Weight Issues

[prisca]

Just started using this site and learning how to use it. I just posted a poll about weight issues in celiac disease. I didn't think I had celiac because even though I have most of the symptoms (also Sjogren's, Renaud's, diabetes, arthritis, loss of hair, and skin disorders, as well as severe vaginal dryness resulting in embarrassing, painful, external rash with swelling [urticaria]- which has also vanished with diet- and what seemed to be herpes lesions for which my primary doctor prescribed acylovir- didn't help;eventually biopsied positive for lichen planus) I am seriously overweight. This did not seem consistent with celiac, but my endocrinologist said that since going gluten free my severe diabetes has almost normalized and the gas, bloating and irritable bowel return as soon as I cheat with gluten, that I might have celiac, so ordered a blood test for it.

I wondered if other normal or overweight folks have confirmed celiac.

[lovegrov]

Yes, not all people with celiac are skinny. That's one of the celiac urban legends, overweight people can't have celiac.

richard

[jerseyangel]

Welcome to the board, prisca!

Yes, it's true that you don't have to be underweight to have Celiac. I was always 15 or so pounds above my "ideal" weight while having symptoms for many years. Only in the year before diagnosis, when I got too sick to go to work, did I lose weight.

Literally, as soon as I started on the diet, I started to gain back the weight and at my 2 month appointment I had gained 10 pounds.

We come in all sizes

[Salax]

I too am an overweight Celiac. But when I started the gluten-free diet I started to drop the weight, feelings of hunger have come back to normal levels and I feel fuller when eating less. Some days I don't have any hunger..weird! So once your gluten-free and have been for a while it should help with the weight coming off. But don't for get to exercise. Now that I am gluten-free I have the energy to exercise again! WOOT! I use to be an athlete, so I miss my body.