Still Having Issues...

[Npealer]

Hi All,

I hope someone can point me in the right direction or has had some similar symptoms. I was diagnosed with Celiac Disease in Feb 2011 and I have been on a gluten-free diet ever since. I am still having problems and I am not really sure if they are all related to my celiac disease or maybe something more. In the past 6 months I have had to consistently deal with Insomnia, headaches, dry skin, hair loss, muscle aches, occasional numbness in my fingers, shortness of breath and slight weight gain (5lbs) <-- I know not much but still, dry eyes, and wierdly enough it seems like my skin is thinning. I feel like the smallest thing will leave me scratch that takes forever to heal (like an older person). I'm only 33 yo and I am tired of feeling like crap even afer be gluten-free. Anybody go thru something similar? I have an email out to my doc to see about all these symptoms I have been experiencing. She diagnosed my celiac disease relatively quickly so I can only hope she will continue to be agressive in treating me. Thanks in advance

[GlutenDude]

I know this is the last thing you want to hear...but you have to be patient. It took me a few years to start feeling better and five years later, still struggle. And I am as careful as they come. I would get another endoscopy and see if your intestines have healed at all.

Good luck and keep us posted.

Gluten Dude

[missmellie]

Hi! Has your thyroid been tested? Having a problem with thyroid is pretty common with celiac and several of your symptoms could be related to underactive thyroid. I have to agree with Gluten Dude about being patient. We all WANT to heal quickly, but our bodies don't always do what we want, do they? Also, it's possible that your gluten sensitivity has caused other problems to arise. Over time, untreated gluten sensitivity can make someone become intolerant to dairy and soy and other things as well. At least, that's what my doctor told me and it's certainly true in my case.

[AVR1962]

It is a good idea to have the thyroid checked and if that is not the problem look at supplements. Your body might not be getting all the nutrients it needs to feel better. Insomnia is a real good indicator that your body needs something more. Due to the hair issues, again do get the thyroid checked because hair loss in one symtom, you could benefit from BioSil drops, zinc and/or Primrose oil. Healing issues- take a look at zinc and look up vit K to see if that fits you. Numbness in the fingers, if not thyroid, could be B12. Fatigue could be iron, d or magnesium or all 3. Muscle aches, depends on whaty you are dealing with.....spasms- magnesium and potassium; hard muscles like you ahve just ran- Omega 3,6,9. All of these vits are common for Celiacs to have trouble with.

[dilettantesteph]

I am a super sensitive celiac. I had to go on a whole foods diet to eliminate all symptoms.

[Skylark]

I vote for thyroid too. Dry skin, hair loss, muscle aches, weight gain, and slow healing are classic hypothyroid symptoms.

Ask your doc if she'll test TSH and make sure she knows the modern reference range is 0.5-2.5. Some labs still don't flag TSH over 2.5 as abnormal.

[Npealer]

Thanks everyone for your responses. I went in to see my doc today and she is retesting my thryroid (had it done in Feb 2011 with normal results) She is also testing for other vitamin difiencies. I have always been borderline anemic my whole life so I am sure that may have something to do with it. Now it is a wait and see. I ended up walking out of my pharmacy $80 poorer this morning LOL