Could This Be Celiac?

[shpammy]

For about a year I've had issues with hair loss and bowel movements.

I have had loose, yellow stools for awhile and recently decided to look up what might be the cause. I came across Celiac Disease. I'm pretty sure no on else in my family has it.

I went to the doctor's about 3 times and ran a bunch of blood tests. I was wondering though, if you have celiac, do you most commonly have vitamin deficiencies? Because the body isn't absorbing nutrients properly?

Here were my results:

Hct- 42

Hgb-13.8

Plt.-273

WBC- 6.5

Alb- 4.8

ALT- 13

AST- 20

BUN- 17

Ca- 10.1

Cl- 103

CO2- 26

Creat- 0.7

GFR- 110.2

Glu- 85

K- 4.0

Na- 141

TBili- 0.7

TP- 7.8

ESR auto- 13

TSH- 1.8

(I don't have all of the ranges, because I lost the original sheet I was given. But everything was within normal ranges).

She also tested Vitamin D, B vitamins, Iron (a little low, so I was on supplements for a while. It was at 20 on a scale of 11-300 or something), Magnesium, Zinc, Estrogen, Progesterone, Prolactin, Testosterone, T3, T4. Everything was normal.

I guess I'm just wondering if any of these could indicate whether I do or do not have celiac disease. I really don't think I can afford anymore lab tests, but what would you suggest I get checked out to indicate whether I have it?

Also, I bought a bunch of gluten free food and went on a 3 day gluten free diet. I was aiming for a week, but my stomach felt weird the entire time I was on it, and it felt so.. empty? I was constantly hungry. Felt a little headachy, and I seemed to have less energy

Thanks

[Dixiebell]

Hi shpammy.

It does not look like you had any testing for celiac.

Some people have severe vitamin deficiencies and some people will have just low normal ranges. The three days you were eating gluten-free you could have been having gluten withdrawals.

Celiac tests:

Anti-gliadin antibodies (AGA) both IgA and IgG

Anti-endomysial antibodies (EMA) - IgA

Anti-tissue transglutaminase antibodies (tTG) - IgA

Total IgA level

Deamidated Gliadin Peptide (DGP) Antibodies, IgA & IgG

[cassP]

ya- i really dont know anything about the numbers you posted. i only know that your TSH is good. im familiar with B12 numbers- but u didnt post those.

yes, vitamin deficiencies are quite common in Celiacs- but not neccessarily indicitave. i agree you need the actual tests that the above poster posted. ALSO- you need to be eating enough gluten (4-6 slices of bread worth a day for 1-3 months).

and when you say you bought a bunch of "gluten free" food for a trial diet- do u mean: lean meats, rice, veggies and fruit? or did u mean gluten free bread, waffles, cereal, snack bars, etc?? because a lot of those gluten free substitutes are just a gluten free version of junk food, or they're too starchy for many gluten intolerant people. i still felt pretty "bloaty" and lethargic untill i stopped eating all those gluten free treats.

i know it's difficult to pay for all these tests- (are u in america? do u have insurance?)-> i want to say- that as long as you are eating enough gluten for an accurate test-> paying for the tests posted above- are well worth the money- and you can pay off medical bills in arranged monthly payments. it's worth it to know

[shpammy]

Thanks for the replies. Yes, I bought a bunch if gluten-free snacks and probably was not eating enough. I'm planning on going on a longer gluten free diet soon and ive gotten a bunch of recipes. Did either of you experience hair loss? I've noticed hair thinning on my scalp and a general thinning of body hair as well, which is my main concern. Could hair loss, irregular periods and loose stools be indicative of gluten intolerance? I would like to get tests done to be sure, but I dont have health insurance and have already built up a large doctor's bill.

[shopgirl]

Could hair loss, irregular periods and loose stools be indicative of gluten intolerance?

Yes, yes, and yes.

I had hair loss