Jump to content
  • 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

Effect Of Colds On Gi Tract And D?


Kay DH

Recommended Posts

Kay DH Apprentice

Can having a cold make symptoms from getting glutened worse? My celiac symptoms started 13 months ago, a week or two after getting the flu. I quit eating bread and pasta almost immediately because of the D and other symptoms, and went completely gluten-free in January. Six days ago I got glutened bad at a restaurant I go to frequently; 3 days later I caught my first cold since going gluten-free. It's a minor head cold. My GI problems usually only last 3 days after being glutened, but I'm still having D after 5 days. I haven't had any cc from food since the restaurant. I've dropped 2.5 lbs so far, and not from dehydration. I don't seem to be absorbing what I am eating. Is this worse with colds? This is my first illness after going gluten-free.


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



Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):



ravenwoodglass Mentor

Are you taking anything for the cold? If you are have you made sure it is gluten-free? Before I was gluten free I caught every bug there was around. After being gluten-free I haven't had a cold or virus in a very long time. My doctor said the thought that when glutened my body was fighting the gluten so hard it couldn't fight the viruses. Don't know for sure if he was right but makes sense to me.

shopgirl Contributor

Are you taking anything for the cold? If you are have you made sure it is gluten-free? Before I was gluten free I caught every bug there was around. After being gluten-free I haven't had a cold or virus in a very long time. My doctor said the thought that when glutened my body was fighting the gluten so hard it couldn't fight the viruses. Don't know for sure if he was right but makes sense to me.

Think of your immune system like an army. If most of your troops are off at the front lines fighting gluten, there are few platoons remaining to fight your virus

Kay DH Apprentice

Are you taking anything for the cold? If you are have you made sure it is gluten-free? Before I was gluten free I caught every bug there was around. After being gluten-free I haven't had a cold or virus in a very long time. My doctor said the thought that when glutened my body was fighting the gluten so hard it couldn't fight the viruses. Don't know for sure if he was right but makes sense to me.

No, I'm not taking any medicines. The only thing in common with the two D's is coconut shrimp. I made it from "Let's Go...Organic" coconut flakes that the company website indicates is gluten-free. I'm usually a cold virus magnet, and going 10 months without a cold is very unusual. I suspect I only caught this cold because of being glutened by a wheat pita at a restaurant I frequent (my guard was down, I didn't notice it wasn't gluten-free until it was too late). I contacted the manager and company, also because they advertise as being gluten-free. Wheat. Staff of Life. They should call it the Bludgeon of Life. This cold is mild for me and hasn't turned into the usual nasty chest cold. I do not have the flu, it is a cold, and my gluten GI symptoms are still going after 5 days. My brain fog lifted on day 5 (mood changes). So, when people get a cold after being glutened, are then GI and other symptoms any different?

cassP Contributor

i think its completely normal that you would be more succeptible to colds & other illnesses after being glutened, because your immune system is vulnerable when u ingest gluten

Archived

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


  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):



  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      131,742
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748

    MistyMoon
    Newest Member
    MistyMoon
    Joined

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):


  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.4k
    • Total Posts
      1m

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):




  • Who's Online (See full list)

    • There are no registered users currently online

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):



  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • Theresa2407
      Maybe you have a low  intolerance to Wheat.   Rye, Barley and Malt are the gluten in Celiac disease.  It has always been stated Wheat and Gluten, not just a Wheat intolerance.  Barley will keep me in bed for (2) weeks.  Gut, Migrains, Brain fog, Diahrea.  It is miserable.  And when I was a toddler the doctor would give me a malt medicine because I always had Anemia and did not grow.  Boy was he off.  But at that time the US didn't know anyone about Celiac.  This was the 1940s and 50s.  I had my first episode at 9 months and did not get a diagnosis until I was 50.  My immune system was so shot before being diagnoised, so now I live with the consequences of it. I was so upset when Manufacturers didn't want to label their products so they added barley to the product.  It was mostly the cereal industry.  3 of my favorite cereals were excluded because of this. Malt gives me a bad Gut reaction.
    • Gigi2025
      Thanks much Scott.  Well said, and heeded.   I don't have Celiac, which is fortunate.
    • Scott Adams
      Do you have the results of your endoscopy? Did you do a celiac disease blood panel before that?  Here is more info about how to do a gluten challenge for a celiac disease blood panel, or for an endoscopy: and this recent study recommends 4-6 slices of wheat bread per day:    
    • Scott Adams
      It is odd that your Tissue Transglutaminase (TTG) IgA level has bounced from the "inconclusive" range (7.9, 9.8) down to a negative level (5.3), only to climb back up near the positive threshold. This inconsistency, coupled with your ongoing symptoms of malabsorption and specific nutrient deficiencies, is a strong clinical indicator that warrants a more thorough investigation than a simple "satisfactory" sign-off. A negative blood test does not definitively rule out celiac disease, especially with such variable numbers and a classic symptomatic picture. You are absolutely right to seek a second opinion and push for a referral to a gastroenterologist. A biopsy remains the gold standard for a reason, and advocating for one is the most direct path to getting the answers you need to finally address the root cause of your suffering. Here is more info about how to do a gluten challenge for a celiac disease blood panel, or for an endoscopy: and this recent study recommends 4-6 slices of wheat bread per day:    
    • Scott Adams
      There is a distinction between gluten itself and the other chemicals and processing methods involved in modern food production. Your experience in Italy and Greece, contrasted with your reactions in the U.S., provides powerful anecdotal evidence that the problem, for some people, may not be the wheat, but the additives like potassium bromate and the industrial processing it undergoes here. The point about bromines displacing iodine and disrupting thyroid function is a significant one, explaining a potential biological mechanism for why such additives could cause systemic health issues that mimic gluten sensitivity. It's both alarming and insightful to consider that the very "watchdog" agencies meant to protect us are allowing practices banned in many other developed countries. Seeking out European flour and your caution about the high-carb, potentially diabeticgenic nature of many gluten-free products are excellent practical takeaways from your research, but I just want to mention--if you have celiac disease you need to avoid all wheat, including all wheat and gluten in Europe.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

NOTICE: This site places This site places cookies on your device (Cookie settings). on your device. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy.