Gluten sensitivity?

Someone suggested to me the other day that it could also be insulin intolerance, which is a lot of times controlled with eating fats and carbs and proteins in certain proportions. I haven't had a chance to really test it out, but perhaps you could try that before giving up bread. I know that's not pleasant sounding for me, either.

The only way to know for sure is to get the medical tests at a GI doctor (including blood work and an endoscopy).

Heard all about this on the radio.

Only 1% of the world's population actually has trouble with gluten.

Worth getting the tests!!

Also, worth getting other blood work. You may have some levels out of whack (hormones).

Your symptoms sound an awful lot like the ones my coworker was experiencing. She visited a naturopath and was put on an elimination diet. Turns out she was gluten sensitive. She's followed a gluten free diet ever since and is feeling fantastic.

I've always dismissed all this gluten free stuff as a fad, but lately, I've been wondering if the whole gluten thing might be behind my general crumbiness. I have underactive thyroid, bad knees, general joint pain, constant congestion, GERD, IBS, depression, fatigue, randome low blood sugar episodes and possible sleep apnea. Anybody find relief from these symptoms through gluten elimination? I hope not, because I love bread. A lot.

It could be. If you do decide to go gluten free, just remember that gluten is found in a lot of things that you might not think about. Such as most restaurant french fries, mashed potatoes, tuna salad (yes, they add flour or bread to all of these things), werthers candies, yogurts, most restaurant meats (they almost always put a flour coating on the meat before cooking it). So, if you decide to do gluten free and if it doesn't work, take a look at what you are eating, could be hidden gluten.

Then again, if you decide to do it and have been continuing to eat out and are feeling better, it could be something other than gluten that was causing the problem.

I've always dismissed all this gluten free stuff as a fad, but lately, I've been wondering if the whole gluten thing might be behind my general crumbiness. I have underactive thyroid, bad knees, general joint pain, constant congestion, GERD, IBS, depression, fatigue, randome low blood sugar episodes and possible sleep apnea. Anybody find relief from these symptoms through gluten elimination? I hope not, because I love bread. A lot.

Instead of guessing, I suggest you see a doctor about your concerns. My father is a celiac and everyone in my family has been tested for both celiac disease and gluten intolerance. My family worked with one of the foremost gluten researchers in the country (Dr. Fasano). He's great in recognizing both celiac and other gluten intolerances.

However, I would caution that lots of people are going gluten-free for no reason, mostly because it's trendy, rather than for actual health benefits. Eating completely gluten-free is a lot of work (gluten hides *everywhere*) and is quite a bit more expensive, so don't do it unless there is a real health benefit to doing so.

Personally, I was not found to have any issues with gluten - so I continue to eat it. While others in my family have celiac or other gluten intolerance, and cannot have ANY gluten.

I've always dismissed all this gluten free stuff as a fad, but lately, I've been wondering if the whole gluten thing might be behind my general crumbiness. I have underactive thyroid, bad knees, general joint pain, constant congestion, GERD, IBS, depression, fatigue, randome low blood sugar episodes and possible sleep apnea. Anybody find relief from these symptoms through gluten elimination? I hope not, because I love bread. A lot.

N=1. I spent my first 6 months eating high-carb, low-fat and calorie restricted. Added in a 10lb weight loss goal. Other than the underactive thyroid and bad knees I've had everything you have said. The last doctor I went to told my to take a pill for my Fibromyalgia and the pill will regulate my IBS within a year - this was in 2010. I suffered from blood sugar highs and lows (though this was hunger). And get plenty of fiber and "healthywholegrains" (every other doctor has told me this to help my IBS and other digestive issues and it never helped).
I hit my goal in April 2011. But still had all of my digestive issues. Still had a bloated belly and plenty of belly fat.
In May 2011 I went Primal (Primal Blueprint). I quit grains, flours, legumes and sugars (sugar has been a battle but I think I'm finally won!). I increased my fat intake with real, natural animal fats (lots of saturated fat!) Within the first 6 weeks all my digestive issues disappeared (sugar brings back my FM body and joint pain - so I think I had Reactive Hypoglycemia - not FM). I lost my belly - flat for the first time in my life). And I since have dropped another 12-13lbs and hit a weight I haven't seen since before puberty. I'm 41 years old and have never been below 120 as an adult. I have seen 108.2lbs recently. (It's not that you love bread. Carbs can be very addictive to some folks.). I didn't need a doctor to run a bunch of expensive tests to tell me those grains were doing bad things to me. No more sinus issues (this was from dairy). No more eczema on my hands (have no clue what was causing this but eating sugary junk makes it break out again).

