Do People With Celiac Absorb Sugar?

[1desperateladysaved]

I have suffered from hypoglycemia for years. I have read that many others here do also.

I thought of this topic because I had to drink Glucola many years ago. The doctor checked my blood sugar an hour after. My blood sugar registered 80 and she marveled that that was low even for fasting! I felt sick for a week after that experience and promised myself that I would never drink that stuff again. That happened 18 years ago. If Only the doctor would have pressed to look into that.

Does anyone know if there is a problem absorbing sugar as well as other nutrients?

[nvsmom]

I doubt ceilacs would a have a problem with sugar absorption like they do with fats. Sugar is one of the fastest to start being absorbed, it actually starts in our mouths and then continues down the digestive tract. I'm guessig celiac might have some affect, but not like it does on fat and protein.

I have heard (but I can't remember is it is from good source) that celiacs can have problems with insulin which could affect how sugar is used in the body...I really can't remember the details. Sorry.

[pricklypear1971]

The problem isn't that you are/not absorbing sugar. It's about how many of us have side effects from celiac...ancillary damage.

I've been told its liver and pancreas and adrenal and hormones and thyroid (of course) all in a whacked-out loop that makes me trend hypoglycemic. Your body can't regulate the sugar as well as it should.

The better my adrenals, the more under control my thyroid is, the fitter I am....the less I am hypoglycemic. It all goes together.

[1desperateladysaved]

I have suffered from hypoglycemia for years. I have read that many others here do also.

I thought of this topic because I had to drink Glucola many years ago. The doctor checked my blood sugar an hour after. My blood sugar registered 80 and she marveled that that was low even for fasting! I felt sick for a week after that experience and promised myself that I would never drink that stuff again. That happened 18 years ago. If Only the doctor would have pressed to look into that.

Does anyone know if there is a problem absorbing sugar as well as other nutrients?

If it was being absorbed, it just seems like my blood sugar should have been higher, but yes, I guess I was all screwed up.

[cahill]

If it was being absorbed, it just seems like my blood sugar should have been higher, but yes, I guess I was all screwed up.

Did your doc check you blood sugar before you drank the glucola?? If so what what it ? If not your blood sugar could have been much lower than 80 before you drank it

I have always been a hypoglycemic but lately it has been an major issue for me

[1desperateladysaved]

Did your doc check you blood sugar before you drank the glucola?? If so what what it ? If not your blood sugar could have been much lower than 80 before you drank it

I have always been a hypoglycemic but lately it has been an major issue for me

No, it wasn't taken that day. No follow up was ordered. When they checked after a breakfast, it was plenty low!

[cahill]

No, it wasn't taken that day. No follow up was ordered. When they checked after a breakfast, it was plenty low!

There is a very good possibility that your blood sugar was very very low that morning if it was 80 after drinking the glucola . DOCTORS grrrrrr

[1desperateladysaved]

It could be that my pancreas over produced to cope with the sugar. It would be low, if it did that. I think I felt okay before drinking the glucola, but it was a fasting test.

[pricklypear1971]

If you really want to know what's going on with your blood sugar buy an inexpensive blood glucose kit and strips (strips are the expensive part). Test before meals, 1 hour after, 2 hours after. Chart it.

I found I felt bad when I had the biggest swings. I never technically went hypo (even when I felt horrible) but it is documented people feel hypo without technically falling below the line.

You probably have poor glycemic control, which isn't good and could be interpreted as prediabetic if other blood work matches up.

The test they gave you is a poor one to measure what you're feeling, and if I read your op correctly it was years ago.

[1desperateladysaved]

If you really want to know what's going on with your blood sugar buy an inexpensive blood glucose kit and strips (strips are the expensive part). Test before meals, 1 hour after, 2 hours after. Chart it.

I found I felt bad when I had the biggest swings. I never technically went hypo (even when I felt horrible) but it is documented people feel hypo without technically falling below the line.

You probably have poor glycemic control, which isn't good and could be interpreted as prediabetic if other blood work matches up.

The test they gave you is a poor one to measure what you're feeling, and if I read your op correctly it was years ago.

Great idea. I have a couple of those meters, but no strips. The stores would not sell them to me without a prescription. Maybe that has changed, or maybe I could get the MD to write me a prescription. I have been being very careful with all sugar. I am also taking pancreatic enzymes now. I feel well lately, but when the next dive comes...I am going to look into getting those strips.

[pricklypear1971]

Great idea. I have a couple of those meters, but no strips. The stores would not sell them to me without a prescription. Maybe that has changed, or maybe I could get the MD to write me a prescription. I have been being very careful with all sugar. I am also taking pancreatic enzymes now. I feel well lately, but when the next dive comes...I am going to look into getting those strips.

