Malabsorption - Celiac Disease = Catastrophe Living

Ms. Skinny Chic · December 12, 2008

Hi Everyone,

Do any of you suffer from malabsorption???? I am suffering from malabsorption currently and it isn't a nice to have at all. My body has started to heal itself slowly( a little too slow)..

The gluten diet did help with absorbing vitamins again.. Which is wonderful..

At any stage in your life .. Did your body resemble this photo?

http://www.pigur.co.il/imgceliac/celiac.webp

Do any of your have issues with parietal cells??? I have these cells and my body seems to be getting thinner.

Why does everyone here with celiac disease seem to be normal weight??? If you were extremely thin... How long did it take you to recover?

:( :( :(

DingoGirl · December 12, 2008

Hello Ms. Skinny - -

If you are on a very strict gluten-free diet, and gluten IS your only problem, you should be gaining weight and absorbing nutrients. I can hardly keep weight OFF now and am constantly watching what I eat (gained 30 pounds on gluten-free diet) and started gaining weight very quickly, once on the diet.

So - as long as your diet is quite strict, I am thinking there are other problems...are you still eating dairy? Many of us are or were dairy-intolerant as well, I know I was for the first few months, but was still gaining weight despite consuming dairy.

I am not familiar with parietal cells, so can't address that.....

hopefully others will have thoughts as well. How long have you been gluten-free?

Ms. Skinny Chic · December 12, 2008

Hello Ms. Skinny - -

If you are on a very strict gluten-free diet, and gluten IS your only problem, you should be gaining weight and absorbing nutrients. I can hardly keep weight OFF now and am constantly watching what I eat (gained 30 pounds on gluten-free diet) and started gaining weight very quickly, once on the diet.

So - as long as your diet is quite strict, I am thinking there are other problems...are you still eating dairy? Many of us are or were dairy-intolerant as well, I know I was for the first few months, but was still gaining weight despite consuming dairy.

I am not familiar with parietal cells, so can't address that.....

hopefully others will have thoughts as well. How long have you been gluten-free?

I have been gluten free 3 months.... I consumed gluten for decades..

My thoughts were perhaps.. I had refractory sprue and that was the reason for everything.

It definitely seems that there might be another issue.

It seems some individuals who are suffering refractory sprue have these cells too..

Open Original Shared Link

Refractory sprue -Autoimmune enteropathy (AIE) is a relatively rare condition found most frequently in children. It presents with persistent watery diarrhea and malabsorption and may require total parenteral nutrition for nutritional support.

TiredofTums · December 12, 2008

I was diagnosed with Malabsortion problems and now am on RX Vitamins instead of regular ones. I have to take 50000 IU's of Vitamin D and a B-12 Injection every week. I am not sure which vitamins you are Malasorbing though. But my B-12 was terrible when I got diagnosed with A Pernious Anemia. And my B-12 was not that great either.

They normally give you 1 shot a week of B-12 then you go for 2 weeks and then monthly. I was having such a hard time that I now have weekly shots.

You may end up having to do the same thing. And at the time I was diagnosed with Malabsorption I was not even diagnosed as having Celiac or being checked out for it~

Now they are checking me out and just waiting on that biopsy they do with me on the 19th. The labs though have already been done.

All this time I have been sick and did not even have a clue as it being Celiac. But I never even heard of Celiac either until that doctor brought it up. Thank goodness he did!

And now I wonder what other vitamins I am lacking since I have two problems now! No telling! There have been several times where my potassium was low and had to have RX potassium.

This stuff can sure do some damage! I agree with you on that one!

Linda

Ms. Skinny Chic · December 12, 2008

I was diagnosed with Malabsortion problems and now am on RX Vitamins instead of regular ones. I have to take 50000 IU's of Vitamin D and a B-12 Injection every week. I am not sure which vitamins you are Malasorbing though. But my B-12 was terrible when I got diagnosed with A Pernious Anemia. And my B-12 was not that great either.
They normally give you 1 shot a week of B-12 then you go for 2 weeks and then monthly. I was having such a hard time that I now have weekly shots.

You may end up having to do the same thing. And at the time I was diagnosed with Malabsorption I was not even diagnosed as having Celiac or being checked out for it~

Now they are checking me out and just waiting on that biopsy they do with me on the 19th. The labs though have already been done.

All this time I have been sick and did not even have a clue as it being Celiac. But I never even heard of Celiac either until that doctor brought it up. Thank goodness he did!

And now I wonder what other vitamins I am lacking since I have two problems now! No telling! There have been several times where my potassium was low and had to have RX potassium.

This stuff can sure do some damage! I agree with you on that one!

