How do I know if I'm gluten intolerant?
Brownilocks
Posts: 30 Member
Hi there,
I've been doing quite a bit of reading up, and I think I might be intolerant to gluten or wheat. I feel pretty lousy during a day I consume a lot of bread/pasta/rice/flour (by 'a lot' I mean a serving with each meal). I feel heavy and bloated, and (forgive me) going no. 2 in the toilet is a lot less pretty than normal.
Could these be signs of gluten/wheat/grain intolerance? Or is it just my imagination?
If you are intolerant to one or more of the aforementioned, how did you find out, and what would you recommend?
Looking forward to your feedback!
I've been doing quite a bit of reading up, and I think I might be intolerant to gluten or wheat. I feel pretty lousy during a day I consume a lot of bread/pasta/rice/flour (by 'a lot' I mean a serving with each meal). I feel heavy and bloated, and (forgive me) going no. 2 in the toilet is a lot less pretty than normal.
Could these be signs of gluten/wheat/grain intolerance? Or is it just my imagination?
If you are intolerant to one or more of the aforementioned, how did you find out, and what would you recommend?
Looking forward to your feedback!
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Replies
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There is a blood test you can take. My mom took it when she thought she was having intestinal issues0
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If you are human, you are. Just a matter of how much...0
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Go to the Dr to be diagnosed. no other way to know for sure.0
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Gluten intolerance is caused by celiac disease, you can ask a Dr to test you for this. There are 2 ways of testing; either by blood test or during endoscopy they take a sample and send it to the lab for testing.
I turned out to be negative for celiac, but I still believe I am sensitive to it because I can clearly see the difference when I am gluten free vs when I am eating gluten. There is some research that says that there may be a spectrum of sensitivity, celiac being the highest on the spectrum. I know if I eat a little of gluten the consequences won't be as bad as someone with celiac but I still try to limit it in my diet so that I don't get side effects that are similar to what you mentioned.
I suggest after testing if you end of being negative for celiac, to try cutting 100% gluten out of your diet for a couple of weeks to see if that makes you feel any better. If it does then you'll know if you are sensitive. But make sure to cut gluten out only after you do the testing, the testing is only accurate if you have been eating gluten recently.
I now try to be mostly gluten free, but if I eat something gluten I limit it to only 1 meal per day and only once in a while.0 -
The tests for celiac disease are:
- tissue transglutaminase (tTG IgA and tTG IgG)
- deaminated gliadin peptides (DGP IgA and DGP IgG)
- endomysial antibodies (EMA IgA)
- anti-gliadin antibodies (AGA IgA and AGA IgG) - these are older and less reliable tests which have been replaced by the DGP tests
- total serum IgA - control test
Get as many tests done as possible because these tests can have a sensitivity as low as 75% (less in the AGA tests) which means the tests can miss up to 1 in 4 celiacs. Getting multiple tests increases your odds of celiac being detected (if you have it)
The endoscopic biopsy catches over 80% of celiacs. Ensure 6+ samples are taken so the chances of testing patchy damage is better.
If all tests are negative yet you improve on a GF diet, you may have non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS). Those with NCGS have basically the same symptoms as a celiac but there is no blood test for it.
If you do give the GF diet a try, give it at LEAST three months (6 being better). Many symptoms of gluten sensitivity take months (and sometimes years) to improve on a GF diet, although bloating is one of the fastest to improve.
Good luck!0 -
Gluten intolerance and celiac are two different things. Get tested for celiac first, then press for more tests if negative. If you still believe you are gluten intolerant as opposed to celiac, do the food elimination diet, if you follow it properly you should easily identify your triggers.
I am gluten intolerant, suspected celiac, but cannot face months of eating gluten to go through the testing again (my dr told me to stop eating gluten then tested me 4 weeks into being GF)
Feel free to message me for any gluten advice, but go for all the testing you can WHILST eating gluten, or you will test negative.0 -
Also want to add if you feel better without gluten, there is nothing wrong with eliminating it even if you don't have Celiac. I had a Dr who gave me a blood test and after it came out negative told me to go eat some pizza. Very insensitive to someone who has been struggling with stomach issues.
