Daytime Tiredness

[rebe09]

I have been gluten-free since last June. As of the last few months I have been extremely tired, especially in the afternoon and evening. This is not like me. I am beginning to wonder if it has anything to do with the gluten-free diet---less carbs?! Or could it be an iron deficiency? It's bothering me because I dislike being tired during my daytime routine. Thoughts?!

[mushroom]

I have been gluten-free since last June. As of the last few months I have been extremely tired, especially in the afternoon and evening. This is not like me. I am beginning to wonder if it has anything to do with the gluten-free diet---less carbs?! Or could it be an iron deficiency? It's bothering me because I dislike being tired during my daytime routine. Thoughts?!

The one question that comes to mind is whether you have been tested for vitamin and mineral deficiencies, iron and thyroid. These are all problems for those of us who have had malabsorption problems for a long tiime. You need to check your levels of Vit D, B12, folate, K, potassium, zinc, calcium, ferritin, TSH and free T3 and T4 (thyroid) at the minimum. Deficiencies in any of these can leave you feeling tired. But so can the healing process, which by now you should be over, so I would suspect the deficiencies.

[RiceGuy]

I agree with what mushroom said. I'd also add the suggestion of a strong co-enzyme B-complex. But don't depend on this for the B12. Get a separate vitamin B12, and make sure it is the methylcobalamin form, in a sublingual tablet. Take about 5mg per day. There is no known level of toxicity, however the human body typically doesn't absorb more than about 5-6mg per day. Magnesium can also be helpful, and statistically about 80% of the population is deficient in this nutrient too. The probability may be even higher for persons with Celiac, due to malabsorption.

[charles76]

Just some ideas here, but did you change anything in particular around the same time? Not all products labeled gluten free are. Also, I found I got more sensitive as I removed things - though it was worth it. One other idea, a lot of mainstream foods contain msg, in many forms - even autolyzed yeast, paprika extract or "natural flavor." Msg is a nerve stimulant that you may not be getting as much of. When I changed to gluten-free, nothing tasted the same for years, until one of the last items I have reintroduced made me realize why. Msg is in everything tasty, even many natural foods. The Japanese call this flavor Umami. I recommend "Ac'cent" in the spice section. Other brands are made from modified corn and wheat gluten, or have some cross-contamination.

That may not be it at all, it could be a vitamin deficiency, especially b12 is stored in a three year supply in the liver, so some nutrients take different amounts of time before you notice a deficiency. But it could be a change due to a particular food. And personally, magnesium makes me more tired.