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

Can An Overweight Person Have Celiac Disease?

lharper

Recommended Posts

lharper Newbie
lharper
Posted

So, my 6 yo daughter was diagnosed with Celiac in November 2008. Because of this I certainly I have a lot more knowledge about the disease than I ever did previously. I have been having some very severe gastrointestinal symptoms, along with other unexplained symptoms including muscle and joint aches, headaches, total lack of energy etc for probably 3 years now. However, I am overweight and most of what I have read states weight loss, not weight gain, is a possible sign of Celiac. I am considering having a Celiac screen done, but was just wondering if there is anyone out there who has been diagnosed while overweight. Thanks!

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


lovegrov Collaborator
lovegrov
Posted

Simple answer -- yes. Happens frequently.

richard

Darn210 Enthusiast
Darn210
Posted

What Richard said . . . and . . .

I am considering having a Celiac screen done . . .

If someone in a family has been diagnosed with Celiac Disease, there is a much higher chance that additional family members are at risk for having it or developing it later in life (due to the genetic/hereditary component of the disease).

My daughter's GI recommended that our whole family be screened (siblings & parents). Throw in your symptoms and there is all kinds of justification for getting some blood work done.

TiffLuvsBread Rookie
TiffLuvsBread
Posted

The weight loss thing may be an indicator, because your body cannot absorb nutrients and basically starves itself. However, because of this same reason, you can end up with a severely distended stomach and not lose weight - just look puffy everywhere. For years we always thought my dad was overweight with a big belly. As soon as he went gluten-free, he lost the ENTIRE belly and gained exponentially more energy so he was better able and healthier to work out more at the gym - so all the weight came completely off. Now he is a 67 year old man who looks like a 50 year old athlete, but has the energy of a 30 year old athlete. He is very active and in amazing shape. Before he was overweight, had a heart and cholesterol condition, had a heart attack, had no energy and could barely swim and nearly drowned once (due to energy - not skill). Every single one of those reversed when he changed his diet. It is like a different man. He got so many years back.

For me, I am 5'8" and 120lbs, fit/thin build and I was skinny all through childhood. After going gluten-free I haven't had any weight change issues other than gaining a few pounds of lean muscle because my body is better able to absorb nutrients and I have more energy.

I would never look at an overweight person and tell them there is no way they have Celiac or gluten intolerance because of their weight. I think the way you feel and the symptoms you have is way more of an indicator - and remember all symptoms are symptoms you MAY experience. All of us on here have different symptoms. Even me and my dad - we are related by blood and have the same condition and do not experience it in exactly the same way.

So don't rule it out. Consider you may have it, but you may have some other condition going on as well which you should also not rule out.

Good luck :)

ang1e0251 Contributor
ang1e0251
Posted

I believe the percentage of overweight persons with celiac disease is 34% of total persons with celiac disease. I am one. I am self diagnosed and when I finally was able to see my dr, he gave me that look. You know the one, you are not skinny, I doubt you have celiac disease.

It's likely you could have it. Your child inherited it from someone.

chasbari Apprentice
chasbari
Posted
So, my 6 yo daughter was diagnosed with Celiac in November 2008. Because of this I certainly I have a lot more knowledge about the disease than I ever did previously. I have been having some very severe gastrointestinal symptoms, along with other unexplained symptoms including muscle and joint aches, headaches, total lack of energy etc for probably 3 years now. However, I am overweight and most of what I have read states weight loss, not weight gain, is a possible sign of Celiac. I am considering having a Celiac screen done, but was just wondering if there is anyone out there who has been diagnosed while overweight. Thanks!

Excellent answers from everyone else. My experience was that I was skinny as a kid, worked hard to gain weight through my teens, started putting on excess weight later on, lots of joint pain, rheumatoid arthritis and eventual digestive issues and finally a diagnosis this past February. Once gluten free and paleo I lost weight drastically and started gaining muscle again as my body started being able to absorb nutrients. I takes time though and everyone reacts differently. I think that makes it frustrating for medical people as it is not only hard to diagnose, but also hard to predict how the body will respond to proper treatment. The more you understand going absolutely gluten-free I think the better you will respond. I tried to go normal gluten-free with all the extra treats and alternate grains and only got less sick. It was only after going radically paleo that real health returned for me.

LDJofDenver Apprentice
LDJofDenver
Posted

Yes, indeed. More than I realized. I was skinny as a kid, but at diagnosis (in my 50s) a good 25 lbs overweight.

