Unbelievable Weight Gain After Diagnosis

[Folletto145]

Hi everyone!

I am new to GlutenFreeForum, and after searching around for my question, I decided to post a new thread.

A short history:

About three years ago, I lost a lot of weight, although I was on a *sort of* diet, not anything extreme in the slightest. I actually liked that part, but I started getting depressed, stomach aches, hair loss, joint pain, etc. Last year, I started gaining a bit of weight, maybe fifteen pounds, which I was not happy about but could afford. I went to the doctor to see what was wrong in terms of the depression and joint pain, where I tested positive for gluten intolerance. I have been gluten free for about two months now, and I have gained a HUGE amount of weight, weighing more than I ever have in my whole life.

My question is, is it the gluten free diet that accelerated this weight gain? I cannot pin it to that, since I was gaining a bit before the change. Now, however, I am so uncomfortable, feel so overheated all the time, and generally have less physical energy even though I feel somewhat better mentally.

Hypothetically, if I started eating some gluten, would I lose all of this weight? Quite frankly, believe it or not, I think I would feel better experiencing the gluten symptoms than carrying around so much extra baggage.

Any ideas?

Thanks!

[HTownLaura]

I'm not an expert by any means, but I went gluten-free after being diagnosed in March and at first I dropped a lot of weight (not knowing what I could or couldn't eat). Then I found out all the things I could eat. I put on a lot of weight and talked to my nutritioinist. What I didn't realize (and everyone will probably say it was too simple), was that the "foods" I were eating weren't healthy. Like I hated giving up bread, so I would eat a a sandwich made with gluten-free bread. Or, I would want something quick and get the gluten-free nuggets, etc. Now, I'm not eating anything processed except for once a week on Sunday I get to pick one thing in moderation.

Hi everyone!

I am new to GlutenFreeForum, and after searching around for my question, I decided to post a new thread.

A short history:

About three years ago, I lost a lot of weight, although I was on a *sort of* diet, not anything extreme in the slightest. I actually liked that part, but I started getting depressed, stomach aches, hair loss, joint pain, etc. Last year, I started gaining a bit of weight, maybe fifteen pounds, which I was not happy about but could afford. I went to the doctor to see what was wrong in terms of the depression and joint pain, where I tested positive for gluten intolerance. I have been gluten free for about two months now, and I have gained a HUGE amount of weight, weighing more than I ever have in my whole life.

My question is, is it the gluten free diet that accelerated this weight gain? I cannot pin it to that, since I was gaining a bit before the change. Now, however, I am so uncomfortable, feel so overheated all the time, and generally have less physical energy even though I feel somewhat better mentally.

Hypothetically, if I started eating some gluten, would I lose all of this weight? Quite frankly, believe it or not, I think I would feel better experiencing the gluten symptoms than carrying around so much extra baggage.

Any ideas?

Thanks!

[luvs2eat]

I've gained a lot of weight since going gluten-free too. I was diagnosed very quickly... w/in 3 months of developing any symptoms, so I never had the unexplained weight loss ... and eased my psychic pain for all the things I could no longer eat by eating my fill of the things I COULD eat... rice, brown rice pastas, yummy bread mixes, gluten-free baked goodies I learned to make. I've also read that many of the brown rice things we use have a higher glycemic index... which can be a problem if you're diabetic or trying to follow a lower carb diet.

The sad reality is that I'm a fool for carbs and fats. I'm now doing my best to follow a lower carb, low fat diet... lots of lean proteins and lots of fruit and veggies.

[ShayFL]

Yes, all of the gluten-free processed foods are very carby and empty.....a recipe for weight gain.

You are better off foregoing the pre-made gluten-free stuff (or the once a week idea is good). And stick to real foods like meats, veggies, fruits, nuts, eggs, brown rice, etc.

Whole grains only and in moderation (serving size).

[Folletto145]

Thanks so much for your replies! The weight gain is very disconcerting, especially since I expected to become healthier starting this new lifestyle. Unfortunately, I now see what you mean about eating a lot of new "safe" foods, usually made with rice products. Being a vegetarian (besides fish) as well as pre-diabetic (which eliminates processed sugars), crackers and rice cereals have been my primary staples. I'm contemplating tofu, fish, veggies, and fruits.