Linda

Sorry you are having issues too..

I was diagnosed with pernicous anemia originally too.. My current levels of b -12 are 3,000( 3 X the norm) Just like you ...I was always deficient in potassium. Those levels have improved, but I am still in a malabsorption state. I am truly afraid of what the future holds for myself and anyone with malabsorption... The gluten free diet has helped me with absorbing vitamins, but everything else is the same..

Have you checked for any of these conditions:

Do you have Atrophied Parietal Cells:

ANTI-PARIETAL CELL ANTIBODIES

CLINICAL UTILITY:

Antibodies to gastric parietal cells are found in the sera of patients with pernicious anemia (90%) and in about 60% of females with atrophic gastritis without anemia. The antigen involved is a lipoprotein of the microvilli of the parietal cell canalicular system. The antibodies rarely occur in preadolescent megaloblastic anemia or in forms of gastritis associated with ulcers or stomach cancer.

Prescence of these antibodies is helpful in distinguishing autoimmune pernicious anemia from other megaloblastic anemias. Other disorders in which anti-parietal cell antibodies occur include autoimmune thyroid disease, tuberculosis, refractory sprue, diabetes mellitus and idiopathic Addison's disease. The overlapping spectrum of autoantibodies in these different diseases parallels a tendency for multiple autoimmune organ dysfunction in these patients. Antibodies are found in less than 2% of the normal population under 20 years of age. Incidence increases in women over 40, and in men and women over 60 years of age.

I just wonder when is it too late...to switch to a gluten free diet..

When do you know.. you have refractory sprue...

mef · December 12, 2008

In terms of weight, I tipped the other end of the scale. I gained a tremendous amount of weight prior to being diagnosed and have only started to lose it. However, I was having problems with malabsorption in that my intestines were so inflammed, that they couldn't pick up the nutrients my body needed.

Prefacing this next statement: I am not an MD, I just read a lot when I went through 2 years of medical testing trying to figure out what I have. You might want to consider having a liver/panreas/kidney panel done. These organs help with digestion and waste removal and if those are not functioning, you might be losing nutrients that way. If you are having the dreaded D, please keep your fluid and salt intake in a balanced area. Additionally, if you have traveled abroad, you might have picked up a bacteria from contaminated water/food.

Since you mentioned deficiencies--If you had vitamin D deficiency, consider getting a bone scan done as well. Vitamin D can aid in the absorption of calcium and you might want to see if there are weaknesses--especially if you are a woman!

Finally, as Dingogirl mentioned, you may have other allergies/intolerances as well. I know casein pops up frequently in celiac patients.

I hope you get to feeling better! Hang in there.

Ms. Skinny Chic · December 12, 2008

In terms of weight, I tipped the other end of the scale. I gained a tremendous amount of weight prior to being diagnosed and have only started to lose it. However, I was having problems with malabsorption in that my intestines were so inflammed, that they couldn't pick up the nutrients my body needed.

Prefacing this next statement: I am not an MD, I just read a lot when I went through 2 years of medical testing trying to figure out what I have. You might want to consider having a liver/panreas/kidney panel done. These organs help with digestion and waste removal and if those are not functioning, you might be losing nutrients that way. If you are having the dreaded D, please keep your fluid and salt intake in a balanced area. Additionally, if you have traveled abroad, you might have picked up a bacteria from contaminated water/food.

Since you mentioned deficiencies--If you had vitamin D deficiency, consider getting a bone scan done as well. Vitamin D can aid in the absorption of calcium and you might want to see if there are weaknesses--especially if you are a woman!

Finally, as Dingogirl mentioned, you may have other allergies/intolerances as well. I know casein pops up frequently in celiac patients.

I hope you get to feeling better! Hang in there.

Thanks,

But, I am a bit afraid of turning into a total skeleton and dying.. I don't think, I have two years to wait on the gluten free diet to kick in... I already can feel bones in my body, I never felt before and that scares me..

The doctors try to blame everything on celiac, but I know there is something else going on..

Everyone else here looks normal after the diet.. I am still in a state of malabsorption..

I have lived abroad for several years, but my health was always better abroad than here..

Many of my intestinal discomfort issues have cleared up with the gluten diet..

I really need disease names/panels etc.. My doctor is clueless and he admits he is..

I have been to hospital several times and no one knows how to treat me..

Doctors think that patients are stupid.. I know, if your body doesn't absorb adequate supplies of nutrients.. YOU DIE.. I hope someone here has went through something similar..

