Strange Newbie Question

[JEHS]

My first post and I have a really strange question. I was diagnosed 4 weeks ago and went gluten free at that time. I have been diligent about sticking to the diet. One thing I noticed after about a week was I developed a craving for milk, which I never drank before. I can't get enough milk. If I let myself I could probably drink a gallon a day. Is this type of change a normal thing? Just really curious because I find it so strange. BTW, I am 45.

Thanks for any insight

JEHS

[frecOregon]

I have two thoughts. Are you improving? A lot of celiacs don't tolerate dairy because of the intestinal damage--that is where the enzyme for digesting dairy is secreted. Some celiacs regain the ability to digest dairy after they heal and some don't. Some--hopefully you--never have a problem.

My other thought is that most celiacs are very low on calcium. You haven't been absorbing nutrients very well for a while. It is pretty standard for newly diagnosed celiacs of any age to be referred for a bone density test, just to see how things are. We are at higher risk for osteoporosis. The DEXA scans are easy and not scary at all. You should ask your doctor. Perhaps your body "knows" this and is trying to compensate by drinking a lot of milk? (I crave nuts and beans all the time--still not sure why.)

Hopefully when you were diagnosed your doctor gave you a lot of blood tests to check on your nutrition. You might think about taking some sort of calcium/magnesium supplement (gluten-free, and there is lots of info about choices on this forum--just google it on the forum) and it is a very good idea to take vitamin D3. It helps absorb calcium and many people, especially in northern latitudes and most celiacs, are low on it. It helps your immune system too.

Welcome to the forum!

[JEHS]

Thanks frecOregon. One thing I might add is that it has to be lactose free milk, still can't handle lactose. And yes, I feel a lot better. My physical and mental energy levels have shot through the roof.

[Jestgar]

And yes, I feel a lot better. My physical and mental energy levels have shot through the roof.

Cool, isn't it?

[AWonderTree]

This reminds me of a story I heard about a person craving salty potato chips, I think it was. It turned out that the person was low on sodium (or whatever was in the food the person craved).