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Numbness And Tingling....docs Dont Know...help Again Please!

Holly4

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Holly4 Rookie
Holly4
Posted

I recently got a weak positive on my deamidated gliadin and a strong positive on my tissue transglutaminase. I have numbness and tingling in my hands and feet that seems to be getting worse! My right hand pinky is completely numb. My doc thought is was a b-12 deficiency but my b-12 was good. All my vitamin levels are okay. Does that mean its not celiac? I thought celiac meant you couldn't absorb nutrients. I am scheduled to get a biopsy done in a few weeks, so I guess I cant eat gluten-free yet. Has anyone had this problem with numbness?

I am also really light-headed and dizzy. Is this a common symptom of celiac or not? I also suffer from constipation :( and have started having a hard time swallowing. My blood tests showed a low level of TSH. Is thyroid related to celiac?

I wish the doctors around here knew more about celiac. I'm really nervous about my hands and feet and sometimes I get numb up to my elbows and quads. Does eating gluten make it hard for anyone to hold a pen or type or spray hairspray etc? Please respond if any on this makes any sense!

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Lisa Mentor
Lisa
Posted

Here is some information that you might find interesting:

Open Original Shared Link

shopgirl Contributor
shopgirl
Posted

Not all Celiacs have vitamin deficiencies. I was undiagnosed for quite some time and all my vitamin levels checked out as within normal range.

And constipation was my number one symptom.

Wolicki Enthusiast
Wolicki
Posted

I had all your symptoms and more. I tingled from head to foot, especially my cheeks and the backs of my knees. It got better right away, but took about 6 months on a strict gluten free diet to resolve. I still get a bit from time to time, but it's barely noticeable.

Many celiacs have thyroid issues. Since you have tested positive (blood test false positives are very rare) be sure to be tested for thyroid antibodies. And get the exact levels of your vitamins. My B12 was in the "normal" range, but very low. I had about 10 injections and took subligual b12 for 8 months before I felt normal.

cassP Contributor
cassP
Posted

yes all those things (B12 & vit deficiencies, Thyroid disorders) can all come with Celiac. or they could all be seperate too. make sure you get copies of your results to understand them yourself- because like above poster said- your B12 could be "within range" but only be like 250 which is most definitely low enough to cause the numbness in your hands and feet.

your TSH number should be low. it should really be between 1-3. did u get your thyroid checked??? because even tho my constipation improved after going gluten free- it GREATLY improved after i started meds for my Hypothyroid.

good luck

ravenwoodglass Mentor
ravenwoodglass
Posted

yes all those things (B12 & vit deficiencies, Thyroid disorders) can all come with Celiac. or they could all be seperate too. make sure you get copies of your results to understand them yourself- because like above poster said- your B12 could be "within range" but only be like 250 which is most definitely low enough to cause the numbness in your hands and feet.

good luck

I agree with this. I was told my B12 was fine, it was about 252 or so at diagnosis. Definately to low. Also if you take a multi with folate that will make the B12 look higher than it actually is. You may want to try a subligual B12, it won't mess with your celiac testing but may help with those tingles until you are done testing and can go gluten free. With positive blood work even if the endo is 'negative' you should still get on the diet.

joshnjustinsmom Rookie
joshnjustinsmom
Posted

I am also really light-headed and dizzy. Is this a common symptom of celiac or not? I also suffer from constipation :( and have started having a hard time swallowing. My blood tests showed a low level of TSH. Is thyroid related to celiac?

*****I don't know why the above didn't show the OP's text in the quote block, hmmm******

Hi there! You aren't alone with this symptom. I don't know how much help that I can be because I am still awaiting biopsy results and had a negative blood test, but near the top of my symptoms list that need to go away is dizziness and light-headedness as well. I can go a week without much of a problem with it or I can go a week without being able to stand upright without feeling like I'm going to pass out.

Assuming that they have ruled out other possible causes of this for you (i.e. heart or neurological problems), my understanding is that Celiac can cause this to happen.

For me, I have had many tests and my heart and brain are fine. I am convinced that my problems are a direct result of either Celiac, food intolerances, or food allergies. Maybe even all of the above. Hugs, I hope you start feeling better soon!!

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cassP Contributor
cassP
Posted

I am also really light-headed and dizzy. Is this a common symptom of celiac or not? I also suffer from constipation :( and have started having a hard time swallowing. My blood tests showed a low level of TSH. Is thyroid related to celiac?

*****I don't know why the above didn't show the OP's text in the quote block, hmmm******

Hi there! You aren't alone with this symptom. I don't know how much help that I can be because I am still awaiting biopsy results and had a negative blood test, but near the top of my symptoms list that need to go away is dizziness and light-headedness as well. I can go a week without much of a problem with it or I can go a week without being able to stand upright without feeling like I'm going to pass out.

Assuming that they have ruled out other possible causes of this for you (i.e. heart or neurological problems), my understanding is that Celiac can cause this to happen.

For me, I have had many tests and my heart and brain are fine. I am convinced that my problems are a direct result of either Celiac, food intolerances, or food allergies. Maybe even all of the above. Hugs, I hope you start feeling better soon!!

what exactly was your TSH number- because it may have been within range- but high enough to indicate Hypothyroid-

im asking- because constipation and difficulty swallowing can both be typical for Hypothyroid..

in the past i had issues with getting dizzy when i stood up... A LOT... it seems to have improved since going gluten free

joshnjustinsmom Rookie
joshnjustinsmom
Posted

what exactly was your TSH number- because it may have been within range- but high enough to indicate Hypothyroid-

im asking- because constipation and difficulty swallowing can both be typical for Hypothyroid..

in the past i had issues with getting dizzy when i stood up... A LOT... it seems to have improved since going gluten free

Hey CassP

Thanks for your thoughts and help!!

For me, my TSH is 1.15, and my Doc is know for treating subclinical thyroid issues, so I'm thinking that (I'm hoping that) he would've picked up on thyroid issues. Maybe the OP has an elevated TSH.

My lightheadedness is seemingly random. I do have the "dizzy upon standing up" symptom, but also I could be just walking around, or standing at the sink or whatever and feel like I'm going to pass out (eyesight goes, ears ring, heart races, feel weak, and feel a downward pulling) that only lying down helps. This also happens when trying to work out at the gym, so I don't anymore. I'm hoping that gluten-free (or even free of my known food allergens) will solve this symptom because it is really limiting and irritating.

rosetapper23 Explorer
rosetapper23
Posted

Here is a URL that lists the symptoms of nutrient deficiencies:

Open Original Shared Link

You'll see that numbness of limbs (paresthesia is the technical name) can be caused by calcium and/or phosphorus deficiencies. Also, dizziness can occur from deficiencies in B-2 and/or manganese. You might wish to ask your doctor to check these nutrients.

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