Can Celiac Disease Cause Weight Loss, Neuropathy, Widespread Itching Without Diarrhea?

[ConfusedNeuropathic]

Hi everyone,

I'm new to the forum and just posted my first thread here (https://www.celiac.com/gluten-free/index.php?showtopic=59230&pid=541419&start=0&#entry541419). I have not been diagnosed with celiac disease yet, but am looking for a doctor to at least screen me.

In the meantime, I was wondering a few things. I know that diarrhea is one of the classic symptoms of celiac disease. But is it possible to be gluten intolerant WITHOUT consistent diarrhea?

My general symptoms consist of constant dizziness (although this one may be due to my deviated septum and chronic sinusitis), burning/prickly/tingling sensations in my extremities, and widespread itching, with some recent weight loss. While I do get some chest pains and abdominal discomfort at times (around the area of the colon), bowel movements alternate between constipation and diarrhea, but neither one happens consistently. I've had all manner of medical tests done and so far the only thing that's out of wack is I was low in serological vitamin D and B12 months ago (oral supplements of both haven't done anything for my symptoms so far).

My doctor is convinced it's all due to anxiety, which is frankly utter BS in my opinion, so now I'm seeking specialists on my own (I'm on a PPO health insurance plan). Just wondering if what I've described sounds enough like possible celiac disease to make visiting a GI specialist worthwhile (been racking up hefty medical bills lately and trying to keep it in check).

Thanks a lot for your input.

[ConfusedNeuropathic]

Forgot to add, the itching is without any rash or visible manifestation on the skin.

[ravenwoodglass]

I would first request a full celiac panel from your regular doctor. The doctors should be looking for the cause of the low B12 and D not just telling you to take pills. The fact that the sensations have not resolved with additional B12, (they did tell you to take the sublinguals, right?) and the constant dizzyness could mean that gluten is negatively impacting your brain. Many times this would be accompanied by periodic bouts of depression and/or anxiety. On and off GI symptoms are not unheard of especially in the early stages. Some will also have C for years and then develop D.

You also have the choice of simply trying the diet and seeing if it helps your problems. You would need to be strict and try it for a couple of months and then if you still have doubt go back on gluten and see what happens.

Please note being on the diet will give false negatives to all celiac testing so if you need a doctor derived diagnosis you need to keep eating gluten until all testing is complete.

[ConfusedNeuropathic]

I would first request a full celiac panel from your regular doctor. The doctors should be looking for the cause of the low B12 and D not just telling you to take pills. The fact that the sensations have not resolved with additional B12, (they did tell you to take the sublinguals, right?) and the constant dizzyness could mean that gluten is negatively impacting your brain. Many times this would be accompanied by periodic bouts of depression and/or anxiety. On and off GI symptoms are not unheard of especially in the early stages. Some will also have C for years and then develop D.

You also have the choice of simply trying the diet and seeing if it helps your problems. You would need to be strict and try it for a couple of months and then if you still have doubt go back on gluten and see what happens.

Please note being on the diet will give false negatives to all celiac testing so if you need a doctor derived diagnosis you need to keep eating gluten until all testing is complete.

Hey there, thanks, I've done just that and am awaiting a response... My regular doctor has been very dismissive about the whole thing so I think maybe my first course of action should be to find a new doctor. His basic response is that I'm only 30, look fine, and have normal blood labs and x-rays so it can't be anything serious. My wife is expecting and he thinks everything is because I'm anxious about the upcoming baby, which frankly I'm not. I was excited about the baby until my body went berserk and now I'm depressed every day, I don't feel like I'm part of the world or society in general anymore and my wife is getting worried but I have no idea how to overcome it since I haven't felt normal in so long.

And yep I've been taking sublingual B12 supplements (several hundred MCG a day) for months now and things are only getting worse. I picked up some "nerve support formula" supplements with megadoses of the entire B vitamin complex this week and have been trying those just to make sure.

Anyhow I don't want to whine too much, but thanks, I appreciate the feedback. It sounds like gluten intolerance is at least something I should explore and try to rule out. I've had EKGs, chest x-rays, brain CT scans, brain and neck MRIs, complete blood panels, an anuscopy and sigmoidoscopy, a nerve conduction test, a HIV test, and various blood protein/sedimentation/autoimmune screens done all with no answers. Before the antibiotics I did frequently have diarrhea (although I've since quit drinking alcohol and coffee), and after taking them I've frequently had constipation, which makes me suspicious. I'll cover at least this base then, thanks for the insight and quick response, it is very much appreciated.