Dropping Blood Pressure

[hawaiimama]

I started on the gluten-free died in june. I feel quite good. It seems to have caused my blood pressure to drop. I always had upper normal bp in the 140/85 ish range where the doc always warns me about it being high. Its been dropping since going gluten-free. Its now around 100/70. I am also having it drop further when I stand up. Its crazy, I nearly pass out every time I stand up and it drops to somewhere around 80/60. I also had a really REALLy low reading one day after a run where it was 68/45.

[TrillumHunter]

This is something that needs attention. It may be something unrelated to celiac. You should see someone soon, this week would be a good idea. If I had to guess I would say you're anemic but I don't have your H/H in front of me.

[hawaiimama]

I've been anemic for years and years but at last count my ferritin had gone up from 9 to 15 (july). What is H/H?

[byebyegluten]

your post really caught my attention because i'm actually going through the same thing! i fainted on tuesday and my blood pressure has been really low. my norm tends to be around 90/60 though. since then however, my heart rate has been low, and i took some sort of heart stress test that showed when i went from sitting to standing my heartrate stayed low as well (instead of getting faster). if you do find a gluten relation, please let me know!

[TrillumHunter]

Hematocrit and hemaglobin

I've been where you are recently as far as blood pressure issues go. I've battled iron and b12 anemia for years. This last time my serum iron was down to nine, I think, but when I was actually fainting it was down to four. That's why I said this week you should have it checked. Get them to draw a CBC (complete blood count) with a serum iron. That should give you some clues. What you are experiencing is orthostatic hypertension and they need a blood pressure reading lying, sitting and standing. Not to worry you but it is a serious thing you are experiencing. Sometimes a transfusion is in order if the counts are too low.

Please see someone this week and check back so I won't worry about you!

[veggienft]

As an asside, are you eating any kind of mint? If so, stop.

Otherwise, stop eating nightshades (tomatoes, potatoes, peppers and eggplant) until you figure this out. After that, you may reintroduce them slowly and individually.

Regardless, take TrillumHunter's advice. Medical intervention is indicated.

..

[ShayFL]

If you have any kind of internal bleeding this could have made you more anemic. It could also be your adrenal glands. Auto-immune diseases (including those that attack the adrenal glands) go hand and hand with Celiac.

You need to go to a doctor ASAP!

[ravenwoodglass]

Do go and get things checked out but try not to worry. There are folks who just have low blood pressure normally and that isn't always a bad thing. Mine was always about 90/60 and didn't raise until I was severly sick prediagnosis. Then it got up to the 140/70 range. The last couple of years it has gone back down to the earlier normal, for me. Until you get it checked make sure you are getting enough fluids and salt and when you stand do it slowly.

[hawaiimama]

My last blood work my ferritin was 15, my hb (which Im guessing is hemoglobin) was 134 (120-160 and my hct was 0.403 (0.33-0.470). My rbc folate was 2049 (range is >775) and my b12 was748 (189-883). I don't think its my ferritin becase I'm taking mondo iron supp and generally when my ferritin gets crazy low, I get heart palps and not this bp thing. I had the bp thing as a teenager and never thought much about it or never really knew what it was. I just figured it was a head rush but I definately got and am not geting the temporary blindness/monetary black out when I get up. We now have a BP monitor (DH has high bp) and I'm been testing it to see. I'm definately having the big drop when I stand up.

I have the paperwork for a cbc so I'll be sure and go and do it. I have a dr appt on the 12th.

[georgie]

See a Dr ASAP. Make sure your adrenal function is tested - possibly even a referral to an Endo immediately. I have just started Florinef for my adrenal insufficiency and low BP, and can say that it is truly amazing the difference it can make to how you feel day to day.

[MyMississippi]

going from a borderline high b/p of 140/85 to 100/70 is truly quite a drop (if this was not JUST temporary, AND you are MAINTAINING a low pressure).

Are your stools normal in color??? Not black, tarry ??

[hawaiimama]

Yes they are quite normal and rather digested (TMI i know) but that was always an issue with me beofre gluten-free. I feel quite good and perky. I used to nap every afternoon but feel great now except the falling bp when I stand up.

In the past, I`ve been to the point where they have suggested bp meds which I`ve always missed but the skin of my teeth.

And yes, I seem to have settled in the 100 over 70 range. Its been that way for a good couple of weeks.

[TrillumHunter]

The low bp wouldn't be a concern if you had always had low bp. It's the change that is concerning. That and the orthostatic HTN. Get your DH to do the readings for you. Lie down, sit up and stand up each time taking your pressure. Don't take the cuff off and wait about a minute or so between each reading. That will give the dr an idea of what is going on.

No sudden weight loss or gain? Like a fluid shift? Are you puffy around the eyes or ankles? There are lots of things to consider and they should do a thorough check of your lungs, heart and kidneys.

Barring shortness of breath, chest pain or no urine over 24 hour period I wouldn't run to the ER. But I would call in the morning versus next week. It's not my intention to worry you, just to encourage you to take care of your wonderful self! If you do experience any of the above DO run to the ER.( or umm, you know have someone drive you...)

[hawaiimama]

nope no puffy. I feel perfectly fine except when I stand up. Been taking the BP all day. It def drops when I stand up but its a bit better than it was the other day when I was REALLY woozie (and didnt`get a bp measure on that).

I`ve been waking up super congested with allergies but its super rag weed season here. I did get a really huge bruise on my arm from just leaning on my friends kitchen chair which really freaked her out. I`m starting to wonder if I have vitamin K issues.

[dana.naomi]

A drop in blood pressure upon standing is known as orthostatic hypotension. It can be a symptom of a condition known as POTS or of dysautonomia (pots is a type of dysautonomia). Both result from malfunctions of the autonomic nervous system and can range in mild to severe symptoms. Since they're autoimmune like in nature (there's a lot of disscussions at the moment about whether or not they are autoimmune, so its probably just a question of when).

Anyway, a neurologist will be able to test for it through things like a tilt table test and other autonomic testing. And treatment involves some medication to level out your blood pressure in addition to adding way more salt to your diet so as to raise your bp in general.

I've have dysautonomia since I was like 16 and let me tell you, getting treatment was one of the best things I've done. It's really nice to you know, not feel like I'm going to faint all the time and be able to get up without worry of blacking out

Please feel free to message me if you have any questions.

[hawaiimama]

Thanks a bunch. I had it as a teenager and then it went away in my 20's post child birth when the thryroid issues started. I def haven't had it again until this year. I guess that is part of why I wasn't so worried. I never really connected the dots as to what it was until now either.

[ravenwoodglass]

Thanks a bunch. I had it as a teenager and then it went away in my 20's post child birth when the thryroid issues started. I def haven't had it again until this year. I guess that is part of why I wasn't so worried. I never really connected the dots as to what it was until now either.

Do get things checked out but this makes me wonder if maybe you are someone who has naturally low pressure and things are finally getting back to normal. Let us know what your doctor says. Being someone who has seen the same situation, borderline HBP when still eating gluten and then gluten free a return to lifelong low blood pressure but feeling fine otherwise, I am quite curious.