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

Do You Always Have To Be Underweight With Celiac Disease?

Jamie

By Jamie
in Related Issues & Disorders

Recommended Posts

Jamie Contributor
Jamie
Posted

I am 4'10'' and 1/4 I am about 104 lbs... I am average weight... I look healthy. I do have a big butt and a little gut that I am constantly trying to lose... but weight loss for me has always been very hard for me.... After I was diagnosed... (Last Tuesday by the way)... I read up that many people lose a lot of weight are are usually very skinny and malnurished by the time of their diagnosis. I eat about 1700 calories a day to sustain my heavy work outs and I am at a healthy weight... body fat 19.5 and a BMI of 21.... The only indication that I had celiac disease was through a blood test I had. Should I get an endoscopy just to be sure before I make this life change?

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


Lisa Mentor
Lisa
Posted

Hi Jamie and Welcome to the Club!

BTW, can I have some of your butt please. :D My stomach is bigger than my bottom. If you turned my torso around, I'd have a pretty good figure. :P

Yes, those with malabsorption issue can be thin, but not always. Some can be overweight and still have malabsorption issues.

Curious though, what made you test for Celiac? Some members here are silent Celiacs and have no symptoms. An endoscopy exam can also serve as confirmation as well as look for damage. This might be important, especially if you are a silent Celiac.

MELINE Enthusiast
MELINE
Posted
BTW, can I have some of your butt please. :D My stomach is bigger than my bottom. If you turned my torso around, I'd have a pretty good figure. :P

lol.... :D :D :D

Jamie Contributor
Jamie
Posted
  • Author
Hi Jamie and Welcome to the Club!

BTW, can I have some of your butt please. :D My stomach is bigger than my bottom. If you turned my torso around, I'd have a pretty good figure. :P

Yes, those with malabsorption issue can be thin, but not always. Some can be overweight and still have malabsorption issues.

Curious though, what made you test for Celiac? Some members here are silent Celiacs and have no symptoms. An endoscopy exam can also serve as confirmation as well as look for damage. This might be important, especially if you are a silent Celiac.

I have been having bad stomach problems since last January... I am a hypoglycemic, I have hypothyroidism and I get terrible migranes... so I see a neurologist, an endocrinologist and a gastro.... No one could figure out what the stomach pains linked to. I would up in the emergency room last January.. had a bunch of tests done.. they found nothing. I had a colonoscopy.. nothing.. Small bowel series.. nothing.. Blood work.. nothing. .. Cat scan.. nothing. regaurdless of nothing showing up.. every 3-4 months I would have these random attacks.. it would last about 7 hours and would be so bad it would wake me from my sleep.. I couldnt go to work... I would have to curl in a ball.. I would cry from the pain. On regular days I just have chronic constipation, gas and bloating. I finally found a new doctor.. an internist.. I gave him all the files from all the doctors I've been seeing, he gave me blood work and he said my antibodies were high to gluten. I've been on this diet fully since Wed. I don't feel any different. I have so many questions. He told me the results over the phone in 1 minute... but its a life change. I need more details.. I have more questions.. and I want to get the endoscopy.. just to see.. just to make sure this is def it.

dandelionmom Enthusiast
dandelionmom
Posted

I was overweight when I was diagnosed.

Jamie Contributor
Jamie
Posted
  • Author
I was overweight when I was diagnosed.

Now that you are on the diet... have you lost weight, gained? still the same?

mushroom Proficient
mushroom
Posted

Hi Jamie: I was overweight when I diagnosed myself a year ago; have lost 44 lbs.

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


  • 1 month later...
nw0528 Apprentice
nw0528
Posted

I love the question for this thread of comments. Apparently the first GI I went to subscribes to this thought - that someone with Celiac MUST be underweight.

I went to see him a few weeks ago. I explained my symptoms (oily stools, frequent bowel movements, severe urgency to "go" within 15 min. after most meals) and he said, "You have IBS, take 1 Immodium every day and if that doesn't work, take 2 Immodium every day." I've had IBS for 24 years (I'm only 35) and I kept telling him that my symptoms are totally different from the IBS symtoms I've had in the past, especially the fact that I had never had oily stools before. (I've had no symptoms of IBS in over three years, then this past summer I started with my current symptoms.) Anyhow, at the end of our appt., the GI looked at me and said, "Well by looking at you I can tell that clearly you aren't sick." I was so PISSED! (The last time he saw me was in 2002 and I weighed 135 pounds. I'm 5'8". Since then, I became pregnant in 2006 I weighed about 145. Then, I was on bedrest for FOUR MONTHS, and at the end of my pregnancy I weighed 245 pounds! My son is now two years old. I'm now at 175 pounds. Sure I've still got a ways to go, but still...) This GI just took one look at me and made his own mind up. I guess to him you must be skinny to have Celiac! Hmm...I'm considering sending him an informative letter once all my results are back. (I've since switched to a different GI.)

Anyhow, the question you posed made me chuckle, since a trained MD apparently thinks it is true!

Nicole

mushroom Proficient
mushroom
Posted
Anyhow, at the end of our appt., the GI looked at me and said, "Well by looking at you I can tell that clearly you aren't sick."