I think my time is running out slowly.. I am not being a drama queen

My body needs help... ASAP

The members of the celiac forum seem to be the most informed citizens of the world.. at least pertaining to digestive issues..

bakingbarb · December 13, 2008

I am suffering myself and have done a lot of research. Malabsorption is killing me is how I feel. I just posted something about this the other day.

The link explains it quite well. When you have malabsorption caused by Celiac your body loses the nutrients you need such as B12 and without B12 you CANNOT absorb nutrients from your food. You become anemic and now you have malabsorption issues which of course you already had but now they are worse. The only thing I do not have is weight loss, never have but the big d I have had more then my share of so quite honestly Dr's feel I must be alright because if anything I have gained weight over the years.

Please read this article, I am using it when I go to the Dr. Well first I am taking my list of complaints then see what she says. If she comes up with nothing I will bring up the articles. If I get no where after that then I will find a new Dr.Open Original Shared Link

Open Original Shared Link

mef · December 13, 2008

Thanks,

But, I am a bit afraid of turning into a total skeleton and dying.. I don't think, I have two years to wait on the gluten free diet to kick in... I already can feel bones in my body, I never felt before and that scares me..

The doctors try to blame everything on celiac, but I know there is something else going on..

Everyone else here looks normal after the diet.. I am still in a state of malabsorption..

I have lived abroad for several years, but my health was always better abroad than here..

Many of my intestinal discomfort issues have cleared up with the gluten diet..

I really need disease names/panels etc.. My doctor is clueless and he admits he is..

I have been to hospital several times and no one knows how to treat me..

Doctors think that patients are stupid.. I know, if your body doesn't absorb adequate supplies of nutrients.. YOU DIE.. I hope someone here has went through something similar..

I think my time is running out slowly.. I am not being a drama queen

My body needs help... ASAP

The members of the celiac forum seem to be the most informed citizens of the world.. at least pertaining to digestive issues..

I hope you can find some help here!

I had problems for 2 years--it took that long to diagnose. I've only been gluten-free for 7 months. When I got really clean in May, I noticed significant improvement within about 2 weeks. I just wanted to let you know that not everyone here was normal weight. I'm still poofy. I still have deficiences in iron and vitamin D, but it's getting better.

Perhaps your doctor can reach out to his network to find someone with better training for you. Have they put you on IV nutrition? If your GI tract is not absorping your nutrients and you are losing weight so rapidly, perhaps that will get you at least stabilized. Additionally, many GI problems will have more than one cause. For example, being gluten intolerant and lactose intolerant. You may be still irritating your gut and it's still inflammed.

Per living abroad, it's what you can get that will not be in a normal bloodwork panel. I don't know where you lived, but if you visited more of the exotic countries, you could have gotten something.

I found this website with disease names that are linked with GI/malabsorption. Open Original Shared Link It suggests several and lists out some bloodwork that can be done. I hope that some part of this might get you closer to at least getting stabilized.

frec · December 14, 2008

I've had trouble with malabsorption. Are you on probiotics? They help heal your intestines and help with diarrhea/constipation too if you're having it. Make sure they are dairy free. I assume you are off dairy? If your intestines haven't healed yet you can't digest it.

Vitamin D3 has helped me a lot. I get a B complex and magnesium shot every week or two as well. I was eating well, no diarrhea, but certain nutrients just weren't staying in. It's a vicious cycle. The nutrients won't absorb so you don't heal so they won't absorb.

Have you tried eating smaller, more frequent meals? Or try some really easy to digest protein smoothies? I use Almond Milk, rice protein powder, and fruit. It never upsets my digestion.

Most primary care type doctors don't know about nutrition. Can you find a dietician/nutritionist, or maybe a good naturopath?

It does take time. I don't know when you were diagnosed. My weight dropped for a few months after diagnosis but then got back up to normal. I was just too sick and too uninformed to find enough food for a while.

I hope you feel better soon.

ShayFL · December 14, 2008

I had this problem pre gluten-free and I was skinny too.....looking gaunt and skeletal....I hated it as I used to have curves. Since gluten-free I have gained a healthy 8 pounds. My eyelashes have grown back, my hair is thicker and my skin is a rosy pink instead of gray/yellow. I am absorbing now, but I also cut out ALL grains. That is what my body REALLY needed. NO GRAINS. They were preventing digestion in me. I am on basically SCD (www.pecanbread.com) diet. I dont follow it strictly, but I am GRAIN FREE. And I take digestive enzymes and supplemental HCL to aid digestion.

rumbles · December 14, 2008

Ms. Skinny Chic,

Do you have gastric reflux, periods of rapid heartbeat (especially at night) and/or

almost-daily (or nightly) allergies?

(Edited to give a full explanation as to why I'm asking this)

You mentioned parietal cells, which are the cells in the stomach that secrete intrinsic factor - which binds to vitamin B12 and makes it absorbable in the intestines (lack of

intrinsic factor causes the B12 deficiency that causes pernicious anemia), and secretes hydrochloric acid/HCL (the stomach acid that starts the breakdown of protein and activates pepsinogen, the Pepsin enzyme that is responsible for the next step in breaking down protein for digestion).

With pernicious anemia, due to either antibodies attacking the parietal cells of the stomach, or the parietal cells no longer making an adequate amount of intrinsic factor,

vitamin B12 is no longer absorbed in the intestinal tract. In order to absorb the B12 that

the body requires, people with pernicious anemia need to get their B12 through injection or by using a sublingual B12 tablet that is dissolved under the tongue and absorbed into the bloodstream in the mouth. Both methods are effective.

Hypochlorhydria (low stomach acid) is also common with pernicious anemia. It is estimated that 15% of the population has hypochlorhydria, but very few are aware, since it has the same major symptoms as acid reflux, and it is rare that doctors test for it. (The person being tested would swallow a capsule that has a miniature radio telemetry device in it that transmits information about the acid in the stomach to a device in a belt that the person wears during the test; it's known as a Heidelberg test, named after the machine used to receive the data. It takes a couple of hours to complete.) Some of the symptoms of low stomach acid are allergies, autoimmune diseases, constipation, heartburn, chronic fatigue, weak or splitting nails, rosacea, arthritis, thyroid disorders, asthma, gallbladder disease, gas, bloating, dry skin, night vision problems, hypoglycemia, diabetes, and a bunch more. Like celiac, there is no one set of symptoms, so it's often missed. It's estimated that 40% of the population at age 40 has this, and 50% of those at age 60.

Stomach acid is responsible for killing unwanted bacteria and yeast that enters the stomach, - lack of acid allows those to enter the intestinal tract, where they tend to flourish and cause problems of their own. Lack of stomach acid effects the release of certain pancreatic enzymes, which leads to additional issues. In addition, the stomach acid is needed for quite a few other vitamins and nutrients to be absorbed, including calcium and iron. In addition to vitamin deficiencies, low stomach acid also causes malabsorption of protein and carbohydrates.

Low stomach acid isn't only caused by pernicious anemia. Long term antacid/acid blocker use and taking NSAIDs, zinc and B1 deficiencies and histadine deficiency are associated with the condition, along with other medical conditions.

Low stomach acid can also lead to an increase in allergies. Sounds strange, but . . .

food enters the intestines in an undigested state, which shouldn't happen. That causes the release of histadine, which converts to histamine, which causes the allergy symptoms. If you have allergies and low stomach acid, you may find that the allergies lessen or resolve when you correct the low stomach acid problem.

If doctors don't test for it, how do you know if you have low stomach acid? There's a very simple test that can be done at home. (I found this on the net and tried it; not the best tasting, but it gave me the answer that I needed.) First thing in the morning, before eating or drinking anything, dissolve 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda in 8 ounces of water, and drink it, - then for the first five minutes, see if you let out a good healthy belch. Stop checking after five minutes as anything after that doesn't count. If you belch, you have adequate stomach acid; if you don't, you don't.

If you don't have enough stomach acid, there's a product in most health food stores to help: Betaine HCL with Pepsin. YOu would take it anytime and everytime that you eat protein. It comes in a couple of strengths -- start low and work up until you are digesting normally (going too high will create a slight burning sensation in the stomach, which Gaviscon, etc. will clear, - if that happens, back the amount down to just below that); be aware that if you start with a dose that's higher than your body is ready for, it could give you diarrhea until you back the dose down and gradually get use to it. Solaray (HCL with Pepsin) and NOW (Betaine HCl) are gluten free; Solaray has a 250mg version which is a good low dose to start with. Solaray and NOW both have 10 grain/648mg versions.

I hope this helps you! ~ And I hope it helps others reading this that think that may not really have acid reflux! (-That use to be me, - until it got to the point that there weren't enough purple pills in this world to control it, and I started searching for answers.)

rumbles

Ms. Skinny Chic · December 15, 2008

Ms. Skinny Chic,

Do you have gastric reflux, periods of rapid heartbeat (especially at night) and/or
almost-daily (or nightly) allergies?

(Edited to give a full explanation as to why I'm asking this)

You mentioned parietal cells, which are the cells in the stomach that secrete intrinsic factor - which binds to vitamin B12 and makes it absorbable in the intestines (lack of
intrinsic factor causes the B12 deficiency that causes pernicious anemia), and secretes hydrochloric acid/HCL (the stomach acid that starts the breakdown of protein and activates pepsinogen, the Pepsin enzyme that is responsible for the next step in breaking down protein for digestion).