I also don't do too much GF replacements. I limit those as well because some are very processed and give me some stomach issues also. Once in a while works for me and instead I eat other naturally GF carbs.0 -
I would stay away from grains and flours for awhile and see if you feel better. My daughter's test for celiac came back negative but they said that doesn't mean she isn't sensitive to it. I think to really know, you have to eliminate for awhile and see if you feel better.0
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Just test first.0
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I feel better when I don't eat a lot of it, too, so I try not to. I think it's pretty normal, which is why we're seeing an increase in gluten-free options.0
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WalkingAlong wrote: »I feel better when I don't eat a lot of it, too, so I try not to. I think it's pretty normal, which is why we're seeing an increase in gluten-free options.
I remember when Atkins was super popular. There was an increase in Atkins friendly products then too. I remember even Subway had Atkin options for wraps.
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Non celiac gluten sensitivity is a (recently) recognized disease - since 2012 (?) - It is, at this point, a symptomatic disease. You need to describe your symptoms to a health care professional. They will run some blood tests, ask you lots of dietary questions. They may prescribe a diet, ask you more questions, run more tests. I have zero GI issues with gluten. I have neurological reactions to gluten. Understand that, for insurance purposes, these are diagnostic procedures, not preventive ones.0
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3dogsrunning wrote: »WalkingAlong wrote: »I feel better when I don't eat a lot of it, too, so I try not to. I think it's pretty normal, which is why we're seeing an increase in gluten-free options.
I remember when Atkins was super popular. There was an increase in Atkins friendly products then too. I remember even Subway had Atkin options for wraps.
Atkins is a solution to weight loss, gluten free is a solution to symptoms people experience, not a diet fad.
But yes many companies are getting on the bandwagon of gluten free products to make some money, but that's a good thing, theres a higher % of people being diagnosed now with celiacs or gluten sensitivity.0 -
LastingChanges wrote: »3dogsrunning wrote: »WalkingAlong wrote: »I feel better when I don't eat a lot of it, too, so I try not to. I think it's pretty normal, which is why we're seeing an increase in gluten-free options.
I remember when Atkins was super popular. There was an increase in Atkins friendly products then too. I remember even Subway had Atkin options for wraps.
Atkins is a solution to weight loss, gluten free is a solution to symptoms people experience, not a diet fad.
But yes many companies are getting on the bandwagon of gluten free products to make some money, but that's a good thing, theres a higher % of people being diagnosed now with celiacs or gluten sensitivity.
My point was that because it is becoming more popular doesn't make it "normal". It is very much a bandwagon thing right now (and a popular weight loss solution suggestion). I'm not saying there aren't those who suffer, and the whole bandwagon is good for those who do suffer. But it is not proof that people shouldn't eat it.
The higher percent of people being diagnosed is still a very small portion of the population.0 -
I meant I think it's pretty common for women especially to feel bloated and similar symptoms when they eat a lot of breads, pasta and baked goods. I think more people are noticing it all the time is why we're seeing more products. I did notice it back when South Beach Diet came out and Atkins had a resurgence. I think others notice it from say paleo or raw vegan forays or even some WW plans.
Feeling better eating less gluten isn't a fad and isn't limited to Celiacs. And I don't think anyone's saying no one should eat it. I feel better without a whole lot of candy, fried foods or alcohol in my diet, too. Is that due to a fad, or do I need a diagnosis to limit them?0 -
A doc can run the proper tests. You have to currently be eating gluten for the tests to determine sensitivity/allergy. My doc would not test. I have cut it out anyway as I suspected a problem for a long time. My twice weekly migraines went away, my almost daily tension headaches disappeared. For a long time I could have a serving 2-3 times a month with no head pain(it seemed to be frequency that caused my issues) but I have had to cut completely now as any time I indulge I have horrific digestive issues. Will never touch again. And my body feels way more energetic without!!0
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WalkingAlong wrote: »I meant I think it's pretty common for women especially to feel bloated and similar symptoms when they eat a lot of breads, pasta and baked goods. I think more people are noticing it all the time is why we're seeing more products. I did notice it back when South Beach Diet came out and Atkins had a resurgence. I think others notice it from say paleo or raw vegan forays or even some WW plans.
