Going Gluten Free

My doctor suggested that I stop eating gluten.  I have been gluten free for 2 1/2 days and I'm so hungry.  My stomach is growling constanly.  I have purchased gluten free crakers, pasta, and bread so I'm eating some carbs.

Does this feeling go away after your body adjusts?  I have more brain fog than ever and I just feel so weak.

Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.  Jena

[LazyMoose]

I did that for three months. A lot of gluten is in snacks and what I call 'filler' food.

If you fill up with other food you should not be hungry, full is full. Try getting more protein.

Get a little more specific, are you hungry in general or do you have cravings for gluten?

Craving for gluten and sweets can be from bacterial overgrowth, way more common than you think. This can also cause brain fog, not just from hypo. One more thing to think about. NP docs know more about this than medical doctors.

LM

[redheadaussie]

I've been gluten free for a very long time, years in fact! If you are still feeling hungry, try getting some gluten free oats and make porridge in the morning. This will fill you right up!
There are plenty of gluten free cookies, cakes, (not that it is a good idea to be using them to fill you up!) I personally have a hummus dip with gluten free rice crackers, and that is yummy, good for you and fills you up.
  Yes, eat some protein if you can this will fill you up too.

Often it is the mere fact we are now concentrating on a changed diet that can make us feel hungry. Bit like Pavlov's dog hearing a bell, made it salivate.

[redheadaussie]

OH! I meant to add! Your body will be craving the gluten and you are going through a kind of de-tox at the moment. The very thing that is bad for us, our brains say bring it on! Hence bit like a drug addict trying to come clean, you WILL get some cravings for it, brain fog, rumbly tummy, etc.
  I know when I stopped gluten that is how I felt. Last year when I gave up dairy products same thing happened. Hang in there. Try not to focus too much on it and you will be feeling MUCH better for not having gluten!

[jena64]

You say you did it for three months, what made you start eating gluten again?  Did you not feel better?

I'm hungry even after I eat.  I was like this even before not eating gluten, but it is worse now.  I'm also trying to stay away from sugar and dairy.  I'm not concentrating on that as much as the gluten.  My stomach is rumbling like crazy and I'm craving carbs.

Jena

[jena64]

Yes about the oats, I meant to buy them the other day and forgot.  I wish I liked hummus, but I don't.  I'm trying to stay away from cookies and cake any junk food.  

I'm going to try to eat more protein.  I really have to do more research to find out what doesn't have gluten because right now I have limited what I'm eating.  

So, how long did it take for you to feel better when you started?  I'm actually having more pain in my stomach than I did before.  Is that part of the detox?

Everything is so expensive, I just hope I can continue not eating gluten, my doctor said I should feel alot bettter, but he wants me to give up dairy and sugar also.    

Thanks for the info,  Jena
  

[LazyMoose]

Jena -"You say you did it for three months, what made you start eating gluten again?  Did you not feel better? "

Its a long story. I had major nightime acid reflux that was out of control so I was changing what I ate to see if it made a difference. The industrial acid blockers were making things worse so I really adapted to a whole foods diet, no gluten, no sugar, no grease. This made things better and I dropped off the acid meds. Then I dropped my TSH lower and the reflux got better. Changed to Natural Dessicated T3/T4, and all is well. I eat gluten again. I am still leary of gluten in large amounts. Its kind of like I hit the restart button in a good way.

I dont have Celiac disease, took the test.  I did experience slight issues with gluten only when slightly hypo and on synthetic thyroid meds. My endo understands now, but the gastroentralogist said it was in my head. Yea, right!

There is possibly a gluten - autoimmune link, its talked about here every few months. Many people just feel better digestively when they eliminate gluten even though they dont have celiac disease. To much gluten and sugar also promotes bacterial overgrowth in the whole digestive system, it can lead to whole body toxicity. People with reflux, IBS, bloating and other 'gross' digestive issues should all try a diet change to see what positively happens.

