Celiac Or Not? So Confused!

[trola2]

I was recently diagnosed with Hashimoto's (an autoimmune disease) and my endocrinologist says it frequently goes hand in hand with celiac. My celiac blood test was negative. But, I had chronic diarrhea and some vitamin deficiency. So, my doc suggested I go gluten free for 30 days.

After about 2 days of being gluten-free the diarrhea stopped and I felt better. But then I'd have occasional bouts of it and I'd tried to figure out if/where I got gluten.

So, after about 45 days I can't tell if gluten is really the issue or not. And I'm so confused. I don't know if it really is gluten causing my issues. Some days I eat gluten and my gut is fine. Other days I don't eat gluten and I have troubles again.

Has anyone experienced anything like this? Suggestions??

Thanks!

[cassP]

I was recently diagnosed with Hashimoto's (an autoimmune disease) and my endocrinologist says it frequently goes hand in hand with celiac. My celiac blood test was negative. But, I had chronic diarrhea and some vitamin deficiency. So, my doc suggested I go gluten free for 30 days.

After about 2 days of being gluten-free the diarrhea stopped and I felt better. But then I'd have occasional bouts of it and I'd tried to figure out if/where I got gluten.

So, after about 45 days I can't tell if gluten is really the issue or not. And I'm so confused. I don't know if it really is gluten causing my issues. Some days I eat gluten and my gut is fine. Other days I don't eat gluten and I have troubles again.

Has anyone experienced anything like this? Suggestions??

Thanks!

woww... kudos to your endo for knowing the sometimes link.

if it helps u to understand at all: gluten intolerance and celiac is not the same thing as an allergy. sometimes you may notice the negative effects on the same day- and other days you may not... so you cant always judge your reactions to gluten... if you have a problem- the gluten is activating your antibodies which then cause autoimmune damage or inflammation... but that is all inside of you- and you may not always have symptoms..

but... it probably would have been better for your doc to do a celiac panel on u- rather than to 1st try the diet. if you're gluten free- a test may not be accurate.

even if you didnt have celiac or never knew- i hope you DO know tho- that gluten can really aggravate those Hashimoto's antibodies.

[Takala]

The reaction to gluten, if that is your problem, is not straightforward and immediate in all people. It varies. If you have been off of it for a long time, and then accidentally get glutenned, you also may become acutely more sensitive or at least aware of what it feels like. Also, and this hasn't been discussed much, I think certain medications, smoking, and alcohol are blocking how people can feel their reactions.

A month off of it is not that long. And if you didn't somehow cross contaminate yourself that month, it would almost be a miracle, because it takes time to figure out where are the hidden gluten is. Teflon, tupperware, toasters.... lipsticks, hand lotions, hairsprays - pet foods if your pet drools or licks you - there are a lot of ways that gluten can be lurking.

Keep in mind that chronic D is not normal, nor is vitamin deficiency, nor your thyroid having auto immune problems.

If I were you, I would consider perhaps eliminating soy (that is the 2nd big thing that tends to mess up celiacs, gluten intolerants, and thyroid people) as well, and at least dairy lactose if not both lactose and casein (milk sugar and milk protein) in addition to gluten, and continue with the diet. Eat as simply as possible, keeping a food diary, and introducing new things only when you are sure the old ones don't bother you. You may also be reacting to one of the common ingredients in commercial gluten free foods, so it takes a bit of time to get to where you have no problems.