And I disagree. Which was the point of my post.Feeling better eating less gluten isn't a fad and isn't limited to Celiacs. And I don't think anyone's saying no one should eat it. I feel better without a whole lot of candy, fried foods or alcohol in my diet, too. Is that due to a fad, or do I need a diagnosis to limit them?
I said nothing about diagnosis or whether people should avoid it. My point was soley about the increase in gluten free products as proof it is normal or common.0 -
Celiac is less than 1% of the population whereas NCGS is thought to be somewhere around 6%, perhaps even 10% of the world population.
Gluten sensitivity isn't the norm, but it is not as uncommon as people thought. It's about on par with hypothyroidism for how many people it affects.
Seeing more GF products is a plus. The downside of the fad part of the diet is eating out. It's difficult to get servers to take you seriously when the last person who claimed to be GF decided to order cake for dessert. sigh.0 -
3dogsrunning wrote: »LastingChanges wrote: »3dogsrunning wrote: »WalkingAlong wrote: »I feel better when I don't eat a lot of it, too, so I try not to. I think it's pretty normal, which is why we're seeing an increase in gluten-free options.
I remember when Atkins was super popular. There was an increase in Atkins friendly products then too. I remember even Subway had Atkin options for wraps.
Atkins is a solution to weight loss, gluten free is a solution to symptoms people experience, not a diet fad.
But yes many companies are getting on the bandwagon of gluten free products to make some money, but that's a good thing, theres a higher % of people being diagnosed now with celiacs or gluten sensitivity.
My point was that because it is becoming more popular doesn't make it "normal". It is very much a bandwagon thing right now (and a popular weight loss solution suggestion). I'm not saying there aren't those who suffer, and the whole bandwagon is good for those who do suffer. But it is not proof that people shouldn't eat it.
The higher percent of people being diagnosed is still a very small portion of the population.
If you can eat it without any issues, there is no reason to stop and no one said it should be stopped. I haven't heard of it as a weight loss solution. However in mainstream I have heard it suggested in order to increase energy, alleviate any random symptoms someone has, reduce inflammation, etc. If someone is experiencing some symptoms it may be worth it to try, if they don't see any benefits then they can go back to enjoying gluten.0 -
LastingChanges wrote: »3dogsrunning wrote: »LastingChanges wrote: »3dogsrunning wrote: »WalkingAlong wrote: »I feel better when I don't eat a lot of it, too, so I try not to. I think it's pretty normal, which is why we're seeing an increase in gluten-free options.
I remember when Atkins was super popular. There was an increase in Atkins friendly products then too. I remember even Subway had Atkin options for wraps.
Atkins is a solution to weight loss, gluten free is a solution to symptoms people experience, not a diet fad.
But yes many companies are getting on the bandwagon of gluten free products to make some money, but that's a good thing, theres a higher % of people being diagnosed now with celiacs or gluten sensitivity.
My point was that because it is becoming more popular doesn't make it "normal". It is very much a bandwagon thing right now (and a popular weight loss solution suggestion). I'm not saying there aren't those who suffer, and the whole bandwagon is good for those who do suffer. But it is not proof that people shouldn't eat it.
The higher percent of people being diagnosed is still a very small portion of the population.
If you can eat it without any issues, there is no reason to stop and no one said it should be stopped. I haven't heard of it as a weight loss solution. However in mainstream I have heard it suggested in order to increase energy, elevate any random symptoms someone has, reduce inflammation, etc. If someone is experiencing some symptoms it may be worth it to try, if they don't see any benefits then they can go back to enjoying gluten.