Try it. Experiment. What have you got to lose? Drop them out and replace them with pastured butter, coconut oil, pastured eggs, etc.
I have some permanent damage to my gut. It will never be perfect. But no one will ever convince me those "hearthealthywholegrains" are good for me. Because they aren't.

http://www.archevore.com/panu-weblog/2009/6/23/the-argument-against-cereal-grains.html
http://www.archevore.com/panu-weblog/2010/3/12/the-argument-against-cereal-grains-ii.html
http://www.archevore.com/panu-weblog/2009/7/1/where-are-all-the-healthy-whole-grains.html

Make sure to do some research on "carb flu". This is the withdrawl that can be associated with a carb addiction.

Only 1% of the population is DIAGNOSED with gluten intolerance. There are a lot more out there.

Good luck.

I went gluten free about two years ago now on the advice of my brother. My neices have celiac's and are gluten free. My brother decided to go GF in support of them. Amazingly, his joint pain in his feet disappeared! I was having major issues with arthritis type pain in my finger joints. It was so painful that I could not make a fist with either hand. I went GF and within about a month the pain was just about completely gone and I could easily make a fist with either hand. I was quite sceptical, but now I'm a believer.

It is tough. But you just have to make up your mind that you can do this! Get some good books about what has gluten and what does not. Read those nutrition labels. You might think you can't live without bread, but you can. It just takes some getting used to.

Fresh fruits, fresh vegetables, fresh meats are all gluten free.

Good luck.

There is a GF group on MFP that you could join as well.

I'm Gluten free for the last 2 months and I LOVE IT!!! yes it's an adjustment, but I can still eat bread. I eat Ezekiel bread and Rye. I feel great. I have no allergies anymore. I am losing weight very fast (I only eat a few slices of bread a week though).

You really haven't go anything to lose by trying it do you?? Other than weight/inches?

If you're eating rye, I'm sure you're eating gluten. Rye is a gluten-grain and is on the forbidden list for every gluten-free eater I've ever known!

Ezekiel bread isn't gluten free either. It must be something other than gluten that was causing your problems.

celiac disease is an autoimmune disease. many people with thyroid disease have celiac. (myself included) if you have a history of autoimmune issues, and hormonal issues, than it wont hurt to get checked. and if you feel like heck, no slice of bread is worth living like that.

I only figured out my own problem with gluten (and dairy) AFTER my full-grown kids had figured out THEY had a problem! BUT - it affected us differently. With me, I'd had hives, allergies, and asthma and acid indigestion for YEARS. I had all these inflammatory things going on - high blood glucose, high cholesterol, arthritis, and it was only AFTER my kids I found studies that sometimes the ONLY noticeable sign of Celiac or gluten problems may be HIVES. I cannot believe my allergist had never told me! I am off gluten and dairy and feel SO much better. I had been on 6 medications just for my allergies and asthma, and now only take 1. And I no longer have antacids all over the place - car, next to my bed, bathrooms, kitchen, purse...

The wheat we eat now are NOT the same as they were 50 years ago. I blame that on the huge increase in the number of us who now can no longer even eat the stuff.

And it isn't nearly as hard as I thought. For one thing, it doesn't take "willpower" when you CAN'T have it. And you don't just take away what you can't eat - you must completely change the way you eat. As my daughters explained, it is like going to live somewhere else and you have a complete change in cuisine.

We do not buy expensive "gluten-free" foods. We eat whole foods. Fresh foods. Foods in bulk, NOT processed foods, except I do admit I am partial to Daiya Cheese (it is not dairy - remember, we can't eat dairy, either).

livingwithout.com has some good meal ideas, I say try it a few weeks and see how you feel. But you should still see a doctor. Cause those symptoms can be for other things as well.

I'm been using a GF diet for the last 6 weeks to help curb my son's ADHD symptoms, and I've been doing the diet along with him (both for support and ease in the kitchen). I notice a BIG change in my energy level. It's a little more expensive, but we haven't found anything we couldn't sub GF, it just takes a little hunting and research. My son has been doing great, and I notice he's much more in control of himself and his emotions. It certainly doesn't hurt to try for 2 weeks or so.... Feel free to PM me if you need resources or ideas!

OH! I will definitely have to look into doing this for my oldest daughter. It would be amazing if this worked for her.

Bump.

I've been doing gluten free for a month or so now. I have a skin codition thats thought to be autoimmune. Since wheat can aggravate inflammation I gave gluten free a try. All itchiness from my skin went away. Two seperate times I had wheat and the very next day my skin started itching again. Too much of a coincidence to ignore.

A great gluten free flour mix is equal parts millet flour, almond flour, tapioca or potato starch, and soy flour. If you want to cut the calories a bit use more soy or millet instead of almond flour.