[redheadaussie]

I am on a low income and I know what you mean about expensive gluten-free food! My local supermarket has very little gluten-free food to start with so makes meals a little more tricky.
  I have plenty of gluten-free cookbooks, and you will be surprised at how many foods you can enjoy normally that are not wheat based. It is just amazing that so many meals do have gluten in them. Or at restaraunts, mostly pastas, breads, etc! So can be tricky.
Often swapping over to say corn tortillas instead of flour ones, or adding spices instead of soy sauce, can be still as yummy but just gluten free!
  Keep an eye out for any gluten-free recipes on line. There are many groups and forums for them. Even the celiac sites are good to use.
   I reckon it took me a good two months to realise my brain was not as foggy, and my tummy not as sticky outish due to bloating. At the 3 months mark I felt great! Jus having other issues now!
  I know if I eat anything with gluten in it, by mistake or on purpose, I suffer big time! Tummy bloats, and cramps, diahorrea, brain fog, sleepy...so I avoid it like the plague!
  
Have a look at an additives list. In Australia I am not sure if it is the same list as in USA but additive 1442 is gluten.  

This is a site I use a lot. I even have a Gluten Free Princess T-shirt from them!

http://www.celiac.com/articles/182/1/Unsafe-Gluten-Free-Food-List-Unsafe-Ingredients/Page1.html    

If the link doesn't work, send me a note and I will PM it to you.

Cheers!

[LazyMoose]

Now that I read your last comment, I see you are thinking off dropping dairy and sugars in addition to the gluten. Slowly!

That's pretty much a pealeo (spelling) diet I think. Its hard to eliminate everything. Most people just eliminate certain areas three months at a time so you know if you are benefiting or not. If you do it all at once, you will not learn much. Then you just eliminate what you really need to, and just cut down on the other stuff so you have an overall healthier diet than before.

I eat less gluten, but dont need to eliminate it. I quit drinking real milk. Milk is naturally for infant mammals (scientific fact, think about it). I love almond milk. Soy milk is bad for thyroid! I Still eat eggs! I quit buying soda pop altogether one year ago. Feel better from cutting sweets and milk.

It would be kind of challenging  to eat organically fed skinless chicken, uncontaminated, un-plastic bottled well water, organic fresh fruits and veggies and tree bark for every meal. Only very few can do that.

[stella5349]

That's awesome that your doctor reconizes they gluten issues! - What a great doctor.

You will feel like your "starving" for a few weeks going gluten free. The body is so used to getting it becuase it is in so much food - it's kinda saying to you - "Hey, what are you doing " . Your body kicks in a quick metobolism speed going gluten free and the body will tell the brain "trigger" hunger until you staved the bad gluten out of your body. This takes a few weeks.

Same applies to ridding sugar - processed food and white flour from your diet.

Stay with it! - You may drop a few unwanted pounds at first. Once things are completely out of your system - you should see a huge light at the end of the tunnel./

[Lori707]

I got rid of dairy and red meats also. I do have "brain fog" here and there. I only eat anti-inflammatory foods and ditched the foods that cause inflammation. I don't call it a diet. I just changed my way of life. I got off the Pro Pump Inhibitors (Nexium, etc). Tummy and acid reflux doing much better.

I felt hungry also but what I do and was also told to do was to not just eat 3 basic meals a day. Eat small portions throughout the day.(6-8)  I drink a lot of water. My snacks are organic raisens (they're sweet), organic brown rice cakes with some honey on it and pitted dates which are sweet.

You'll get used to it.
Best of luck!

[Barb135]

I'm not gluten free - asked my doctor about it and he said there was no need if it wasn't necessary.  Same with dairy.  And we all know that refined sugar, flour, rice, etc are not good for us..............

Try concentrating on protein and make sure you add at least 5 servings of fruits and veggies daily - concentrate mostly on veggies........fruits and veggies have lots of fiber which will also help fill you up.  And don't forget the "good for you" fats, such as that in olive oil, avocado, nuts, etc..........

