Overweight With Celiac Disease...is It Possible?

[susie-q]

Hi everyone,

My doctor tells me I may have celiac disease. I always thought anyone with this would be underweight!

I have been having severe stomach cramps, indegestion and diahrea ( about 20 minutes after most meals), for the past couple of years. Before this started I was on steroids for Asthma. After a lifetime of dealing with Asthma, I suddenly found myself no longer needing the medication. I was so happy. But then things started happening with my stomach.

I have been trying to find out what is wrong for a while. After seeing a specialist who asked some questions (didn't run any test), I was diagnosed with Irriatable Bowel. So I started eating more fiber, less fat, doing the things I was told. It didn't make any difference! It got worse!

The thing is I keep gaining weight...I was heavy to begin with, but now I have gained an extra 60 pounds and I am morbidly obese. I honestly do not overeat...I don't know what is going on with my body.

I punched in these symptoms (along with dry itchy skin, swelling of the hands, and stiff joints) at an online medical diagnosis site (everything but the weight gain), and celiac disease came up. I stopped eating glutin for a few days. I couldn't believe it...my cramps and diarhea stopped. Could it be the ansewer? Why would I gain weight with this, shouldn't I be loosing it? Has anyone else got this problem?

Anyway, my doctor ordered bloodwork. I am waiting on the results.

[Kaycee]

Hi suzie-q. and welcome. Yes it is possible to have coeliac and be overweight, it is not as rare as doctors might think. I am one of them, and there are quite a lot of others on this forum as well, so you are not alone.

Cathy

[mef]

I definitely am!

I've lost about 60lbs since going gluten free.

Some part of it may be swelling (edema) which is causing fluid retention. I know that most of my weight loss came from the reduction in swelling.

Good luck!

[rinne]

I was overweight until I melted so yes it is possible to be heavy with celiac. The great news is that if this is the case once you cut gluten out you will likely lose weight.

Welcome.

[nora-n]

I am also one of them that were overweight and lost weight off gluten.

Open Original Shared Link

"Case 1

A 53 year old woman was referred to the gastroenterology department with an 18 month history of diarrhoea and a background of almost lifelong irregular bowel habit. She had always been overweight, and there had been no recent change. She weighed 131 kg (body mass index 47). Routine blood tests gave normal results apart from mild iron deficiency. She had a test for endomysial antibodies as part of her investigations, and the result was positive. Duodenal biopsies confirmed partial villous atrophy. A bone density (dual energy x ray absorptiometry) scan could not be done because of her weight.

She was put on a strict gluten-free diet and within four months had lost 17 kg. She continued to lose 6.5 kg over the next six months. Her diarrhoea resolved completely.

Case 2

A 51 year old woman was referred by her general practitioner with longstanding dyspepsia and reflux worsened by alcohol and bread. She had always been overweight but had recently noticed a large gain. She weighed 116 kg (body mass index 41) at referral. Results of routine blood tests were normal, other than a vitamin-B12 concentration of 139 (normal 163-490) pmol/l. A test for endomysial antibodies was positive. Duodenal histology confirmed partial villous atrophy, and a bone density scan showed no abnormality.

She was treated with a gluten-free diet and a proton pump inhibitor for her grade 3 reflux oesophagitis. Her weight remained unchanged at follow up, but her symptoms resolved completely.

Case 3

A 51 year old woman with a chronic leg ulcer attended the gastroenterology clinic after her general practitioner had picked up microcytic anaemia (haemoglobin 4.5 mmol/l, mean corpuscular volume 67.4 fl) after routine blood tests. She was asymptomatic and had no alteration in her bowel habit. She had a good dietary iron intake and the remainder of her medical history was non-contributory.

Examination showed no abnormality, although she was obese, weighing 103.7 kg (body mass index 42). Endoscopy showed an abnormal looking duodenal mucosa with scalloped folds suggestive of villous atrophy, and this was confirmed by biopsy. Her anaemia resolved with a gluten-free diet and iron supplements. Her weight increased to 107 kg (body mass index 44).

Case 4

A 36 year old woman was referred because of fatigue, bloating, and an irregular bowel habit. She was passing loose stools up to four times a day. She denied any weight loss and weighed 111 kg (body mass index 38). All of her routine blood tests gave normal results, but on further questioning it became apparent that her father had recently had coeliac disease diagnosed. An endomysial antibody test was therefore ordered. The result was positive, and subsequent duodenal histology confirmed subtotal villous atrophy. She was treated with a gluten-free diet and her symptoms resolved.

"

Open Original Shared Link only 5% were underweight, and 39% were overweight

Open Original Shared Link a third were obese

nora

[emcmaster]

It's definitely possible. I gained 25 lbs in about 6 months when I was really sick and then promptly lost it all when I went gluten-free. (I've since gained some back since discovering some Ben & Jerry's is gluten-free... oops!)

