Does This Sound Like Celiac Disease?

[ZackMacc]

I am recently recovering from a bout of clinical depression during which I lost a considerably amount of weight. The weight loss was not unexpected since I literally was not eating over a course of 4 to 5 months. The weight loss episode was very similar to an anorexic type of experience...that is, eating very little, and exercising vigorously. I am coming out of this now, but I am having a hard time regaining any weight despite that I am eating. I am in the midst of a series of tests that are coming back negative (e.g. colonoscopy, CT scans of my pelvis, abdomen, etc.). I am having a endoscopy done this week. The blood test for celiac disease was negative. All organ function tests are normal (e.g. liver, kidneys, pancreas, thyroid, parathyroid, etc.). The only notable result was my iron was low, but the blood cell counts, etc., normal.

The doctor ordered these tests due to my symptoms, namely, slowing of bowel movements, feeling lightheaded and out of it which seemed to occur mainly after eating (my glucose tolerance test was a little off, but normal). One notable episode in particular occurred after eating a flat bread sandwich where I thought I was near passing out. Yet I have no nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, nor any evidence of blood in my stools, etc. I switched as best I could to a gluten free diet for the past week, as well as increased my food intake, and the symptoms seem to have subsided a bit. Especially the lightheadedness. My bowel movements actually increased in frequency somewhat, but I am not gaining weight.

I know celiac symptoms can vary...but does this sound like a possibility? Will the endoscopy tell the tale? I appreciate any advice...

[ang1e0251]

It could be, as you mentioned, celiac disease reactions are varied. But you need to be eating gluten in order for your testing to be accurate. Eat gluten right up until your test time. You can switch back to gluten-free right after your test. Even if your test result is negative, if gluten-free makes you feel better, go ahead and follow the diet. You could be gluten intolerant there is no test for that.

Did you know that gluten can factor into depression and other mental conditions as well? It wouldn't be surprising if gluten-free eating helps you in that regard also.