Jump to content
  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.




  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):



    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):


  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

Could I Have Diabetes? Hypoglycemia?


ruddabega

Recommended Posts

ruddabega Apprentice

I have been gluten free for 9 months now, but am still incredibly tired. I seem to feel a lot better right after I eat, but about 30-45 minutes later I crash again. I am urinating a lot, and seem hungry quite often. Does this sound like I might have diabetes or hypoglycemia? I don't know wether my symptoms fit either role...

Help! Thanks!


Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):



Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):



tarnalberry Community Regular

It could well be a blood sugar problem. Please talk to your doctor about testing to find out which it is, as there are some important differences in treating the two.

lbsteenwyk Explorer

Frequent urination is a common symptom of diabetes. An increased appetitie without weight gain is also a possible symptom. Other common symptoms of uncontrolled blood sugar are excessive thirst, blurred vision (feeling like you need glasses) and weight loss. People with type 1 diabetes can become very ill quite quickly, so please get your blood sugar checked soon. If you are in school, the school nurse may be able to do it.

tarnalberry Community Regular

Should have noted... in the meantime, please, don't eat any meals that are primarily carbs. Make sure that they all have a decent balance of fat and protein with the carbs, and that the carbs aren't simple ones (like white rice, or the like) to keep from spiking your blood sugar.

ruddabega Apprentice

Thanks you guys. I will try to get my blood sugar tested.

For now, I mostly eat veggies and meat and eggs and plain yogurt etc. I only eat brown rice for grains, and don't eat sugar. But I will be extra-cautious of the simple carbs.

I'll let you know when I get my blood sugar tested.

skbird Contributor

Hey Camila -

So, you're in Dixon - I've been there. I'm in Chico, the other side of Sac, but still pracitically neighbors! :)

I'm hypoglycemic and it was by following a low carb diet that I found out I was also gluten intolerant. It does sound like you are following a good diet at this point for either hypoglycemia or diabetes, how much rice are you eating? I had a lot of trouble with rice, brown or otherwise, and had to stop eating it. But after going gluten free I was able to eat it again. Before that point when I ate rice it felt like I'd had about 20 coffees, majorly jittery and manic feeling.

Hormones can also play into blood sugar issues, when I was on the pill it did a number on me.

What finally convinced me of my blood sugar problems (doctors didn't believe me because a test in the office always indicated a normal blood sugar level) was buying a cheap, store brand, blood sugar tester, like what diabetics use. I charted my blood sugar levels for a couple of days, as often as every 15 mins, keeping track of what I ate, etc. I saw my blood sugar drop very low a few times (in the 40's) and that scared me. As a result I don't eat certain sugars and no alcohol, that was the worst one for me. Once I had this proof, I showed a doctor and they started believing me which was a relief - I had been claiming this was a problem for me since I was in high school, and it wasn't until I was 30 that someone believed me.

Look for info on the web about the glycemic index - that should help you with food choices. Low glycemic load foods are the best for everyone, and especially for those with blood sugar problems.

Take care

Stephanie

emeraldskies Rookie

One of the main genes for celiac disease, HLA-DQ2, is highly associated with diabetes. If you find you don't have high blood sugar or low insulin, it could be diabetes insipidus, a condition with a much different cause than the common diabetes. I have similar symptoms but have never been tested: Open Original Shared Link.


Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):



Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):



Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.


  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):



  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      131,899
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748

    dcarter1682
    Newest Member
    dcarter1682
    Joined

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):


  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.4k
    • Total Posts
      1m

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):





  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):



  • Who's Online (See full list)