With pernicious anemia, due to either antibodies attacking the parietal cells of the stomach, or the parietal cells no longer making an adequate amount of intrinsic factor,
vitamin B12 is no longer absorbed in the intestinal tract. In order to absorb the B12 that
the body requires, people with pernicious anemia need to get their B12 through injection or by using a sublingual B12 tablet that is dissolved under the tongue and absorbed into the bloodstream in the mouth. Both methods are effective.

Hypochlorhydria (low stomach acid) is also common with pernicious anemia. It is estimated that 15% of the population has hypochlorhydria, but very few are aware, since it has the same major symptoms as acid reflux, and it is rare that doctors test for it. (The person being tested would swallow a capsule that has a miniature radio telemetry device in it that transmits information about the acid in the stomach to a device in a belt that the person wears during the test; it's known as a Heidelberg test, named after the machine used to receive the data. It takes a couple of hours to complete.) Some of the symptoms of low stomach acid are allergies, autoimmune diseases, constipation, heartburn, chronic fatigue, weak or splitting nails, rosacea, arthritis, thyroid disorders, asthma, gallbladder disease, gas, bloating, dry skin, night vision problems, hypoglycemia, diabetes, and a bunch more. Like celiac, there is no one set of symptoms, so it's often missed. It's estimated that 40% of the population at age 40 has this, and 50% of those at age 60.

Stomach acid is responsible for killing unwanted bacteria and yeast that enters the stomach, - lack of acid allows those to enter the intestinal tract, where they tend to flourish and cause problems of their own. Lack of stomach acid effects the release of certain pancreatic enzymes, which leads to additional issues. In addition, the stomach acid is needed for quite a few other vitamins and nutrients to be absorbed, including calcium and iron. In addition to vitamin deficiencies, low stomach acid also causes malabsorption of protein and carbohydrates.

Low stomach acid isn't only caused by pernicious anemia. Long term antacid/acid blocker use and taking NSAIDs, zinc and B1 deficiencies and histadine deficiency are associated with the condition, along with other medical conditions.

Low stomach acid can also lead to an increase in allergies. Sounds strange, but . . .
food enters the intestines in an undigested state, which shouldn't happen. That causes the release of histadine, which converts to histamine, which causes the allergy symptoms. If you have allergies and low stomach acid, you may find that the allergies lessen or resolve when you correct the low stomach acid problem.

If doctors don't test for it, how do you know if you have low stomach acid? There's a very simple test that can be done at home. (I found this on the net and tried it; not the best tasting, but it gave me the answer that I needed.) First thing in the morning, before eating or drinking anything, dissolve 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda in 8 ounces of water, and drink it, - then for the first five minutes, see if you let out a good healthy belch. Stop checking after five minutes as anything after that doesn't count. If you belch, you have adequate stomach acid; if you don't, you don't.

If you don't have enough stomach acid, there's a product in most health food stores to help: Betaine HCL with Pepsin. YOu would take it anytime and everytime that you eat protein. It comes in a couple of strengths -- start low and work up until you are digesting normally (going too high will create a slight burning sensation in the stomach, which Gaviscon, etc. will clear, - if that happens, back the amount down to just below that); be aware that if you start with a dose that's higher than your body is ready for, it could give you diarrhea until you back the dose down and gradually get use to it. Solaray (HCL with Pepsin) and NOW (Betaine HCl) are gluten free; Solaray has a 250mg version which is a good low dose to start with. Solaray and NOW both have 10 grain/648mg versions.

I hope this helps you! ~ And I hope it helps others reading this that think that may not really have acid reflux! (-That use to be me, - until it got to the point that there weren't enough purple pills in this world to control it, and I started searching for answers.)

rumbles

Thanks for the advice..

Did low stomach acid cause you to lose weight?????

Ms. Skinny Chic · December 15, 2008

Ms. Skinny Chic,

Do you have gastric reflux, periods of rapid heartbeat (especially at night) and/or
almost-daily (or nightly) allergies?

(Edited to give a full explanation as to why I'm asking this)

You mentioned parietal cells, which are the cells in the stomach that secrete intrinsic factor - which binds to vitamin B12 and makes it absorbable in the intestines (lack of
intrinsic factor causes the B12 deficiency that causes pernicious anemia), and secretes hydrochloric acid/HCL (the stomach acid that starts the breakdown of protein and activates pepsinogen, the Pepsin enzyme that is responsible for the next step in breaking down protein for digestion).

