Food Allergy Vs Celiac

[MichelleD]

I am looking for any feedback. I have just started the process of getting tested. My doctor thought my symptoms could be a thyroid problem or celiac. My thyroid came back normal, so now we are running a blood allergy test. My symptoms are: chronic constipation, when I do go it floats,bloating, gas, fatigue, depression (which I wrote off to moving to a new state) foggy brain and forgetfulness (which has fights in my marriage because my husband thought i was blowing off things he asked me to do). I stopped eating gluten about a week and a half ago. The only change I have noticed so far is my eyes used to be really sensitive to sun and I had in watery eyes alot (which I thought was my contacts) that has gone away. But now, I have had 3 "allergic reactions" after I have eaten, which has not happened before. Last week I had sweet potato fries, within 30 minutes my eyes were itching and watery and my arms were incrediably itchy and my back. I took benedryl and the symptoms went away. then twice this week (after a salmon burger on lettuce, and the charboiled chicken and fruit salad at Chick-fil-a)within 30 min, I get a headache, my tongue feels like its swelling (you can see the teeth impressions on the side) my chin and lower jaw feel tingly, my eye waters and the top of my stomach burns. I am scared to eat anything now. My new symptoms seem more inline with a food allergy, but my stomach issues seem more inline with Celiac. I had one day this week when I felt great, and now after these 2 episodes I just want to cry. Has anyone been through anything similiar? Thank you

[Christine0125]

Did the doctor run the celiac panel or just the allergy tests? I did my own gluten free trial and then had to do a challenge to undergo the testing. In hindsight, I wish I had asked for testing before starting gluten free. During my gluten challenge I got a small amount of hives a few times. I chalked it up to my body confused by the back and forth diet.

[MichelleD]

I didn't go gluten free until she took blood for the allergy panel, since she narrowed down my symptoms to thyroid or celiac, I hope she did a celiac panel. Today was a much better day, that was good =)

[MitziG]

You will probably need a biopsy to get the celiac dx, and you need to be eating gluten for that. However, with your tongue swelling, I would be hesitant to do so- you may have an actual allergy. Or you could have an allergy AND celiac! I guess you have to use your judgement there- you don't want to risk anaphalaxis! Just keep in mind that being gluten-free can give you a false negative on celiac tests.

[pricklypear1971]

Do NOT eat any more wheat/gluten (if in fact that's what you ate that triggered those episodes).

Yes, it sounds like you're allergic and yes you could have both digestive and allergy issues with wheat/gluten.

Do NOT eat those foods again to test them unless you are in the presence of a physician who is prepared to deal with anaphylaxis.

Yes, you are up the creek on blood tests if you are now gluten-free and having these reactions. Call your doc ASAP and see of you can get in for a scope - that might be your best bet. You may come up positive on blood tests but after two weeks the results are probably unreliable.

[MichelleD]

Thank you all, I feel better just having someone understand. I have been very careful not to eat any dressing (last two times it happened after salad) but had a salad with just lemon juice and that seemed to work ok, and just eating at home til I am better at asking the right questions about what is in my food.

[Bubba's Mom]

I am looking for any feedback. I have just started the process of getting tested. My doctor thought my symptoms could be a thyroid problem or celiac. My thyroid came back normal, so now we are running a blood allergy test. My symptoms are: chronic constipation, when I do go it floats,bloating, gas, fatigue, depression (which I wrote off to moving to a new state) foggy brain and forgetfulness (which has fights in my marriage because my husband thought i was blowing off things he asked me to do). I stopped eating gluten about a week and a half ago. The only change I have noticed so far is my eyes used to be really sensitive to sun and I had in watery eyes alot (which I thought was my contacts) that has gone away. But now, I have had 3 "allergic reactions" after I have eaten, which has not happened before. Last week I had sweet potato fries, within 30 minutes my eyes were itching and watery and my arms were incrediably itchy and my back. I took benedryl and the symptoms went away. then twice this week (after a salmon burger on lettuce, and the charboiled chicken and fruit salad at Chick-fil-a)within 30 min, I get a headache, my tongue feels like its swelling (you can see the teeth impressions on the side) my chin and lower jaw feel tingly, my eye waters and the top of my stomach burns. I am scared to eat anything now. My new symptoms seem more inline with a food allergy, but my stomach issues seem more inline with Celiac. I had one day this week when I felt great, and now after these 2 episodes I just want to cry. Has anyone been through anything similiar? Thank you

The foods you reacted to could possibly have soy or soy oil used in making them? Be aware of what your reactions are when you eat anything with soy.

After going gluten-free I found I reacted very strongly to soy. Before going gluten-free I had no idea I had problems with it. In fact, I used to eat soy nuts.

[MichelleD]

The foods you reacted to could possibly have soy or soy oil used in making them? Be aware of what your reactions are when you eat anything with soy.

