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

Results From Gluten-free Diet In Toddler

mardigan

Recommended Posts

mardigan Apprentice
mardigan
Posted

I posted this in another section but thought I should ask here as well:

My 2 year old son has been gluten free since last week. He has not yet been tested. He frequently has six bowel movements a day containing undigested food and has had a slowed growth rate since he was four months old. If gluten is responsible, how long should it take before I see a change in his bowel habits(I haven't seen any difference yet)? He has also been off of dairy and soy since last week. Thanks so much for you replies!

Lisa

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


April in KC Apprentice
April in KC
Posted

Hi there. I was diagnosed as an adult. I had been losing weight at a rate of about 5-10 lbs. per month for three or four months at the time I was diagnosed. After going gluten-free, I still had "D" and lost another 5 lbs. over the next two months. The weight loss definitely slowed, but did not stop until 6-8 weeks later. Then I started slowly putting on weight again.

When my 3-year-old middle son went gluten free, he had a similar experience. His change was gradual over a month or two. He was having 3-4 soft stools before going gluten-free - a couple of months later it was 1-2, now a year later it is 1.

Some people have different experiences. I'd say 2 months should be enough to see a change. Before that, there should be fewer acute tummy aches.

Sensitivity to gluten seems to increase a couple weeks into the diet. So crumbs and things may start to be an issue after a couple of weeks - that's when I really noticed getting "glutened" by little exposures. Any time you get glutened, you have the same old symptoms. So if you're seeing an overall improvement, but occasional regressions, I would stick with it and really examine things like toasters, cooking pans, shared utensils, etc.

April in KC Apprentice
April in KC
Posted

Also - are you planning to do the blood tests for Celiac? If so, you should do them while ON gluten. The values start to fall as soon as gluten is removed.

mardigan Apprentice
mardigan
Posted
  • Author
Also - are you planning to do the blood tests for Celiac? If so, you should do them while ON gluten. The values start to fall as soon as gluten is removed.

I am planning to have testing done through Enterolab. I am hoping the materials come soon because it takes about three weeks to get results.

I didn't even consider the toaster oven(or dried crud in the corners of the booster seat-ugh!!) I'm just trying to keep his hands of of his older brother's plate!

JennyC Enthusiast
JennyC
Posted

It may take a little while until he is completely gluten free, despite your best efforts. If he does have celiac disease it only takes a crumb to start the celiac immune reaction, and he won't stop having symptoms as long as that's taking place. Cross contamination is a hard issue to takle, and it's something that doctors don't tell you about. You should be a search here about cross contamination and spend some time reading. You also should check his and other family members' body products. If you're wearing a gluten product and he puts his mouth on you, he can get sick. You may also want to check his toothpaste. Oral-B/Zooth don't consider their products gluten free. There's so much to learn when you're starting this lifestyle. Don't feel bad if you make mistakes. We all make them, especially in the beginning. :)

B'sgirl Explorer
B'sgirl
Posted

My son will be 2 in November and has been gluten-free for about 6 months. His diaper rash went away after a few days, his bowel movements lessened after about two weeks, and they started looking normal about a month later.

aprilh Apprentice
aprilh
Posted

Just a little something to add to what's already been said....

You might look into helping his body heal the damage done. For my son I used L-Glutamine everyday to help heal leaky gut and heal the intestinal lining. I also introduced good bacteria - probiotics. Those two things should be done in the very least.

That worked well for my son. I find that I tend to now focus on digestion. I do give him digestive enzymes every now and then. I also like to give him fresh fruits away from meals for better digestion and not too many carbs. However...that's hard with young ones!

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


  • 1 year later...
conviviality Newbie
conviviality
Posted

Please don't get too discouraged by this, but it could take 6 months to a year for the diarrhea to stop or even longer if there is somehow gluten exposure you are unaware of. I was very careful about my son's diet and could not understand why he wasn't improving faster once going completely gluten-free. However, he continued to have loose stools and still does sometimes.

One factor that clearly contributed to his slow recovery was that I was giving him Rice Dream rice milk. They say it is gluten-free but its not. They use barley in the processing. They will admit that on the phone but say that they are well within the 20ppm and have every right to claim they are certified gluten-free. So why don't they list barley in the ingredients so people can make a choice? They are unethical in my opinion. I certainly cannot be the first person to call them and complain about this. A large company like that is looking for profits and does not care about the health of your child, so I suggest making your own rice milk, or whatever you feed your child. Make it from scratch and make your entire home gluten-free. Then at least you will have a better idea of where he might be getting exposed.

