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):

  • Join Our eNewsletter:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

Numb Hands From A gluten-free Diet? Or Is It A Symptom?

LundqvistSaves

Recommended Posts

LundqvistSaves Rookie
LundqvistSaves
Posted

Hi all-

Been sick for a year now, gained 30lbs, heatburn, bloating 24/7, the works. Despite stumping two well-regarded gastros and enduring all procedures, they still can't figure me out. So I started going strictly gluten free 2 weeks ago.

A week in, I noticed a weird rash on my finger. Eventually went away the very next day. My stomach pain is still constant, everyday bloating and upper GI pain. Taking nexium right now. But the weirdest thing was I noticed my hands were a little numb. It started with my right pinky and ring finger getting numb and tingly on memorial day, since then it comes back from time to time, on my left hand now also. This has all never happened to me before (25 year old male in otherwise good health).

I looked it up on the forum and it seems like this is a common symptom for celiacs, but as I read more it looks like people were saying it was a reaction to a lack of nutrients (like B12) simply from a gluten free diet. I'm confused -- is it a sign that I am gluten intolerant, or is it just my body reacting from the diet that I'm on regardless of if I am a celiac or not? If anything, I was hoping it would be an indicator that I do, in fact, have some gluten allergy.

It's also weird how random my symptoms come on, including the numbness. One would think they flare up because I'm ingesting gluten, but I'm 99% certain that I am absolutely not taking in any gluten from anywhere. I'm on my third week, and my stomach is still a painful mess, but I'm hoping this works. The doctor said I can do a celiac sprue blood test, but doing that requires me to abandon all my progress already.

Anyone with any experience? Thanks.

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


mommida Enthusiast
mommida
Posted

If you are already gluten free, don't bother going for a blood test.

Having a B12 defiency can be very common. Most gluten containing processed foods are fortified to have more vitamins and minerals. (most gluten free procesed products are not..Yet) The point is somehow your are not consuming enough or your gut is not absorbing enough. There is also a condition, Pernicious anemia, that is associated with Celiac. Very common for Celiacs to have Pernicious Anemia. The damaged gut lining does not have the intrinsic factor to process vitamin B12. So it would be safe for you to supplement vitamin B12, because there is no known toxic level for a body (it will be flushed out of your system before it reaches a toxic level).

Some vitamin and nutrient supplements need to be monitored closely by a doctor. ;)

frieze Community Regular
frieze
Posted

do you have any neck/shoulder problems, because it sounds more like TOS then carpal tunnel.

LundqvistSaves Rookie
LundqvistSaves
Posted
  • Author

do you have any neck/shoulder problems, because it sounds more like TOS then carpal tunnel.

I don't, it just seems to be some numbness in my hands now and again. No pain or anything like that.

LundqvistSaves Rookie
LundqvistSaves
Posted
  • Author

If you are already gluten free, don't bother going for a blood test.

Having a B12 defiency can be very common. Most gluten containing processed foods are fortified to have more vitamins and minerals. (most gluten free procesed products are not..Yet) The point is somehow your are not consuming enough or your gut is not absorbing enough. There is also a condition, Pernicious anemia, that is associated with Celiac. Very common for Celiacs to have Pernicious Anemia. The damaged gut lining does not have the intrinsic factor to process vitamin B12. So it would be safe for you to supplement vitamin B12, because there is no known toxic level for a body (it will be flushed out of your system before it reaches a toxic level).

Some vitamin and nutrient supplements need to be monitored closely by a doctor. ;)

Thank you for all of that great info. So basically, having that symptom is not always a deciding factor of a gluten allergy. I have a few symptoms and was hoping this would be the tell-all, but thanks for clarifying. ANy recommendations of how much B12 to take daily to start out with?

LundqvistSaves Rookie
LundqvistSaves
Posted
  • Author

If you are already gluten free, don't bother going for a blood test.

Having a B12 defiency can be very common. Most gluten containing processed foods are fortified to have more vitamins and minerals. (most gluten free procesed products are not..Yet) The point is somehow your are not consuming enough or your gut is not absorbing enough. There is also a condition, Pernicious anemia, that is associated with Celiac. Very common for Celiacs to have Pernicious Anemia. The damaged gut lining does not have the intrinsic factor to process vitamin B12. So it would be safe for you to supplement vitamin B12, because there is no known toxic level for a body (it will be flushed out of your system before it reaches a toxic level).

