Jump to content
This site uses cookies. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. More Info... ×
  • 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

Just Diagnosed - Weight Loss?


LiveLoveLaugh3

Recommended Posts

LiveLoveLaugh3 Newbie

Hi There, I was just diagnosed with Celiac Disease on Friday June 19th. I had a scope on the 18th ( a day after my 18th birthday). They said right away there was no cancer or ulcers but my intestines were scalloped. They said they took biopsies of my duodenum. So the next day at 9:15 am they called and said the biopsies came back positive for celiac disease. I'm extremely upset. The next day I started the "gluten free diet". We have done alot of research about whats okay to eat and what not.. I have heard many different things - like I will lose alot of weight right away.. (i've had trouble losing weight in the past - however i'm not extremely heavy. just a little overweight. 5'1 140lbs.) So will I lose alot of weight right away? like within the next few weeks? I'm completely gluten free. I've also been told that I will feel like a whole new person two-three weeks from now. (my symptoms have been achy joints, extreme stomach burning, heavy periods, depression, fibromyalgia, anemia, tired all the time.... I've had all these symptoms for a few years.) So I guess i'm just curious if I really am going to lose weight and feel better right away. thank you all! :)


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



Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):



OptimisticMom42 Apprentice

I'm 42 yrs old, 5'6". My weight went from 163lbs to 150lbs and has stayed there. I haven't been trying to lose weight.

I still feel tired but I think it's because I'm dealing with yeast and other food intolerances (mostly corn). I really didn't want to give up corn but it's gone now. And the aches, pains and constipation went with it.

So the healing and weight loss/gain is different for everyone depending on what other issues have to be dealt with.

Hope this helps

ang1e0251 Contributor

Each person is different and their recovery is different too. I know that's not what you want to hear, you'd like a cut and dry answer but that's not the nature of our disease. You will have to wait and see. Some people gain and some lose.

The pain may take awhile to clear up. Just one day I realized it wasn't there any more. For me the stomach issues, swelling and brain fog were the first to clear up. Also I got color in my cheeks I didn't have before!

The Fluffy Assassin Enthusiast
Hi There, I was just diagnosed with Celiac Disease on Friday June 19th. I had a scope on the 18th ( a day after my 18th birthday). They said right away there was no cancer or ulcers but my intestines were scalloped. They said they took biopsies of my duodenum. So the next day at 9:15 am they called and said the biopsies came back positive for celiac disease. I'm extremely upset. The next day I started the "gluten free diet". We have done alot of research about whats okay to eat and what not.. I have heard many different things - like I will lose alot of weight right away.. (i've had trouble losing weight in the past - however i'm not extremely heavy. just a little overweight. 5'1 140lbs.) So will I lose alot of weight right away? like within the next few weeks? I'm completely gluten free. I've also been told that I will feel like a whole new person two-three weeks from now. (my symptoms have been achy joints, extreme stomach burning, heavy periods, depression, fibromyalgia, anemia, tired all the time.... I've had all these symptoms for a few years.) So I guess i'm just curious if I really am going to lose weight and feel better right away. thank you all! :)

It isn't a weight-loss diet. Fundamentally, people mainly lose weight when going gluten-free by not eating in restaurants anymore, especially fast food places and buffets. I lost 20 lbs more or less immediately and four inches at the waist over the next year or so. Several chins dropped off and my shirt size is still shrinking. But I am male and was 45 when I went gluten free. Mainly, you'll probably find that you have energy to exercise that you never had before. All I do is, every other day, 20 pushups and 10 minutes on an exercise bike. This started almost immediately after I went gluten free. (I also took up hiking again, though that's in abeyance due to the ridiculous summer weather down here.)

So don't be upset, extremely or otherwise. The gluten-free diet is not nearly as hard as it probably seems now, and gets a lot easier very quickly. You may lose weight and you may not, but you'll certainly feel better and very quickly. Cheer up, don't worry, have fun with it and best of luck. And welcome to the board.

fripp017 Apprentice

Hi. From my experience, you will initially loose some of the wieght when your body starts to heal. It starts absorbing the right foods, you feel better and you can be more active. It only took me about 3 days to start getting up and moving around more. I had sevre abdoinal pain as my main symptom, on top of the extreme tiredness. I spent alot of my sick days in bed. So, by the end of the first week I felt great. I was up, doing chores and getting some moderate excerise in. But, once your body fully heals and you start replacing the "normal" foods with gluten-free foods you tend to absorb alot more fat. Gluten-free foods tend to have more fat in them to replace the flavor in "regular" food. So, if you start feeling better and you want to loose weight, I would suggest eating less of the gluten-fee carbs (especialy the gluten-free bread) and start a regular exercise regimen. I know where you are coming from, but unfortunetly I had much more weight gain than you. I started at 130lbs. I'm 5'2" and I now weigh 155lbs. When I was diagnosed I weighed 165lbs. I have lost some, but it has been a couple of months and I seem to have stopped loosing weight. I take it one day at a time. Just don't over do it, you are still healing. Don't push it, just do what you can and feel good knowing that you are doing your best.

