Could celiac or gluten intolerance cause unilateral neuropathy?

[CindyCB1978]

I have been diagnosed with Hashimoto's Disease and currently on 100mcg thyroxine (synthroid). - my bloods look good but I am waiting to trial some T3 soon (cytomel).

I have had some tests for celiac disease and I am waiting on the results at the moment.

I have neuropathy and parastheisas on my entire right side, head to toe, and no one can tell me the cause.

Had a couple of MRIs and a CT scan - seen 2 neurologists etc and am seeing and excellent thyroid specialist. I've had every blood test going I can think of and everything comes back NORMAL.

Someone on a thyroid forum I use mentioned I should get checked out for celiac disease as it can cause neuro symptoms... anyone with anything similar?

Many thanks.

[jpaul119]

We have some similar results, and my Neuro just told me he wanted to test for celiac.  I first had extreme weakness 2 yrs ago followed by headaches.  I also have stomach bloating (a celiac sign).  In some testing, they said I had early signs of Hashimoto's Disease.  I had a spinal tap that was normal.  Brain MRI normal.  They did a spine MRI and said I had several spine issues from degenerative disk causing cord compression (11 herniated disks).  They did 2 surgeries.  I have only minor improvements.  Last week when they said they would look at celiac, I looked it up and tried eliminating gluten.  I have seen some improvements that I have not seen before.  I have a very high C -reactive protein which they can not figure out why.  If celiac is my problem, then it has cause a lot of body and organ weakness that lead to various symptoms.  

In your MRI, did they check your spine for herniated disks?  I am 48, in good shape 2.5 yrs ago, and now have to work at just normal walking.

[CalGal]

Cindy, celiac disease can result in neuropathy. There's no distinct pattern that's found, but the neurological types of deficits that are found in latent or silent (adult-onset) celiac disease are quite extensive. Some people are often thought to have M.S. or other neurological issues before finding out they're actually related to ceiac disease.

[CindyCB1978]

JPaul - thanks for the reply, be interesting to see if you test positive for celiac - if you are showing early signs for Hashimoto's I would strongly advise you to keep an eye on this as I had symptoms from it long before the numbers went up - some say it's better to start treatment when the antibodies appear to keep them down, so they don't cause more damage to your thyroid.

My MRI was brain only unfortunately but I have been seeeinf a Chiropractor since the beginning of this year as my spine was curved but it's in much better shape now - would this be adequate?

Calgal - many thanks for your reply. I had had the test, waiting results, but am now trying gluten free and been on it for a couple of days so still waiting to see if it improves things. The more I read about gluten the less I ever want to eat it again!

CindyCB1978

[purrcep4]

Hi Cindy,

I just tested positive for celiac a few days ago.  I have many of these symptoms.  I have gone undiagnosed for many years.  Unfortunately I am getting more symptoms everyday.   I went gluten free for 5 days and many improvements.  I had to go back on the gluten for the antibody test, and I became even more sensitive.  I just went gluten free 2 days ago.

purrcep4

[jpaul119]

I have some results back and I did not show celiac but I did show low B12.  They are doing further testing for methymalonic acic and homocysteine, which can get elevated with low B12 and cause neurological damage. I did also have a second brain scan because the first one 2 yrs ago did show some brain scaring.  Low B12 could be causing more brain scaring.  They are also testing for lupus.  

[quincidence]

Simple science is that if you are celiac, your body is not absorbing nutrients and malnutrion or toxicity of the antigen can easily cause the body to react as if poisoned.  Neurological responses are lessened when the body is feeling threatened or under attack.
Lupus, MS are common misdiagnosis(s).
As for personal experience, I have found I am more easily connected through brain and bodily response when I find a good chiropractor that aggressively gets my joints and spine well connected.  In fact having your spine out of alignment decreases your healing potential. So immunity and bodily response to healing is actually increased when the bodies system is put in place.  
As for me, personally, if I get gluten many of the neurological symptoms last for a week to three weeks after a contamination.
- eye sight following a target diminishes
- balance is diminished
- typing speed drops from around 70-80 wpm to about 40-50
- ability to regulate temperature
- ability to judge proximity lessens
- at onset or within less than an hour of ingesting gluten, I do sometimes get shivers, tremors, and ticks. Including eyelids.