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

Immune System Issues

GlutenFreeAustinite

Recommended Posts

GlutenFreeAustinite Contributor
GlutenFreeAustinite
Posted

So I've been gluten-free for a year and a half, but have been on gluten for the past month of so as part of a diagnosis trial. In January, I noticed a boil on the lower part of my right leg that never fully healed, and resisted two courses of doxycycline. I saw a dermatologist this week, and she biopsied/cultured it, and barring anything that comes back on the culture/surface test, she thinks it's an atypical mycobacterial infection. She says she sees these infections about once a year (so fairly infrequently) and that they take some time to cure. I did some of my own research (a semi-dangerous idea) and what little resources out there told me that it usually crops up in people who have AIDS or have a compromised immune system in general. I don't have AIDS, so is it reasonable for me to speculate that I may have some sort of immune system problem? I've always been highly prone to infections...for example, when my friends and I go tubing, I ALWAYS end up with eye and ear infections, and if a bug goes around, I usually get it. The one backpacking trip I've been on, the entire group was fine and I contracted staph.

Anyway, any thoughts? What sort of foods/supplements do you guys recommend to boost immune systems? Thanks!

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


captaincrab55 Collaborator
captaincrab55
Posted

So I've been gluten-free for a year and a half, but have been on gluten for the past month of so as part of a diagnosis trial. In January, I noticed a boil on the lower part of my right leg that never fully healed, and resisted two courses of doxycycline. I saw a dermatologist this week, and she biopsied/cultured it, and barring anything that comes back on the culture/surface test, she thinks it's an atypical mycobacterial infection. She says she sees these infections about once a year (so fairly infrequently) and that they take some time to cure. I did some of my own research (a semi-dangerous idea) and what little resources out there told me that it usually crops up in people who have AIDS or have a compromised immune system in general. I don't have AIDS, so is it reasonable for me to speculate that I may have some sort of immune system problem? I've always been highly prone to infections...for example, when my friends and I go tubing, I ALWAYS end up with eye and ear infections, and if a bug goes around, I usually get it. The one backpacking trip I've been on, the entire group was fine and I contracted staph.

Anyway, any thoughts? What sort of foods/supplements do you guys recommend to boost immune systems? Thanks!

Sounds like you just need a GLUTEN FREE diet.... I hope your Dermatologist also did a biopsy for DH... I had many boil like pimples that lasted for months before healing... That all went away with a strick gluten-free diet...

GlutenFreeAustinite Contributor
GlutenFreeAustinite
Posted
  • Author

Problem was, I was gluten-free when it developed, so I don't think that's it. I was gluten-free until about three weeks ago, when I started eating gluten as part of a test. I haven't noticed any real change in it from when I was gluten free.

MitziG Enthusiast
MitziG
Posted

I agree with the above. You couldn't pay me to go back to eating gluten. I really believe that it is poison to all but a very few people.

I had NO immunity for 30 years. Since going gluten-free, I have had exactly ONE minor viral thing in 14 months!

I can't say if your boil is related, but when your immune system is occupied with attacking your villi, it apparently can't be bothered to fight off silly things like germs!

I wouldn't say celiac makes your immune system weak necessarily, but it definitely makes it "distracted"!

Supplements may be of little use to you if gluten is the problem. You likely don't need to strengthen your immune system, you just need to keep it focused.

captaincrab55 Collaborator
captaincrab55
Posted

Problem was, I was gluten-free when it developed, so I don't think that's it. I was gluten-free until about three weeks ago, when I started eating gluten as part of a test. I haven't noticed any real change in it from when I was gluten free.

Define Gluten Free??? It took many months of eating gluten-free for my body to stop reacting to Gluten...

GlutenFreeAustinite Contributor
GlutenFreeAustinite
Posted
  • Author

I was gluten-free for eighteen months and had absolutely none of my former symptoms.

GFinDC Veteran
GFinDC
Posted

... I don't have AIDS, so is it reasonable for me to speculate that I may have some sort of immune system problem? I've always been highly prone to infections...for example, when my friends and I go tubing, I ALWAYS end up with eye and ear infections, and if a bug goes around, I usually get it. The one backpacking trip I've been on, the entire group was fine and I contracted staph.

Anyway, any thoughts? What sort of foods/supplements do you guys recommend to boost immune systems? Thanks!

