Gluten Associated Sensitivity & Cross Reactive Foods

[laura4669]

I wanted to post my experience in case it might help others.

I was diagnosed with gluten sensitivity last year, and started a gluten-free diet last October. Initially, I felt better, but soon after I was back to feeling bad again. I never got the digestive upset that is so common with gluten sensitive people, but my symptoms were constipation, awful fatigue, with mind fog and loss of concentration, hair loss, and skin rashes.

I figured I had other food sensitivities, so I tried to do an elimination diet consisting mostly of rice, quinoa, chicken, vegetables, potatoes, fruits and nuts to figure out what was going on. My doc gave me rice protein to make shakes in the morning for breakfast. Even on this diet, I still didn't feel better.

Last month I took a blood test for cross reactive foods, and the results surprised me! Apparently there are other foods that can cause the same immune reaction in my body as gluten. For me these are: cow's milk, casein, CHOCOLATE (so bummed!), hemp, buckwheat, millet, spelt, amaranth, quinoa, coffee, corn, rice and potato! I was stunned. Many of the foods I was substituting for gluten were still causing me problems. I was aware that many people had multiple food sensitivities, but I really never imagined that my list of offending foods would be so extensive!

I also tested positive for ANA, which indicates auto immune disease. I think this might have to do with the foods I am eating? I don't really have symptoms of things like lupus or RA or MS. As anyone had positive ANA, which went down after removing the offending foods?

I have been looking into the Paleo Diet, GAPS diet and SCD diet, which all seems similar to me. I am hoping that in the coming weeks my symptoms will finally disappear, and my energy will return. Will update in a few weeks.

[cahill]

I also tested positive for ANA, which indicates auto immune disease. I think this might have to do with the foods I am eating? I don't really have symptoms of things like lupus or RA or MS. As anyone had positive ANA, which went down after removing the offending foods?

I have been looking into the Paleo Diet, GAPS diet and SCD diet, which all seems similar to me. I am hoping that in the coming weeks my symptoms will finally disappear, and my energy will return. Will update in a few weeks.

I recently (the beginning of April)had testing done and my ANA was moderately Positive.

mine was 35 ; negative is <20, moderately positive range is 20-60

I did not have any of the other markers for lupus but my antibodys for Hashimoto's was off the scale

my TPO was 998.76 normal is <10.10

Have you been tested for Hashimotos or other autoimmune diseases ??

[mommida]

Spelt has gluten in it.

[srall]

FWIW, here's something I have recently noticed. When I went gluten free 13 months ago, many other food intolerances reared their ugly heads. One week ago I gave up all grains. Within one week I have tested foods which this past year have caused great problems, and found (so far) that they aren't bothering me. I have had cream in my coffee the past two days, which normally would make me nauseated for hours, I put a banana in my daughter's fruit smoothie, then tried a glass myself...no problems and I had a soy latte and had no problems. I am floored. I am not really planning on bombarding my diet with foods that have been offending me the past year, but I am amazed and how good I feel even after one week. My next test is to see if I can handle a green drink.

It may be worth it to you to try GAPS or SCD. My feeling is that if I made such a huge leap with eliminating gluten, I should at least try grain free for 6 weeks just to test it out. So...I'm still in the testing phase, but I wonder if this was the final puzzle piece? I mean, it's only been one week, so I don't have any real answers either.

(I'm not following a specific diet...just lots of meat, veggies, nuts and fruits)

[laura4669]

I recently (the beginning of April)had testing done and my ANA was moderately Positive.

mine was 35 ; negative is <20, moderately positive range is 20-60

I did not have any of the other markers for lupus but my antibodys for Hashimoto's was off the scale

my TPO was 998.76 normal is <10.10

Have you been tested for Hashimotos or other autoimmune diseases ??

I tested negative for Hashimoto's, although I am on thyroid medication for low thyroid. My ANA was positive, but the lab that ran the test did not give me a number, they just said it was positive. I am curious to know whether it was slightly positive, or extremely positive. My next step is to see a specialist to get tested for specific autoimmune diseases, like lupus.

[laura4669]

FWIW, here's something I have recently noticed. When I went gluten free 13 months ago, many other food intolerances reared their ugly heads. One week ago I gave up all grains. Within one week I have tested foods which this past year have caused great problems, and found (so far) that they aren't bothering me. I have had cream in my coffee the past two days, which normally would make me nauseated for hours, I put a banana in my daughter's fruit smoothie, then tried a glass myself...no problems and I had a soy latte and had no problems. I am floored. I am not really planning on bombarding my diet with foods that have been offending me the past year, but I am amazed and how good I feel even after one week. My next test is to see if I can handle a green drink.

It may be worth it to you to try GAPS or SCD. My feeling is that if I made such a huge leap with eliminating gluten, I should at least try grain free for 6 weeks just to test it out. So...I'm still in the testing phase, but I wonder if this was the final puzzle piece? I mean, it's only been one week, so I don't have any real answers either.