With pernicious anemia, due to either antibodies attacking the parietal cells of the stomach, or the parietal cells no longer making an adequate amount of intrinsic factor,
vitamin B12 is no longer absorbed in the intestinal tract. In order to absorb the B12 that
the body requires, people with pernicious anemia need to get their B12 through injection or by using a sublingual B12 tablet that is dissolved under the tongue and absorbed into the bloodstream in the mouth. Both methods are effective.

Hypochlorhydria (low stomach acid) is also common with pernicious anemia. It is estimated that 15% of the population has hypochlorhydria, but very few are aware, since it has the same major symptoms as acid reflux, and it is rare that doctors test for it. (The person being tested would swallow a capsule that has a miniature radio telemetry device in it that transmits information about the acid in the stomach to a device in a belt that the person wears during the test; it's known as a Heidelberg test, named after the machine used to receive the data. It takes a couple of hours to complete.) Some of the symptoms of low stomach acid are allergies, autoimmune diseases, constipation, heartburn, chronic fatigue, weak or splitting nails, rosacea, arthritis, thyroid disorders, asthma, gallbladder disease, gas, bloating, dry skin, night vision problems, hypoglycemia, diabetes, and a bunch more. Like celiac, there is no one set of symptoms, so it's often missed. It's estimated that 40% of the population at age 40 has this, and 50% of those at age 60.

Stomach acid is responsible for killing unwanted bacteria and yeast that enters the stomach, - lack of acid allows those to enter the intestinal tract, where they tend to flourish and cause problems of their own. Lack of stomach acid effects the release of certain pancreatic enzymes, which leads to additional issues. In addition, the stomach acid is needed for quite a few other vitamins and nutrients to be absorbed, including calcium and iron. In addition to vitamin deficiencies, low stomach acid also causes malabsorption of protein and carbohydrates.

Low stomach acid isn't only caused by pernicious anemia. Long term antacid/acid blocker use and taking NSAIDs, zinc and B1 deficiencies and histadine deficiency are associated with the condition, along with other medical conditions.

Low stomach acid can also lead to an increase in allergies. Sounds strange, but . . .
food enters the intestines in an undigested state, which shouldn't happen. That causes the release of histadine, which converts to histamine, which causes the allergy symptoms. If you have allergies and low stomach acid, you may find that the allergies lessen or resolve when you correct the low stomach acid problem.

If doctors don't test for it, how do you know if you have low stomach acid? There's a very simple test that can be done at home. (I found this on the net and tried it; not the best tasting, but it gave me the answer that I needed.) First thing in the morning, before eating or drinking anything, dissolve 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda in 8 ounces of water, and drink it, - then for the first five minutes, see if you let out a good healthy belch. Stop checking after five minutes as anything after that doesn't count. If you belch, you have adequate stomach acid; if you don't, you don't.

If you don't have enough stomach acid, there's a product in most health food stores to help: Betaine HCL with Pepsin. YOu would take it anytime and everytime that you eat protein. It comes in a couple of strengths -- start low and work up until you are digesting normally (going too high will create a slight burning sensation in the stomach, which Gaviscon, etc. will clear, - if that happens, back the amount down to just below that); be aware that if you start with a dose that's higher than your body is ready for, it could give you diarrhea until you back the dose down and gradually get use to it. Solaray (HCL with Pepsin) and NOW (Betaine HCl) are gluten free; Solaray has a 250mg version which is a good low dose to start with. Solaray and NOW both have 10 grain/648mg versions.

I hope this helps you! ~ And I hope it helps others reading this that think that may not really have acid reflux! (-That use to be me, - until it got to the point that there weren't enough purple pills in this world to control it, and I started searching for answers.)

rumbles

Thanks for the advice..

Did low stomach acid cause you to lose weight?????

rumbles · December 16, 2008

In my case, no. I have a total imbalance of pancreatic enzymes that put me in the other category. Pancreatic enzyme imbalance is a by-product of low stomach acid (there are also other causes). The three enzymes that I'm referring to are amylase, lipase and protease.

Amylase digests carbohydrates and remnants of used white blood cells, normally converting them to glucose. It has an anti-inflammatory effect similar to anti-histimine. A deficiency can be related to strong reactions to insect bites, allergic stings, hives, psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis and herpes.

Protease is responsible for part of protein digestion (after being broken down by HCL and pepsin). Deficiency creates an excess alkaline level of blood, causing anxiety and insomnia, it is also foundational in calcium deficient diseases, arthritis and osteoporosis. Since protein converts to glucose when needed, inadequate protease digestion leads to hypoglycemia, and it's outcome of irritability, moodiness and mood swings. As bacteria, yeast organisms and viruses are protein based, a deficiency in protease tends to compromise the immune system.

