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Gluten Sensitivity After Giardia

michaelkl1

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michaelkl1 Rookie
michaelkl1
Posted

I am a 51 year old male who has just starting having gluten sensitivity over the last several months. About 5 months ago I tested positive for the Giaridia parasite. After 3 different drugs and 12 weeks I was able to get rid of the parasite, however I continued to have symptoms. I had a GI doctor do a biopsy and it showed that I had gluten sensitivity. At that time I was having a lot of stomach cramps and diarrhea. I also started to get an itchy rash on the under side of both my arms. I went for a blood test for the antibodies, but it came back negative. So it looks like I have gluten sensitivity, but not celiac. I am starting on a gluten free diet. Since my blood test is negative,can this gluten sensitivity eventually go away if I give my body time after being on a gluten free diet?

Also, I like to exercise and do weight training, but I am concerned that I may lose too much body weight and energy on a gluten free diet. Are there any gluten free foods that can help me maintain a good calorie intake, and help me maintain my current weight?

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Looking for answers Contributor
Looking for answers
Posted

Did you get a biospy done on the itchy rash? If you ever get it back and didn't get a biospy already, I highly recommend that you do. There is a specific rash that celiac sufferers often get that can confirm a diagnoses for you. As you may realize by reading through some posts, blood work is often inconclusive.

Dont' worry about not being able to get enough calories...it won't be a problem. I eat a ton of avocados, brown rice protein, coconut milk, which help maintain my weight....oh, and dark chocolate :rolleyes:

The key to building and maintaining muscle is getting plenty of protein, which won't be a problem for you with a gluten-free diet. If you can do dairy, then whey protein is great for pre-and post workouts, and health bars such as Lara Bars are gluten-free and full of protein and carbs too!

Like Taco Bell says, you just need to "think outside the bun!" :P

Looking for answers Contributor
Looking for answers
Posted

I am a 51 year old male who has just starting having gluten sensitivity over the last several months. About 5 months ago I tested positive for the Giaridia parasite. After 3 different drugs and 12 weeks I was able to get rid of the parasite, however I continued to have symptoms. I had a GI doctor do a biopsy and it showed that I had gluten sensitivity. At that time I was having a lot of stomach cramps and diarrhea. I also started to get an itchy rash on the under side of both my arms. I went for a blood test for the antibodies, but it came back negative. So it looks like I have gluten sensitivity, but not celiac. I am starting on a gluten free diet. Since my blood test is negative,can this gluten sensitivity eventually go away if I give my body time after being on a gluten free diet?

Also, I like to exercise and do weight training, but I am concerned that I may lose too much body weight and energy on a gluten free diet. Are there any gluten free foods that can help me maintain a good calorie intake, and help me maintain my current weight?

michaelkl1 Rookie
michaelkl1
Posted
  • Author

Did you get a biospy done on the itchy rash? If you ever get it back and didn't get a biospy already, I highly recommend that you do. There is a specific rash that celiac sufferers often get that can confirm a diagnoses for you. As you may realize by reading through some posts, blood work is often inconclusive.

Dont' worry about not being able to get enough calories...it won't be a problem. I eat a ton of avocados, brown rice protein, coconut milk, which help maintain my weight....oh, and dark chocolate :rolleyes:

The key to building and maintaining muscle is getting plenty of protein, which won't be a problem for you with a gluten-free diet. If you can do dairy, then whey protein is great for pre-and post workouts, and health bars such as Lara Bars are gluten-free and full of protein and carbs too!

Like Taco Bell says, you just need to "think outside the bun!" :P

I went to a dermatologist and she prescribed me some lotion which I used and the itchy rash went away within a week and the rash has not come back, but my arms occasionally feel itchy even though the rash has gone away. I don't know if it still has something to do with my gluten sensitivity. If the rash comes back I will get the biopsy on my arm. Anyway I started on my gluten free diet for a couple of days now, so I will see how things go. Thanks.

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      Test interpretations

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      Based on those results alone, it’s not possible to say you have celiac disease. The test that is usually most specific for celiac, tTG-IgA, is negative in your results, and the endomysial antibody (EMA) is also negative, which generally argues against active celiac disease. However, your deamidated gliadin IgA is elevated, and your total IgA level is also high, which can sometimes affect how the other antibody tests behave. Another important factor is that you were reducing gluten before the test, which can lower antibody levels and make the results less reliable. Because of that, many doctors recommend a gluten challenge (eating gluten regularly for several weeks) before repeating blood tests or considering an endoscopy if symptoms and labs raise concern. It would be best to review these results with a gastroenterologist, who can interpret them in context and decide whether further testing is needed.
    • trents
      Test interpretations

      By trents · Posted

      Since you compromised the validity of the antibody testing by experimenting with gluten withdrawal ahead of the testing, you are faced with two options: 1. Reintroduce significant amounts of gluten into your diet for a period of weeks, i.e., undertake a "gluten challenge". The most recent guidelines are the daily consumption of at least 10g of gluten (about the amount found in 4-6 slices of wheat-based bread) for at least two weeks leading up to the day of testing. Note: I would certainly give it more than two weeks to be sure. 2. Be willing to live with the ambiguity of not knowing whether gluten causes you problems because you have celiac disease or NCGS (Non Celiac Gluten Sensitivity). There is no test for NCGS. Celiac disease must first be ruled out and we have tests for it. Celiac disease has an autoimmune base. NCGS does not. GI symptoms overlap. In the early stages of celiac disease, other body systems may not be showing stress or damage so, symptomatically, it would be difficult to distinguish between celiac disease and NCGS. Both conditions require elimination of gluten from the diet for symptom relief. Some experts feel that NCGS can be a precursor to celiac disease.
    • suek54
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      By suek54 · Posted

      Hi Kayla Huge sympathies. I was diagnosed in December, after 8 months of the most awful rash, literally top to toe. Mine is a work in progress. Im on just 50mg dapsone at the moment but probably need an increased dose to properly put the lid on it. As you have been now glutened, I wondered whether it might be worth asking for a skin biopsy to finally get a proper diagnosis? Sue  
    • MicG
      Test interpretations

      By MicG · Posted

      I had been eating reduced gluten until about 3 days before the test. I did realize that wasn’t ideal, but it was experimental to see if gluten was actually bothering me. One slip up with soy sauce and it was quite clear to me that it was, lol. 
    • trents
      Test interpretations

      By trents · Posted

      Possibly. Your total IGA (Immunoglobulin A, Qn, Serum) is actually high so you are not IGA deficient. In the absence of IGA deficiency, the most reliable celiac antibody test would be the t-Transglutaminase (tTG) IgA for which your score is within normal range. There are other things besides celiac disease that might cause an elevated DGP-IGA (Deamidated Gliadin Abs, lgA) for which you do have a positive score. It might also be of concern that your total IGA is elevated as that can indicate some other health problems, some of which are serious.  Had you been practicing a gluten free or a reduced gluten free diet prior to the blood draw? Talk to your physician about these things. I would also seek an endoscopy/biopsy of the small bowel to check for damage to the villous lining, which is the gold standard diagnostic test for celiac disease.
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