How typical! My PCP responded much the same way when I was complaining that I had trouble digesting food. She said, "Well, clearly, digestion iS taking place." :wacko:

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. trents
      - trents commented on Jefferson Adams's article in Other Diseases and Disorders Associated with Celiac Disease
      4

      Celiac Disease Patients Face Higher Risk of Systemic Lupus

      Welcome to celiac.com, @Sheila G.! Was the blood test you had done designed to check for food allergies/sensitivities in general or are you referring to the blood testing that is done specifically for celiac disease? Have you been diagnosed with celiac disease? You don't say so but just wondering 'cause you are posting on a forum dedicated to that...
    2. EndlessSummer
      - EndlessSummer posted a topic in Food Intolerance & Leaky Gut
      0

      Dizziness after eating green beans?

      I only notice recently every time I eat green beans the roof of my mouth gets slightly itchy and I get extreme dizziness. I get shaky and sweaty and it last for an hour or two before it goes away. I’ve been allergy tested in the past for food allergens only two came back positive (both in the tree-nut family) nothing in the legumes. (I d...
    3. Sheila G.
      - Sheila G. commented on Jefferson Adams's article in Other Diseases and Disorders Associated with Celiac Disease
      4

      Celiac Disease Patients Face Higher Risk of Systemic Lupus

      I am 65 years old. I started having allergies to certain foods when I got the covid. I started feeling sick from food intake. I got tested with a blood test, and the first thing I was told was to stop eating red meat. Why is that? I'm eating turkey or chicken and get beloted no matter which I eat daily. I stay away from bread and am trying to eat fresh...
    4. ShariW
      - ShariW replied to xxnonamexx's topic in Post Diagnosis, Recovery & Treatment of Celiac Disease
      2

      My journey is it gluten or fiber?

      I have found that in addition to gluten, I am sensitive to inulin/chicory root fiber. I wondered why I had gastrointestinal symptoms after drinking a Chobani yogurt drink - much like being glutened. Happened at least twice before I figured out that it was that chicory root fiber additive. I do not react to ordinary dairy, yogurt, etc. For the holidays...
    5. Scott Adams
      - Scott Adams replied to xxnonamexx's topic in Post Diagnosis, Recovery & Treatment of Celiac Disease
      2

      My journey is it gluten or fiber?

      It's great to hear that your gluten-free journey has been going well overall, and it's smart to be a detective when a reaction occurs. Distinguishing between a gluten cross-contamination issue and a reaction to high fiber can be tricky, as symptoms can sometimes overlap. The sudden, intense, food poisoning-like hour you experienced does sound more consistent...
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):

  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      132,689
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    EndlessSummer
    Newest Member
    EndlessSummer
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.5k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):

  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • EndlessSummer
      Dizziness after eating green beans?

      By EndlessSummer · Posted

      I only notice recently every time I eat green beans the roof of my mouth gets slightly itchy and I get extreme dizziness.     I get shaky and sweaty and it last for an hour or two before it goes away. I’ve been allergy tested in the past for food allergens only two came back positive (both in the tree-nut family) nothing in the legumes.   (I do have a celiac disease diagnosis, the reason I was food allergy tested was because I ate a walnut and my lips swelled up)  I decided to test this out to be sure so I ate a couple of cooked green beans last night within 15 minutes I was spinning, my shirt drenched in sweat. My heart racing.   I’m not sure what this is, I do have issues with others vegetables  as my stomach doesn’t seem to tolerate them. Even when they’re cooked I just can’t digest them but they never made me as dizzy and sweaty as the green beans.    anyone else experience this?
    • ShariW
      My journey is it gluten or fiber?

      By ShariW · Posted

      I have found that in addition to gluten, I am sensitive to inulin/chicory root fiber. I wondered why I had gastrointestinal symptoms after drinking a Chobani yogurt drink - much like being glutened. Happened at least twice before I figured out that it was that chicory root fiber additive. I do not react to ordinary dairy, yogurt, etc.  For the holidays, I will only be baking gluten-free treats. I got rid of all gluten-containing flours, mixes and pastas in my kitchen. Much easier to avoid cross-contamination that way!
    • Scott Adams
      My journey is it gluten or fiber?

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      It's great to hear that your gluten-free journey has been going well overall, and it's smart to be a detective when a reaction occurs. Distinguishing between a gluten cross-contamination issue and a reaction to high fiber can be tricky, as symptoms can sometimes overlap. The sudden, intense, food poisoning-like hour you experienced does sound more consistent with a specific intolerance or contamination, as a high-fiber reaction typically involves more digestive discomfort like bloating or gas that lasts longer. Since the protein bar was the only new variable, it’s a strong suspect; it's worth checking if it contains ingredients like sugar alcohols (e.g., maltitol, sorbitol) or certain fibers (inulin/chicory root) that are notorious for causing acute digestive upset, even in gluten-free products. For your holiday baking, your plan is solid: bake the gluten-free items first, use entirely separate utensils and pans (not just washed), and consider color-coding tools to avoid mix-ups. Additionally, store your gluten-free flours and ingredients well away from any airborne wheat flour, which can stay in the air for hours and settle on surfaces. Keep listening to your body and introducing new packaged foods one at a time—it’s the best way to navigate and pinpoint triggers on your journey.
    • Scott Adams
      Today Dec15 2025

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      thanks for sharing!
    • Scott Adams
      Disaccharide deficient, confusing biopsy results, no blood test

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      Let us know how things turn out--good luck!
×
×
  • 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.