Lipase hydrolyzes lipids such as triglycerides, breaking them down to fatty acids and glycerol. Deficiency is somewhat common in celiac disease, from what I've read. Depending on the imbalance to the other enzymes and other factors, deficiency can lead to increased triglycerides, increased cholesterol, heart disease, difficulty losing weight, and sugar in the urine without diabetes. Deficiency can cause muscle spasms, trigger points, malabsorption of vitamins A, D and E, and varicose veins. Lipase modulates (oversees, governs) cell permeability, so a deficiency decreases permeability (related to diabetes, chronic fatigue and nutritional problems). Those that have a lipase deficiency tend to have hypochlorhydria (low stomach acid).

In my case, due to a strong lipase deficiency (the other two enzymes aren't in balance either, but not to the degree of a lifelong lipase imbalance), I have great difficulty losing weight, though the HCL pills are starting to reverse this.

Please don't misunderstand and think that a pancreatic enzyme imbalance only causes people to gain or have difficulty losing weight; imbalance of these enzymes can also cause weight loss or failure to gain. (A genetic defect that causes an absence of lipase in newborns causes a failure to thrive, along with other life-threatening issues.)

These enzymes are part of what's currently being studied to try to find a celiac pill that may someday allow us to consume foods that contain gluten. (From what I've read, the focus seems to do with the permeability control of lipase, but they're way over my head.)

Unless you have an allergy to baking soda, the home test of drinking the baking soda

and water mixture should give you a quick answer as to if you have a problem with

low stomach acid or not, which may lead to other answers for you and your doctors.

(I gave a printout from the following link, which is where I got the baking soda test, plus a few others to my GP, who said he's copying it and giving it to his patients who keep insisting that they have acid reflux and want a prescription.)

Open Original Shared Link

Wishing you the best, and a speedy return to health!

rumbles

Ashley · December 16, 2008

Hi! Welcome Ms. Skinny Chic :]

I dealt with malabsorption from my diganosis date until after being gluten for a year and half. I really can't suggest anything but reinforce what everyone else has said. It's very difficult and takes time & patience to deal with. Hope the board proves useful.

Let me know if you need anything else. Take care,

-Ash.

mslee · December 16, 2008

rumbles thanks for the info. something definitely worth looking into.

Ms SkinnyChic hang in there, at month 3 I was going nuts, my food still bothered me even though I was very careful, everything I ate still made me sick...not like gluten a little different but still sick. I weighed as much as I did at 13 & everyone was getting worried I would keep loosing.

I am dealing with low B12 & really feeling the symptoms, I made an apt to go get my first B12 shot this week. Not sure if P.A. could be my issue, looking into it but most likely was just celiac. My GI did say there was some gastritis, I should get those labs & look into parietal cells.

....Now on month 6 and gaining weight & feeling stronger.....

I did cut out dairy with Gluten as instructed by my GI because yes, as mentioned above villi are damaged & cannot produce the enzyme to digest dairy.

(I started to wonder if this could be true for other enzymes because sugars & oils can be a problem for me we are still working on figuring that out)

Soy, MSG, Carrageen were obvious problems.

From there I went to an allergist, I showed allergic reactions to milk, corn, rice, soy, pork,pecans,cashew,apricots, peaches,onion,cabbage, celery,coconut,mustard,salmon, oysters, nutmeg, giner, olive,cucumber, turkey...there were plenty I did not react to but as you can see that's alot of foods making my body produce antibodies. And thats what we need to avoid.

So by limiting /rotating/cutting out the foods that bother me this is really starting to feel under control. After holiday travel I'm going on the GAPS/SCD diet I think that will be key in balancing my system. For now got some good quality multivitamins, calcium/D, magnesium we will see if they help.

Hang in there give it some more time, look for other problem foods.

Ms. Skinny Chic · December 16, 2008

rumbles thanks for the info. something definitely worth looking into.

Ms SkinnyChic hang in there, at month 3 I was going nuts, my food still bothered me even though I was very careful, everything I ate still made me sick...not like gluten a little different but still sick. I weighed as much as I did at 13 & everyone was getting worried I would keep loosing.

I am dealing with low B12 & really feeling the symptoms, I made an apt to go get my first B12 shot this week. Not sure if P.A. could be my issue, looking into it but most likely was just celiac. My GI did say there was some gastritis, I should get those labs & look into parietal cells.

....Now on month 6 and gaining weight & feeling stronger.....

