Jump to content
This site uses cookies. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. More Info... ×
  • 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

Where Do I Start


Dan T

Recommended Posts

Dan T Newbie

I am a 45 male who has always had some mild constipation but lately it has been out of control. I have a dad and a nephew with celiac but have no idea if that is what I have. I have gone 80-90% gluten free for a week and the cramps are gone but the constipation is still there. Not sure what to eat or do right now,

my urine is clear and the cat scan revealed nothing.

Dan


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



Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):



GottaSki Mentor

If you've already tried the simple strategies of more fiber & fruit/fruit juice (apples, prunes, raisins) you have two options to try to determine celiac:

1) Go back to eating gluten normally, have celiac and nutrient blood work - followed by endoscopy if indicated by either tests or symptoms. If possible have this done by a Gastrenterologist whom wants a celiac case. Gene testing for Celiac is optional - although these don't diagnose Celiac, only indicate that you might develop Celiac - if you don't have the genes it is helpful in ruling out Celiac.

2) Go 100% gluten free to see if your symptoms improve - I'm 44 and it took about 6-8 weeks to show improvement in some symptoms - others symptoms including constipation took longer - but did improve.

Good Luck!

Link Rookie
If you've already tried the simple strategies of more fiber & fruit/fruit juice (apples, prunes, raisins) you have two options to try to determine celiac:

1) Go back to eating gluten normally, have celiac and nutrient blood work - followed by endoscopy if indicated by either tests or symptoms. If possible have this done by a Gastrenterologist whom wants a celiac case. Gene testing for Celiac is optional - although these don't diagnose Celiac, only indicate that you might develop Celiac - if you don't have the genes it is helpful in ruling out Celiac.

2) Go 100% gluten free to see if your symptoms improve - I'm 44 and it took about 6-8 weeks to show improvement in some symptoms - others symptoms including constipation took longer - but did improve.

Good Luck!

Link Rookie
I am a 45 male who has always had some mild constipation but lately it has been out of control. I have a dad and a nephew with celiac but have no idea if that is what I have. I have gone 80-90% gluten free for a week and the cramps are gone but the constipation is still there. Not sure what to eat or do right now,

my urine is clear and the cat scan revealed nothing.

Dan

Link Rookie

Dan:

Enterolab (www.enterolab.com) offers a variety of tests, including a stool test, to identify gluten sensitivity. It also provides genetic testing. All tests are at a reasonable cost and may be

ordered without a doctor's order.

These stool tests are highly sensitive and will tell you if you are gluten intolerant and even if you are genetically predisposed to celiac disease. It is well worth checking out this web site...it is a wealth of information. Also, the stool test is not an invasive test and it is definitive. I just ordered the kit for myself to determine once and for all if I have Celiac Disease and if I carry the genes so I can enlighten my adult kids. Also, you don't have to start back on gluten to have the test done.

Also, The Gluten Connection by Shari Liberman is an excellent book to get you started on the gluten journey. Highly informative...this is where I found out about the lab in TX. Hang in there. I am still battling the symptoms of gluten intolerence after being gluten free for 5 1/2 weeks. I am determined to beat this ordeal. Don't give up...stay gluten free...what do you have to lose?

Evie4 Apprentice

Dan, constipation was my main motivation to go gluten free. I'm in my late 40s and it was becoming progressively worse. I went mostly gluten free and found that two days in a row of consuming gluten constipated me. Then it was a single day of consumption and I couldn't go for a couple days. Things were going really well after completely stopping gluten and then I found out if I eat legumes a couple days in a row or if I eat too many gluten free starchy things like muffins, cookies, pretzels etc. I start having problems.

I've been suffering from IBS for about 16+ years now. I tried all the traditional recommendations. Fiber was a disaster, no amount water or exercise worked. I have pretty much always eaten well balanced meals with daily fruit and vegetables. My husband has no problem with our diet.

I don't know if I have celiac disease. I do have genes, symptoms and test results that point to it. So I'm gluten free and life is better. Not perfect, but better!

So...you could try eating less starch and no gluten and see if that helps. In my case, the amount of gluten you have been eating would be too much for me to not be constipated.

Archived

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


  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):



  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      130,251
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748

    Janet Lima
    Newest Member
    Janet Lima
    Joined

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):


  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.3k
    • Total Posts
      1m

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):





  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):



  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • Wheatwacked
      Vitamin D deficiency can contribute to rib pain. Chest pain stemming from the ribs ccould be costochondritis, which involves inflammation of the cartilage connecting the ribs to the breastbone. This pain can range from mild to severe, potentially mimicking heart attack symptoms, and is often worsened by breathing or movement. Other potential causes include muscle strain, rib fractures, or even referred pain from other conditions.  It will also help to chose vegetables low in omega 6.
    • Scott Adams
      Great question! Even if some individuals with celiac disease don’t experience immediate villi damage from occasional cross-contamination, it’s still strongly recommended to maintain strict avoidance of gluten. The immune response triggered by gluten can vary between individuals, and even small amounts may cause systemic inflammation or other symptoms, even if intestinal damage isn’t immediately detectable. Additionally, repeated exposure—even at low levels—could lead to cumulative harm over time. Strict avoidance of cross-contamination remains the safest approach to prevent long-term complications and ensure overall health. Everyone’s sensitivity differs, so working with a healthcare provider to tailor precautions is ideal.
    • Zuma888
    • knitty kitty
      You have one gene for Celiac.  You have a second autoimmune disease, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, which is frequently found at a higher rate with Celiac.  HLA genes carry autoimmune disease genes like Celiac and Hashimoto's and diabetes and others.   You have Celiac symptoms of reacting after gluten.  You said "I am however still suffering from the effects of the gluten challenge (food sensitivities, slight brain fog, weird stool, fatigue, swollen thyroid, bodyaches)."  And your anti-thyroid antibodies increase after gluten exposure.  While tTg IgA does not directly attack the thyroid, gluten exposure does trigger the  immune system to produce antibodies against the thyroid in genetically predisposed individuals.  You did not eat sufficient gluten (10 grams of gluten per day for two weeks minimum) to raise the autoimmune antibodies to the point they can be measured in the blood, so your blood tests may well be inaccurate.  You could choose to continue the gluten challenge of 10 grams a day for at least two weeks and get retested.   At the very least, you know that gluten is harmful to your thyroid, and because you are genetically predisposed to Celiac disease, a strict gluten free diet would be beneficial for your overall health.  
    • Zuma888
      Thanks @Scott Adams! I guess my question now is: do the celiacs who can get away with regular contamination without villi damage as you mentioned have to be strict about cross-contamination ? 
×
×
  • Create New...