Really??? Walgreens sold them to me, no problem.

[1desperateladysaved]

Really??? Walgreens sold them to me, no problem.

Yes, it was 6 years back when I tried. Perhaps it has changed again?

[cahill]

Are you in the U.S .? ( it may be different else where ) I buy mine at either a drug store or walmart. As pricklypear1971 said the test strips are the expensive part.

[chip]

I have suffered from hypoglycemia for years. I have read that many others here do also.

I thought of this topic because I had to drink Glucola many years ago. The doctor checked my blood sugar an hour after. My blood sugar registered 80 and she marveled that that was low even for fasting! I felt sick for a week after that experience and promised myself that I would never drink that stuff again. That happened 18 years ago. If Only the doctor would have pressed to look into that.

Does anyone know if there is a problem absorbing sugar as well as other nutrients?

You shouldn't drink or eat anything that goes into your system so rapidly. You need a slow release and yes, a lot of people absorb sugar too fast who have gluten sensitivity/celiacs. Also, if they don't eat enough, too. We also use up our "carb points" over the years and can't handle many carbs. Sometimes, eating 5-6 hours apart works, especially with fruit, too.

[AVR1962]

I did not read the other replies, however I had trouble with sugars. I went thru this time (about a year after being off gluten) when my body was terribly sensative to sugar, even natural sugar. I would get dizzy, break out in sweat clear down to my ankles (and I do not sweat), I would be sick to my stomach and felt like I could pass out. I went thru testing. First doc said I had pre-diabetes which totally floored me but I went on a restricted diet. Even the tiniest amount of ice cream was sending my blooed sugar too high, it was really weird. I was on a no grain, no sugar diet fro 6 months. Went to a new doc that looked at all my previous lab results, had my A1C retested and she told me she felt my pancreas was not working properly, that I did not have diabetes. So what I did, is I looked up how to eat to repair the pancreas. I wa scared but I did allow some grains back in my diet, no more than a 1/2 cup per meal and limiting that and careful with all sugar. I then started juicing, lots of veggie drinks with just enough fruit to sweeten the drink, problem solved and I am serious. I still drink at least one veggie juice drink a day, I load my diet with veggies and on days I don't I just do not feel right. I can actually eat a little bit of ice cream now but I keep all grains and asugars to a limit. I hope that helps, that is what worked for me.

[1desperateladysaved]

Are you in the U.S .? ( it may be different else where ) I buy mine at either a drug store or walmart. As pricklypear1971 said the test strips are the expensive part.

Yes, US

[Lady Eowyn]

Hi there

Was pleased to find this thread and just wanted to say Me Too! Me Too!

I bought a test meter and strips several years ago (pre-gluten-free) because I thought my blood sugar was getting high then dropping low. Turns out it was low and dropping very low and I could not raise it even with eating loads of sugar/sweets.

I seem to be swinging again lately although I don't have much in the way of sweet things except some fruit and find protein helps.

Since going gluten free I can't eat potatoes or rice and think this may partly be due to carbohydrate levels, can't eat a big quantity of anything at one sitting.

[1desperateladysaved]

,

"I bought a test meter and strips several years ago (pre-gluten-free) because I thought my blood sugar was getting high then dropping low. Turns out it was low and dropping very low and I could not raise it even with eating loads of sugar/sweets." Ewyon

Yeah, Ewyon,

That is an expereince I had. 15 years ago, I checked my blood after breakfast, it was 59. Then I had some honey, no response, a little more honey, no response, more honey, no response. Then I tried some fruit, no response. At that point, I gave up and rested. Somewhat later it got up to 80.

I don't feel like my body is unresponsive now, but it might just be a good idea to check.

I have two ideas about why this is:

Maybe the body doesn't absorb the sugar

Or maybe the body over produces insulin like a prediabetic.

I believe i would have diabetes if I hadn't been very careful with sugar.

No sweets,

No fruit juice (even unsweetened)

Balanced protein to carbs.

Bites of fruits with meals rather than entire fruits.

[kareng]

,

That is an expereince I had. 15 years ago, I checked my blood after breakfast, it was 59. Then I had some honey, no response, a little more honey, no response, more honey, no response. Then I tried some fruit, no response. At that point, I gave up and rested. Somewhat later it got up to 80.

I don't feel like my body is unresponsive now, but it might just be a good idea to check.

I have two ideas about why this is:

Maybe the body doesn't absorb the sugar

Or maybe the body over produces insulin like a prediabetic.

