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Are Gi Problems Usually Part Of Celiac Disease?


vlm448

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vlm448 Rookie

I am new and quite confused. Blood work negative for celiac and waiting for biopsy report. Primary symptom is fatigue - some mood swings and depression - no GI or other body issues. Wht is likelihood of my being gluten intolerant? Most eveyone on the forum reports other complaints, i.e. abdominal pain, joint pain, etc. Thank you for any feedback you can give me!


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Lisa Mentor

The percentages of people with Celiac, having GI issues as primary symptoms, is relatively low, oddly enough.

With over 200 symptoms, chronic fatigue is common in it's association with Celiac Disease, as it is with other illnesses.

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Exclusionary Conditions;

Chronic fatigue syndrome can resemble many other illnesses, including mononucleosis, Lyme disease, lupus, multiple sclerosis, fibromyalgia, primary sleep disorders, severe obesity and major depressive disorders. Medications can also cause side effects that mimic the symptoms of CFS.

Because CFS can resemble many other disorders, it's important not to self-diagnose CFS. It's not uncommon for people to mistakenly assume they have chronic fatigue syndrome when they have another illness that needs to be treated. If you have CFS symptoms, consult a health care professional to determine if any other conditions are responsible for your symptoms. A CFS diagnosis can be made only after other conditions have been excluded.

It's also important not to delay seeking a diagnosis and medical care. CDC research suggests that early diagnosis and treatment of CFS can increase the likelihood of improvement

tarnalberry Community Regular

with negative tests, and fatigue/mood swings/depression as your only symptoms, I wouldn't first think celiac. I'm not saying it couldn't be - if you have intestinal damage that is preventing the absorption of vitamins, it could *definitely* cause those symptoms. but the quacking of these symptoms isn't entirely duck-like. :)

have you been checked for thyroid issues (thoroughly, not just a little test, and know whether you're "low-normal" as well)? have you been checked for other endocrine issues - like low testosterone (male or female - and don't let your doctor tell you you're too young; mine registered undetectable at 24)? have you been tested for low-grade infectious diseases? do you have a complicating factor (any chronic disease/illness would fit this bill, for instance)? do you have a particularly large amount of continual stress in your life? (that is not to say it's in your head; it's to say that continual activation of the sympathetic nervous system (and underactivation of the parasympathetic nervous system) really affects the chemistry in your head, and the rest of your body and can be a real cause of real problems, and - though the treatment is less "pharmaceutical" (and more difficult, imho), it can still be treated.)

imho, I would never tell someone that they shouldn't be tested or try a gluten free diet (after testing, if they're doing testing, and for at least three months - STRICTLY). you came across the issue in some fashion, and had an inkling it could be your issue - I say listen to your instincts. BUT, given that those symptoms can manifest in many other ways (that going gluten free won't do a darn thing about), I wouldn't necessarily end the investigation there...

ravenwoodglass Mentor
I am new and quite confused. Blood work negative for celiac and waiting for biopsy report. Primary symptom is fatigue - some mood swings and depression - no GI or other body issues. Wht is likelihood of my being gluten intolerant? Most eveyone on the forum reports other complaints, i.e. abdominal pain, joint pain, etc. Thank you for any feedback you can give me!

For many years my primary symptoms were the ones you listed with the exception that I also had the skin form of celiac, DH and something called gluten ataxia which is where you are always offbalance. It wasn't until after my children were born that the GI issues became more than just an occasional annoyance.

Do ask your doctor for a blood test if you suspect celiac but make sure other issues are ruled out also. After any celiac screening is done do give the diet a good strict try, you have nothing to lose by doing so. Celiac or gluten intolerance can choose to attack other organs before the digestive tract and there are cases of what is called 'silent' celiac where GI issues never develop but other autoimmune issues do.

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