different with everyone, but perhaps it's something I should look into.

[HAK1031]

You mentioned endometreosis... do you mind me asking what the symptoms are for that? I'm sure it's different with everyone, but perhaps it's something I should look into.

Endometriosis is the growth of endometrium tissue (the lining of the uterus) outside of the uterus. I have it, as do many here. The main symptom associated with it is pain- awful abdominal pain, some have it all month long. Fortunately I only get it during my period. There are also specific symptoms for specific areas of tissue growth- for example, I think I have some on my intestines, and I get some GI symptoms with my period. Those that have it on their bladder might have problems with urination, and so on and so forth. But it doesn't cause loss of periods, at least according to my gyno- although before going on birth control, I only had a period every 3-5 months. But she said this probably wasn't endo related, just that my hormones were out of whack. Treatment for endo includes simple surgery, and, although this probably isn't what you want to hear, birth control pills.

[Guest LittleMissAllergy]

Endometriosis is the growth of endometrium tissue (the lining of the uterus) outside of the uterus. I have it, as do many here. The main symptom associated with it is pain- awful abdominal pain, some have it all month long. Fortunately I only get it during my period. There are also specific symptoms for specific areas of tissue growth- for example, I think I have some on my intestines, and I get some GI symptoms with my period. Those that have it on their bladder might have problems with urination, and so on and so forth. But it doesn't cause loss of periods, at least according to my gyno- although before going on birth control, I only had a period every 3-5 months. But she said this probably wasn't endo related, just that my hormones were out of whack. Treatment for endo includes simple surgery, and, although this probably isn't what you want to hear, birth control pills.

Thank you for the explanation! I don't want to self diagnose, but I'm really thinking this is something I should look into. I have pain all month long in the region that my uterus is located in. It feels like spasms and it's ALWAYS bloated. I have terrible GI issues, but all of the pain and bloating that I experience is in that region. I also have bladder issues! I have both urgency and frequency, even throughout the night. It seems to all line up.

[Rachel--24]

My understanding is that heavy metals (esp. mercury) impair the body's ability to detoxify....which allows all other toxins to accumulate creating a toxic environment....or a chronic disease state. Mercury tends to accumulate in the kidneys especially.

Heavy metals also inhibit enzyme function which results in an inability to break down foods and chemicals (i.e. phenols). This leads to food intolerance, inflammation, leaky gut and ultimately an overwhelmed immune system and possibly autoimmune disease. The liver becomes very burdened and sluggish in this situation which only adds to the toxicity and an increase in allergic responses.

The DPPV enzyme is particularly sensitive to mercury...this enzyme is required in the digestion of gluten and casein. Without this enzyme an intolerance of these foods is inevitable.

Mercury blocks enzymes by displacing essential minerals and creating imbalances within the body. Copper is a cofactor of many enzymes and this mineral is easily displaced by mercury. There may be excessive amounts of copper in the body but in the case of heavy metal toxicity it is often not being utilized. The same is true of many other essential elements (calcium, magnesium, zinc, etc).

As long as mercury and other heavy metals are not addressed the body remains "unbalanced".....these metabolic disturbances lead to many additional problems.

[MELINE]

Same problems with you....I can't eat sugar, lactose. gluten. corn. chicken. orange. and many many other foods...Strange....my homones went crazy.....As long as I did not know what was wrong with me, I kept eating all this stuff everyday. When I found out, and excluded them from my diary I started feeling better and my hormones too (with a little help from homopathetic doctors - I hope I am using the correct word, I am from Greece, please ignore my english mistakes). Hormones and food intolerances are DEFINATELY connected, that is something that my doctor also confirmed. My hair was very curly and suddenly became straight....As you may know changes in our hair are related to hormones. Now they are all curly again and guilty for their previous change was food intolerance.

[CaraLouise]

How did you find out all your food intolerences? Did you do an elimination diet or get tested? I am thinking that I have something else, but I cannot figure out what it is? Is there any that might make your liver enzymes go up and make your muscles hurt when touched?