I believe i would have diabetes if I hadn't been very careful with sugar.

.

Diabetes is a VERY SERIOUS medical condition. It is not something to "figure out on your own" or play around with home tests.

[pricklypear1971]

,

"I bought a test meter and strips several years ago (pre-gluten-free) because I thought my blood sugar was getting high then dropping low. Turns out it was low and dropping very low and I could not raise it even with eating loads of sugar/sweets." Ewyon

Yeah, Ewyon,

That is an expereince I had. 15 years ago, I checked my blood after breakfast, it was 59. Then I had some honey, no response, a little more honey, no response, more honey, no response. Then I tried some fruit, no response. At that point, I gave up and rested. Somewhat later it got up to 80.

I don't feel like my body is unresponsive now, but it might just be a good idea to check.

I have two ideas about why this is:

Maybe the body doesn't absorb the sugar

Or maybe the body over produces insulin like a prediabetic.

I believe i would have diabetes if I hadn't been very careful with sugar.

No sweets,

No fruit juice (even unsweetened)

Balanced protein to carbs.

Bites of fruits with meals rather than entire fruits.

There's plenty of info out there about hypoglycemia.

Sometimes it is indicative of prediabetic - if your glucose is spiking (which is where the meter comes in) and other blood work lines up.

I improved my control greatly by starting an exercise routine. Lean muscle mass helps maintain control. It is challenging starting a routine, because of balancing your food. The first few months will be difficult.

My doctor drew me a great chart with hormones/organs and my three AI diseases. In short - AI damages certain body systems - adrenals help control glucose levels (effects pancreatic function?), as well as hormones. Fasting places stress on adrenals, so eating before I'm hungry is a biggie. Eating the right thing is a biggie.

Are you ready for this one???? As we approach and hit menopause and our ovaries slow down and stop our adrenals take a bigger role in hormone control, too. So if your adrenals are hosed hitting menopause you're doubly screwed.

Anyone with a chronic condition has adrenal stress. AI is a chronic condition. You've got to support your adrenals while you fix everything else. It helps.

It irritates the heck out of me.

[1desperateladysaved]

Diabetes is a VERY SERIOUS medical condition. It is not something to "figure out on your own" or play around with home tests.

I agree. I have several doctors working with me on this. I do feel that I am in control, though. I am ultimatly accountable for taking care of my own health. I would not use drugs or herbs without being advised. My doctors would be supportive of testing at home. It is a good way to see what is happening with the blood sugar.

[cahill]

I agree. I have several doctors working with me on this. I do feel that I am in control, though. I am ultimatly accountable for taking care of my own health. I would not use drugs or herbs without being advised. My doctors would be supportive of testing at home. It is a good way to see what is happening with the blood sugar.

While I agree with kareng that diabetes is a very serious medical condition ,,, home testing ( with reporting the results to your doctor )is IMHO the best way to be aware of what is happening with your blood sugar levels .Many diabetics may have been able to ( at least ) delay diabetes IF they had been aware earlier that there may be an issue and they could have worked on improving their diet.

Taking control of your own health is something that each of us NEEDS to do. Contrary to what many doctors believe,, Doctors are not gods .They are human beings that are trained to save our lives ,, unfortunately most are not trained not improve the quality of life .

( for them ) I am not a priority because celiacs and its complications will not kill me immediately,,it will take a long time for the complications of celiacs to kill me .

I WILL be in control of my medical treatments and ( as you said) I alone am accountable for my health.

[pricklypear1971]

Also, doctors are terrible at dx'ing hypoglycemia. Really, they are.

Unless you bottom out on one of the diabetes fasting glucose tests where they take two/three draws they won't catch it.

They look at hba1c which an average, which doesn't show the swings that plague many hypos.

When you show up with bg charts, meals, symptoms, etc. showing when it happened and how you feel they usually listen.

I personally never dropped below 80. Got right at it... And I only swung into prediabetic range 1/2x...and by 1 point. But it was the swings. Oh man, the swings......

And at bg of 80 I was a mess.

I never had a doc tell me to track bg, but they usually listen when you show up with it.

Not many docs will tell you to test before the meal, 1 hour after, 2 hours after. I had "great" morning fasting levels and "good" before meal levels (but felt terrible). My 2 hour tests were not good.

On bloodwork from a lab all was fine. My hba1c was .2 high, then .1 high - decreasing. My other labs for glucose were normal. But I felt awful.

Sometimes you have to prove it yourself and home bg testing is the best way..

I haven't done home testing since I started working out. But I feel different. We'll see what the next hba1c says and I may test before my next appointment.