Question About Difference Between Celiac And Gluten Intolerance

[CGally81]

I haven't gotten specifically tested for celiac disease, but I definitely have had the symptoms when I ate gluten, since March until I went gluten-free in August. And I'd even been accidentally glutened twice during that month, and knew it pretty quickly.

I got a question. I'd read somewhere that while gluten intolerance and celiac disease are actually not synonyms, though they supposedly have the same symptoms (for me it was severe brain fog and feeling like a zombie, my stomach making certain noises that seemed to continue non-stop for hours or over a day, wet D with only liquid coming out, and feeling really hungry 1-2 hours later and eventually getting a nasty headache if I didn't eat something).

But supposedly one key difference is that with celiac, if you eat only a tiny bit of gluten, your body goes insane, whereas with gluten intolerance, how insane it goes is related to how much you eat. Is that true? I have noticed back when I was being glutened that the more gluten-containing foods I ate, the worse the symptoms got, whereas if I ate small amounts (say, one 30 calorie pretzel nub instead of a full pretzel), I'd definitely get the symptoms, but not as strongly as I would when I ate a lot more.

Is that the case for all of you, or does it not seem to matter how much gluten you eat, you feel just as bad no matter what? Is it possible that I have a somewhat more "mild" (in relative terms, because this is still not fun!) version of this disorder?

[ENF]

The "difference between celiac and gluten intolerance" is the billion dollar question, lol! If you asked a hundred different people, who have some kind of problem with gluten, you'd likely get a hundred different answers.

Can't answer your question about gluten ingestion, and tolerance, since I don't eat it at all anymore and do not allow myself to get cross-contaminated.

[Lisa]

Here is some information from the Gluten Intolerace Group:

Open Original Shared Link

[CGally81]

Here is some information from the Gluten Intolerace Group:

Open Original Shared Link

Darn. It says that the symptoms of gluten intolerance "may resemble some of the gastrointestinal symptoms of celiac disease". But nothing about the neurological ones, and I had both when I was glutened. Only for celiac does it list neurological symptoms. Not good.

On the other hand:

"My doctor says that I have moderately elevated blood tests but do not have

celiac disease. What do I have? You may have a form of gluten intolerance that

brings about a slight immune response but does not cause intestinal damage."

"Slight" immune response? That includes brain fog and memory loss? Because I definitely would get that.

Okay, I think I'm celiac. But I could swear that eating more gluten made the reaction stronger.

[Lisa]

Could you post your blood panel results here. I'm not sure what you doctor is referring to as "moderately elevated". Depending on what test he was refering to, a positive result is a diagnosis for Celiac. And coupled with your symptoms, (which can be over 200 known symptoms), it looks likely.

Here is some information on the Serologic Panel for Celiac:

Open Original Shared Link

[CGally81]

Could you post your blood panel results here. I'm not sure what you doctor is referring to as "moderately elevated". Depending on what test he was refering to, a positive result is a diagnosis for Celiac. And coupled with your symptoms, (which can be over 200 known symptoms), it looks likely.

Here is some information on the Serologic Panel for Celiac:

Open Original Shared Link

I was just quoting the website that explained the difference between the two when I said the "moderately elevated" thing. It was part of a question-and-answer session regarding gluten intolerance.

I didn't have a "blood panel" for this kind of thing. Instead I took a "comprehensive" general blood test that looked at everything... except my vitamin levels. Everything that it did check for, such as potassium, calcium, peptides (my doctor wanted to rule out diabetes as a cause for my intense hunger, and I think it would also be nice to rule it out as a result of celiac, which can cause diabetes in the long term), and other things, was normal. Except my fasting blood sugar level, which was a little high, but not hugely so. Let's not forget I was really hungry at the time, a recovery symptom that's getting slowly better, and is better now than it was when I'd gotten my blood test.

[tmbarke]

My doctor didn't do any certain tests with me during my physical with the blood test being done the prior monday.

But when I told him symptoms I was having, he put me on a gluten free diet.

We didn't discuss anything about Celiac Disease or Gluten Allergy or Gluten intolerance......but it was obvious that Gluten was causing my symptoms.

My neck and tongue were swelling almost all the time! Sometimes worse than others.

My shoulder would not relax - like it was constantly twisted (and at the worse, like someone stuck a screwdriver in my shoulder!)

I was bloated and having digestive problems......with the fog - depression - vision laziness - back pain and neck pain (to mention a few)

I saw the list the doctor gave me and I said in confusion "But Dr., I'm a wholegrain JUNKIE!"

He replied saying, "That's a sign Tena, You crave and become addicted to what is hurting you"

That is so true! I'd have a wyler's singles drink mix in my bottle of water, and then another and another and another....sucking them down like I could never quench my thirst. (artificial color and flavor)

I could eat a gluteny meal, get bloated, and start back up again! What was I becoming!?

He also put me on certain vitamins to supplement my multivitamin I was already taking.

Are you positive you are NOT eating any gluten? Could there be a hidden one somewhere?

Do you think that maybe it's not just gluten? but maybe dairy as well?

It used to be that before I was put on the gluten-free diet, I'd eat a salad and become a salad shooter! Now it doesn't react at all like that in me as I have salads everyday, I've had soft and constipated......while at first I was going 4-5 times a day! My body is changing now to accomodate.

I don't really know if having a gluten allergy or intolerance is Celiac (unless you're tested) but as for me, I'm treating mine as if it were..........looking at my family history, diabetes runs in my family - there are two known cancers in my family (1 dead and 1 dealing) - my dad died of a heart attack at 57, my brother had a heart attack in his 20's and my sister had a heart attack at 40 and a stroke at 45.

So for me, it doesn't matter........I'm healthy oriented and determined to stay gluten free! Because it works! I feel like a new woman and I haven't seen her since my 20's.

It just matters!

What are you eating that doesn't make you feel hungry too soon?

Are you taking supplements?