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

Undiagnosed Celiac On Gluten-free Diet

bchrisc

Recommended Posts

bchrisc Newbie
bchrisc
Posted

Hello. My mom was diagnosed with Celiac Disease two years ago and has been on a gluten-free diet ever since. I joined her on the diet about a year ago, because of chronic stomach troubles and severe depression. I was never formally diagnosed and, while my stomach troubles seem to have gone away, I still am experiencing severe depression. Should I leave the diet and go through the formal testing process? Or is the cessation of my stomach issues a sign that I am, indeed, a Celiac? Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I also hope this is the right forum for my question.

Thanks!

Brian

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


mushroom Proficient
mushroom
Posted
Hello. My mom was diagnosed with Celiac Disease two years ago and has been on a gluten-free diet ever since. I joined her on the diet about a year ago, because of chronic stomach troubles and severe depression. I was never formally diagnosed and, while my stomach troubles seem to have gone away, I still am experiencing severe depression. Should I leave the diet and go through the formal testing process? Or is the cessation of my stomach issues a sign that I am, indeed, a Celiac? Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I also hope this is the right forum for my question.

Thanks!

Brian

Hi Brian, and welcome.

The disappearance of your symptoms would seem to implicate gluten as the culprit for your stomach troubles, whether gluten intolerance or celiac. Could the depression be a separate issue for you, or did the two seem to go hand in hand for you, if you remember?

bchrisc Newbie
bchrisc
Posted
  • Author
Hi Brian, and welcome.

The disappearance of your symptoms would seem to implicate gluten as the culprit for your stomach troubles, whether gluten intolerance or celiac. Could the depression be a separate issue for you, or did the two seem to go hand in hand for you, if you remember?

I think you may be right. The stomach troubles were around for most of my life, whereas the depression is relatively (past 5-6 years) recent. I just got a full blood panel done, and am hoping it's just something that hasn't quite caught up yet. Thanks so much for the quick response. It means a lot to me. :-)

-Brian

Jestgar Rising Star
Jestgar
Posted

It seems to me, if you feel better not eating gluten, then there's no point in getting a formal diagnosis. Your diet is entirely up to you.

gfb1 Rookie
gfb1
Posted
I think you may be right. The stomach troubles were around for most of my life, whereas the depression is relatively (past 5-6 years) recent. I just got a full blood panel done, and am hoping it's just something that hasn't quite caught up yet. Thanks so much for the quick response. It means a lot to me. :-)

-Brian

if you've been gluten-free for a year, and your 'blood panel' is looking for celiac markers... then don't be surprised if the tests are negative. after one year; the celiac panel of tests would definitely be negative EVEN IF YOU ARE A CELIAC.

as for depression; that's one of the worst (and insidious) problems a person can have. get to your primary care doc and talk about it; get some decent meds. the meds these days are MUCH better than the old -- here's some valium -- scripts from my youth. it may take a while to get the proper med and proper dosage; BUT, your quality of life will be much improved. if you don't like the idea of taking pills/meds, then go talk to somebody -- ask around for a reference for a decent psychologist. there isn't the stigma that there used to be; and some are VERY good... to badly mangle robert.zimmerman 'it may be your preacher and it may be your doc; but, you gotta talk to somebody...'

i echo jestgar's comments... if you feel better being gluten free; just do it. while noone i know has done a formal analysis; being gluten free has other added benefits. being an analretentivescientisttype, i have years of dietary intake spreadsheets from my wife's gluten-free diet. in general, her diet is slightly higher in protein (more eggs for breakfast, legumes 2xweek), higher in fiber (legumes, oatmeal, rice bran and more fresh veggies) and, strangely enough, lower in fat. overall its about 10-15% lower in calories than our previous diet -- its not just replacing the gluten; but the associated awareness and behavioural changes that have accompanied it.

gfb1 Rookie
gfb1
Posted

from my mouth to gods ears...

:)

Open Original Shared Link

check it out.

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):


  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      131,561
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    lamps
    Newest Member
    lamps
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.4k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):


  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • petitojou
      How long does it take to gain weight?

      By petitojou · Posted

      Thank you so much for sharing your experience and I found myself giggling with happiness as I read how your body reached such spring! And I hope that your current journey is also successful!! Definitely starting the food diary! So many amazing advices. And it’s very scary. It really hits all our soft spots as well as our confidence system. Most doctors I went thought I was underage despite being in my late 20s. Right now I look like am I twelve, but is also this body that’s taking so much, so I might as well love it too! Going to make the necessary changes and stay in this path. Thank you again! 🫶
    • petitojou
      How long does it take to gain weight?

      By petitojou · Posted

      Thank you so much for the information and kind message! Reading this transformed how I’ve been viewing my efforts and progress. Guess there’s still a lot to celebrate and also heal 😌  Yes, I’ve been taking it! Just recently started taking a multivitamin supplement and separated vitamin D! I also took chewable Iron polymaltose for ferritin deficiency 2 months ago but was unable to absorb any of it.  Thank you again! Hearing such gentle words from the community makes my body and heart more patient and excited for the future. 
    • ckeyser88
      Roommate search

      By ckeyser88 · Posted

      I am looking for a roomie in Chicago, Denver or Nashville! 
    • Scott Adams
      Taken Seriously

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      Your post demonstrates the profound frustration and isolation that so many in the Celiac community feel, and I want to thank you for channeling that experience into advocacy. The medical gaslighting you endured for decades is an unacceptable and, sadly, a common story, and the fact that you now have to "school" your own GI specialist speaks volumes about the critical lack of consistent and updated education. Your idea to make Celiac Disease a reportable condition to public health authorities is a compelling and strategic one. This single action would force the system to formally acknowledge the prevalence and seriousness of the disease, creating a concrete dataset that could drive better research funding, shape medical school curricula, and validate the patient experience in a way that individual stories alone often cannot. It is an uphill battle, but contacting representatives, as you have done with Adam Gray, is exactly how change begins. By framing it as a public health necessity—a matter of patient safety and protection from misdiagnosis and neglect—you are building a powerful case. Your voice and your perseverance, forged through thirty years of struggle, are exactly what this community needs to ensure that no one else has to fight so hard just to be believed and properly cared for.
    • Scott Adams
      Looking for a gluten-free roomie in Denver CO

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      I had no idea there is a "Louisville" in Colorado!😉 I thought it was a typo because I always think of the Kentucky city--but 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.