Best of luck to you and your family!

nmlove Contributor
nmlove
Posted

My son's been gluten-free for a month now and I noticed differences in the first week, more the second. I'm curious to see how my 2 year old changes once gluten-free (he just tested positive too). Just wanted to say I didn't know about Rice Dream (by all appearances, it looks gluten-free). I typically use Trader Joe's brand, plain but I have to get there to stock up. So meanwhile, we've been using RD and I've noticed no reactions with him. He's been drinking it about a week.

AKcollegestudent Apprentice
AKcollegestudent
Posted
My son's been gluten-free for a month now and I noticed differences in the first week, more the second. I'm curious to see how my 2 year old changes once gluten-free (he just tested positive too). Just wanted to say I didn't know about Rice Dream (by all appearances, it looks gluten-free). I typically use Trader Joe's brand, plain but I have to get there to stock up. So meanwhile, we've been using RD and I've noticed no reactions with him. He's been drinking it about a week.

I'd been using Rice Dream since long before I went gluten-free and didn't think to call the company for probably a month after I went gluten free. (It said it was gluten free on the box, and I never thought to question it.) But I went from no associated symptoms with the RD until probably that third week of being gluten free.

nmlove Contributor
nmlove
Posted
I'd been using Rice Dream since long before I went gluten-free and didn't think to call the company for probably a month after I went gluten free. (It said it was gluten free on the box, and I never thought to question it.) But I went from no associated symptoms with the RD until probably that third week of being gluten free.

Hey thanks, I'm heading to Trader Joe's tomorrow to stock up. I like theirs better anyway! My boys are just flying through the stuff!

Archived

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

Go to topic listing

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Celiac.com:
    Join eNewsletter
    Donate
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):
    Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):



    Celiac.com Sponsors (A17-M):



  • Recent Activity

    1. knitty kitty
      - knitty kitty replied to Jane02's topic in Gluten-Free Foods, Products, Shopping & Medications
      9

      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      @Jane02, I hear you about the kale and collard greens. I don't do dairy and must eat green leafies, too, to get sufficient calcium. I must be very careful because some calcium supplements are made from ground up crustacean shells. When I was deficient in Vitamin D, I took high doses of Vitamin D to correct the deficiency quickly. This is safe...
    2. Jane02
      - Jane02 replied to Jane02's topic in Gluten-Free Foods, Products, Shopping & Medications
      9

      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      Thank you so much @knitty kitty for this insightful information! I would have never considered fractionated coconut oil to be a potential source of GI upset. I will consider all the info you shared. Very interesting about the Thiamine deficiency. I've tracked daily averages of my intake in a nutrition software. The only nutrient I can't consistently...
    3. knitty kitty
      - knitty kitty replied to Jane02's topic in Gluten-Free Foods, Products, Shopping & Medications
      9

      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      Hello, @Jane02, I take Naturewise D 3. It contains olive oil. Some Vitamin D supplements, like D Drops, are made with fractionated coconut oil which can cause digestive upsets. Fractionated coconut oil is not the same as coconut oil used for cooking. Fractionated coconut oil has been treated for longer shelf life, so it won't go bad in the...
    4. Scott Adams
      0

      Penobscot Bay, Maine: Nurturing Gluten-Free Wellness Retreat with expert celiac dietitian, Melinda Dennis

      until
      Hello! Join me and treat yourself to a four-day, three-night restorative gluten-free retreat in a peaceful, private coastal retreat setting near Penobscot Bay in Maine. Dates: April 10-13, 2026 Enjoy engaging classes...
    5. Scott Adams
      - Scott Adams replied to Jane02's topic in Gluten-Free Foods, Products, Shopping & Medications
      9

      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      I do not know this, but since they are labelled gluten-free, and are not really a product that could easily be contaminated when making them (there would be not flour in the air of such a facility, for example), I don't really see contamination as something to be concerned about for this type of product.
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):

