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Celiac Weight Gain And Thyroid

Sulevismom

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Sulevismom Apprentice
Sulevismom
Posted

Hi all,

I've been gluten free now for almost 3 months (except for the unfortunate accidents), after having received inconclusive biopsy results and negative blood work. In September last year, I dropped about ten pounds very quickly, and then started having more noticable bloating, cramps, anxiety, depression, etc, (the typical celiac symptoms). What seems strange to me is that as my symptoms got worse, I gained more and more weight, and I've had to work hard to keep it down to a comfortable level (whereas other celiacs seem to have the opposite problem). I'm also breast-feeding a one and a half year old, which you would think would make it fairly easy to stay slim. I've just been reading about hypo-thyroidism and wondering if I might have it, and if there might be a connection between a nutrient deficiency due to celiac disease. What do you all think?

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JesikaBeth Contributor
JesikaBeth
Posted

I was diagnosed as having Hashimotos Thyroiditis (Autoimmune Hypothyroidism) and shortly thereafter was diagnosed as having Celiac Disease. Apparently, they run in clusters and are very common in one another.

maile Newbie
maile
Posted
Hi all,

I've been gluten free now for almost 3 months (except for the unfortunate accidents), after having received inconclusive biopsy results and negative blood work. In September last year, I dropped about ten pounds very quickly, and then started having more noticable bloating, cramps, anxiety, depression, etc, (the typical celiac symptoms). What seems strange to me is that as my symptoms got worse, I gained more and more weight, and I've had to work hard to keep it down to a comfortable level (whereas other celiacs seem to have the opposite problem). I'm also breast-feeding a one and a half year old, which you would think would make it fairly easy to stay slim. I've just been reading about hypo-thyroidism and wondering if I might have it, and if there might be a connection between a nutrient deficiency due to celiac disease. What do you all think?

Sulevismom, your story could be mine, except for the breastfeeding part my youngest is 7 ;) , last year dropped 25 lbs in short order (intentionally) but the neuropathy had started to show in February, tingling fingers, numb toes etc. D, anxiety, cramping, bloating and major abdominal pain showed up with their partner sudden, rapid weight gain in August. it has been so frustrating!!! I went to Hawaii ate and drank without too much care and did not gain an ounce!!

and then 2 weeks after returning as the celiac symptoms ramped up the weight gain began and always in 10-12 lb spurts over 3 days. By Mid October I was up 20lbs, and had lost 1 lb of muscle (conveniently had had 2 dexa scans, 1st in February, 2nd in October) despite increased exercise.

I've since put on another 15 lbs, my hair is thinning dramatically as well as falling out; after a bath my skin sheds like a snake, C has returned (despite taking myself of dairy), if I don't take an over the counter thyroid supplement I have very dry throat (to the point where it's difficult to speak) & have to get up in the middle of the night to take a hot bath just to warm up. I've dropped my calories to the 1000/day mark and reduced any grain exposure to 1-2 times per week just to maintain slow the weight gain. :blink:

my GP is finally sending me to an endocrinologist to see what's happening as all the conventional tests show I'm fine (low tsh etc) *sigh* I just hope s/he is able to figure something out.

Sulevismom Apprentice
Sulevismom
Posted
  • Author

Thanks for your responses!

Jessica: Did you also experience weight gain as a result of thyroid issues?

Maile: Good thing your doctor is finally listening to you. Good luck!

JesikaBeth Contributor
JesikaBeth
Posted
Thanks for your responses!

Jessica: Did you also experience weight gain as a result of thyroid issues?

Maile: Good thing your doctor is finally listening to you. Good luck!

Yes I did experience weight gain, my weight evened out but losing it has been nearly impossible <_<

pele Rookie
pele
Posted

Check out this website:

Open Original Shared Link

It mentions low TSH and low t4 as symptoms of adrenal fatigue and hypothyroidism.

Of course if you haven't aleady read

Open Original Shared Link

then you've got some reading to do! Good luck!

Sulevismom Apprentice
Sulevismom
Posted
  • Author
Yes I did experience weight gain, my weight evened out but losing it has been nearly impossible <_<

I had my thyroid tested, for hypo and hyper, but the results showed that I am completely normal. Maybe I just eat too much chocolate! ;)

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    • knitty kitty
      Son's legs shaking

      By knitty kitty · Posted

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    • lizzie42
      Son's legs shaking

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    • lizzie42
      Son's legs shaking

      By lizzie42 · Posted

      Thank you! That's helpful. My kids eat very little processed food. Tons of fruit, vegetables, cheese, eggs and occasional red meat. We do a lot of rice and bean bowls, stir fry, etc.  Do you think with all the fruits and vegetables they need a vitamin supplement? I feel like their diet is pretty healthy and balanced with very limited processed food. The only processed food they eat regularly is a bowl of Cheerios here and there.  Could shaking legs be a symptom of just a one-time gluten exposure? I guess there's no way to know for sure if they're getting absolutely zero exposure because they do go to school a couple times a week. We do homeschool but my son does a shared school 2x a week and my daughter does a morning Pre-K 3 x a week.  At home our entire house is strictly gluten free and it is extremely rare for us to eat out. If we eat at someone else's house I usually just bring their food. When we have play dates we bring all the snacks, etc. I try to be really careful since they're still growing. They also, of course, catch kids viruses all the time so I  want to make sure I know whether they're just sick or they've had gluten. It can be pretty confusing when they're pretty young to even be explaining their symptoms! 
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