Still Dealing W Constant Hunger

[rain]

I've been gluten free for 16 months and it's been a roller coaster. The symptom I'm battling now is constant hunger. My antibody levels are normal. I've gained 5 pounds (I'm small framed so I can assure you the rolls show and I'm not dieting. Along with the hunger I feel bloated and physically my belly feels full. I'm hungry whether I eat a lot, or exercise. I've tried eating lots of protein, carbs. Nothing seems to really work.

Any thoughts?

Thanks!

[Marilyn R]

When I saw your post topic I thought you were a newbie and was going to suggest more protein.

Guess what? I'm finally at even keel at 18 months, and where I feel like I might make some significant progress. So try to give it a little more time.

I never would have thought that it would take this much time, I surely didn't.

Wish you well....

[eatmeat4good]

Have you had your thyroid checked?

Hypothyroid or Hashimoto's can make it feel impossible to lose weight.

Sluggishness of the digestive system happens because metabolism is regulated by the thyroid. If you haven't had it checked it might be a good idea. Depression and tiredness can result among other symptoms.

I, too, would have suggested more protein, but as I read your post I was wondering about the thyroid. It is just one option, but a good place to start.

[rosetapper23]

Are you eating adequate fat? With celiac, we tend to have problems absorbing fat-soluble vitamins. I now feel a lot better eating a paleo/primal diet that requires that I eat a lot of meat and saturated fats. I've lost 15 pounds in the past seven weeks, and I feel great. My vitamin absorption was terrible...and I'm hoping that's improved now that I don't eat so many fruits and vegetables. They made me feel bloated all the time, but hungry, too. Now I eat nutrient-dense foods, I feel satisfied and not uncomfortable. The book I read that introduced me to this new way of eating is, "Primal Body, Primal Mind," and I consider it the best book on any topic that I've ever read.

[cyberprof]

I've been gluten free for 16 months and it's been a roller coaster. The symptom I'm battling now is constant hunger. My antibody levels are normal. I've gained 5 pounds (I'm small framed so I can assure you the rolls show and I'm not dieting. Along with the hunger I feel bloated and physically my belly feels full. I'm hungry whether I eat a lot, or exercise. I've tried eating lots of protein, carbs. Nothing seems to really work.

Any thoughts?

Thanks!

I would suggest additional intolerances: Soy, Dairy, Eggs, Corn, nightshades (tomoatoes, potatoes, eggplant and peppers) or Peanuts. The way to test this would be to do an elimination diet: Eat only chicken/fish/meat (plain no spices other than non-iodized salt), pears, white rice for all three meals for 2 weeks. Then if that solves the pain/bloating problem, slowly add back in foods - sweet potatoes, green beans, zucchini, applesauce first. Then try adding in soy or dairy one at a time and see if you react. You could also see a naturopath or dietician to help you do this process.

Or if you're in a gluten household, you may get enough cross-contamination that it would make you sick but possibly not show up in your antibody levels. Same with gluten-free baked goods - a little bit of gluten could be present in flours used to make these products. Eat one gluten-free doughnut a day and you wouldn't notice a problem. Eat gluten-free toast for breakfast, gluten-free pizza for lunch, gluten-free cornbread with dinner and gluten-free cookies for desert and you may end up with enough trace gluten to exceed your personal tolerance threshhold.

Or it could be something like gall bladder disease or lyme disease.

You could post what you eat and that might help us figure it out. Good luck!

[Reba32]

Hyperthyroid, rather than hypothyroid, can cause you too constantly feel hungry, and contrary to what most doctors and people think, it is possible to gain weight and be hyper thyroid! I know, because I've BTDT! I had Grave's Disease (currently in remission) and at first I lost a lot of weight, but then I gained it all back plus! after my muscles started wasting. Add to that the undiagnosed Celiac, and I was a complete mess.

Have your thyroid and anti-bodies tested, and try a more natural food approach like paleo. Lots of healthy fats, moderate protein, restricted carbs berries, nuts, seeds, leafy greens (ie: restricted to no refined grains, no refined sugars just stuff that would have been available in paleolithic era).

[Marilyn R]

It may pay to eliminate soy, if indeed you have a thyroid condition. Then again, it may be prudent to eliminate soy even if you don't have a thyroid condition.

Good luck, hope you feel better!.

[rain]

Thanks for all your thoughts. I'm discovering that part of the issue is acidity. I started taking prilosec and have felt the hunger feeling subside. I'm hoping that all the rest of the symptoms go with it. I'm also guessing that I just need to give my body more time to heal. I noticed another shift in how I feel this past week...