  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      133,331
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    Kristy2026
    Newest Member
    Kristy2026
    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
      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      @Jane02, I hear you about the kale and collard greens.  I don't do dairy and must eat green leafies, too, to get sufficient calcium.  I must be very careful because some calcium supplements are made from ground up crustacean shells.  When I was deficient in Vitamin D, I took high doses of Vitamin D to correct the deficiency quickly.  This is safe and nontoxic.  Vitamin D level should be above 70 nmol/L.  Lifeguards and indigenous Pacific Islanders typically have levels between 80-100 nmol/L.   Levels lower than this are based on amount needed to prevent disease like rickets and osteomalacia. We need more thiamine when we're physically ill, emotionally and mentally stressed, and if we exercise like an athlete or laborer.  We need more thiamine if we eat a diet high in simple carbohydrates.  For every 500 kcal of carbohydrates, we need 500-1000 mg more of thiamine to process the carbs into energy.  If there's insufficient thiamine the carbs get stored as fat.  Again, recommended levels set for thiamine are based on minimum amounts needed to prevent disease.  This is often not adequate for optimum health, nor sufficient for people with absorption problems such as Celiac disease.  Gluten free processed foods are not enriched with vitamins like their gluten containing counterparts.  Adding a B Complex and additional thiamine improves health for Celiacs.  Thiamine is safe and nontoxic even in high doses.  Thiamine helps the mitochondria in cells to function.  Thiamine interacts with each of the other B vitamins.  They are all water soluble and easily excreted if not needed. Interesting Reading: Clinical trial: B vitamins improve health in patients with coeliac disease living on a gluten-free diet https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19154566/ Safety and effectiveness of vitamin D mega-dose: A systematic review https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34857184/ High dose dietary vitamin D allocates surplus calories to muscle and growth instead of fat via modulation of myostatin and leptin signaling https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38766160/ Safety of High-Dose Vitamin D Supplementation: Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Controlled Trial https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31746327/ Vitamins and Celiac Disease: Beyond Vitamin D https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11857425/ Investigating the therapeutic potential of tryptophan and vitamin A in modulating immune responses in celiac disease: an experimental study https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40178602/ Investigating the Impact of Vitamin A and Amino Acids on Immune Responses in Celiac Disease Patients https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10814138/
    • Jane02
      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      By Jane02 · Posted

      Thank you so much @knitty kitty for this insightful information! I would have never considered fractionated coconut oil to be a potential source of GI upset. I will consider all the info you shared. Very interesting about the Thiamine deficiency.  I've tracked daily averages of my intake in a nutrition software. The only nutrient I can't consistently meet from my diet is vitamin D. Calcium is a hit and miss as I rely on vegetables, dark leafy greens as a major source, for my calcium intake. I'm able to meet it when I either eat or juice a bundle of kale or collard greens daily haha. My thiamine intake is roughly 120% of my needs, although I do recognize that I may not be absorbing all of these nutrients consistently with intermittent unintentional exposures to gluten.  My vitamin A intake is roughly 900% (~6400 mcg/d) of my needs as I eat a lot of sweet potato, although since it's plant-derived vitamin A (beta-carotene) apparently it's not likely to cause toxicity.  Thanks again! 
    • knitty kitty
      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      Hello, @Jane02,  I take Naturewise D 3.  It contains olive oil.   Some Vitamin D supplements, like D Drops, are made with fractionated coconut oil which can cause digestive upsets.  Fractionated coconut oil is not the same as coconut oil used for cooking.  Fractionated coconut oil has been treated for longer shelf life, so it won't go bad in the jar, and thus may be irritating to the digestive system. I avoid supplements made with soy because many people with Celiac Disease also react to soy.  Mixed tocopherols, an ingredient in Thornes Vitamin D, may be sourced from soy oil.  Kirkland's has soy on its ingredient list. I avoid things that might contain or be exposed to crustaceans, like Metagenics says on its label.  I have a crustacean/shellfish/fish allergy.  I like Life Extension Bioactive Complete B Complex.  I take additional Thiamine B 1 in the form Benfotiamine which helps the intestines heal, Life Extension MegaBenfotiamine. Thiamine is needed to activate Vitamin D.   Low thiamine can make one feel like they are getting glutened after a meal containing lots of simple carbohydrates like white rice, or processed gluten free foods like cookies and pasta.   It's rare to have a single vitamin deficiency.  The water soluble B Complex vitamins should be supplemented together with additional Thiamine in the form Benfotiamine and Thiamine TTFD (tetrahydrofurfuryl disulfide) to correct subclinical deficiencies that don't show up on blood tests.  These are subclinical deficiencies within organs and tissues.  Blood is a transportation system.  The body will deplete tissues and organs in order to keep a supply of thiamine in the bloodstream going to the brain and heart.   If you're low in Vitamin D, you may well be low in other fat soluble vitamins like Vitamin A and Vitamin K. Have you seen a dietician?
    • Scott Adams
      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      I do not know this, but since they are labelled gluten-free, and are not really a product that could easily be contaminated when making them (there would be not flour in the air of such a facility, for example), I don't really see contamination as something to be concerned about for this type of product. 
    • trents
      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      By trents · Posted

      Contact them.
×
×
  • 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.