(I'm not following a specific diet...just lots of meat, veggies, nuts and fruits)

Wow, that is really interesting. You gave up grains, and it seems like it made a huge impact on your health. Thanks for sharing! As of yesterday, I have given up all grains, except for gluten-free oats. Maybe I should give those up too, I just get so hungry if I don't have ANY grains at all, but it sounds like it might be worth it. I am not really planning on following a specific diet either, but I plan on eating meats, veggies, sweet potatoes but no white potatoes, fruit, nuts and good fats like coconut oil, ghee (which doesn't have dairy), and olive oil.

Good luck to you!

[srall]

Wow, that is really interesting. You gave up grains, and it seems like it made a huge impact on your health. Thanks for sharing! As of yesterday, I have given up all grains, except for gluten-free oats. Maybe I should give those up too, I just get so hungry if I don't have ANY grains at all, but it sounds like it might be worth it. I am not really planning on following a specific diet either, but I plan on eating meats, veggies, sweet potatoes but no white potatoes, fruit, nuts and good fats like coconut oil, ghee (which doesn't have dairy), and olive oil.

Good luck to you!

I'm taking back what I said about soy though...I did have a tummy ache last night. I think if you're going to go grain free you need to make the same commitment that you make when you go gluten free. And I have been STARVING this week, but it's easing up. It's supposed to get better. I am pretty underweight and am reluctant to go too low carb, so I'm still eating potatoes and fruits. Potatoes are another food that I thought was bothering me, but they really aren't. And...it's only been a week. I'd read the stories here of people who have been grain free for months/years. I just thought it was worth checking out. Good luck to you too!

[GlutenFreeManna]

Wow, that is really interesting. You gave up grains, and it seems like it made a huge impact on your health. Thanks for sharing! As of yesterday, I have given up all grains, except for gluten-free oats. Maybe I should give those up too, I just get so hungry if I don't have ANY grains at all, but it sounds like it might be worth it. I am not really planning on following a specific diet either, but I plan on eating meats, veggies, sweet potatoes but no white potatoes, fruit, nuts and good fats like coconut oil, ghee (which doesn't have dairy), and olive oil.

Good luck to you!

Many people with gluten intolerance/celiac cannot tolerate even gluten free oats. If I were still having symptoms I would drop oats before I dropped all those other things. Just my opinion.

[laura4669]

I am pretty underweight and am reluctant to go too low carb, so I'm still eating potatoes and fruits.

I am very thin also, and I can't seem to GAIN weight! I was hoping to hold on the the gluten-free oats, but it does sound like I need to give them up too. I am hoping that the good quality fats and fruits I eat will keep some weight on me.

[srall]

I am very thin also, and I can't seem to GAIN weight! I was hoping to hold on the the gluten-free oats, but it does sound like I need to give them up too. I am hoping that the good quality fats and fruits I eat will keep some weight on me.

Same Laura...still want to gain a little and certainly not lose anymore. We'll have to keep each other posted.

-stacey :-)

[jenngolightly]

I went gluten-free and still had some of the issues you described. When I went on the SCD diet last May, those issues all cleared up and I feel great! Better than I have in 10 years at least. Best of luck.

[laura4669]

Stacey- Yes, we will have to keep each other posted!

Jenn- thank you so much for sharing your success! It helps to motivate me!

[superfob]

hello,

what kind of blood test did you take to determine the cross-reactive foods? I find myself reacting (mostly neurologically) to different foods, and do not know how to deal with it as I feel I like my body needs a lot of calories but I'm having a hard time due to all these food restrictions.

[Jestgar]

The best way to find food intolerances is to do an elimination diet. Blood tests might give you an idea, but the way your body reacts is the best indicator.

[laura4669]

hello,

what kind of blood test did you take to determine the cross-reactive foods? I find myself reacting (mostly neurologically) to different foods, and do not know how to deal with it as I feel I like my body needs a lot of calories but I'm having a hard time due to all these food restrictions.

I took a blood test with Cyrex Labs. They have a brand new test that just came out this year. It tests your IgG + IgA reactions to foods that commonly cross react. I also have neurological symptoms. I agree that an elimination diet is the most accurate, but I found it extremely time consuming and almost impossible to do one. When I did attempt it, I was eating RICE with chicken and veggies, and little did I know that rice was a problem for me. Only time will tell if the blood test is completely accurate. I go all grain free this weekend- no more gluten-free oats.

[thleensd]

This came up when I searched the forum for Cyrex... trying to figure out if their tests are legit. I'm 2 years gluten-free and not better yet. I think my next step is to try grain free.

How did you get the Cyrex test?

Are you feeling better off grains, chocolate, etc?

I'll have to look into ANA... sounds interesting.

I'm worried about grain free, too, as I'm also looking to gain weight. =b

Any one else have experience (positive or negative) with Cyrex tests?