[jena64]

Thanks for all the info.  I don't really think I have celiac disease either, but I have been diagnosed with IBS, GERD and acid reflux.  I have been on meds for these problems for many years.  I finally decided to stop all of my meds a few months ago, but my stomach pain was very uncomfortable and sometimes debilitating.  My stomach pains have lessened in the past few days without eating gluten.  I also stopped drinking cows milk and I'm drinking Almond milk.  I'm already addicted to it.

I know I have adrenal fatigue and I also think I'm Hypo.  I have a low FT3. I have many hypo symptoms, hairloss, fatigue, tired, achy, can't sleep, bloated, can't lose weight, sinus problems and on and on.

Iv'e been searching for a doctror that would listen to me for years.  
I feel like I'm on the right tract with this doctor, but he said something that concerns me.  He said my T4 is not converting to T3 and I have a high reverse T3.  But when I asked if he would prescribe cytomel he said I have too much T3.   From everything that I have been reading if a person can't convert then you need T3 replacement and cytomel is T3.

My lab results from August are

T4, Free Direct                        1.02                   0.61 - 1.76
TSH                                       0.942                 0.450 - 4.500
Free T3                                    2.7                    2.3 - 4.2

I've never taken meds for the thyroid.  At this point he has not presribed anything excepts the food program.

Thankks again,   Jena

[jena64]

Thanks so much for that website.  It is amazing.  I printed out the list of Safe Glutten Free Ingredients.  When I'm at the grocery store I can now buy the right foods.  It is so hard, I know I will get used to it (I guess).  My stomach is feeling better already after only 5 days.   I went shopping yesterday and bought the gluten free steel cut oats and almond milk.  I'm addicted to the almond milk.  (I stopped drinking cowsmilk)

You said if you eat gluten you don't feel well.  Does it affect you if you only eat a little?  Are you Gluten intolerant or do you have Celiac disease.  For me this is just an experiment, I haven't been tested.  My doctor wrote me a script to get tested, but I read you need to eat gluten in order to get the right results.  The doctor said not to start the eating program until after the holidays, but I need to feel better to get through the holidays.

Thanks again for the website, I have to go back to it and read more.   Jena

[LazyMoose]

you comment - "I know I have adrenal fatigue and I also think I'm Hypo.  I have a low FT3. I have many hypo symptoms, hairloss, fatigue, tired, achy, can't sleep, bloated, can't lose weight, sinus problems and on and on."

I took  24 hour (4 point) saliva adrenal test that a chiro Naturo-Path Doc ordered. Tells what time of day your low, I was just low in the afternoon a little.

I have Hoshies. Still had hypo symptoms on T4 only (others do to). Lab #'s on T4 meds did not support the need for T3, regardless, I take T3 as well now and feel much better.

A lot of your symptoms you are describing can go hand in hand with the food you are tying to eliminate, even if you are not Celiac. Gluten intolerant is a gray area, they don't know how this can be. Gluten and sugar can develop bacterial overgrowth (feeds on it) in the digestive tract in men and women and toxify the whole body. This is one possible reason why gluten intolerant folks can feel better when they eliminate these foods. Google the candida (only one bacteria) saliva in the water test. Healthy peoples saliva floats (in the morning). If you have it, there are sups to eradicate it. Naturo Paths are the only docs that understand this side. Look into probitics (spelling) and L-Glutamine for digestive, they are beneficial for every one, and work after about 2 weeks.

As far as your labs, and the converting issue (not sure about that), make a new post just for that, you will get some educated response for it!  I posted a similar question a while back. Reverse T3 it confusing.

LM

[jena64]

Thanks so much for your reply.  I read all of your comments on the forum, you are very knowledgable.  

After a year of looking, I just found this doctor through the compound pharmacy in my area.  He is a family doctor, but is knowedgable about nutrition, vitamins and he treats the thyroid by symptoms, FT3, FT4 and reverse T3.  He is a very old doctor, I'd say in his 70's.

