Wondering If Someone Here Can Help Me

[woolwhippet]

Hi all,

I have never been officially diagnosed as having celiac disease and the genetic test I had done showed that I was DQ4/DQ7. BUT if I eat gluten I get sick, so I don't eat it.

Last week I found myself in emergency with stomach pains. I wound up being kept over night and having loads of bloodwork and a ct scan.

There is something going on but the drs can't put their finger on it. I have low folate, elevated liver enzymes, and chronic diarrhea. i have been sick on and off for about two years and I had hoped that a strict gluten free diet would have solved all my problems.

My questions for you educated folks are: 1. anyone ever hear of something similar? and 2. could accidental gluten cause this? 3. can gluten cause other reactions beyond classical celiac disease?

Thanks very much.

Lenore

[mushroom]

Hi all,

I have never been officially diagnosed as having celiac disease and the genetic test I had done showed that I was DQ4/DQ7. BUT if I eat gluten I get sick, so I don't eat it.

Last week I found myself in emergency with stomach pains. I wound up being kept over night and having loads of bloodwork and a ct scan.

There is something going on but the drs can't put their finger on it. I have low folate, elevated liver enzymes, and chronic diarrhea. i have been sick on and off for about two years and I had hoped that a strict gluten free diet would have solved all my problems.

My questions for you educated folks are: 1. anyone ever hear of something similar? and 2. could accidental gluten cause this? 3. can gluten cause other reactions beyond classical celiac disease?

Thanks very much.

Lenore

Hi Lenore:

Many of us discover other food intolerances once we get rid of the gluten. Corn, soy, dairy, eggs, nuts, nightshades are common--it can run the whole gamut. Fortunately, most of us don't have all of them, but any are possible. Mostly we find out by eliminating what appear to be the worst offenders. It is a good idea to keep a food diary and symptom diary to see if you can identify the culprits. Sometimes, you have to go back to a basic diet and then add in foods one by one if you can't find any culprits.

Vitamin and mineral deficiencies are common because our guts have not been able to absorb nutrients properly. The common ones are B12, D, folate, magnesium, zinc, calcium. It would be a good idea to have all your levels checked if you have not already done so.

Others have reported problems with liver function also. They will probably post here for you.

Many of us find digestive enzymes and probiotics to be helpful supplements in healing our small intestine.

I don't know which tests you have had and what supplements you have been taking. Can you give us some more information and others may be able to help. I have just started B12 injections (can't do the sublinguals which most take) and folate--together with B complex--supplementation and it is making a big difference to me; I am 16 months gluten free with lingering symptoms.

I think it is unlikely that accidental gluten could be causing your symptoms unless it were something you were using on a constant basis, as in toiletries, cosmetics, pet food or some other unsuspected source of gluten such as contaminated toaster, cookware, etc.

Give us some more information and we will try to help.