Could I Have Celiac Disease Or Gluten Intolerance?

[Remenyke]

I did a report on Celiac disease for my health class and I've also check out a book on Celiac Disease by Peter H.R. Green, M.D.

I have several of the symptoms listed on both Mayoclinic and in the book. I, at first, thought that most of it was related to anemia. I have constant unexplained fatigue, frequent headaches that aren't relieved by any form of pain killers (Vicodin doesn't even work on me...how depressing is that?), Pain in my knees that shouldn't be there (I fall a lot, but really...it's not that bad. I'm only eighteen for goodness sake.), itchy red skin rashes on my inner arms. I don't have ecxema or dermatitis, but I do have Keratosis Polaris that leaves the skin on my arms and legs dry and rough. The skin on my hands, face, stomach and shins (not effected by my skin disorder) is also very rough and dry. I don't know if I need to find different lotion, but it's constant. I get bloated after I eat and I'm plagued by embarassing gas.

I recently read (and I don't know if this is true) that Raynauds Disease is autoimmune and my mother and I both suffer from that terribly and I'm also anemic (runs in my family). I have very pale skin that refuses to tan (not that I want it to...cancer's bad, mmk?). I was also diagnosed with depression two years ago.

So, I don't know if I'm just paranoid, but if someone could help me out, it would be super.

[Nancym]

It's possible. Gluten sensitivity in particular can cause a lot of those things. I don't know how effective a celiac blood panel would be, but you could get that done before going gluten free, providing you have insurance. If it is negative, you could get the Enterolab test done, which shows gluten sensitivity or you could simply try a gluten free diet for awhile. It might take awhile before you see relief. Some of my symptoms disappeared almost immediately (IBS, mental fog), others took months to go away (arthritis).

I'd suggest eating a very healthy diet after giving up gluten, I think too many people turn to gluten free junk food.

[sbj]

I agree with the previous poster - if you think it might be celiac then get to your doctor and have him/her run the celiac panel. That would be your starting point.

But just a quick thought or two . . . the headaches, dry skin, joint pain, even fatigue could all be due to lack of proper hydration so be sure to drink the correct amount of water each day. If you are taking something for your depression then it might very possibly be contributing to your fatigue - and remember that fatigue itself is a symptom of depression. Diet could also contribute to fatigue and/or gas so take a good look at your daily diet. Gas is a common issue for many people and it is normal and not unhealthy. Have you tried Gas-X or similar products? You might also try eliminating certain foods to see if that makes a difference. Dairy is a big gas producer for many people. The keratosis pilaris is very common so I don't think that it is related to celiac (going gluten free did not help my KP).

[Remenyke]

I agree with the previous poster - if you think it might be celiac then get to your doctor and have him/her run the celiac panel. That would be your starting point.

But just a quick thought or two . . . the headaches, dry skin, joint pain, even fatigue could all be due to lack of proper hydration so be sure to drink the correct amount of water each day. If you are taking something for your depression then it might very possibly be contributing to your fatigue - and remember that fatigue itself is a symptom of depression. Diet could also contribute to fatigue and/or gas so take a good look at your daily diet. Gas is a common issue for many people and it is normal and not unhealthy. Have you tried Gas-X or similar products? You might also try eliminating certain foods to see if that makes a difference. Dairy is a big gas producer for many people. The keratosis pilaris is very common so I don't think that it is related to celiac (going gluten free did not help my KP).

I do need to drink more water. But I've been plagued by these headaches for almost seven years now with no relief (arrrgg! I have many House moments 'Remy?' 'Idiot?' 'Drugs?' 'Please?') I've also read the if someone with Celiac or gluten sensitivity eats gluten, it also alters the chemicals in their brains and can cause depression, anxiety, rage and other complications. I'll try to hydrate more and get back to ya'll. Thank you!

More symptoms, people.

Short stature: My mom's shorter than I am, but we are really the only short members of our family other than my brother. The rest of my family are incredibly tall, neckbreakingly to look up at.

Inability to consentrate; I'm usually very good with this. I'm very much the 'Hermione Granger' type. I suppose it's called a 'fog'. I dunno.

[Remenyke]

I do need to drink more water. But I've been plagued by these headaches for almost seven years now with no relief (arrrgg! I have many House moments 'Remy?' 'Idiot?' 'Drugs?' 'Please?') I've also read the if someone with Celiac or gluten sensitivity eats gluten, it also alters the chemicals in their brains and can cause depression, anxiety, rage and other complications. I'll try to hydrate more and get back to ya'll. Thank you!

More symptoms, people.

Short stature: My mom's shorter than I am, but we are really the only short members of our family other than my brother. The rest of my family are incredibly tall, neckbreakingly to look up at.

Inability to consentrate; I'm usually very good with this. I'm very much the 'Hermione Granger' type. I suppose it's called a 'fog'. I dunno.

I had a biofeedback test and it said that I'm fully hydrated. There are a lot of imbalances, though, that the machine couldn't give me the reasons for. It detected the imabalances. Arrrggg Should I bother going to the doctor for the tests, or will I be wasting my time?

[Crayons574]

Have you gotten your thyroid and your hormones checked from an endocronologist to make sure everything is on tract?

As for the headaches.... have you tried taking fish oil and magnesium glycinate? These two are very helpful with migraines. Feel better