You do have an immune system problem, celiac is an autoimmune disease. I was the opposite. I rarely got sick while everyone around me got flu, colds, etc. I also had pretty severe hayfever. I think that was because my immune system was in overdrive, ready to pounce on anything that came around full force, all the time. Due to being on-guard against gluten constantly. My hayfever subside greatly after going gluten-free. Other people have reported situations similar to yours, they got sick more often than others. The ideas they seem to go with is their immune systems were worn out or too busy fighting gluten to defend them against other invaders. Then there is the IgA deficient celiac crowd, who just don't really make IgA antibodies. IgA deficiency is not uncommon among celiacs, but is not the rule either. Those good folks are missing a whole set of antibodies that other people's bodies make. So there are lots of possibilities for immune system issues.

Hmm, Can't think of any immune boosters the moment. I am usually looking more towards something the opposite. If I think of any I will post later. Unless someone beats me to it, which they usually do. :)

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


MistyRG Apprentice
MistyRG
Posted

My family rarely gets sick (5 kids - me and my husband). We are big into Sambucol. We use it (the extract) every time someone starts to get the sniffles. The only person in my family who gets sick is my husband because he doesn't "believe in that stuff!!!" I make smoothies for the kids a few times a week full of fruits and veggies (great immune booster). I also increase our vitamin D intake (pills) during cold/flu season.

When someone does get sick, I make a big pot of chicken noodle soup (lots of chicken broth) full of garlic, ginger, and tumeric.

These are all natural immune boosters. I will add that I am VERY new to the whole gluten free thing (actually haven't gone gluten free yet . . . waiting on a biopsy). I did check Sambucol, and it is gluten free.

GlutenFreeAustinite Contributor
GlutenFreeAustinite
Posted
  • Author

Yeah, interestingly enough though, my dermatologist said that typically celiac patients don't have problems with these sort of infections, and my nurse practitioner said my immune system was fine. Could it just be something the doctors wouldn't think to look for?

woodnewt Rookie
woodnewt
Posted

So I've been gluten-free for a year and a half, but have been on gluten for the past month of so as part of a diagnosis trial. In January, I noticed a boil on the lower part of my right leg that never fully healed, and resisted two courses of doxycycline. I saw a dermatologist this week, and she biopsied/cultured it, and barring anything that comes back on the culture/surface test, she thinks it's an atypical mycobacterial infection. She says she sees these infections about once a year (so fairly infrequently) and that they take some time to cure. I did some of my own research (a semi-dangerous idea) and what little resources out there told me that it usually crops up in people who have AIDS or have a compromised immune system in general. I don't have AIDS, so is it reasonable for me to speculate that I may have some sort of immune system problem? I've always been highly prone to infections...for example, when my friends and I go tubing, I ALWAYS end up with eye and ear infections, and if a bug goes around, I usually get it. The one backpacking trip I've been on, the entire group was fine and I contracted staph.

Anyway, any thoughts? What sort of foods/supplements do you guys recommend to boost immune systems? Thanks!

Okay, I'm going to clarify this for you so you don't have to worry so much. Atypical Mycobacterial infection as a general term just means non-Tuberculosis Mycobacteria. You have probably heard of Tuberculosis, well, the full name for the bacteria that causes TB, both genus and species is: Mycobacterium tuberculosis. M. bovis can also cause TB. However, atypical Mycobacterium do not cause TB. There are a few species that may cause tuberculosis-like disease, but this is rare, and only occurs in the severely immunocompromised***.

It must be understood, however, that there are many different types of Mycobacteria species out there, most of which are harmless and ubiquitous in the soil and environment. Sometimes, healthy individuals can contract a type of skin lesion if opportunistic conditions arise; for example, Mycobacterium fortuitum is classically associated with skin lesions in a condition called furunculosis. There is a case study from back about 10 or so years ago where there was an outbreak from foot baths at a nail salon in California. So it happens, and does not necessarily indicate any fault in one's immune system.

Furthermore, atypical mycobacterial infections in AIDS patients is something completely different! It is referring to MAC (Mycobacterium avium complex) which may cause a severe intestinal and sometimes systemic disease in severely immunocompromised individuals, specifically those with extremely weak cell mediated immunity & critically low CD4 count. This specific type of "weakened immunity" is associated with strong immunosupression - ***long-term immunosupressant medication therapy, late stage AIDS, severe and protracted infection, genetic defects in cellular immunity, immune cancers, and chemotherapy.