But still, would a tiny bit of gluten every once in a while reverse this abominable weight gain?

[MyMississippi]

Has your thyroid function been tested lately? weight gain, joint pain, depression, hair loss , overheated, low energy ----- can be signs of hypothyroidism----

[LynnSuzette]

Hey everyone. Me, too. I gained alomost 20 lbs in a year and a half after cutting out gluten. ... My thryoid numbers were "in range" the first time checked, but, come to find out, 'in range' is only in range for some people. I am now on the smallest does of Armour for thyroid... Lost 8 lbs, but, nothing else. I, too, think that it has to do with gluten. I avoid some of the higher glycemic items just to prove that wrong... LOL

Very frustrating in deed.

[ShayFL]

ut still, would a tiny bit of gluten every once in a while reverse this abominable weight gain?

Are you really willing to risk your health/life to lose weight? And no it would not work his way. Likely just give you D for a few days......water weight lost.

DO get your Thyroid checked. Your TSH should be between .3 and 3 (new ranges). Most doctors and labs still use the OLD ranges. My TSH was 2.8 and I was severely hypo. So find a doctor that treats by "symptoms" and not just "labs".

And there are natural products you can use to stimulate the thyroid.

Coconut Oil

Seafood

Both of these foods will get your metabolism going.

[Maeve]

Hi everyone!

I am new to GlutenFreeForum, and after searching around for my question, I decided to post a new thread.

A short history:

About three years ago, I lost a lot of weight, although I was on a *sort of* diet, not anything extreme in the slightest. I actually liked that part, but I started getting depressed, stomach aches, hair loss, joint pain, etc. Last year, I started gaining a bit of weight, maybe fifteen pounds, which I was not happy about but could afford. I went to the doctor to see what was wrong in terms of the depression and joint pain, where I tested positive for gluten intolerance. I have been gluten free for about two months now, and I have gained a HUGE amount of weight, weighing more than I ever have in my whole life.

My question is, is it the gluten free diet that accelerated this weight gain? I cannot pin it to that, since I was gaining a bit before the change. Now, however, I am so uncomfortable, feel so overheated all the time, and generally have less physical energy even though I feel somewhat better mentally.

Hypothetically, if I started eating some gluten, would I lose all of this weight? Quite frankly, believe it or not, I think I would feel better experiencing the gluten symptoms than carrying around so much extra baggage.

Any ideas?

Thanks!

Hey Folletto145,

Hang in there! I got DX 2/07, I have gained a pound each month, makes me NUTS, especially since I know people with DX that lost 20lbs easily going glulten free. Others are correct, get thyroid checked, and there was a response a long time ago from someone who said your metabolism may be slower, and you are no longer starving your body so it may have a reaction to not lose. Whatever, in my situation I find I keep having issues so I have looked at Paleoithic diet, or Cave man diet and the Specific Carbohydrate diet, also got good recipes from South Beach diet. I am looking for a way of eating that makes me feel good, not hungry and to reverse the weight gain. I took out all white sugar and white flours, (I know, it's hard to keep giving up stuff). For now, I cut out all the corn, quinoa, buckwheat, all the tasty things I learned to cook with since the DX. Also stopped my popcorn binging and peanut snacking.( I suspect they are allergens to me) BUT, Almond flour is terrific (you get blanched almonds and food processs). I throw in honey, oil egg, zuchhini, (I have large garden), and/or coconut flour with spices. (recipes in all the diets I mentioned or just throw what you want in). I watch the cals. and guess what, for first time in 18 months, the scale is going back!!!!!! I don't crave stuff now, I do go long periods without eating, sometimes I am just not that hungry and I don't have cravings. I am not perfect (except with gluten free) but this has helped me and I know how desparate you can feel). Of course, people think I am absolutely nuts, but they thought that when I went gluten free.