I think Celiac makes it harder to maintain a healthy weight, whether it is gaining too much or losing too much.

[jerseyangel]

I've never been underweight, but I lost weight before I was diagnosed--for about a year for no "apparent reason". Once on the diet, I gained 10 pounds in two months.

I held steady for quite a while before gaining again.....in my case, I'm sure it's the gluten-free breads and other baked goods. I finally got the hang of gluten-free baking

[angieInCA]

I have battled weight gain for the past 10 years. It came on slowly at first and then over the past 5 years I have put on close to 60 lbs. I have always had a very healthy diet and very active so the weight gain never made sense and nothing I did made a differance. My first Dr. told me I couldn't have celiac disease because I was over weight.

My new Dr. told me that was an "Old Wives Tale" and that there are probably more people who have celiac disease that are over weight and not getting proper testing and treatment because of that. My new Dr. told me the very first patient he ever diagosed weighed 302lb. So, yes, you can be over weight and have celiac disease.

Since going Gluten Free I have lost about 5lbs. but the biggest differance is the bloated look. My face, hands and the rest of my body has lost that "would explode if pricked with a pin" look. I am looking forward to slowly losing the weight in a very healthy manner.

[Judyin Philly]

welcome.

i knew Scott have a couple of articles about this on the fourm but did a google search and alot came up.

hope some of these help

The first one is written but Scott i think but i just gave it a quick glance,

I'm one of the ones who has been overweight all my life and the only time i've been able to lose and keep it off is on the gluten-free diet.

good luck

judy

[veggienft]

[url=https://www.celiac.com/celiac-disease/celiac-disease-and-obesity%E2%80%94there-is-a-connection-r1019/ Celiac Disease and Obesity

[mamaesq]

I was...I was diagnosed on 10/2/08. I weighed 163 lbs (I am 5'2". I went gluten free, and today I'm 143, and I'm still losing. I went on a shopping spree the day after Christmas for new clothes and they are already loose. I eat like a little piggy too! I feel better than I ever have!!

You mention that you are asthmatic- me too. My pulmonary function tests improved once I went gluten free. I don't know if that's directly related to the gluten free diet, because I also switched to Advair 500/50 at the same time (but I wasn't that great about taking it...)

[bakingbarb]

you pretty much summed me up! Underweight and weight loss, nope not me! The asthma too, it went away when gluten did. When I ate it felt like my stomach was pressing into my lungs and I couldn't breathe, if I tried to work out I felt like I was going to pass out because I wasn't breathing!

I too listened to my stomach and you guessed it, here we are! I tell people always listen to yourself.

My Dr told me everyone is different but that in my case calories are easy to absorb! Gosh I couldn't tell! LOL

There is a term for not so typical but not uncommon symptoms.

Hi everyone,

My doctor tells me I may have celiac disease. I always thought anyone with this would be underweight!

I have been having severe stomach cramps, indegestion and diahrea ( about 20 minutes after most meals), for the past couple of years. Before this started I was on steroids for Asthma. After a lifetime of dealing with Asthma, I suddenly found myself no longer needing the medication. I was so happy. But then things started happening with my stomach.

I have been trying to find out what is wrong for a while. After seeing a specialist who asked some questions (didn't run any test), I was diagnosed with Irriatable Bowel. So I started eating more fiber, less fat, doing the things I was told. It didn't make any difference! It got worse!

The thing is I keep gaining weight...I was heavy to begin with, but now I have gained an extra 60 pounds and I am morbidly obese. I honestly do not overeat...I don't know what is going on with my body.

I punched in these symptoms (along with dry itchy skin, swelling of the hands, and stiff joints) at an online medical diagnosis site (everything but the weight gain), and celiac disease came up. I stopped eating glutin for a few days. I couldn't believe it...my cramps and diarhea stopped. Could it be the ansewer? Why would I gain weight with this, shouldn't I be loosing it? Has anyone else got this problem?

Anyway, my doctor ordered bloodwork. I am waiting on the results.

[susie-q]

While reading the responses to my post I actually found myself in tears.

I am so relieved to be finally finding some answers! I have struggled with obesity for so long. I've always felt so judged by others...they must think I'm a pig who never stops eating. I've even resorted to starving myself, until I could no longer take it. This resulted in Bulimia (recovered now)...but very little weight lose. I've always felt like such a loser when it came to control over my body. For me it was always starve or be gaining weight...never could I eat like others, To know that my weight issues may be directly linked to my bodies reaction to gluten is such a relief.

It's good to know there are so many others out there who have had such positive results from taking gluten out of their diets. I know I can't believe how much better I feel since giving it up.

[knowurgluten]

Hi everyone,

My doctor tells me I may have celiac disease. I always thought anyone with this would be underweight!

