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Total Villous Atrophy=Lactose Intolerance?

adab8ca

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adab8ca Enthusiast
adab8ca
Posted

Hello all my gluten-free compadres

I read in another topic (that I can't find now) that if you have total villous atrophy that you are lactose intolerant?

I have no symptoms when I drink milk or eat cheese or ice cream (but again, I never had D or C and just lost weight mysteriously, no pain or stomach issues really), but am afraid that I am possibly slowing down healing?

My GI is useless (I didn't even have a chance to ask questions at my appr. and he basicalloy said "go see a dietician and good luck"). I don't see my GP for 2 weeks. I just got my biopsy results last week but have been gluten-free since Aug 31. I don't drink a LOT of milk, just in my coffee or tea for the most part and I have been trying to eat ice cream to put on some weight (not that it is helping :( seems to be still pretty hard). I actually SAW the dietician ages ago, when the blood work came back, way before the biopsy and although I thought she was lovely at the time, I sent her a few emails (never asking for advice or anything free, just telling her about a vegan bakery I found, and to let her know my results) but I never heard from her, so not sure if she isn't going to answer if I am not paying. Whatever, I don't want to spend 100.00 to see her for an hour to discuss the lactose intolerance.

Oh long winded as usual, any thoughts?

ada

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mushroom Proficient
mushroom
Posted

If all your villi are destroyed you will not be producing any lactase. However, unless you had the pillcam done they could not have visualized your whole small intestine, and they take only 4 or 5 biopsies, so if you are okay with lactose it must mean that you still have some villi intact or you would be suffering gas and diarrhea. I would still not push the lactose, personally, until you have done some healing. Milk in tea or coffee, okay, but try some ice cream subs for now (coconut milk ice cream and hemp are both delish). Your body is in healing mode so give it its best chance :D

adab8ca Enthusiast
adab8ca
Posted
  • Author

If all your villi are destroyed you will not be producing any lactase. However, unless you had the pillcam done they could not have visualized your whole small intestine, and they take only 4 or 5 biopsies, so if you are okay with lactose it must mean that you still have some villi intact or you would be suffering gas and diarrhea. I would still not push the lactose, personally, until you have done some healing. Milk in tea or coffee, okay, but try some ice cream subs for now (coconut milk ice cream and hemp are both delish). Your body is in healing mode so give it its best chance :D

THANK YOU!!! It looked to me like the villi were all gone (it was all very smooth) but I guess they can't see the microscopic stuff. I thought they were ALL GONE and nobody told me any different. This actually makes me feel a bit better but will certainly lay off the ice cream for now.

Thank goodness I found this place.

Lisa Mentor
Lisa
Posted

If all your villi are destroyed you will not be producing any lactase. However, unless you had the pillcam done they could not have visualized your whole small intestine, and they take only 4 or 5 biopsies, so if you are okay with lactose it must mean that you still have some villi intact or you would be suffering gas and diarrhea. I would still not push the lactose, personally, until you have done some healing. Milk in tea or coffee, okay, but try some ice cream subs for now (coconut milk ice cream and hemp are both delish). Your body is in healing mode so give it its best chance :D

Excellent reply! ;)

For most people it is temporary. And welcome to you! You have found a great place to rest your head and take a deep breath. :)

adab8ca Enthusiast
adab8ca
Posted
  • Author

Excellent reply! ;)

For most people it is temporary. And welcome to you! You have found a great place to rest your head and take a deep breath. :)

Thank you Lisa, It IS a weary head. Personally, I am feeling that there is a lack of resources in Canada for Celiacs, from food availability to Dr's knowledge of what is going on to finding a Dr. that even CARES that many celiacs have no gut symptoms (my GI Dr. had NEVER seen it like I had it (although I admit he had a Doogie Howser quality to him, very young), thought it was very weird but otherwise, sent me on my way...I guess they are too busy for further education, and I mean it seriously, the waiting lists are hugely long, so if he can't help me, he needs to move onto the next patient that he can)

I am tired and grumpy and demoralized I have screwed up many times in the last two weeks, so I am actually afraid to eat.

ravenwoodglass Mentor
ravenwoodglass
Posted

I am tired and grumpy and demoralized I have screwed up many times in the last two weeks, so I am actually afraid to eat.

Try to go with as much whole unprocessed food as you can. That will lead to less 'screw ups'. Fresh meats, fish and chicken, veggies and fruits in either fresh or single ingredient frozen form, potatos, rice, nuts in the shell, beans etc are all going to be naturally gluten free. You'll heal faster with less CC risk that way. There can be ups and downs for a bit when we first start the diet so don't be too hard on yourself. Do check all supplements and any meds and it is a good idea to avoid gluten ingredients in your toiletries as well.

larry mac Enthusiast
larry mac
Posted

According to my GI my endoscopy indicated my villi were completely flattened and my biopsies confirmed Celiac Disease. I went on a totally gluten-free diet the day I got the phone call from him. The very next day I started feeling better. I made an immediate and complete recovery from my symtoms.

I never experienced any lactose intolerance of any kind, all the while continuing a heavy intake of milk, cheese, sour cream, and all things dairy.

I don't know if this is common. But I say it can happen.

best regards, lm

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