[Maeve]

Hello to All,

Don't go back to Gluten!!!!!! I must admit it is nice to hear other's having problems, not that I want others to have problems but you feel so alone sometimes. My DX was 2/07, I gained about a pound a month!!!! I am now short and round. I am over 50 so my doc says, "well, you are over 50". UGHHHH, boy, that was a scary moment. I figured doc was right, so I kept making my nice little gluten-free concoctions. Then I hit a big # (for me anyway). Also, for reasons I don't quite understand, I started getting old symptoms back (emotionally and physically). Well I think that scared me more than anything, I knew I had to just start eliminating even more stuff and do it to heal me, I( went on that premise but I really also wanted to lose weight!!! )

I had investigated the different diets people have shared, SCD (specific carbohydrate diet), and Paleoithic diet, I felt they were too restrictive, but I knew I had to take it more seriously, so I am now eating from these food ranges, checked on websites, even bought an SCD cookbook. I also found South beach to have great recipes that fit the SCD range. I am not perfect, as far as some of the restrictions, ie I just don't like butter and I use margerine which is off limits. But I did take all sugar out and have found transition to honey very nice indeedJ). I increased all my physical activity and monitor my caloric intake (but always add room for wine, somethings are sacred). TIP Almond flour (food process blanched almonds) is great, I make cookies, bread from it (lots of recipes or just throw in what you want ie zucchini, rhubarb, banana) and at night, when I used to go for popcorn, I have a square, (I'm not gonna lie to you, it's a good size square), also, I made a shepards pie using cauliflower (cooked and food process) as the mashed potato, I had no idea that was so good. I am finally going back in the scale, wish me luck, I still have a ways to go, but I am trying and I don't have cravings like I did when I ate the white flour (gluten-free or otherwise). I know it's so very tough, hang in there. Great info. on website, thanks to all.

[zip2play]

Definitely go get your thyroid levels checked. It is very common to go HYPER-thyroid before the thyroid decreases function to hypo. That could explain why you lost so much weight before, even though you were trying. Thyroid issues are common for people with gluten issues as well!

MOnica

[kimis]

Hey everyone! I keep gaining weight too,and it really pisses me off cause I eat healthier now than ever. Fruits, veggies, lean meats.......bla bla bla!!!!!!! Eight months ago I ate cake and ice cream for dinner every night, I felt awsome, had all kinds of energy, and I looked great naked!!! Now I'm fat and confused! I have my doubts about my doctor.

[mysecretcurse]

I'm gaining weight too. I don't believe in doctors personally I'm all alterna-med and natural health based. I'm also self diagnosed. But anyways, I have had a lot of weight gain. I think it has to do with two things, one being, at least in my case I was very very hungry after first going gluten free. The body seems to really want food once the healing process begins. And also, I think it could possibly be due to the fact that our intestines are healing and therefor "absorbing" more of the nutrients/fat/calories of food we eat, don't you think? Just a theory, but it sure seemed like before I could eat and eat and eat and never gain a pound. Now I notice my body getting curvier based on the foods I eat. I feel different too... like the vitamins I take are absorbing where as they were just all passing through before. I don't know, I'm no scientist, is this possible?

[mftnchn]

I think gluten-free foods do tend to be too high in carb, as has been said.

I gained a lot of weight prior to diagnosis. Lost most of it once being extremely low carb but found that hard to maintain over time so gained it all back.

I lost weight gradually after going gluten-free, lost more after adding SF. I am now understanding more that my body thought it was starving due to severe malabsorption. So I wonder if people have to go through a period of retraining their bodies? Maybe after going gluten-free your body is saying, wow! Now I am getting food, yay! And just storing it up.

Also, I have discovered that in fact I am very carb sensitive and that the celiac damage extended to all the enzymes to break down carbs. I was not breaking down carbs, was excreting them and feeding all sorts of bad things in my gut and also keeping the intestinal damage going. I am now following SCD, with significant weight loss, but mostly am feeling better.

Perhaps you might look into testing to see if you are excreting sugar in stool? If you are then your carbohydrate digestion is still messed up.

[kimis]

okay...gaining weight may be normal untill your body gets use to the whole 'I'm not starving any more' thing. But I honestly feel like poop now. A month after I started this diet I started having all kinds of stomach trouble. A couple weeks after that my head started hurting constantly, and now for the first time ever I have allergies and have to take clariten and nasonex every day. I felt great before the diet change. The only reason I even found out I have Celiac is from a blood test that showed high liver enzyms. Also, let me say it now, I was really excited about the diet change. I though "WOW, I feel great now...How much better could it possibly get?" I think my body is rejecting this diet....maybe I should go back for a couple weeks and see what happens.

Anyway...thats all the b%$@#ing I'm gonna do now....thanks for listening!