Again, not really the point of my post, but isn't Wheat Belly a currently popular weight loss book which promotes eliminating gluten?0 -
3dogsrunning wrote: »LastingChanges wrote: »3dogsrunning wrote: »LastingChanges wrote: »3dogsrunning wrote: »WalkingAlong wrote: »I feel better when I don't eat a lot of it, too, so I try not to. I think it's pretty normal, which is why we're seeing an increase in gluten-free options.
I remember when Atkins was super popular. There was an increase in Atkins friendly products then too. I remember even Subway had Atkin options for wraps.
Atkins is a solution to weight loss, gluten free is a solution to symptoms people experience, not a diet fad.
But yes many companies are getting on the bandwagon of gluten free products to make some money, but that's a good thing, theres a higher % of people being diagnosed now with celiacs or gluten sensitivity.
My point was that because it is becoming more popular doesn't make it "normal". It is very much a bandwagon thing right now (and a popular weight loss solution suggestion). I'm not saying there aren't those who suffer, and the whole bandwagon is good for those who do suffer. But it is not proof that people shouldn't eat it.
The higher percent of people being diagnosed is still a very small portion of the population.
If you can eat it without any issues, there is no reason to stop and no one said it should be stopped. I haven't heard of it as a weight loss solution. However in mainstream I have heard it suggested in order to increase energy, elevate any random symptoms someone has, reduce inflammation, etc. If someone is experiencing some symptoms it may be worth it to try, if they don't see any benefits then they can go back to enjoying gluten.
Again, not really the point of my post, but isn't Wheat Belly a currently popular weight loss book which promotes eliminating gluten?
I see what you are saying, availability of more products doesn't mean it is legit. But an increase of products is great for the people who really need it and others that are trying it out.
Wheat Belly points out that many symptoms, conditions, inflammations may be caused by gluten sensitivity. If someone is struggling with those symptoms it suggests and gives reasons why it may be worth a try to go GF. I read it a long time ago, I don't really remember it being a weight loss diet. I think author was trying to help decrease health problems and a side benefit could be weight loss once the symptoms are alleviated.0 -
3dogsrunning wrote: »LastingChanges wrote: »3dogsrunning wrote: »LastingChanges wrote: »3dogsrunning wrote: »WalkingAlong wrote: »I feel better when I don't eat a lot of it, too, so I try not to. I think it's pretty normal, which is why we're seeing an increase in gluten-free options.
I remember when Atkins was super popular. There was an increase in Atkins friendly products then too. I remember even Subway had Atkin options for wraps.
Atkins is a solution to weight loss, gluten free is a solution to symptoms people experience, not a diet fad.
But yes many companies are getting on the bandwagon of gluten free products to make some money, but that's a good thing, theres a higher % of people being diagnosed now with celiacs or gluten sensitivity.
My point was that because it is becoming more popular doesn't make it "normal". It is very much a bandwagon thing right now (and a popular weight loss solution suggestion). I'm not saying there aren't those who suffer, and the whole bandwagon is good for those who do suffer. But it is not proof that people shouldn't eat it.
The higher percent of people being diagnosed is still a very small portion of the population.
If you can eat it without any issues, there is no reason to stop and no one said it should be stopped. I haven't heard of it as a weight loss solution. However in mainstream I have heard it suggested in order to increase energy, elevate any random symptoms someone has, reduce inflammation, etc. If someone is experiencing some symptoms it may be worth it to try, if they don't see any benefits then they can go back to enjoying gluten.
Again, not really the point of my post, but isn't Wheat Belly a currently popular weight loss book which promotes eliminating gluten?