Some vitamin and nutrient supplements need to be monitored closely by a doctor. ;)

Thank you for all of that great info. So basically, having that symptom is not always a deciding factor of a gluten allergy. I have a few symptoms and was hoping this would be the tell-all, but thanks for clarifying. ANy recommendations of how much B12 to take daily to start out with?

mommida Enthusiast
mommida
Posted

Celiac/gluten sensitivity/intolerance and DH can damage the gut lining and there is a known connection to Pernicious anemia. If you are having and issue with B12 being absorbed it could be a side affect from a gluten issue.

It would be best to get medical testing to see if and how low your B12 level is. The doctor can give you an injection. Sublingual B12 has shown to be as effective. If your body doesn't need the B12 you would just pass it out of your system. High amounts could cause the "D".

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


LundqvistSaves Rookie
LundqvistSaves
Posted
  • Author

Celiac/gluten sensitivity/intolerance and DH can damage the gut lining and there is a known connection to Pernicious anemia. If you are having and issue with B12 being absorbed it could be a side affect from a gluten issue.

It would be best to get medical testing to see if and how low your B12 level is. The doctor can give you an injection. Sublingual B12 has shown to be as effective. If your body doesn't need the B12 you would just pass it out of your system. High amounts could cause the "D".

Thanks for your reply. I've only been gluten free for two and a half weeks, so I'm not certain if that's enough time for a gluten-free diet alone to cause any B12 deficiencies. Also taking a gluten-free daily multivitamin. Was hoping for the possibility that a long-time misdiagnosis of a gluten allergy or intolerance would be the culprit, thus my other symptoms would finally have an explanation as well.

Thanks for your help!

Archived

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

Go to topic listing

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Celiac.com:
    Join eNewsletter
    Donate
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):
    Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):



    Celiac.com Sponsors (A17-M):



  • Recent Activity

    1. Stegosaurus
      - Stegosaurus replied to HectorConvector's topic in Related Issues & Disorders
      349

      Terrible Neurological Symptoms

      I've been following a low carbohydrate Keto AutoImmune Protocol diet. It's all I can handle. I'm so excited to learn about thiamine from you. The benfotiamine should arrive today. I sure hope it's my missing piece!!!
    2. knitty kitty
      - knitty kitty replied to HectorConvector's topic in Related Issues & Disorders
      349

      Terrible Neurological Symptoms

      I respectfully disagree, @Scott Adams. Thiamine deficiency (and deficiencies in other B vitamins) can cause unintentional weight loss. The body will use stored fat and muscle to provide energy in thiamine deficiency. This results in muscle wasting, fat loss, fatigue, and difficulty putting on muscle mass. Using stored fat and muscle for energy requires...
    3. Aretaeus Cappadocia
      - Aretaeus Cappadocia replied to Irishgirl5's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      3

      Digestive symptoms yet negative celiac screening

      You may know this already, but in addition to what you've described, you may also want to get a genetic test. About 1/3 of people have one of the genetic markers that are necessary (but not sufficient) for getting celiac. If your son is one of the 2/3 of people that don't have the marker then it is almost certain he does not have celiac. (The genetic test...
    4. JennMitchell79
      - JennMitchell79 replied to JennMitchell79's topic in Traveling with Celiac Disease
      2

      Dreams Macao Beach in Punta Cana DR

      Thanks!
    5. Scott Adams
      - Scott Adams replied to Russ H's topic in Post Diagnosis, Recovery & Treatment of Celiac Disease
      1

      Fiber-Metabolizing Bacteria Could Boost Gut Health in Celiac Disease

      That is really interesting, especially because it points to how the gut microbiome may still stay altered in celiac disease even after going gluten-free. The idea that a fiber like inulin could help feed beneficial bacteria and reduce inflammation is encouraging, although I imagine some people with celiac disease or other gut issues might still need to introduce...
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):

