carb or gluten sensitivity?

lin7604
lin7604 Posts: 3,019 Member
how do you know which one you have?
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Replies

  • kitigonkukoo
    kitigonkukoo Posts: 218 Member
    blood test I believe at the Dr.
  • LeenaRuns
    LeenaRuns Posts: 1,309 Member
    Blood tests are only good for celiac disease. Trial and error is what they've got for sensitivity. Try going without for a couple of weeks and then try eating them again. Your body will tell you if it's right or not.
  • thisismeraw
    thisismeraw Posts: 1,264 Member
    I could be wrong but I'm not sure there is a carb sensitivity (unless it relates to your body processing gluclose).

    Gluten is a mixture of symptons but those symptons are the same as a lot of other things. I believe a blood test would be the best way to see if there is an actual issue with gluten (not sure if the blood test covers wheat or not). However I believe the blood test is only really for celiac... not sure if it will tell you if you have a minor issue processing it or not.

    If you think you have an issue with gluten or wheat try tracking your issues within your food diary for a bit. Than look over it to see if there is a pattern. I beleive common symptons for issues with gluten or wheat can be the same as dairy issues. Might be a good thing to track and than cut one out and see if issues improve.

    I get a mixture of issues when I consume wheat or large amounts of gluten so I just try to avoid it right now. I haven't gone for an actual test though... will be shortly.
  • rmhand
    rmhand Posts: 1,067 Member
    What are the symptoms of carb sensitivity? I have never heard of this...

    Wouldn't that be diabetes?
  • skbohanon
    skbohanon Posts: 15 Member
    I'm not familiar with "carb" sensitivity. But as far as gluten... a blood test won't show a sensitivity, only for celiac.
    You've got to remove the gluten from your diet and then monitor how you feel to determine your sensitivity. My sensitivity was discovered because for 6 months I was exhausted and then I had constant stomach pains.

    Just remember... removing gluten does not necessarily remove carbs, which (in my opinion) is a good thing. You still need carbs - just the healthy ones.

    I've heard from several reputable sources that gluten is not good for ANYONE. It's just that some people can tolerate it better than others. All that to say... you certainly aren't going to harm your body by removing gluten. In fact, I highly recommend it.
  • jellybeanhed313
    jellybeanhed313 Posts: 344 Member
    An elimination diet is the best way to "test" this yourself. I've heard that blood tests will not work for this and only for celiac. Completely eliminate any gluten(check labels for anything containing wheat) from your diet for a week or 2. Keep track of how you feel, bathroom habits and what you're eating. Then add back in some gluten containing foods and watch your reaction. By that I mean a huge spike in weight overnight..like 3-5 pounds, bloating, cold symptoms, change in bowels. Start with a little and then next time add a larger dose of gluten and then you can find out what your tolerance is. I am sensitive to it, but I can have a little. If I go overboard with it though, I feel like I'm coming down with a bad cold...tired, stuffy/runny nose, chest congestion, upset tummy.
  • shar140
    shar140 Posts: 1,158 Member
    Could be both, like me. You'll have to limit them (I'd do it separate) to find out which it is, if not both.

    My symptoms:
    carb sensitivity - I have to limit my carbs (depends on my activity level, right now I can do around 80g/day and am losing), or I don't lose (or worse, gain). Even a little bit of sugar makes me crave more, so I avoid it. Then I get a carb hangover the next day if I consume too much! Ugh, it can be worse than a typical hangover, lol. Sure, I could take medicine for insulin resistance, but I'd rather treat with my diet (I use "diet" to mean way of eating) than kill my liver.

    gluten sensitivity - IBS, bloating, headaches, brain fogginess (could be either), eczema, acid reflux (that I took prescription drugs for 7 years to treat), allergies, asthma, etc all cleared up. Symptoms vary person to person, though. I have a friend who gets hives, and my girlfriend throws up - but both of those are allergies, not just sensitivities to gluten.

