Are Gluten Intolerance And Celiac Disease The Same?

[Blenderly]

I am 33 years old and am gluten intolerant. I had been eating relatively gluten free for some time, and my blood test came back negative for celiac. I asked my doctor if my eating gluten free could have altered the results and she said yes. I requested a referral to a gastroenterologist because I have had chronic pain in my colon for 8 years. I've tried to get help for it, but because I don't have dramatic weight loss, the doctors don't believe it's anything but irritable bowel. I even had one doctor tell me I just had weak stomach muscles and needed to exercise more!

The specialist said that I definitely have a gluten intolerance and to stay away from gluten, but that I don't have celiac because of not having the weight loss. Does that make any sense? Is there a difference between gluten intolerance and celiac? I apologize for my ignorance, I've just been frustrated for a long time. When I do eat wheat I get bloated, cramps, diarrhea, sometimes a skin rash. It seems I'm allergic to almost everything under the sun. And I've been getting flu like symptoms that last for about 2 days at a time. When my doctor told me that it was irritable bowel and not celiac, I went back to eating wheat. The pain in my colon has become so intense that I can't sleep at night. When I cut out wheat it's not as bad, but the pain never goes away. Does anyone have any insight? I would really appreciate it! Thanks

[024Mandy]

I am 33 years old and am gluten intolerant. I had been eating relatively gluten free for some time, and my blood test came back negative for celiac. I asked my doctor if my eating gluten free could have altered the results and she said yes. I requested a referral to a gastroenterologist because I have had chronic pain in my colon for 8 years. I've tried to get help for it, but because I don't have dramatic weight loss, the doctors don't believe it's anything but irritable bowel. I even had one doctor tell me I just had weak stomach muscles and needed to exercise more!

The specialist said that I definitely have a gluten intolerance and to stay away from gluten, but that I don't have celiac because of not having the weight loss. Does that make any sense? Is there a difference between gluten intolerance and celiac? I apologize for my ignorance, I've just been frustrated for a long time. When I do eat wheat I get bloated, cramps, diarrhea, sometimes a skin rash. It seems I'm allergic to almost everything under the sun. And I've been getting flu like symptoms that last for about 2 days at a time. When my doctor told me that it was irritable bowel and not celiac, I went back to eating wheat. The pain in my colon has become so intense that I can't sleep at night. When I cut out wheat it's not as bad, but the pain never goes away. Does anyone have any insight? I would really appreciate it! Thanks

Hello,

you can be gluten intolerant and not have celiac. If you have an intolerance to gluten it will not cause damage to your intestines, just create symptoms (IBS). Your blood work will not be accurate because antibodies to gluten are only produced if you have celiac and are currently eating gluten. If you stop eating gluten your body stops producing the antibodies. Everyone with celiac has different symptoms, not every one has weight loss. In order for you gastro to diagnose celiac you have to be eating gluten. the biopsies from your small bowl can only be positive if you are eating gluten(the villi will be flatened). Most gastros have a rule about how long you have to be consuming gluten before they perfore a endoscopy to test for celiac disease(around 3 months). Don't accept IBS for a diagnosis untill you have had an endoscopy and colonoscopy to rule out other issues. Many diseases' can cause those symptoms you describe including: candida overgrowth, microscopic colitis, Lactose intolerance, other intolerances and allergies.

Good Luck

[curlyfries]

The jury is still out on that question. Some posters here are sure they are the same.....others are sure they are not......and still others don't know or care....the diet is the same either way.

Celiac's can be underweight OR overweight, so that has no bearing.

You said when you cut out wheat, the pain is not so bad, but doesn't totally go away. Are you only eliminating wheat? What about other gluten ingredients?

I used to feel pain in my colon, too....but no more. I know that sugar was at least partially if not completely responsible for this. BTW.....I don't know if I have celiac or gluten intolerance......do not wish to eat gluten ever again, not even for a diagnosis.

And your symptoms won't completely go away if you continue to be relatively gluten free.

If you get a rash from eating wheat, you could have it biopsied (not ON the rash, but the surrounding area) If it is dematitis herpetiformis, then you definitely have celiac.

[Blenderly]

Thanks for the info, gluten intolerance vs. celica, I really appreciate it. As for the grains, I've tried Spelt, Kamut, barley, rye, Oat flour etc...and they all give me the same symptoms. I am lactose intolerant and haven't had dairy in a very long time. I had to cut out Soy milk because it made me very sick as well. So...my diet is quite restrictive, gluten free, dairy free, soy free.....But, still have chronic pain. I am going for a colonoscopy in May, which I'm hoping will tell me something, at least I'll know where to go from there.

Thanks again and hope you are all doing well.....take care!

[nora-n]

Only 5% of newly diagnosed celiacs are under-weight, and 40% are over-weight or obese. The doctor has got it wrong.