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

On Going Problems Celiac Related?


SivaK

Recommended Posts

SivaK Newbie

Hi there, this is my first post ever, on any forum. I just don't know what to do anymore. I was diagnosed with celiac disease about 2 years ago. Blood test showed positive twice then a positive endoscopy. I have been able to keep my symptoms (fatigue, anemia, hair loss, anxiety) under control with a strict gluten free diet, until a few months ago. My symptoms started coming back, at first I thought I was accidentally ingesting wheat, but I can't seem to pin point what I was eating. Finally after a few weeks and some serious crashes (including bad cheats pains and being dizzy to the point of blacking out every time i stand as well as often when i am just sitting), I went to my doctor. He ran blood work, and said my celiac seems to be under control, he said when i was diagnosed my number was at 156, and now is at 11. Unfortunately, my blood cell counts were down, low red and white as well as two other blood related counts. He said my iron is fine, as well as all my other vitamins and nutrients. He does not think my symptoms are related to my celiac. I am now permanently off work, and waiting for more tests to be referred to a hematologist. The problem is when I am not doing any physical activity, my symptoms subside(I even had a second blood test when I was feeling better and my numbers were back to normal), but as soon as I go back to activity (walking, doing the dishes, act..) The symptoms come back(and the blood cell count goes back down). I realized today that I have been eating oats I got from a gluten free store recently. They say wheat free on the bag, but are they gluten free? I also work with hair dye that all contains wheat on a regular basis (when i wash it out it is on my bare hands about 4 times a day 5 days a week). I just want to get back to my regular life, and currently this is not an option. I still think this has something to do with my celiac, as the symptoms are very similar to the ones I was having before I was diagnosed, but my doctor thinks it has to do with my blood or an unrelated auto immune deficiency, and not the celiac. Has anyone had a similar experience? Can celiac result in a low blood cell count? Should I seek a second opinion from another doctor? Please help. Thank you.


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



Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):



eatmeat4good Enthusiast

Some Celiacs react to the gluten in oats.

If the oats were made in a dedicated gluten free facility then this might be the case for you.

If they were not made in a dedicated gluten free facility then they likely contain gluten, as virtually all oats are contaminated with wheat unless they say they were made in a gluten free facility.

I would only eat certified gluten free oats to do the experiment to see if you still feel sick.

Can you wear gloves when you are working with wheat containing ingredients at work?

Unless you are able to clean all of the dye off your hands and from under your nails, your food could be getting contaminated from the gluten residual on your hands.

Just a couple of thoughts for you before the hematologist weighs in.

Good luck.

SivaK Newbie

Thanks for your thoughts, i really appreciate it, i never thought about the dye under my fingernails. I am going to cut out the oats and since I'm not currently working, no dye either, and see if i start feeling better. thanks again.

kareng Grand Master

I would use gloves for dyeing. My stylist does and she doesn't have any problems with the ingredients.

Your " numbers" for Celiac are normal? Then this may have nothing to do with Celiac. Your red and white cell counts go low with activity? My thoughts are that this is not Celiac related and you might need to see a " blood" doctor ( hematologist).

I know people with some odd blood disorders that are quite manageable.

SivaK Newbie

I would use gloves for dyeing. My stylist does and she doesn't have any problems with the ingredients.

Your " numbers" for Celiac are normal? Then this may have nothing to do with Celiac. Your red and white cell counts go low with activity? My thoughts are that this is not Celiac related and you might need to see a " blood" doctor ( hematologist).

I know people with some odd blood disorders that are quiet manageable.

I guess I was just hoping there was an easy answer to this, like diet adjustment, but thank you for your honest opinion. Its good to hear that lots of blood disorders are manageable, because google gets scary.

ravenwoodglass Mentor

I guess I was just hoping there was an easy answer to this, like diet adjustment, but thank you for your honest opinion. Its good to hear that lots of blood disorders are manageable, because google gets scary.

It is good that you are following up with the hemetologist and hopefully he will have some answers.

You could of course also have other intolerances. Soy and dairy being a couple of the most common. Have you tried doing a food and symptom log? Or going with just whole foods like meats, fruits and veggies, for a while to see if it helps. You also need to make sure you are taking all the precautions needed at home.

If you can remember what may have changed when the symptoms started that may also give you a clue as to what is going on. New med, new job working around gluten, new hobby, home remodeling etc...

I'm sorry you are feeling so badly and hope things get figured out and you recover soon.

SivaK Newbie

It is good that you are following up with the hemetologist and hopefully he will have some answers.

You could of course also have other intolerances. Soy and dairy being a couple of the most common. Have you tried doing a food and symptom log? Or going with just whole foods like meats, fruits and veggies, for a while to see if it helps. You also need to make sure you are taking all the precautions needed at home.

If you can remember what may have changed when the symptoms started that may also give you a clue as to what is going on. New med, new job working around gluten, new hobby, home remodeling etc...

I'm sorry you are feeling so badly and hope things get figured out and you recover soon.

Yeah I was actually thinking about getting one of those food allergy tests done to see if I do have anything else but I've been researching them, and it seems they may be somewhat inaccurate. Have you heard anything about these testa? I might just get one done anyway, some people seem to find success with it. Going on a food elimination diet may be best. It looks like soy, lentils, dairy, and eggs are pretty high on the list. I am 27 and have never consumed meat in my life (parents are vegetarians, raised that way), I would like to avoid it at all costs, any thoughts on other forms of protein? I also can't seem to find any research pointing towards the drop in blood cells being related to food allergy. Everything seems to be related to gastronomical issues, but even with my celiac that has never been a major problem for me, who knows? I'm willing to try just about anything.


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



Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):



Roda Rising Star

If gluten free oats turn out to be a problem for you then be aware some gluten free products can have cross contamination from them also. I am EXTREMELY sensitive to gluten free oats and even slight cross contamination from them. The CC kept me sick for 8 months before I figured it out. I already knew I couldn't eat the oats but didn't think about CC from them. If I carefully source gluten free products that don't use any gluten free oats then I'm fine.

SivaK Newbie

I don't know if anyone is still paying attention to this thread, just thought I'd let ya'll know that since going off the oats, and not being at work therefore not being in contact with the wheat containing hair dye, as well as being extra careful with my diet (no eating out) I am finally starting to feel better. I did a lot of research on what was going on, and it turns out celiac disease can cause a temporarily low blood cell count, and if you're not consuming large amounts on a regular basis, you blood will test negative for celiac disease (I'm sure everyone knows that). Why am I not a doctor?...and Why does gluten want to ruin my life?... :(

Archived

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

  • 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. - knitty kitty replied to Charlie1946's topic in Related Issues & Disorders
      45

      Severe severe mouth pain

    2. - Lkg5 replied to Charlie1946's topic in Related Issues & Disorders
      45

      Severe severe mouth pain

    3. - Charlie1946 replied to Charlie1946's topic in Related Issues & Disorders
      45

      Severe severe mouth pain

    4. - Aretaeus Cappadocia posted a topic in Gluten-Free Foods, Products, Shopping & Medications
      0

      Brown Rice Vinegar (organic) from Eden Foods is likely gluten free

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):
  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      133,097
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748

    Hana B
    Newest Member
    Hana B
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):
  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.5k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):
  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • knitty kitty
      @Charlie1946,  Sorry I sidetracked your thread a bit.  Apologies. Proton pump inhibitors, like Omeprazole, change the pH in our gastrointestinal systems which allows opportunistic microbes to move in and take over.  Have you been checked for SIBO?  There's a significant link between length of Omeprazole use and SIBO.  I had SIBO, thrush (Candida) and lichen planus and other problems while I was on Omeprazole.  I had to stop taking it.  It was a horrible time, so I understand how painful and frustrating it is.   You change your microbiome (the bacteria and microbes living inside you) by changing what you eat.  They eat what you eat.  Change the menu and you get different customers.   I changed my diet.  I cut out dairy because I was reacting to the casein and lactose.  I cut out all processed foods and most carbohydrates. I ate meat and veggies mostly, some fruit like apples and mandarin oranges.  By cutting out all the excess carbohydrates, lactose, and empty carbs in processed gluten-free foods, the opportunistic microbes get starved out.  SIBO bacteria send chemical messages to our brains demanding more carbs, so be prepared for carb cravings, but don't let the microbiome control you!   The skin and digestive system is continuous.  The health of our outside skin reflects the health of our gastrointestinal system.  Essential B vitamins, like Thiamine B 1 and especially Niacin B 3, are needed to repair intestinal damage and keep bad bacteria in check.  Niacin helps improve not only the intestinal tract, but also the skin.  Sebaceous Hyperplasia is linked to being low in Niacin B 3.  Lichen Planus is treated with Niacinamide, a form of Niacin B 3.   Vitamins are chemical compounds that our bodies cannot make.  We must get them from our food.  If our food isn't digested well (low stomach acid from Omeprazole causes poor digestion), then vitamins aren't released well.  Plus there's a layer of SIBO bacteria absorbing our vitamins first between the food we've eaten and our inflamed and damaged villi that may have difficulty absorbing the vitamins.  So, taking vitamin supplements is a way to boost absorption of essential nutrients that will allow the body to fight off the microbes, repair and heal.   Doctors are taught in medical learning institutions funded by pharmaceutical companies.  The importance of nutrition is downplayed and called old fashioned.  Doctors are taught we have plenty to eat, so no one gets nutritional deficiency diseases anymore.  But we do, as people with Celiac disease, with impaired absorption.  Nutritional needs need to be addressed first with us.  Vitamins cannot be patented because they are natural substances.  But pharmaceutical drugs can be.  There's more money to be made selling pharmaceutical drugs than vitamins.   Makes me wonder how much illness could be prevented if people were screened for Celiac disease much earlier in life, instead of after they've been ill and medicated for years.   Talk to your doctor and dietician about supplementing essential vitamins and minerals.   Interesting Reading: The Duration of Proton Pump Inhibitor Therapy and the Risk of Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12250812/#:~:text=The long-term use of,overgrowth dynamics is less clear. Lichenoid drug eruption with proton pump inhibitors https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC27275/ Nicotinamide: A Multifaceted Molecule in Skin Health and Beyond https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11857428/
    • Lkg5
      My sebaceous hyperplasia and thrush disappeared when I stopped all dairy.
    • Charlie1946
      @knitty kitty Thank you so much for all that information! I will be sure to check it out and ask my doctor.  I am just at a loss, I am on my 2nd round of miracle mouthwash and I brush and scrape my tongue and (sorry this is gross) it's still coated in the middle 
    • Aretaeus Cappadocia
      Traditional brown rice vinegars are made by fermenting brown rice and water with koji (Kōji 麹). The gluten risk comes from the method of preparing the koji: rice, wheat or barley may be used. Regardless of the starting grain, "koji" typically will be listed as an ingredient, and that term alone does not indicate gluten status. I called Eden Foods regarding their product "Organic Brown Rice Vinegar" (product of Japan) to ask how their product is made. They gave me a clear answer that they >do< use rice and they >do not< use wheat or barley in preparing their koji. FWIW, the product itself does not contain any labeling about gluten, gluten risk, or gluten safety. Based on Eden's statement, I am going to trust that this product is gluten safe and use it.
    • Scott Adams
      Your post nails the practical reality of living well with a celiac diagnosis. The shift from feeling restricted to discovering a new world of cooking—whether through a supportive partner making gluten-free spanakopita and gravy, or learning to cook for yourself—is exactly how many people find their footing. It turns a medical necessity into a chance to build kitchen skills, eat more whole foods, and actually enjoy the process. Your point that the basics—knife skills, food safety, and experimenting with spices—are all you really need is solid, helpful advice. It’s a good reminder that the diagnosis, while a pain, doesn’t have to stop you from eating well or having fun with food.
×
×
  • 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.