Gluten Sensitivity/ Celiacs/ Hair

[HopefulMama23]

Hey there- here's my deal: my Grandma has Celiacs. My aunt had colon cancer. My father, mysellf, my daughter, and my other aunt have sensitivity to dairy. My son has eczema. All of the women in that side of the family have skin issues and hair loss. I had a blood test for celiacs that came back negative. What are the odds I am still sensitive to gluten? I have had severe gastro intestinal issues since the pregnancy and birth of my now four month old baby. I've lost some weight and my hair is falling out. I'd like to try a gluten free diet and see if it helps. Any feedback? I have to believe all that family history is related somehow, including the hair and skin issues. But I'm new to trying to understand all of this. Any help you can give me is greatly appreciated!!

How long after becoming gluten free should I notice any improvement? Will the hair and skin issues resolve?

[Dixiebell]

Welcome HopefulMama23!

Celiac disease is hereditary. So it is very possible you, your children and other family members have it.

The blood tests are only about 80% accurate. So you could have had a false negative. Be aware that if you go gluten free and then want additional testing for celiac, you will need to go back to eating a gluten full diet for several weeks and you could still get false negative on the tests.

Did you also get testing for vitamin and mineral levels? If not, you should do that too. If you in fact have celiac you might not be absorbing them like you should. Something else to do if you have not, is getting testing for thyroid issues.

As for just starting the gluten-free diet on your own, if you are comfortable without a Dr. diagnosis, I say go for it. You also might want to remove dairy from your diet in the beginning. The time to see results will be different in everyone but hopefully you will see positive results within the first few weeks.

[ravenwoodglass]

Welcome HopefulMama23!

Celiac disease is hereditary. So it is very possible you, your children and other family members have it.

The blood tests are only about 80% accurate. So you could have had a false negative. Be aware that if you go gluten free and then want additional testing for celiac, you will need to go back to eating a gluten full diet for several weeks and you could still get false negative on the tests.

Did you also get testing for vitamin and mineral levels? If not, you should do that too. If you in fact have celiac you might not be absorbing them like you should. Something else to do if you have not, is getting testing for thyroid issues.

As for just starting the gluten-free diet on your own, if you are comfortable without a Dr. diagnosis, I say go for it. You also might want to remove dairy from your diet in the beginning. The time to see results will be different in everyone but hopefully you will see positive results within the first few weeks.

Very well put. I agree totally with this poster.

[rosetapper23]

Just want to mention that it's perfectly normal for hair to fall out several months after having a baby--it's very common.

[HopefulMama23]

I'm sorry- I should have been clearer. M hair thinned diffusely over 10 years ago. I've struggled with fatigue, depression, skin issues, and thhing hair since puberty. This pregnancy sees to have kicked all of those into high gear. I'm wondering if it was the stress on my body of the baby. My grandma's official diagnosis din't come until after she had her three kids. I'm wondering if I can eliminate the stress on my body, could symptoms Ilve struggled with for over a decade reverse? Does that happen?

[ravenwoodglass]

I'm sorry- I should have been clearer. M hair thinned diffusely over 10 years ago. I've struggled with fatigue, depression, skin issues, and thhing hair since puberty. This pregnancy sees to have kicked all of those into high gear. I'm wondering if it was the stress on my body of the baby. My grandma's official diagnosis din't come until after she had her three kids. I'm wondering if I can eliminate the stress on my body, could symptoms Ilve struggled with for over a decade reverse? Does that happen?

It isn't uncommon for women to have celiac triggered by pregnacy and birth. If your celiac and you do the diet strictly then yes even symptoms you have had for years could resolve. Some of my issues had been present since I was a child and I was finally diagnosed in my late 40's. I am now healthier than I can ever remember being.

[HopefulMama23]

Here are some other symptoms I have: cold, numb hands and feet, flaky dry skin, body hair loss, bumps on my upper arms and legs, fatigue, and depression. Could this all be the same thing?