Celiac Disease With Minimal Gi Symptoms?

[Light]

Hi,

I have loose stools but just once a day. I don't have bloating or other GI symptoms... However, I have other symptoms that I wanted to run by you guys. (I am waiting for the results of my celiac disease screen)

--Terrible brain fog.

--Nutritional deficiencies (Vitamin D, Vitamin B12, borderline low thiamin) that may be indicative of malabsorption.

--Symptom onset/exacerbation often after meals.

--Lack of coordination during episodes ("Gluten Ataxia"?)

--Considerable fatigue

-- Hyperparathyroid (a year ago anyway...)

--Chronic headaches

--Cracking joints (don't know if this is a celiac disease symptom but I noticed others posting about this and I thought I'd mention it.

What do you think, could I have Celiac without major GI symptoms?

Thanks,

Mike

[Lisa]

Here is an interesting article:

https://www.celiac.com/articles/21533/1/Mos...toms/Page1.html

[Amyleigh0007]

My son did! His only GI symptom was terrible C. His other main symptoms were leg cramps and slow growth.

[Light]

Thanks for the link to the article, Momma Goose. That's interesting... I just started reading the site. Is there a subset of members here who don't have prominent GI symptoms?

Also, can I change my diet after doing my Celiac screen or are there possibly more tests? It's really hard for me to keep eating wheat, etc knowing that it may be contributing to my problems.

Thanks,

Mike

[Lisa]

Thanks for the link to the article, Momma Goose. That's interesting... I just started reading the site. Is there a subset of members here who don't have prominent GI symptoms?

Also, can I change my diet after doing my Celiac screen or are there possibly more tests? It's really hard for me to keep eating wheat, etc knowing that it may be contributing to my problems.

Thanks,

Mike

Hi Mike,

Some here have been diagnosed with Celiac subsequent to other things such as diabetes, fibro., RA and other things. Many here only have neurological issues.

You might be lucky and have an informed doctor. Unfortunately, many of us have not. If you test positive for Celiac, yes, you can begin or continue with the gluten free diet. If not, a GI may want to do an endoscopy/biopsy for further testing for Celiac.

But the bottom line is, if you feel better on the diet, you most likely have Celiac Disease, a gluten intolerance or a gluten allergy. All require a diet of gluten free foods. A positive dietary response is also a diagnosis.

Many here are self-diagnosed and feel good about it. Not knowing too much about you, I hope this is helpful. There is a vast amount of information on this site. Take a walk around. And welcome.

[Light]

Thanks, Amyleigh...

How's your son doing now?

[Light]

Thanks for the information and welcome, Liaa. I will take a look around. I should have my results on Monday. My Dr. said that some people show improvements on gluten-free diets even if they don't test positive. I think I'll avoid the endoscopy, as I have issues with anesthesia.

[lizard00]

Hi there and welcome!

My most serious symptom was headache/fatigue. My mom swore up and down I didn't have Celiac b/c I didn't have diarrhea. The list of symptoms is long, not necessarily GI either. Another lady I know with Celiac only got tested because of unexplained weight loss. Gluten doesn't make her feel sick at all.

[ksymonds84]

Hi Mike,

I have several Celiac friends who were diagnosed with Celiac and couldn't believe they were because of no GI symptoms. One had horrible low back pains and wanted to sleep all the time. Another, dietary deficiencies with early osteoporosis. And finally, the other is my BIL who was diagnosed because of itchy rash (HD). So it is possible to have celiac with your symptoms. One thought is that loose stools even once per day is not normal. If the GI is working properly you shouldn't have loose stools, something is irritating your intestines even though mildly. Welcome to the board!

[Green Eyes]

Hey Mike,

I must add my own story!!! I was diagnosed out of left field!!! I had no clue... I had a history of anemia but was controlled with iron supplements. I guess I can consider myself one of the lucky ones because I wasn't sick with horrible symptoms.

I believe a gluten free diet will be what helps you!!!

Jennifer

[Jenny (AZ via TX)]

Mike,

I had many of the symptoms you have and very little GI symptoms. --

Terrible brain fog - didn't even realize how bad until gluten free

--Nutritional deficiencies - very low ferritin.

--Lack of coordination during episodes ("Gluten Ataxia"?) - I felt like I was leaning to the right.

--Considerable fatigue - still have but recently starting taking thyroid

--Chronic headaches - still get them occasionally and even migraines

--Cracking joints (don't know if this is a celiac disease symptom but I noticed others posting about this and I thought I'd mention it. - I have this too

I was a "regular" girl although the stools were soft and ususally only went once a day. It was a fluke that I was diagnosed due to an emergency room visit. Otherwise, I didn't think I felt that bad. But I have to tell you, that I do feel better. I didn't realize that my stomach felt uncomfortable most days until after being gluten free a while. Then I realized that I didn't have that feeling in my tummy anymore. It's hard to explain. I can't believe how much better I feel. I also had some depression which is mostly gone!

So, you can have celiac without magor GI symptoms.

Hope this helps.

[Light]

Thank you all for the input! Based on this information I think I may continue with the diet regardless of my test results (should have those tomorrow). Today was day 1... I had some horrible corn based bread but got through it. Looks like it's back to the store to look for other gluten free bread products...

Does non-alcoholic beer have gluten in it? I got hit hard with the brain fog right after having part of an NA beer.

Thanks, guys!!

-Mike

[elye]

Hi, Mike!

I was another silent celiac - - before I went gluten-free, I had NO obvious symptoms, with the exception of low iron. I think it's quite amazing that I was diagnosed at all, really, considering the number of poor people with horrible GI distress, stunted growth, migraines, etc., who go years and years before a proper diagnosis!

Now that my lower intestine has healed, I get all of the classic GI symptoms when I accidentally get glutened: diahrrea, bloating, cramps. This may well happen with you .. . . kind of a drag, but at least you become very motivated not to cheat, and to be very careful about cross-contamination!

Alcohol-free beer contains gluten. You need to look for beer that is clearly labelled "gluten-free"....Redbridge is one that you can get in the States, and a lot of people seem to like it.

[Amyleigh0007]

Light- He is a different kid now that he is gluten free. He is the picture of health. Thanks for asking!

[ravenwoodglass]

Does non-alcoholic beer have gluten in it? I got hit hard with the brain fog right after having part of an NA beer.

Thanks, guys!!

-Mike

As mentioned NA beer does have gluten. I used to drink it all the time and couldn't understand why it would still give me a hangover. I got pulled over one night and almost got a DWI while drinking NA beer. If they hadn't had a breathalizer I would have gone to the pokey. My ataxia was severe back then and trying to convince the police officers I wasn't drunk was not easy, after all I couldn't walk a straight line and I reeked of beer.

The celiac Sprue Association has a good beginning the diet guide, you can find it here:

Open Original Shared Link

I like that it divides the allowed items into the beginning phase, for after you are newly diagnosed, and an expanding stage, for after you have healed a bit. It does list safe alcoholic beverages.

[Light]

Thanks for all of the great information, everyone. I may have additional questions and comments but am pretty foggy at the moment. Just looked at the link above and I had forgotten that I love potato bread so that may be an option. I've got to have carb alternatives:)

I just got my results. I didn't write down the name of the test but it was one of the antibody tests and my result was 5. Based on this value, any guess as to which test this was? Any from the trenches, comments on this test, it's validity, etc? Should I see if the proof is in the pudding and go for the diet or ask for additional blood tests?

Thanks,

-Mike