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


lharper Newbie
lharper
Posted
  • Author
I am self diagnosed and when I finally was able to see my dr, he gave me that look. You know the one, you are not skinny, I doubt you have celiac disease.

I think that's what I am a little afraid of.. haha. I don't want to feel stupid by asking for a test and have the doctor give me that look. -lol- I definitely think I need to get tested though. Even if it isn't Celiac, it would be good to rule it out.

Thanks everyone for the responses! Definitely gave me the push I need to get the test.

juliasmith Newbie
juliasmith
Posted

yes it can

nasalady Contributor
nasalady
Posted
So, my 6 yo daughter was diagnosed with Celiac in November 2008. Because of this I certainly I have a lot more knowledge about the disease than I ever did previously. I have been having some very severe gastrointestinal symptoms, along with other unexplained symptoms including muscle and joint aches, headaches, total lack of energy etc for probably 3 years now. However, I am overweight and most of what I have read states weight loss, not weight gain, is a possible sign of Celiac. I am considering having a Celiac screen done, but was just wondering if there is anyone out there who has been diagnosed while overweight. Thanks!

Yes, many of us are overweight rather than underweight.....please see the following threads on this forum for more info:

https://www.celiac.com/gluten-free/index.php?showtopic=59617

https://www.celiac.com/gluten-free/index.php?showtopic=183

JoAnn :)

nora-n Rookie
nora-n
Posted
Open Original Shared Link here it says 5% are underweight and 39% overweight. Print it out for your doctor. Mine refuses to hear or read anything, he says only severely underweight people can possibly have celiac.

Archived

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

Go to topic listing
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):


  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      131,987
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    Paula Burlando
    Newest Member
    Paula Burlando
    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

    • Wheatwacked
      Outgrow celiac?

      By Wheatwacked · Posted

      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.
    • Scott Adams
      Celiac and dermatitis herpetiformis has taken Me from Me

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      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--thanks for the tip about Dupixent, and I've added it to the article:  
    • Scott Adams
      New Celiac Mama in My 30s

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      I just want to clarify that what I posted is a category of research summaries we've done over the years, and nearly each one shows that there is definitely a connection to celiac disease and migraine headaches. The latest study said: "the study did indicate some potential causal associations between celiac disease and migraine with or without aura, as well as between migraine without aura and ulcerative colitis...this study did not find evidence of a shared genetic basis..." Anyway, there is definitely a connection, and you can go through more of the articles here if you're interested: https://www.celiac.com/celiac-disease/celiac-disease-amp-related-diseases-and-disorders/migraine-headaches-and-celiac-disease/
    • SusanJ
      Celiac and dermatitis herpetiformis has taken Me from Me

      By SusanJ · Posted

      Two months ago, I started taking Dupixent for dermatitis herpetiformis and it has completely cleared it up. I can't believe it! I have had a terrible painful, intensely itchy rash for over a year despite going fully gluten-free. See if your doctor will prescribe Dupixent. It can be expensive but I am getting it free. When the dermatitis herpetiformis was bad I could not do anything. I just lay in bed covered in ice packs to ease the pain/itching and using way too Clobetasol. Dapsone is also very good for dermatitis herpetiformis (and it is generic). It helped me and the results were immediate but it gave me severe anemia so the Dupixent is better for me. Not sure if it works for everyone. I cannot help with the cause of your stress but from experience I am sure the severe stress is making the celiac and dermatitis herpetiformis worse. Very difficult for you with having children to care for and you being so sick. Would this man be willing to see a family therapist with you? He may be angry at you or imagine that your illness is a psychosomatic excuse not to take care of him. A therapist might help even if he won't go with you. Also do you have any family that you could move in with (with the kids) for a short time to get away? A break may be good for you both.
    • knitty kitty
      New Celiac Mama in My 30s

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      @tiffanygosci, Thiamine deficiency is a thing in pregnancy for "normal" people, so it's exponentially more important for those with celiac disease and malabsorption issues. I studied nutrition before earning a degree in Microbiology because I was curious what the vitamins were doing inside the body.  See my blog.  Click on my name to go to my page, scroll to drop down menu "activities" and select blog.   So glad you're motivated to see the dietician!  We're always happy to help with questions.  Keep us posted on your progress! 
×
×
  • 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.