I thought he was on the right tract with treating me, but he said that my T4 is not converting to T3.  I asked him if he would be prescribing cytomel (T3) for me. He said I don't need T3 because I have too much T3 because my reverse T3 is high.  Even though I have too much, if its not converting don't I need T3 replacement?

My thyroid results from August are (he didn't do knew ones I guess because I'm not on any thyroid MEDs)

T4, Free Direct                        1.02                   0.61 - 1.76
TSH                                       0.942                 0.450 - 4.500
Free T3                                    2.7                    2.3 - 4.2
I still don't have my Reverse T3 reults, I'm waiting for the lab to send my copy.  I had such brain fog at the appointment that I didn't ask what my rt3 is.

I just so stressed because I've been losing big amounts of hair for over a year now.  I have very fine thin hair to start with.  I just can't lose anymore, my scalp is showing.  It slowed done for awhile but now it is worse than ever. I don't think going gluten free will help that, will it?   He just said if I eat the way he told me to my hair would stop falling out, nothing about getting my thyroid regulated.  I also have adrenal fatigue diagnosed by a adrenal saliva test.

He didn't prescribe anything, he said he would discuss with the compound pharmacist to see what I need to take.  

I called his office to see if they came up with meds for me and the receptionist said he was off this week.  

I'm taking vit D because my D is 25, he said it should be at least 60.  Also, Mag Citrate, High Potency Multi, and any other that I have read on this forum.

Am I being too impatient?  But I'm concerned about not getting T3.  What do I do if he doesn't prescribe it for me?  From everything I read, if the thyroid is low it can cause hair loss.  I'v been to a dermatoligist.  
I appreciate any advice, Jena

[jena64]

Hi Barb, Thanks for the reply,  Unfortunetly I think I do have to stop eating gluten for the time being.  Maybe after my stomach heals I could eat some gluten.

I have been diagnosed with acid reflux, GERD, and IBS.  I was prescribed meds for all the these illnesses.  Over the years, I keep getting ssicker and sicker and my hair started falling out so I started to rsearch to find out what was wrong with me.  I did read that most meds are no good.  They don't cure you they only cover all of the pain and cause many side effects.  So I gradually stopped taking all of my meds.

That where I found this forum and started reading about the adrenal and the thyroid issues and I'm now convince that I have a low thyroid and the doctor said i had adrenal fatigue.

I do try to eat the things that you mentioned, but I do have a sweet tooth.  I know now I have to eat better or I won't ever feel good again.

[jena64]

Thanks Lori,  What foods cause inflamation (inflammation) besides spicy foods?  Probably almost everything RIGHT!!!

I, like you, stopped taking my acid reflux and IBS meds, and TUMS by the bottle.

I know I have to start eating better.  I thought I ate pretty well until I read this forum.  So many people on here can't eat any chocolate or comfort food.  

I have always made mostly everything homemade.  I don't like many processed foods, but occastionally I would make rice-a-roni.  I was always told if it has a lot of ingredients in it its not good for you.  So I would make homemade mac and cheese, scalloped potatoes, lasange, and on and on.  No more of that.  These foods are just too rich for the stomach.

The foods you mentioned do not sound to good to me, like raisins, or rice cakes, but I guess I will have to learn to like them.

Thanks again, Jena

[jena64]

I did the Adrenal Saliva Test also.  My doctor said I have adrenal fatigue.  My results are:

7:00            0.310                0.025 - 0.600
12:00          0.010             < 0.010 - 0.330
4:00            0.019                0.010 - 0.200
11:00       < 0.010             < 0.010 - 0.090

I will do that saliva in the water test tomorrow morning. I did read about that somewhere, but I forgot about it.  I really think my stomach is messed up.  I forgot I was also diagnosed with a stomach ulcer also.  What you said,  the Gluten and sugar can develop bacterial overgrowth (feeds on it) in the digestive tract in men and women and toxify the whole body.  Sounds like that might be my problem.

I have been taking probiotic pearls for about a month.  I couldn't find the ones you have to keep refrigerated.  I read they are the best ones to take.  I will have try the L-Glutamine.  