I have been having severe stomach cramps, indegestion and diahrea ( about 20 minutes after most meals), for the past couple of years. Before this started I was on steroids for Asthma. After a lifetime of dealing with Asthma, I suddenly found myself no longer needing the medication. I was so happy. But then things started happening with my stomach.

I have been trying to find out what is wrong for a while. After seeing a specialist who asked some questions (didn't run any test), I was diagnosed with Irriatable Bowel. So I started eating more fiber, less fat, doing the things I was told. It didn't make any difference! It got worse!

The thing is I keep gaining weight...I was heavy to begin with, but now I have gained an extra 60 pounds and I am morbidly obese. I honestly do not overeat...I don't know what is going on with my body.

I punched in these symptoms (along with dry itchy skin, swelling of the hands, and stiff joints) at an online medical diagnosis site (everything but the weight gain), and celiac disease came up. I stopped eating glutin for a few days. I couldn't believe it...my cramps and diarhea stopped. Could it be the ansewer? Why would I gain weight with this, shouldn't I be loosing it? Has anyone else got this problem?

Anyway, my doctor ordered bloodwork. I am waiting on the results.

I have celiac. Was diagnosed years ago. The doctor didn't believe it because I was overweight. I was size 16 and now size 6. I avoided gluten and started a special stomach supplement pack that was recommended by tons of people. The enzymes got rid of all bloating and I began losing weight.

[curiousgeorge]

Oh gee, I am 5'5" and I was 168 lbs at dx and I am now 182. I eat really healthy and exercise too. I have had two gluten-free cookies this month so definately not from sweets and eating calorie pack gluten-free goodies. Sigh. I wish I could say I lost but alas nope!

[knowurgluten]

Oh gee, I am 5'5" and I was 168 lbs at dx and I am now 182. I eat really healthy and exercise too. I have had two gluten-free cookies this month so definately not from sweets and eating calorie pack gluten-free goodies. Sigh. I wish I could say I lost but alas nope!

Yeah...you probably need to get your gut healthy with some probiotics and digestive enzymes.

[ang1e0251]

I don't know about that. I haven't tried the probiotics although I'd like to. A lot of people say they work.

With me, I'm the heaviest I've ever been. I think when the celiacs kicked in years ago was when I could no longer control my weight. Of course no dr ever suggested celiac no matter what my symptoms were. Last year when I started the gluten-free diet, I was eating very simply. Slowly I began to lose weight. Later I started learning to eat & cook with the alternate flours. I think that was my big mistake. I stopped losing and have even gained a little. I recently put all that together. Those flours really don't sit very well with me.

I have stopped eating most of them and I starting to slowly lose again, Yea!!! I'm eating as much as I want, not changing my physical habits and have been vegging a lot in the cold winter weather. I'm very pleased it's coming off despite that and I feel better again.

So watch what you eat and if a food doesn't seem to coincide with weight loss, set it aside for a bit until you are the size you choose to be.

Good luck and keep us posted on your successes!

[mimommy]

Not only is it possible to be overweight and have celiac, it may delay your diagnosis as many medical practitioners are following a protocol that is limited by symptoms such as weight loss. My eight year old daughter was unable to get an official diagnosis because she was overweight and did not fit the "typical" patient. Even after her blood work showed celiac, the pediatric GI was still not convinced and told us not to change her diet lest we eliminate other ingredients. Good advice if you DON"T test positive on your celiac panel--horrible advice if you have and are suffering. As it turns out, her biopsy was positive and I have had her on a gluten free diet for about six months. Her weight has not changed at all.

[ang1e0251]

Not only is it possible to be overweight and have celiac, it may delay your diagnosis as many medical practitioners are following a protocol that is limited by symptoms such as weight loss. My eight year old daughter was unable to get an official diagnosis because she was overweight and did not fit the "typical" patient. Even after her blood work showed celiac, the pediatric GI was still not convinced and told us not to change her diet lest we eliminate other ingredients. Good advice if you DON"T test positive on your celiac panel--horrible advice if you have and are suffering. As it turns out, her biopsy was positive and I have had her on a gluten free diet for about six months. Her weight has not changed at all.

I would say you may not want her to lose weight. As a child mightn't it be better if she didn't gain and just grew into her current weight? I always feel it's hard for a young child to lose weight in a healthy way. I am no expert, just a Mom.

[mimommy]

I would say you may not want her to lose weight. As a child mightn't it be better if she didn't gain and just grew into her current weight? I always feel it's hard for a young child to lose weight in a healthy way. I am no expert, just a Mom.

I totally agree and am shocked and appalled at the crass insensitivity by her doctors for even mentioning it in front of her--the last thing a sick child needs to hear is that she's overweight! Especially when she eats better than most ADULTS. I have argued with her peds. about this more than once, and am most upset that there is now a seed planted in her psyche about it. I think I may start a different thread on this because SO MANY celiacs are misdiagnosed or delayed diagnosis because of their weight.