After going gluten-free I found I reacted very strongly to soy. Before going gluten-free I had no idea I had problems with it. In fact, I used to eat soy nuts.

Thank you for the tip, soy oil could be the link, will be more specific in my food diary.

[MichelleD]

My doctor appt today was frustrating. She didn't do a celiac panel, just a food allergy panel and the only thing that showed up was a pork allergy (which i don't really eat). So, she told me to just keep a food journal to track my symptoms and if I feel "less full and heavy without gluten, I should continue to avoid it". I came home and started crying. Does this mean I have food sensitivities? I'm not sure what to do next. I only get 3 doctor visits a year, and she just wasted 2 of them by not running the right test. Overall, I am feeling better. I think I have linked the last couple episodes to soybean oil (had popcorn with "butter flavoring" at the movies and had a reaction). My period was much shorter, less heavy and mild cramps without gluten (I have struggled with heavy period my whole life). Constipation is getting better but my BMs are still floating. Has anyone else had this symptom and how long did it last? I feel like I need to stay gluten free longer to see if my symptoms go away but I know that interferes with testing. Thank you for reading, I just needed to vent.

[pricklypear1971]

What kind of doctor are you seeing?

Have you tried taking antihistimines? Generally, if symptoms recede using them its an allergy; not an intolerance. However, they are immune suppressants so some people (like me) get a degree of relief for autoimmune symptoms while using them.

My point is - of they work really really well for you it may be a hint you're allergic to something.

There are two types of antihistimines. You need to try BOTH seperately. Don't be shocked of one helps tremendously while the other does nothing. Open Original Shared Link

[pricklypear1971]

And did you get copies of your labs? If no, go get them. Post your thyroid results here.

[123glldd]

I'll second the above poster on the soy. I don't think I'm allergic but if you have thyroid issues....DEFINITELY stay away from soy. It blocks thyroid hormone.

[MichelleD]

What kind of doctor are you seeing?

Have you tried taking antihistimines? Generally, if symptoms recede using them its an allergy; not an intolerance. However, they are immune suppressants so some people (like me) get a degree of relief for autoimmune symptoms while using them.

My point is - of they work really really well for you it may be a hint you're allergic to something.

There are two types of antihistimines. You need to try BOTH seperately. Don't be shocked of one helps tremendously while the other does nothing. Open Original Shared Link

Thank you for the tip. I have taken benedryl when I've had a reaction but not anything regularly. I will totally look into this. I am seeing a general practioner, I was just hoping the food allergy test would give me some direction in what to avoid, but I am just gonna have to listen to my body.

[MichelleD]

And did you get copies of your labs? If no, go get them. Post your thyroid results here.

I do have my results. TSH: 1.140

[pricklypear1971]

I do have my results. TSH: 1.140

She didn't run a TPO Ab, which is the antibody test for Hashimotos Thyroiditis. That would be inystesting to know, since it indicates an autoimmune attack is happening and it is heavily linked to Celiac. Your TSH does not have to be off to have Hashis, and some Hashis patients with normal TSH could use supplamentation.

She also didn't run a free t3/4 which most don't do, but since you have so many thyroid symptoms and it can be eliminated - you should be thorough.

You also should get vitamin levels - b's, full iron, d, cal/mag, k...Cekiacs are usually deficient in one or more.

At this point you've been off gluten a bit - and you'd always be suspicious of a negative test. I suggest trying the antihistimines and see what happens. Try BOTH CLASSES. If that does not eliminate your symptoms you will be pretty sure it's an intolerance - pair that with your food diary.

[MichelleD]

I am going to look for a new dr monday to run those tests. I only see Calcium and it was 8.9, she said I wasn't anemic but I don't know which test was for iron. thank you for all the help.

[pricklypear1971]

I am going to look for a new dr monday to run those tests. I only see Calcium and it was 8.9, she said I wasn't anemic but I don't know which test was for iron. thank you for all the help.

It will say ferritin perhaps? There should be about 3? Otherwise it's just "iron"?

[Mom23boys]

(1) Don't forget about cross reactions.

Some people have cross reactive allergies where you get an oral allergy-like symptoms from something that is similar to the primary allergy. Soy WILL trigger symptoms in those with wheat issues as will several other items. There is a list you can find from an internet search. Cross reactions don't happen all the time. They happen more when the pollens are stronger in the air. One that is common is Ragweed cross reactions. People with ragweed allergies can get oral symptoms from melons when the ragweed pollens are high. When the pollens are low, they show no signs. This can get very confusing when trying to figure out what you are allergic/sensitive to.

Now I know that works when you have a "traditional" allergy but I haven't read much about how that works with celiac. Either way, it would be something I would keep an eye on if there were some unexplained oral reactions.

(2) There is a crazy virus in my area that is mimicking allergy symptoms. It seems to be targeting tweens but is not limited to that age. It is taking several weeks to run it's course.