[MELINE]

How did you find out all your food intolerences? Did you do an elimination diet or get tested? I am thinking that I have something else, but I cannot figure out what it is? Is there any that might make your liver enzymes go up and make your muscles hurt when touched?

There are several tests for food intolerance, but since I had them in Greece I am afraid I can't help you find one in your countryTry the net, definately you will find them.....Food elimination is not a solution, because some of the symptoms - or all of them-may appear up to 48 hours after eating the "guilty" food....!! The tests are the only solution....believe me...I was trying to find out which of the foods was guilty for 10 years....NO WAY.....you may eat on sunday chicken and have the symptoms on monday...confusing...About liver enzymes I think they found too many toxines on my liver because of all the food intolerances, but I don't know about enzymes...... The body does not see "food" but "poison" so toxines have a party on your liver....(sorry for any mistakes in my english..). Muscles??? never heard of that, never had it.....cannot help you on this one...

[Guest LittleMissAllergy]

Same problems with you....I can't eat sugar, lactose. gluten. corn. chicken. orange. and many many other foods...Strange....my homones went crazy.....As long as I did not know what was wrong with me, I kept eating all this stuff everyday. When I found out, and excluded them from my diary I started feeling better and my hormones too (with a little help from homopathetic doctors - I hope I am using the correct word, I am from Greece, please ignore my english mistakes). Hormones and food intolerances are DEFINATELY connected, that is something that my doctor also confirmed. My hair was very curly and suddenly became straight....As you may know changes in our hair are related to hormones. Now they are all curly again and guilty for their previous change was food intolerance.

WOW, we have so much in common, it's crazy! Our intollerances are very, very similar AND I have curly hair that sometimes likes to go straight. hmmmmm.... hehe But anyways, how are you feeling now? It seems like at the moment I'm hypersensitive and even my "safe" foods are making me sick. What do you usually eat everyday?

And Rachel- I've decided that I need to address the metal issue again, but as of right now, I can't really do that because I'm in college. I've considered dropping for a while so I can focus back on my health and start detoxing again, but honestly I'm not really brave enough to do it. I think I'm going to hold off until the summertime, but in the meantime...I've got to figure out how to feel a little better. I'm a mess right now. Any suggestions?

[MELINE]

WOW, we have so much in common, it's crazy! Our intollerances are very, very similar AND I have curly hair that sometimes likes to go straight. hmmmmm.... hehe But anyways, how are you feeling now? It seems like at the moment I'm hypersensitive and even my "safe" foods are making me sick. What do you usually eat everyday?

And Rachel- I've decided that I need to address the metal issue again, but as of right now, I can't really do that because I'm in college. I've considered dropping for a while so I can focus back on my health and start detoxing again, but honestly I'm not really brave enough to do it. I think I'm going to hold off until the summertime, but in the meantime...I've got to figure out how to feel a little better. I'm a mess right now. Any suggestions?

Hair with an attitude!!! First time in history!!!HA HA !!! Now I am feeling GREAT, especially considering how awfull I was feeilng for the last 10 years. Imagine I thought that all humans on earth were feeling so tired and were having so much pain everyday in their stomach...I thought it was natural.....Now I am eating: potatoes, bananas.pears, kiwi,Pineapple, apples, eggs (only the white part), beef, rice, beans, τurkey, all the salads, fava and revythia (these are greek foods I don't know the translation - really tasty), lot of honey and tahini (also don't know the translation - it is made out off sesame). And really really tiny pieces of a kInd of feta cheese that has less lactose. What do you mean your safe foods are making you sick??? this is wierd....According to my test for intolerances, there are the "guilty" foods and the ones that you have a "sensitivity". The ones with the "sensitivi" label you can eat them, but not in huge amounts nor very often because you will turn them into "guilty" ones. Is that the case??? It happened to me...How did you find out about your intolerances? You had a test or by experience??