No, it isn't really a weight loss book. It's about the possible negative health effects of grains (wheat).0 -
OP, I hope you find out what's right for you. Blood tests or old fashioned, strict avoidance are a couple of possible methods. Good luck!0
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Eating gluten free does often work well as a weight loss solution. Whether that's a fad or not, I don't know. I don't really understand the relevance of that in a thread by someone with actual symptoms.0
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You can go to the doctor and get various tests for celiac and gluten sensitivity, but they don't test for all the markers. Some people express it differently than others and aren't indicated by the tests as gluten sensitive because they express that sensitivity in ways that the tests don't catch. Also, you need to be eating a pretty large amount of gluten consistently when you take the tests for them to catch anything, which most possibly sensitive people aren't doing when they take the tests since they feel crummy while eating gluten.
I'd just try eliminating it from your diet for a few weeks and see how you feel afterwards. It would save you money and you would get the same results as if you had went to the doctor before cutting gluten out. If you feel better -- great! If not, you can go back to eating gluten. No harm done, and it saves you time and money.0 -
90% of the people think they are or claim they feel better when they avoid it are hypochondriacs. They want to feel like the occasional discomfort is related to something as to gain sympathy. They want to be ill. But in reality they are lonely and/or wanting to belong. Sympathy.
I am so tired of fat, carb, sugar, gluten, meat, and the many other "free" diet fads. Unless you have been properly diagnosed with a problem, you have no claim to the problem.
Sorry for being coarse, but people latch onto these fads for reasons related to self esteem reasons and not for actual medical reasons.
Now excuse me while I mix my essential oils to rub between my third and first toes to keep me from getting headaches.0 -
Strawblackcat wrote: »You can go to the doctor and get various tests for celiac and gluten sensitivity, but they don't test for all the markers. Some people express it differently than others and aren't indicated by the tests as gluten sensitive because they express that sensitivity in ways that the tests don't catch. Also, you need to be eating a pretty large amount of gluten consistently when you take the tests for them to catch anything, which most possibly sensitive people aren't doing when they take the tests since they feel crummy while eating gluten.
I'd just try eliminating it from your diet for a few weeks and see how you feel afterwards. It would save you money and you would get the same results as if you had went to the doctor before cutting gluten out. If you feel better -- great! If not, you can go back to eating gluten. No harm done, and it saves you time and money.
I agree with you with you in part. I know plenty of people that have food intolerances to, for example, raw onions or green peppers (I also know a case to watermelon) and they learned based on trial/error and experience to avoid those items. It's often expressed as "I don't like such and such". They can afford to do that because the digestive symptoms of such intolerances are mild. Yes, if one only experiences mild digestive symptoms your suggestion is quite sensible. That is not necessarily the case with gluten. What should dictate whether or not someone consults a health professional is the degree of symptoms one experiences when one consumes gluten (in other words, if your symptoms are aggressive, don't wait until you poop blood to look for help).0 -
OP, you might want to do a bit of reading about the low FODMAP diet. Here and here are good places to start.
The short explanation of the low FODMAP diet is that some people are unable to properly digest some fermentable short chain carbohydrates. Wheat is one of those.
I first stumbled across the FODMAP diet in an effort to help my IBS symptoms. At the time I was beginning to suspect I had some sort of problem with wheat. But in reading more and experimenting I believe my issue is wider than just wheat, and the FODMAP issue seems to "fit" better.0 -
90% of the people think they are or claim they feel better when they avoid it are hypochondriacs. They want to feel like the occasional discomfort is related to something as to gain sympathy. They want to be ill. But in reality they are lonely and/or wanting to belong. Sympathy.
I am so tired of fat, carb, sugar, gluten, meat, and the many other "free" diet fads. Unless you have been properly diagnosed with a problem, you have no claim to the problem.
Sorry for being coarse, but people latch onto these fads for reasons related to self esteem reasons and not for actual medical reasons.
Now excuse me while I mix my essential oils to rub between my third and first toes to keep me from getting headaches.
