Fat Malabsorption

[JANMAZ]

I am still having fat malabsorption even though I have been gluten free for months. Is this a normal symptom and will it improve. I don't seem to have any fat left on my body even though I am a good weight for my height. I try to eat lots of food to maintain my weight. I would be most grateful for any advice. Janet

[debmidge]

Janet,

Are you under a doctor's care? If so, what does the doctor say? What tests has he run for other digestive disorders?

I can't give you any advice at this point without knowing more.

I have to tell you that my husband has been gluten free for almost 5 years & he still has problems with fat absorption. He is at a very low weight but seems to be holding his own.

DM

[dream77]

How about thyrpid issues ?

Are you checked for thyroid issues as well ?

[Gfresh404]

I would not be worried. I am also experiencing the exact same thing. Even when I take digestive enzymes, fat still seems to show up in my stool (sry if tmi).

I can't do any oils either and if I eat any fat on an empty stomach without any fiber I tend to get bloated.

It is not uncommon for recovering celiacs and celiacs for that matter to have issues with the digestion and absorption of fats. I would assume that our intestines are just simply not 100% healed.

[JANMAZ]

I would not be worried. I am also experiencing the exact same thing. Even when I take digestive enzymes, fat still seems to show up in my stool (sry if tmi).

I can't do any oils either and if I eat any fat on an empty stomach without any fiber I tend to get bloated.

It is not uncommon for recovering celiacs and celiacs for that matter to have issues with the digestion and absorption of fats. I would assume that our intestines are just simply not 100% healed.

Thank you for your reassuring reply. Some people seem to have an instant response to going gluten free. My calcium and potassium are low as well. I am taking coconut oil as this is supposed to be easier to digest. I am hoping that with time, it will improve but it seems to be taking forever. My thyroid levels were normal. I must have had it for years and have a lot years to mend.

[The Fluffy Assassin]

I am still having fat malabsorption even though I have been gluten free for months. Is this a normal symptom and will it improve. I don't seem to have any fat left on my body even though I am a good weight for my height. I try to eat lots of food to maintain my weight. I would be most grateful for any advice. Janet

You and Gfresh404 may want to consider eliminating dairy. While I don't know if in the strictest sense I've ever had fat malabsorption since I got pretty doughy before quitting gluten, I always felt very queasy when eating anything greasy or oily at all. I suspected casein intolerance for other reasons, quit dairy, and the queasiness factor has gone away. I had bacon for breakfast yesterday and today with no consequences. Totally unscientific and nonmedical, but a suggestion to think about. (Well, almost totally unscientific; apparently as many as half of celiacs are casein intolerant, so it's not that wild a suggestion.)

Best of luck to you both, and I hope you find a solution soon.

[oceangirl]

Just a thought: it DOES sometimes seem that many have a "miraculous" response to the gluten-free diet, but, reading here, you may see it's not that common for it to be a long, twisting road to recovery. Be patient and trust your instincts. And if it feels like gluten and acts like gluten, there's probably gluten somewhere you're ingesting. Other intolerances are important to weed out as well...

Good health to you,

lisa