    • There are no registered users currently online
  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • trents
      Welcome to the forum, @Judy M! Yes, he definitely needs to continue eating gluten until the day of the endoscopy. Not sure why the GI doc advised otherwise but it was a bum steer.  Celiac disease has a genetic component but also an "epigenetic" component. Let me explain. There are two main genes that have been identified as providing the "potential" to develop "active" celiac disease. We know them as HLA-DQ 2.5 (aka, HLA-DQ 2) and HLA-DQ8. Without one or both of these genes it is highly unlikely that a person will develop celiac disease at some point in their life. About 40% of the general population carry one or both of these two genes but only about 1% of the population develops active celiac disease. Thus, possessing the genetic potential for celiac disease is far less than deterministic. Most who have the potential never develop the disease. In order for the potential to develop celiac disease to turn into active celiac disease, some triggering stress event or events must "turn on" the latent genes. This triggering stress event can be a viral infection, some other medical event, or even prolonged psychological/emotional trauma. This part of the equation is difficult to quantify but this is the epigenetic dimension of the disease. Epigenetics has to do with the influence that environmental factors and things not coded into the DNA itself have to do in "turning on" susceptible genes. And this is why celiac disease can develop at any stage of life. Celiac disease is an autoimmune condition (not a food allergy) that causes inflammation in the lining of the small bowel. The ingestion of gluten causes the body to attack the cells of this lining which, over time, damages and destroys them, impairing the body's ability to absorb nutrients since this is the part of the intestinal track responsible for nutrient absorption and also causing numerous other food sensitivities such as dairy/lactose intolerance. There is another gluten-related disorder known as NCGS (Non Celiac Gluten Sensitivity or just, "gluten sensitivity") that is not autoimmune in nature and which does not damage the small bowel lining. However, NCGS shares many of the same symptoms with celiac disease such as gas, bloating, and diarrhea. It is also much more common than celiac disease. There is no test for NCGS so, because they share common symptoms, celiac disease must first be ruled out through formal testing for celiac disease. This is where your husband is right now. It should also be said that some experts believe NCGS can transition into celiac disease. I hope this helps.
    • Judy M
      My husband has had lactose intolerance for his entire life (he's 68 yo).  So, he's used to gastro issues. But for the past year he's been experiencing bouts of diarrhea that last for hours.  He finally went to his gastroenterologist ... several blood tests ruled out other maladies, but his celiac results are suspect.  He is scheduled for an endoscopy and colonoscopy in 2 weeks.  He was told to eat "gluten free" until the tests!!!  I, and he know nothing about this "diet" much less how to navigate his in daily life!! The more I read, the more my head is spinning.  So I guess I have 2 questions.  First, I read on this website that prior to testing, eat gluten so as not to compromise the testing!  Is that true? His primary care doctor told him to eat gluten free prior to testing!  I'm so confused.  Second, I read that celiac disease is genetic or caused by other ways such as surgery.  No family history but Gall bladder removal 7 years ago, maybe?  But how in God's name does something like this crop up and now is so awful he can't go a day without worrying.  He still works in Manhattan and considers himself lucky if he gets there without incident!  Advice from those who know would be appreciated!!!!!!!!!!!!
    • Scott Adams
      You've done an excellent job of meticulously tracking the rash's unpredictable behavior, from its symmetrical spread and stubborn scabbing to the potential triggers you've identified, like the asthma medication and dietary changes. It's particularly telling that the rash seems to flare with wheat consumption, even though your initial blood test was negative—as you've noted, being off wheat before a test can sometimes lead to a false negative, and your description of the other symptoms—joint pain, brain fog, stomach issues—is very compelling. The symmetry of the rash is a crucial detail that often points toward an internal cause, such as an autoimmune response or a systemic reaction, rather than just an external irritant like a plant or mites. I hope your doctor tomorrow takes the time to listen carefully to all of this evidence you've gathered and works with you to find some real answers and effective relief. Don't be discouraged if the rash fluctuates; your detailed history is the most valuable tool you have for getting an accurate diagnosis.
    • Scott Adams
      In this case the beer is excellent, but for those who are super sensitive it is likely better to go the full gluten-free beer route. Lakefront Brewery (another sponsor!) has good gluten-free beer made without any gluten ingredients.
    • trents
      Welcome to the forum, @catsrlife! Celiac disease can be diagnosed without committing to a full-blown "gluten challenge" if you get a skin biopsy done during an active outbreak of dermatitis herpetiformis, assuming that is what is causing the rash. There is no other known cause for dermatitis herpetiformis so it is definitive for celiac disease. You would need to find a dermatologist who is familiar with doing the biopsy correctly, however. The samples need to be taken next to the pustules, not on them . . . a mistake many dermatologists make when biopsying for dermatitis herpetiformis. 
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

NOTICE: This site places This site places cookies on your device (Cookie settings). on your device. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy.