Possible Diagnose

[gscel]

I was just wondering if I could get some advice on seeing my doctor for a diagnose.

I'm asking since my doctor has a way of waving things away and going by the advice of "take 6-8 weeks off" without finding the cause and coming up with a solution.

You could think that I should switch doctors but there's not a lot around in this area! So in that case I'll have to make due.

A little background on me, I'm 24, healthy in the big picture and a gym enthusiast(you might call me an aspiring bodybuilder).

My diet is pretty much always the same, mix of: wheat/oatmeal/bread/eggs/milk/rice/chicken/peanut butter. I think almost all if not all of these contain gluten?

I eat at least 500, perhaps even 600grams of carbs a day and most of there are from sources which contain gluten (as far as I know).

The reason why I think I have celiac or at least gluten intolerance is I have the following symptoms which link to either one:

- Extremely tired after eating bread/wheats (cannot stay awake, could fall during everyday tasks. Usually use caffeine pills to counter the effect)

- Sudden fatigue throughout the day (up to the point where I fall asleep in the car while driving, have to shout/hit myself to stay awake)

- A lot of gas/flatulence the entire day

- Chronic diarrhea (3-4 times a week)

- Abdominal bloating (no pain tho)

- Drowsiness

- Intense water retention, especially throughout my midsection (as an aspiring bodybuilder, this is a killer)

- More than usual abdominal fat (I've only read the link with celiac in a few articles, mind you)

- Foul-smelling stool

- Low free testosterone: 375 pmol/l (reference range for 20-40yo is 520

[ciamarie]

You did very well on the typing, I would never have guessed English isn't your first or 2nd language. I'm not an expert on symptoms, but one of mine is (was) definitely being tired. Bloating also, but I hadn't related that to gluten, in my case, but it fits.

I did want to comment that some of the things you listed as part of your diet do not contain gluten, namely eggs/milk/rice/chicken/peanut butter, but the bread surely contains gluten if it is 'regular' wheat bread. Gluten is the protein portion of the wheat, barley and rye (and similar) grains. You could perhaps go a few days without eating bread or pasta, or get a gluten-free variety to try instead, and see if you feel any different. Be sure to toast the gluten-free bread first though, most of them aren't very tasty unless they're toasted.

[Di2011]

Hi gscel,

Where are you from? What language is your first, second?

Are you able to contact a local cealic society for a recommended doctor/specialists?

[gscel]

Hi gscel,

Where are you from? What language is your first, second?

Are you able to contact a local cealic society for a recommended doctor/specialists?

You did very well on the typing, I would never have guessed English isn't your first or 2nd language. I'm not an expert on symptoms, but one of mine is (was) definitely being tired. Bloating also, but I hadn't related that to gluten, in my case, but it fits.

I did want to comment that some of the things you listed as part of your diet do not contain gluten, namely eggs/milk/rice/chicken/peanut butter, but the bread surely contains gluten if it is 'regular' wheat bread. Gluten is the protein portion of the wheat, barley and rye (and similar) grains. You could perhaps go a few days without eating bread or pasta, or get a gluten-free variety to try instead, and see if you feel any different. Be sure to toast the gluten-free bread first though, most of them aren't very tasty unless they're toasted.

Thanks for the replies

The larger grocery stores here have celiac-free shelves and there are celiac societies where you can get advice etc so that's all good.

I have my better days now and then but I'm not if that has anything to do with my diet.

I suppose I have to keep eating gluten to test positive on antibodies? As in, it won't work if I've been eating gluten-free for a few weeks?

In the end I hope I don't have it..

Again, thanks for the replies.

[maramelia]

gscel, i think it is perfectly possible you have celiac disease, there are many symptoms, and fatigue is one of the most important as extraintestinal symptoms...

but its better to keep gluten-diet during the period that you will go to see the doctor, to do all the exams, including, if it is your case, the duodenal biopsy. If you do gluten free diet for some weeks >>> then, comes back with gluten, maybe the biopsy may show just some abnormal findings, that may bring some doubts to your case...

Better: see the doctor ASAP, then do the exsms (EMA, TTG and then biopsy) ASAP.

Regards, Mara