    Edit: after reading others' replies, I too get the joint aches and stuffiness when I consume too much gluten. So many symptoms, that I forget them all!
  • darkguardian419
    darkguardian419 Posts: 1,302 Member
    I discovered my gluten (and gluten only) intolerance when I went Paleo. I was able to eat 85% dark chocolate without a problem, but the day I had a bagel my stomach and my joints started hurting.
  • bookyeti
    bookyeti Posts: 544 Member
    Carbohydrate Sensitivity/Intolerance simply means that carbohydrates (sugars and starches in the food you ingest), are not tolerated as well by your body as they should be. Sometimes it's from certain sources (ie. carbs sourced from anything other than vegetables, etc.). It's almost always linked with Insulin resistance.

    Trial and error is the way to go.
  • jacksonpt
    jacksonpt Posts: 10,413 Member
    does carb sensitivity = low/moderate insulin resistance?
  • bookyeti
    bookyeti Posts: 544 Member
    does carb sensitivity = low/moderate insulin resistance?
    That sure would make sense!
  • jacksonpt
    jacksonpt Posts: 10,413 Member
    does carb sensitivity = low/moderate insulin resistance?
    That sure would make sense!

    I assumed as much, but wanted to make sure we were talking about the same thing. A lot of the disagreements/confusion on this site comes from issues with terminology rather than actual information...
  • bookyeti
    bookyeti Posts: 544 Member
    I assumed as much, but wanted to make sure we were talking about the same thing. A lot of the disagreements/confusion on this site comes from issues with terminology rather than actual information...
    Indeed!
  • OneDimSim
    OneDimSim Posts: 188 Member
    Actually on the carb sensitivity - one of the other forums i frequent, the folks claim that they believe they have become more carb sensitive though years of lo carb dieting. There is also claim that you can "recondition" you body to process carbs...."Potato Hack" has been used.....
  • valey1234
    valey1234 Posts: 29
    I am glad to see that I am not alone with digestion problems I have always been a big bread and cake eater in the past now I think I need to cut out the gluten really hard anyone got suggestions on gluten free breads? thanks valey1234
  • lin7604
    lin7604 Posts: 3,019 Member
    thx everyone. i was tested for celiacs b/c my son has it and i came back ok. I took out most gluten from my diet for 2 weeks, no bread at all, had minimal pasta. I replaced sandwiches at lunch with homemade soup and i wasn't bloated, then tues and wed i had a sandwich for lunch again this week and BLOATED! I look 4-5 months pregnant... so i thought it may be a sensitivity to it but i was fine when i ate pasta? so that is why i was confused..... then others were telling me it could be carbs, so that confused me more...
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  • Arazante
    Arazante Posts: 12
    Blood test would be the most sure-fire way.

    However, if you're on a budget or not insured, eat something with gluten in it (a sandwich, for instance that is wheat, white bread or pasta). If you feel fatigued afterwards, you should be suspicious.

    At that point, the only other way I can think of that you can test, for free, is forgoing gluten products for 4-8 weeks (read all your labels and what contains gluten, mainly pastas, most breads, etc) and see how you feel. If, generally, you feel better, you probably found your answer.

    *I am gluten sensitive and this is how I tested meself before I had money for a doctor's visit*
  • DebbieLyn63
    DebbieLyn63 Posts: 2,650 Member
    There are really 2 separate issues- gluten and/or carb sensitivity and carb/insulin resistance. Some people have inflammatory reactions to simple processed grains, especially wheat, and often simple processed sugar as well. They can have bloating, allergies, digestive issues, and joint pains, even tho they may not have full blown celiac disease.

    As for carb/insulin resistance, that is a precursor to full blown diabetes. If you tend to gain extra fat in your midsection and have hormonal issues, then you might have this issue. Your body doesn't break down the sugars and simple carbs you eat as well as it should and the excess is stored in the midsection. The extra fat creates a hormone imbalance which creates a vicious cycle of weight loss problems.
  • lkenn67
    lkenn67 Posts: 215 Member
    There is a blood test that looks for food intolerances. I have a large number of foods that cause issues, including stomach bloating, diarrhea, headaches, congestion, dizziness, brain fog. I had tried to do the elimination diet but was unable to identify my trigger foods that way. The blood test finally gave me a complete list. (Wheat, dairy, garlic, sesame, yeast, safflower, peanuts, salmon, coffee.) after 40 yrs of feeling horrible after ever meal, I finally can eat without being sick.

    I feel best when I eat a very natural basic diet, but it is hard to maintain.