Sleeplessness And Fatigue/newly Diagnosed Celiac

[lynnmb]

My 12 year old daughter was diagnosed with Celiac 3 weeks ago and has been on a gluten free diet since then. She is feeling very tired much of the time during the day and also is having trouble falling asleep at night. Insomnia and fatigue have bothered her for years, though it seems magnified right now. Could the "feeling tired" be a result of her body healing?

Lynn

[RiceGuy]

Many go through this, and researchers aren't quite sure why some of these things occur once gluten-free.

The best thing I know of to resolve the fatigue and sleep problems is B vitamins, especially vitamin B12. I'd recommend a 5mg methylcobalamin sublingual tablet, such as the one made by Source Naturals. Taken about an hour before bedtime, it gives the brain what it needs to produce melatonin, making for a good night's sleep. It is also necessary for the production of serotonin. These two brain chemicals are vital for normal sleep/wake cycles. Resolving such a deficiency can make wonderful improvements in other areas of health as well, including energy, mood, vision, nail, skin and hair health, and so much more.

A good strong co-enzyme B-complex is also a good idea, and should not be overlooked.

In addition, magnesium, vitamin D3, vitamin K2, omega-3s, and zinc may also be very helpful.

Lastly, don't overlook an iron deficiency, which can also cause fatigue. Has your daughter had any tests for nutrient deficiencies? Just keep in mind that the tests aren't very good or accurate for all nutrients, and it cannot hurt to try some supplements, even if tests say levels are normal.

[lynnmb]

Many go through this, and researchers aren't quite sure why some of these things occur once gluten-free.

The best thing I know of to resolve the fatigue and sleep problems is B vitamins, especially vitamin B12. I'd recommend a 5mg methylcobalamin sublingual tablet, such as the one made by Source Naturals. Taken about an hour before bedtime, it gives the brain what it needs to produce melatonin, making for a good night's sleep. It is also necessary for the production of serotonin. These two brain chemicals are vital for normal sleep/wake cycles. Resolving such a deficiency can make wonderful improvements in other areas of health as well, including energy, mood, vision, nail, skin and hair health, and so much more.

A good strong co-enzyme B-complex is also a good idea, and should not be overlooked.

In addition, magnesium, vitamin D3, vitamin K2, omega-3s, and zinc may also be very helpful.

Lastly, don't overlook an iron deficiency, which can also cause fatigue. Has your daughter had any tests for nutrient deficiencies? Just keep in mind that the tests aren't very good or accurate for all nutrients, and it cannot hurt to try some supplements, even if tests say levels are normal.

Thanks, Iron deficiency has been ruled out. Your suggestions for supplements are appreciated and we will give them a try!

[T.H.]

My 11 year old daughter had the same issue - very exhausted after going gluten free.

I had been diagnosed celiac just a few weeks before her and was tested for food allergies, so that was on my mind when she started feeling worse.

The GI said that many celiacs have other food allergies or issues (sensitive to other foods) as well. Also, many celiacs have issues with preservatives, additives, and dyes, and they can have more issues with genetically modified foods (we went organic on my doc's advice).

Add to that - a new study found a connection between pesticides in produce and ADHD symptoms in children, recently, so it was recommending organic produce for kids, too.

We took the kids off of the 8 major food allergens, plus food allergies common to our family, and my daughter was much better very quickly. Trying to slowly add foods back in, we've discovered that she DOES have sensitivities to other foods. Harder time sleeping, more emotional outbursts, and exhaustion are the typical symptoms. Which seems almost impossible to tell if it was food or her, until you see how she is OFF the food, and then it's like night and day.

Also, if your doc didn't mention it, most celiacs are lactose intolerant until they've healed, so many doctors recommend staying away from dairy for the first few months after going gluten free. It lets the gut heal a little quicker.

My 12 year old daughter was diagnosed with Celiac 3 weeks ago and has been on a gluten free diet since then. She is feeling very tired much of the time during the day and also is having trouble falling asleep at night. Insomnia and fatigue have bothered her for years, though it seems magnified right now. Could the "feeling tired" be a result of her body healing?

Lynn

[lynnmb]

Thanks,

She is also lactose intolerant, and we do mostly organic. Can you share the the 8 common food allergins that you mentioned, I would love to have a list to work from and see if I need to eliminate other things. So far the dairy has been the most difficult to do without. We will be glad when she can have more of that!

Lynn