Angels~Exist Newbie

I'm 16 years old and just diagnosed in May. My celiac disease was triggered by abdominal surgery. Before my diagnosis I stayed very close to the same weight but I've already gained 4 pounds since eating gluten-free. My doctor says this is due to my body absorbing nutrients that it went without for so long. My only advise to avoid gaining weight is to take vitamins if you need them and exercise when you feel well enough. The good thing about a gluten-free diet is (even though sometimes it may be tasteless :D) it gives you a ton of energy!!

ang1e0251 Contributor

I do not find the gluten-free diet to tasteless in any way. You can spice up your food. I eat well seasoned food at every meal! Maybe you could tell us what you're eating that seems boring and we can offer suggestions on how to spice it up!!

For me, eating too many alternate grains really puts the weight on. They also would sit like a stone in my gut. I went on a low carb diet and avoided most grains and then I could lose. Also I feel even better than before and I thought I was feeling pretty darn good. In the future I will try to figure out which grains like me best but for now, I'm pretty happy this way. I feel good, I've lost some weight and my BP is the best in about 7 years. Can't ask for more than that?


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



Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):



Angels~Exist Newbie

Most of the gluten-free food I eat tastes better than the gluten filled alternatives. The only thing that I'm still not used to is the gluten-free bread. I think it was tapioca or something like that.

Archived

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


  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):



  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      131,265
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748

    V Arnold
    Newest Member
    V Arnold
    Joined

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):


  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.4k
    • Total Posts
      1m

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):




  • Who's Online (See full list)


  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):



  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • RMJ
      It is more likely code for “we think there really was a good response to the treatment, but it was small or in a small percent of subjects so it would take a large clinical trial to try to prove it.”
    • Dana0207
      Thank you so much for your replies. Luckily the rash went away when I completely swore off gluten. It took several months but I have not had a flare in months. So a biopsy is no longer possible. The itch was terrible and apart from bleaching my skin the steroid lotions and potions did nothing. The Gliadin is for accidents and shall be a part of my travel kit from now on. This past exposure has made a me a little leery about eating anything that was not cooked in my kitchen or a dedicated gluten-free restaurant. As much as I used to love baked goods, I am cured and have become quite the gluten free baker to the point that friends and family forget that my cakes/cookies/and bread are not "real". I guess I will have to wait for the new blood test to come out to get confirmation but I have a suspicion that the rash was dermatitis herpetiformis.
    • Jmartes71
      Hello, I just wanted to share with the frustration of skin issues and seeing dermatologist and medications not working for years, I did my own healing experiment. As of last week I have been taking a drop internally under the tongue of Vetiver and putting on topically on sores Yellow/Pom.I am seeing a extreme difference at a rapid time.Im also noticing my nails a little harder. Ive always been into natural properties because I feel its safer for the body.I know short time, but really seeing a difference. I also feel the the trapped gases that causes bloating helps break down as well.Curious if any body else can benefit from and has tried. Products is made by Doterra by Dr Hill
    • Scott Adams
      We have a category of articles on this topic if you really want to dive into it: https://www.celiac.com/celiac-disease/miscellaneous-information-on-celiac-disease/gluten-free-diet-celiac-disease-amp-codex-alimentarius-wheat-starch/
    • Scott Adams
      I agree with @trents, and the rash you described, especially its location and resistance to steroids, sounds highly characteristic of dermatitis herpetiformis, which is the skin manifestation of celiac disease. The severe and prolonged reaction you're describing five days after a small exposure is, while extreme, not unheard of for those with a high sensitivity; the systemic inflammatory response can absolutely last for several days or even weeks, explaining why you still don't feel right. Your plan to avoid a formal gluten challenge is completely understandable given the severity of your reactions, and many choose the same path for their well-being. While experiences with GliadinX (they are a sponsor here) are mixed, some people do report a reduction in the severity of their symptoms when taken with accidental gluten, though it is crucial to remember it is not a cure or a license to eat gluten and its effectiveness can vary from person to person. For now, the absolute best advice is to continue being hyper-vigilant about cross-contamination—buffets are notoriously high-risk, even with good intentions. Connecting with a gastroenterologist and a dermatologist who specialize in celiac disease is essential for navigating diagnosis and management moving forward. Wishing you a swift recovery from this last exposure. If you have DH you will likely also want to avoid iodine, which is common in seafoods and dairy products, as it can exacerbate symptoms in some people. This article may also be helpful as it offers various ways to relieve the itch:  
×
×
  • Create New...