GlutenFreeAustinite Contributor
GlutenFreeAustinite
Posted
  • Author

That is definitely good to know! Thank you! Given my history of infections, I'm thinking I'll explore the immune system stuff a bit more, but I'm glad to know that the mycobacteria isn't gonna give me a nasty pulmonary disease. :P

Archived

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

Go to topic listing
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):


  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      132,144
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    Jenny0384
    Newest Member
    Jenny0384
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.5k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):


  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • trents
      Headaches / Migraines and Hypoglycaemia

      By trents · Posted

      My migraines generally have their onset during the early morning hours as well. Presently, I am under siege with them, having headaches all but two days so far this month. I have looked at all the things reported to be common triggers (foods, sleep patterns, weather patterns, stress, etc.). Every time I think I start to see a pattern it proves not to pan out in the long run. I'm not sure it's any one thing but may, instead, be a combination of things that coalesce at certain times. It's very frustrating. The medication (sumatriptan or "Imatrix") is effective and is the only thing that will quell the pain. NSAIDs, Tylenol, even hydrocodone doesn't touch it. But they only give you 9 does of sumatriptan a month. And it doesn't help that medical science doesn't really know what causes migraines. They know some things about it but the root cause is still a mystery.
    • Scott Adams
      Tamale ingredients

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      These are labeled gluten-free: https://www.amazon.com/Corn-Husks-Tamales-Authentic-Flavorful/dp/B01MDSHUTM/
    • Wheatwacked
      GI DX celiac despite neg serology and no biopsy

      By Wheatwacked · Posted

      Just a gluten free diet is not enough.  Now you have to identify and replenish your malnutrition.  Celiac disease is co-morbid with malabsorption syndrome.  Low vitamin D, Low Thiamine caused Gastointeston Beriberi, low choline, low iodine are common the general population, and in newly diagnosed Celiacs in the western culture its is more likely.  It takes time to heal and you need to focus on vitamins and minerals.  Gluten free foods are not fortified like regular processed foods.  
    • Sarah Grace
      Headaches / Migraines and Hypoglycaemia

      By Sarah Grace · Posted

      Dear Kitty Since March I have been following your recommendations regarding vitamins to assist with various issues that I have been experiencing.  To recap, I am aged 68 and was late diagnosed with Celiac about 12 years ago.  I had been experiencing terrible early morning headaches which I had self diagnosed as hypoglycaemia.  I also mentioned that I had issues with insomnia, vertigo and brain fog.   It's now one year since I started on the Benfotiamine 600 mg/day.  I am still experiencing the hypoglycaemia and it's not really possible to say for sure whether the Benfotiamine is helpful.  In March this year, I added B-Complex Thiamine Hydrochloride and Magnesium L-Threonate on a daily basis, and I am now confident to report that the insomnia and vertigo and brain fog have all improved!!  So, very many thanks for your very helpful advice. I am now less confident that the early morning headaches are caused by hypoglycaemia, as even foods with a zero a GI rating (cheese, nuts, etc) can cause really server headaches, which sometimes require migraine medication in order to get rid off.  If you are able to suggest any other treatment I would definitely give it a try, as these headaches are a terrible burden.  Doctors in the UK have very limited knowledge concerning dietary issues, and I do not know how to get reliable advice from them. Best regards,
    • knitty kitty
      High DGP-A with normal IGA

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      @rei.b,  I understand how frustrating starting a new way of eating can be.  I tried all sorts of gluten-free processed foods and just kept feeling worse.  My health didn't improve until I started the low histamine AIP diet.  It makes a big difference.   Gluten fits into opioid receptors in our bodies.  So, removing gluten can cause withdrawal symptoms and reveals the underlying discomfort.  SIBO can cause digestive symptoms.  SIBO can prevent vitamins from being absorbed by the intestines.  Thiamine insufficiency causes Gastrointestinal Beriberi (bloating, abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea or constipation).  Thiamine is the B vitamin that runs out first because it can only be stored for two weeks.  We need more thiamine when we're sick or under emotional stress.  Gastric Beriberi is under recognised by doctors.  An Erythrocyte Transketolace Activity test is more accurate than a blood test for thiamine deficiency, but the best way to see if you're low in thiamine is to take it and look for health improvement.  Don't take Thiamine Mononitrate because the body can't utilize it well.  Try Benfotiamine.  Thiamine is water soluble, nontoxic and safe even at high doses.  I thought it was crazy, too, but simple vitamins and minerals are important.  The eight B vitamins work together, so a B Complex, Benfotiamine,  magnesium and Vitamin D really helped get my body to start healing, along with the AIP diet.  Once you heal, you add foods back in, so the AIP diet is worth doing for a few months. I do hope you'll consider the AIP diet and Benfotiamine.
×
×
  • 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.