I did cut out dairy with Gluten as instructed by my GI because yes, as mentioned above villi are damaged & cannot produce the enzyme to digest dairy.
(I started to wonder if this could be true for other enzymes because sugars & oils can be a problem for me we are still working on figuring that out)

Soy, MSG, Carrageen were obvious problems.

From there I went to an allergist, I showed allergic reactions to milk, corn, rice, soy, pork,pecans,cashew,apricots, peaches,onion,cabbage, celery,coconut,mustard,salmon, oysters, nutmeg, giner, olive,cucumber, turkey...there were plenty I did not react to but as you can see that's alot of foods making my body produce antibodies. And thats what we need to avoid.

So by limiting /rotating/cutting out the foods that bother me this is really starting to feel under control. After holiday travel I'm going on the GAPS/SCD diet I think that will be key in balancing my system. For now got some good quality multivitamins, calcium/D, magnesium we will see if they help.

Hang in there give it some more time, look for other problem foods.

Thank you for the advice..
I am worried about my body.........getting to the point, where I need parental nutrition..

Country Girl · December 17, 2008

The picture you posted of the boy, is (or was) my son. He looked like children you see in impoverished countries. At 2 he was diagnosed with failure to thrive and malabsorption. After 1 month of being on a strict gluten free diet, he start gaining weight. His physician has put him on prescription creon to assist with the weight gain. (do not use over the counter creon as it is unregulated you do not know what you are getting).

Ms. Skinny Chic · December 19, 2008

The picture you posted of the boy, is (or was) my son. He looked like children you see in impoverished countries. At 2 he was diagnosed with failure to thrive and malabsorption. After 1 month of being on a strict gluten free diet, he start gaining weight. His physician has put him on prescription creon to assist with the weight gain. (do not use over the counter creon as it is unregulated you do not know what you are getting).

Wow.. That might be something to discuss with my doctor... :P

I have never heard of creon...

How long did it take for your son to gain weight country girl???

freeway13 · December 20, 2008

Hi! I was diagnosed with Celiac's, mal-absorption, anemia, & ketonic-hypoglycemia early in the spring.

I had a gastic bypass 2 1/2 years ago and this has been my payback. Great.

I have finally figured out a lot about the gluten free diet.

But in August/September, my body shut down, my anemia got worse, my mal-absorption issues and hypoglycemia got worse. So, gaining weight isn't my issue. I am losing weight more and more the better I am about sticking to a gluten free diet. But my body is not going back to normal regarding the absorption issues and the other stuff.

So, I can appreciate the malabsorption issues. Keep taking vitamins, eat good yogurts, eat good meats, but still treat yourself. And follow up with your GI doctor and maybe an endocrinologist. They have a lot of knowledge.

Ms. Skinny Chic · December 28, 2008

Hi! I was diagnosed with Celiac's, mal-absorption, anemia, & ketonic-hypoglycemia early in the spring.

I had a gastic bypass 2 1/2 years ago and this has been my payback. Great. I have finally figured out a lot about the gluten free diet.

But in August/September, my body shut down, my anemia got worse, my mal-absorption issues and hypoglycemia got worse. So, gaining weight isn't my issue. I am losing weight more and more the better I am about sticking to a gluten free diet. But my body is not going back to normal regarding the absorption issues and the other stuff.

So, I can appreciate the malabsorption issues. Keep taking vitamins, eat good yogurts, eat good meats, but still treat yourself. And follow up with your GI doctor and maybe an endocrinologist. They have a lot of knowledge.

What vitamins did you take???

bakingbarb · December 29, 2008

Rumbles, omg you have described me to a T!

It seems near to impossible to find a Dr that understands Celiac much less the other issues. By my own research I am solving my own issues.

Do you have gastric reflux, periods of rapid heartbeat (especially at night) and/or

almost-daily (or nightly) allergies?

It is as though you know me!!!!

I just started on the sub-lingual B12 and my Dr put me on a super dose of D. I am feeling better but still some digestive issues which I don't expect anything to go away over night.

The one thing that has started to get better fast is the dry skin feeling. If I touched my forehead I would have to go look in the mirror to see if it was cracked and bleeding! My dry skin perception was out of control but since starting on the B12 and the D it was the first thing to feel better.

Funny thing though, the Dr did blood work for all kinds of things and the one thing she did tell me is I can't be Celiac cause it didn't show up in the food allergy test!!!! OH REALLY. I did mention that I didn't think that was how it works lol but I let it go because I really like her and she is treating the nutrition deficiencies that weren't being treated by any other Dr so far. It seems there are other things that need to be tested GI wise but one step at a time is good right now!

uote name='rumbles' date='Dec 13 2008, 06:19 PM' post='492548']