Celiac Or Something Else?

[V1981]

Hi everyone,

I am new to this forum and I am hoping I can get some help. I think I may have celiac, but it could very well be something else... Have any of you experienced the following symptoms -

Alternating constipation/Diarrhea

Gas and bloating

chronic rash in groin area

swollen lymph nodes in groin area and sometimes behind ears and on back of neck or lower jaw line

PCOS/Endometriosis symptoms

Weight gain

dry irritated eyes

Nausea

Chlorine taste in mouth and smell chlorine around you.

Dizzy to the point that the room is literally spinning.

I have been to the doctor and gotten many blood tests and most of them have come back "normal". I did however flunk (this is the term my doctor used) the Glucose Tolerance test and when I did a salivary hormone test my Progesterone, DHEA and Cortisol levels were below normal. I have been taking Iodoral for my thyroid (which is underactive) and started on some natural supplements to treat the PCOS symptoms. But, so far I only feel better part of the time.

Anyways, sorry to go on and on. I am just looking for some help so any feedback is appreciated.

Thanks!

V

[bartfull]

"Flunking" the glucose tolerance test means diabetes. Did your doctor talk to you about that?

The rest of your symptoms sure sound like Celiac to me. Even the "diabetes" can be part of Celiac symptoms. Ask him to test you for it. I'm not sure which tests to ask for (there are several) because I am self-diagnosed based on family history, my symptoms, and the fact that the gluten-free diet cleared up those symptoms. But someone will be along shortly to tell you all about testing.

So welcome to the forum. Stick around and read a bunch. Ask as many questions as you can. There are some real experts here who are so helpful. In the meantime, here's a (((HUG))) and high hopes that you will be feeling better soon.

[squirmingitch]

I agree with bartful in that your symptoms sound like celiac. And get that flunking the glucose test straightened out with your doctor & make him/her tell you exactly what that means & what you are to do about it. And if the doc isn't forthcoming enough then get a new doc!

You should get tested for celiac. Make sure they do the FULL celiac panel! Double check what they order & make sure all these are on it.

Anti-Gliadin (AGA) IgA

Anti-Gliadin (AGA) IgG

Anti-Endomysial (EMA) IgA

Anti-Tissue Transglutaminase (tTG) IgA

Deamidated Gliadin Peptide (DGP) IgA and IgG

Total Serum IgA

The DGP test was added recently to the full panel.

Also can be termed this way:

Endomysial Antibody IgA

Tissue Transglutaminase IgA

GLIADIN IgG

GLIADIN IgA

Total Serum IgA

Deamidated Gliadin Peptide (DGP) IgA and IgG

And if you are going to be tested for celiac then no matter what the doc says DO NOT stop eating gluten until all celiac testing is finished including an endoscopy. Do not eat gluten light. There are enough false neg. on the tests --- you don't want to add to that. It's possible the rash is Dermatitis Herpetiformis (celiac rash). There is a biopsy for that too & if it turns up positive then that IS a diagnosis of celiac disease. There is a 37% false neg. return on hd biopsies though & you need to have a derm who is well versed & experienced in recognizing & taking biopsies of dh. And you MUST be eating gluten for the dh biopsy.

Welcome aboard. Ask questions & read as much as you can.

[V1981]

"Flunking" the glucose tolerance test means diabetes. Did your doctor talk to you about that?

The rest of your symptoms sure sound like Celiac to me. Even the "diabetes" can be part of Celiac symptoms. Ask him to test you for it. I'm not sure which tests to ask for (there are several) because I am self-diagnosed based on family history, my symptoms, and the fact that the gluten-free diet cleared up those symptoms. But someone will be along shortly to tell you all about testing.

So welcome to the forum. Stick around and read a bunch. Ask as many questions as you can. There are some real experts here who are so helpful. In the meantime, here's a (((HUG))) and high hopes that you will be feeling better soon.

Thank you so much for replying. Yes, my doctor said that even though I "flunked" the GT he didn't think I have diabetes. More like Insulin Resistance I guess. I am definitely leaning towards Celiac though for the real cause of all my symptoms. It all started when I was a toddler and began eating solid food. No one new what celiac disease was back in the 1980's, so my mother had no idea that I shouldn't have been eating gluten.

[V1981]

Thank you! I am going to have the tests done ASAP!

[squirmingitch]

Get a copy of the test results & the ref. ranges & post them here when you do if there is any doubt or the doc gives you grief. There are ppl here very well versed in interpreting the tests.