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

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
      131,995
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748

    Naner4
    Newest Member
    Naner4
    Joined

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):


  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.5k
    • Total Posts
      1m

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):





  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):



  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • knitty kitty
      @sleuth, Has your son been checked for nutritional deficiencies?  All of those symptoms can be caused by malnutrition.  I had severe malnutrition that went unrecognized by my doctors.  Intense fatigue, brain fog, depression, anxiety, and gastrointestinal distress are symptoms of deficiencies in the eight essential B vitamins, especially Thiamine B1, which becomes low first because the demand is higher when we're sick.     Celiac Disease causes inflammation and damage of the intestinal lining which inhibits absorption of essential nutrients.  Checking for nutritional deficiencies is part of proper follow up care for people with celiac disease.   Is your son taking any vitamin supplements?  Most supplements contain thiamine mononitrate which in not readily absorbed and utilized by the body.  Benfotiamine is a form of thiamine that is shown to promote intestinal healing.  Benfotiamine is available over the counter.  Benfotiamine is safe and nontoxic.   Is your son eating processed gluten-free foods?  Gluten-free processed foods are not required to be enriched with vitamins like their gluten containing counterparts.   Is your son following a low histamine diet?  Histamine is released as part of the immune response to gluten and other foods high in histamine.  High levels of histamine in the brain can cause anxiety, insomnia, and depression.  The body needs the B vitamins to make the enzyme Diamine Oxidase (DAO) to break down and clear histamine.  DAO supplements are available over the counter.  Vitamin C helps clear histamine as well.  Some people find over the counter antihistamines helpful as well, but they're not for long term use.   Nicotine has antihistamine-like properties, but can also irritate the gut.  Tobacco, from which nicotine is derived, is a nightshade (like tomatoes, potatoes, peppers and eggplant).  Nightshades contain alkaloids which affect gastrointestinal permeability, causing leaky gut syndrome.  Nicotine can cause gastrointestinal irritation and alter for the worse the microbiome. Safer alternatives to Nicotine that have antihistamine properties include Lemon Balm (Sweet Melissa),  Passion Flower, Chamomile, and Bilberry.  They can be taken as supplements, extracts, or tea.  These will help with the anxiety, insomnia and depression in a much safer way. Oolong tea is also helpful.  Oolong tea contains the amino acid L-Theanine which helps the digestive tract heal.  (L -Theanine supplements are available over the counter, if not a tea drinker.)  Tryptophan, a form of Niacin B3, also helps calm digestive symptoms.  Another amino acid, L-Lysine, can help with anxiety and depression.  I've used these for years without problems.   What ways to cope have you tried in the past?
    • Scott Adams
      They are a sponsor here, and I did noticed a free shipping coupon: GFships
    • Scott Adams
      In general if it is labelled gluten-free then it should be ok for most celiacs, however, those who are super sensitive (which is most who have dermatitis herpetiformis) may want to eat only certified gluten-free items, which are supposed to test down to 10ppm (but don't always!).
    • Wheatwacked
      Have faith, you will survive. I get mine from Pipingrock.com.  500 capsules of 10,000 IU for $22.  That is almost two years worth for me.  250 caps 5000 IU for $6.69 if you only take 5,000 a day.  It's like half the price of Walmart.
    • Wheatwacked
      Testing can't alone be trusted.  Else why would it take so many years of testing and retesting and misdiagnosis to finally be told, yes you have Celiac Disease. As to what to eat, I like pre 1950 style food.  Before the advent of TV dinners.  Fresh food is better for you, and cooking from scratch is cheaper.  Watch Rachel Ray's 30 Minute Meals for how to cook.  Keep in mind that she is not gluten free, but her techniques are awesome.  Just use something else instead of wheat, barley, rye. Dr Fuhrman is a ex cardiologist.  His book Eat to Live and Dr Davis' book Wheatbelly were instrumental in my survival.
×
×
  • 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.