  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      133,995
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      10,442
    Jody Booker
    Newest Member
    Jody Booker
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.6k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):

  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • Stegosaurus
      Terrible Neurological Symptoms

      By Stegosaurus · Posted

      I've been following a low carbohydrate Keto AutoImmune Protocol diet.  It's all I can handle.  I'm so excited to learn about thiamine from you.  The benfotiamine should arrive today.  I sure hope it's my missing piece!!!
    • knitty kitty
      Terrible Neurological Symptoms

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      I respectfully disagree, @Scott Adams.   Thiamine deficiency (and deficiencies in other B vitamins) can cause unintentional weight loss.  The body will use stored fat and muscle to provide energy in thiamine deficiency.  This results in muscle wasting, fat loss, fatigue, and difficulty putting on muscle mass.  Using stored fat and muscle for energy requires less thiamine than the amount of thiamine required to process carbohydrates.  Thiamine deficiency causes gastrointestinal Beriberi, a localized thiamine deficiency in the digestive tract, which results in dysbiosis, inflammation, and abdominal pain.  Carbohydrates can remain undigested in the intestinal system, which bacteria feed on, encouraging SIBO, and prompting dysbiosis, leaky gut, and inflammation.  Following a low carbohydrate Keto diet, like the AutoImmune Protocol diet, can help because it removes excess carbohydrates that the bacteria feed on.  SIBO can cause weight gain due to inflammational edema of the intestines (water retention in the tissues of the intestines), gas, and slowed transit times.  SIBO bacteria can absorb nutrients from your food before you can, resulting in additional deficiencies of other B vitamins and nutrients.   Thiamine deficiency is corrected with high dose Thiamine Hydrochloride, Benfotiamine and/or Thiamine TTFD (tetrahydrofurfuryl disulfide).  High dose thiamine in the form Benfotiamine has been shown to promote intestinal healing.  It improves "leaky gut".  High dose Benfotiamine will improve the gut microbiome in favor of beneficial bacteria.  Thiamine TTFD is beneficial for neurological issues.  Thiamine TTFD improves brain function and is beneficial for mental health issues such as depression and anxiety, and other neurological problems like Ataxia and Brain Fog.    Methylated (activated) B Complex vitamins help correct Thiamine deficiency because all eight B vitamins work together.  Vitamin C and the four fat soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K) are needed as well.  Minerals like Magnesium, Calcium, Iron,  Potassium, and others may need to be supplemented as well.  Thiamine and Magnesium make life sustaining enzymes together.   Supplementing with high doses of Thiamine and other water soluble B vitamins will lower pain and inflammation, improve fatigue, improve muscle mass gain, as well as regulate the intestinal microbiome!  So, @Stegosaurus, you can get healthier while improving gut dysbiosis at the same time! References: Thiamine, gastrointestinal beriberi and acetylcholine signaling https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12014454/ Dietary Vitamin B1 Intake Influences Gut Microbial Community and the Consequent Production of Short-Chain Fatty Acids https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9147846/
    • Aretaeus Cappadocia
      Digestive symptoms yet negative celiac screening

      By Aretaeus Cappadocia · Posted

      You may know this already, but in addition to what you've described, you may also want to get a genetic test. About 1/3 of people have one of the genetic markers that are necessary (but not sufficient) for getting celiac. If your son is one of the 2/3 of people that don't have the marker then it is almost certain he does not have celiac. (The genetic test won't tell you if he has celiac, it can only tell you whether or not he is susceptible to getting celiac.)
    • JennMitchell79
      Dreams Macao Beach in Punta Cana DR

      By JennMitchell79 · Posted

      Thanks!
    • Scott Adams
      Fiber-Metabolizing Bacteria Could Boost Gut Health in Celiac Disease

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      That is really interesting, especially because it points to how the gut microbiome may still stay altered in celiac disease even after going gluten-free. The idea that a fiber like inulin could help feed beneficial bacteria and reduce inflammation is encouraging, although I imagine some people with celiac disease or other gut issues might still need to introduce it carefully depending on tolerance. It definitely feels like an area worth watching, because anything that could help support healing beyond just avoiding gluten would be valuable.
×
×
  • 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.