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

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
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):


  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      131,547
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    gizmo1jazz2
    Newest Member
    gizmo1jazz2
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.4k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):


  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • Scott Adams
      Taken Seriously

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      Your post demonstrates the profound frustration and isolation that so many in the Celiac community feel, and I want to thank you for channeling that experience into advocacy. The medical gaslighting you endured for decades is an unacceptable and, sadly, a common story, and the fact that you now have to "school" your own GI specialist speaks volumes about the critical lack of consistent and updated education. Your idea to make Celiac Disease a reportable condition to public health authorities is a compelling and strategic one. This single action would force the system to formally acknowledge the prevalence and seriousness of the disease, creating a concrete dataset that could drive better research funding, shape medical school curricula, and validate the patient experience in a way that individual stories alone often cannot. It is an uphill battle, but contacting representatives, as you have done with Adam Gray, is exactly how change begins. By framing it as a public health necessity—a matter of patient safety and protection from misdiagnosis and neglect—you are building a powerful case. Your voice and your perseverance, forged through thirty years of struggle, are exactly what this community needs to ensure that no one else has to fight so hard just to be believed and properly cared for.
    • Scott Adams
      Looking for a gluten-free roomie in Denver CO

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      I had no idea there is a "Louisville" in Colorado!😉 I thought it was a typo because I always think of the Kentucky city--but good luck!
    • Scott Adams
      Allergy medication: cetirizine by the HealthA2Z is it gluten free?

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      Navigating medication safety with Celiac disease can be incredibly stressful, especially when dealing with asthma and severe allergies on top of it. While I don't have personal experience with the HealthA2Z brand of cetirizine, your caution is absolutely warranted. The inactive ingredients in pills, known as excipients, are often where gluten can be hidden, and since the FDA does not require gluten-free labeling for prescription or over-the-counter drugs, the manufacturer's word is essential. The fact that you cannot get a clear answer from Allegiant Health is a significant red flag; a company that is confident its product is gluten-free will typically have a customer service protocol to answer that exact question. In situations like this, the safest course of action is to consider this product "guilty until proven innocent" and avoid it. A better alternative would be to ask your pharmacist or doctor to help you identify a major national brand of cetirizine (like Zyrtec) whose manufacturer has a verified, publicly stated gluten-free policy for that specific medication. It's not worth the risk to your health when reliable, verifiable options are almost certainly available to you. You can search this site for USA prescriptions medications, but will need to know the manufacturer/maker if there is more than one, especially if you use a generic version of the medication: To see the ingredients you will need to click on the correct version of the medication and maker in the results, then scroll down to "Ingredients and Appearance" and click it, and then look at "Inactive Ingredients," as any gluten ingredients would likely appear there, rather than in the Active Ingredients area. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/   
    • Scott Adams
      Protein or fat?

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      What you're describing is indeed familiar to many in the Celiac community, especially in the early stages of healing. When the intestinal villi are damaged from Celiac disease, they struggle to properly digest and absorb fats, a condition known as bile acid malabsorption. This can cause exactly the kind of cramping and spasms you're seeing, as undigested fats can irritate the sensitive gut lining. It is highly plausible that her reactions to dairy and eggs are linked to their higher fat content rather than the proteins, especially since she tolerates lean chicken breast. The great news is that for many, this does improve with time. As her gut continues to heal on a strict gluten-free diet, her ability to produce the necessary enzymes and bile to break down fats should gradually return, allowing her to slowly tolerate a wider variety of foods. It's a slow process of healing, but your careful approach of focusing on low-fat, nutrient-dense foods like seeds and avocado is providing her system the best possible environment to recover. Many people with celiac disease, especially those who are in the 0-2 year range of their recovery, have additional food intolerance issues which could be temporary. To figure this out you may need to keep a food diary and do an elimination diet over a few months. Some common food intolerance issues are dairy/casein, eggs, corn, oats, and soy. The good news is that after your gut heals (for most people who are 100% gluten-free this will take several months to two years) you may be able to slowly add some these items back into your diet after the damaged villi heal. This article may be helpful: Thank you for sharing your story—it's a valuable insight for other parents navigating similar challenges.
    • Beverage
      Diagnosed celiac for 1-2 months ago and everything makes me bloated.

      By Beverage · Posted

      I had a very rough month after diagnosis. No exaggeration, lost so much inflammatory weight, I looked like a bag of bones, underneath i had been literally starving to death. I did start feeling noticeably better after a month of very strict control of my kitchen and home. What are you eating for breakfast and lunch? I ignored my doc and ate oats, yes they were gluten free, but some brands are at the higher end of gluten free. Lots of celics can eat Bob's Red Mill gluten-free oats, but not me. I can now eat them, but they have to be grown and processed according to the "purity protocol" methods. I mail order them, Montana Gluten-Free brand. A food and symptoms and activities log can be helpful in tracking down issues. You might be totally aware, but I have to mention about the risk of airborne gluten. As the doc that diagnosed me warned . . Remember eyes, ears, nose, and mouth all lead to your stomach and intestines.  Are you getting any cross contamination? Airborne gluten? Any pets eating gluten (they eat it, lick themselves, you pet them...)? Any house remodeling? We live in an older home, always fixing something. I've gotten glutened from the dust from cutting into plaster walls, possibly also plywood (glues). The suggestions by many here on vitamin supplements also really helped me. I had some lingering allergies and asthma, which are now 99% gone. I was taking Albuterol inhaler every hour just to breathe, but thiamine in form of benfotiamine kicked that down to 1-2 times a day within a few days of starting it. Also, since cutting out inflammatory seed oils (canola, sunflower, grapeseed, etc) and cooking with real olive oil, avocado oil, ghee, and coconut oil, I have noticed even greater improvement overall and haven't used the inhaler in months! It takes time to weed out everything in your life that contains gluten, and it takes awhile to heal and rebuild your health. At first it's mentally exhausting, overwhelming, even obsessive, but it gets better and second nature.
×
×
  • 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.