I have fatigue, depression, intenstinal gas with wheat, etc. Someone said I should be tested for the disease, but I think I gain weight more than lose. Could it really be a possibility and what are the odds?
Posted on May 30th, 2009 by Bob
Filed under: Celiac Disease in Children
I just read something on this today, before this never heard of it and now a question…. very odd…..What you need to do is get a blood test to see if you have this first…
I have a gluten-intolerance. My doctor found it by looking at my reactions to foods. Also found out I was having trouble with milk sugars. I got a test for celiac recently, but I turned up negative. If you come up negative for celiac, but the diet helps. What its called is "Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity"… There's no test for it except seeing how the diet works. Sounds like you have it! Wheat (and dairy) made my intestines feel like a hard blown up balloon. It makes you gain weight too. I used to go to sleep at like 6pm every night and wake up at like 9 or 10, AND take naps during the day. Now I have so much energy… I'm always itching to go on a hike. lol
I used to have chronic diarrhea as well (had it for 2 straight months one time). I still have problems with it, but I've heard probiotics are really good for people with food intolerances. It can help replace all the bacteria lost throughout time.
Addition: I forgot to mention… Celiac means there is major intestinal damage. You need to get tested for that first. If it comes up negative, get on the gluten-free diet before you turn celiac. 1 in 7 people have Non-Celiac Gluten-Intolerance (much more than celiac), but most don't know it…. Doctors tend to forget about the other kind.
I have the same symptoms as you do. I do not handle milk very well. I got tested for celiac but test came back negative.
When I am on the wheat free diet, I feel a lot better. I have more energy, happier etc.
Why tests come back negative I don't know. I also read somewhere that depression is a big symptom in celiac.
Also they told me that you never should go on a gluten free diet before you get tested. It might give a wrong result.
Classic symptoms of celiac disease may include:
abdominal cramping, intestinal gas, distention and bloating
chronic diarrhea or constipation (or both)
steatorrhea — fatty stools
anemia - unexplained, due to folic acid, B12, or iron deficiency (or all)
weight loss with large appetite, or weight gain
If you feel that you have celiac disease the BEST way to be tested is to have a upper endoscopy (performed by a gastroenterologist). They would take a biopsy of you small bowel and stomach. There are also blood tests you can do- but a bx is the best way to determin if you have the disease.If you come back positive from the bx then you should stay away from gluten (wheat) in your diet. If you live in IL i can suggest a good group of Drs to help you.
You can have weight gain or weight loss with Celiac disease. Or your weight can stay the same. Not all of the symptoms of Celiacs are the same for all people. That is why it is one of the most misdiagnosed diseases out there. A friend of mine has two children with the disease and I've read quit a bit about it. You need to be tested if you are concerned about having it. First, a blood test. But even that can be wrong. You may need to have a biopsy done on your small intestine. It's a simple procedure, they go in through your mouth and apparently it's not painful. Talk to your doctor.