You are ridicilous. Medicine is not set in concrete, there is always research being done. Medicine is always evolving, new information is discovered, information is retracted, causes for disorders are discovered, and symptoms are given a proper diagnosis. Just because a diagnosis doesnt exist doesnt mean the symptoms arent there, and in the future there can be more information on these symptoms or a diagnosis.
I dont see how belonging to a group of celiacs would benefit my life. My digestive issues disrupted my everyday life and caused a lot of discomfort, the first time I felt better in a long time was when I went GF.
For some it is hard to understand or wrap your head around something you have never experienced.0 -
Strawblackcat wrote: »You can go to the doctor and get various tests for celiac and gluten sensitivity, but they don't test for all the markers. Some people express it differently than others and aren't indicated by the tests as gluten sensitive because they express that sensitivity in ways that the tests don't catch. Also, you need to be eating a pretty large amount of gluten consistently when you take the tests for them to catch anything, which most possibly sensitive people aren't doing when they take the tests since they feel crummy while eating gluten.
I'd just try eliminating it from your diet for a few weeks and see how you feel afterwards. It would save you money and you would get the same results as if you had went to the doctor before cutting gluten out. If you feel better -- great! If not, you can go back to eating gluten. No harm done, and it saves you time and money.
Testing for celiac disease is NOT the same as the testing done for food sensitivities (IgG mediated) that a naturopath or other alternative health care professionals do. Those tests are not recognized as valid tests for celaic disease or NCGS by the greater medical community.
I know a celiac who had those food sensitivity tests done. She had recently had positive blood tests and a positive biopsy yet those tests put her as negative for gluten sensitivity.
I have celiac. My oldest son has obvious reactions to gluten, behaviouraly and physically. I had him tested for celiac but the doctors would only run one test and it was negative - this means he probablly does not have celiac but there is a 25% chance he could. I then have these naturopath tests done and all were negative. All. Yet he has food issues. It was a waste of money for us.
I'm of the opinion that those tests can maybe find food sensitivities in some but they are irrelevent when it comes to celiac disease and dicey at best for NCGS.90% of the people think they are or claim they feel better when they avoid it are hypochondriacs. They want to feel like the occasional discomfort is related to something as to gain sympathy. They want to be ill. But in reality they are lonely and/or wanting to belong. Sympathy.
I am so tired of fat, carb, sugar, gluten, meat, and the many other "free" diet fads. Unless you have been properly diagnosed with a problem, you have no claim to the problem.
Sorry for being coarse, but people latch onto these fads for reasons related to self esteem reasons and not for actual medical reasons.
Now excuse me while I mix my essential oils to rub between my third and first toes to keep me from getting headaches.
The gluten-free diet is not a free fad diet, and those who use it as such are ignorant of the reasons for the GF diet. Gluten (gliadin) is a protein in many grains which can cause a reaction by the body. Celiac is an autoimmune reaction whereas NCGS is though to be a more basic immune/defense reaction. The GF diet has NOTHING to do with weight loss beyond losing the bloating that makes some of us look 5 months pregnant after eating a PB&J sandwich.
I completely object to calling those on the GF diet, who are trying to improve their health, hypochondriacs. On average a celiac takes about 10 years to be diagnosed. Almost every single celiac I have talked with (and I help moderate a busy celiac forum) has been told at one point in their lives that it is all in their head, or those symptoms are natural for them. Almost. Every. Single. One.
I'm sure there are some people out there who worry too much and don't need to be GF, but so what? Perhaps it really is helping them but it isn't obvious to others. The most common symptom of celiac is anemia. Vitamin deficiency is common and so are ataxia, migraines, cognitive decline, hairloss, constipation, neuropathies, anxiety and panic attacks, depression, fatigue, arthritis, gall bladder issues, and other non-stomach issues.
Most people who are in it as an experiment or for attention won't last long on the GF diet. Just because they are not diagnosed does not mean they do not have a problem. 80% of celiacs are still undiagnosed! Please keep your judgements to yourself.0
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