I hope my doctor prescribes T3, I have read on this forum that many people benefit from it.

I'm glad you are feeling better.  Thanks for all the suggestions.  Jena

[LazyMoose]

Reflux is nasty! I now believe mine was caused from being hypo. - Not enough acid produced in the stomach can also cause reflux, and in that case the Proton Pump inhibitors can make it worse, did for me. PPI's can also kill the good bacteria, leaving the bad bacteria to thrive.

Reflux is a nasty cycle that continues to burn the Lower Esophageal Sphincter. When its 'burnt' it is weak and can't seal, the cycle gets worse. To start the healing In addition to the gluten free diet I also took on a high alkalize (low acidic) diet and stopped the PPI's to start the healing process. It worked! It became intermittent instead of constant. When I changed thyroid meds, reflux disappeared (cross my fingers).

Before this I ate pizza once per week. Now its about three times a year. My diet is boring, but I feel better. Its funny, I have worked with a bunch of beer-bellyed old men that do nothing but complain of their reflux as they continue to eat junk! They dont get it. You feel so much better with good food. After a while cravings for certain things go away (like soda) and you dont miss it. I eat a lot of fruit for sweets, I'm addicted to pineapple and mangos. Once the 'garbage' is out of your system, your taste buds can change and what was a boring vegetable can suddenly seem more tasty! I cant give up nacho chips though, at least they are better for me than potato chips or crackers.

[Lori707]

Can you please explain what adrenal fatigue is?

Would really appreciate it.
Thanks!

[jena64]

I did the saliva water test and within the hour I had cloudy specks in the bottom of the glass.  My saliva did not stay suspended.  So I guess I have candida yeast.  So I really need to clean up my diet more than I have.  I was going to put it off until after the holidays.  I bought gluten free potatoe chips, crakers, and pizza.  I tried to find gluten free nacho chips, but couldn't find them.  

I do love vegetables and fruit.  I never ate mangos, I will have to try them.  I did recently try kiwi's and I love them.  I don't drink soda, but I'm addicted to potatoe chips, pizza, and ice cream.  They will be very hard to give up.

Do you know if it is ok to drink Braggs Apple Cider Vinagar?  I dilute a tablespoon in water before meals. I just started taking this, I read that it helps with digestion.  

It is just so hard.  There are many days I have to go out without knowing ahead of time that I'm going, and I don't have time to get food ready to take with me.  I have to get more organized to have food ready to go.  I live an area far away from civilazation so when I leave the house I'm usually gone for hours.

My doctor told me I have to control my stress, but this is really stressing me out.  

Thanks again for all your valuable info.  Jena

[jena64]

Maybe you should make a post about it.  I don't know how to explain it to you.  The reason I'm saying I have adrenal fatigue is because my doctor told me I have it.  I have low daytime cortisol.  I found this out by doing a adrenal saliva test.

Tiredness, allergies, anxiety, depression, reduced memory, insomnia, difficulties in concentrating, and fearfulness are some of the symptoms.

Their are many articles on the Internet about it.  I'm in the process of researching it.

I hope this helps,  Jena

[LazyMoose]

My naturo path doctor said that test is about 90% accurate, and it doesnt necessarily mean Candida, can be other "bad" bacteria, there are so many. Whatever it is, the teatment is the same. They do have supps and herbs to rid this. Oregano oil, Pau D' Acro and Caprilic Acid are some. The best is a product called Three Lac from Global Heath Trax on the internet only.

Choice between potato chips and nachos? Nachos from corn are better, many are gluten free (no wheat or oats) but are not labeled as such. Potatoes are mainly starch - not good. Starch is a smorgasbord for bacteria overgrowth.



Experiment with the 'spit test' with what you ate the night before, but do this first thing in the morning before you eat or drink anything.

Once reflux is slightly under control (took me two months for any improvment, I was bad) , it will slowly get better. Then you can re-introduce some food after a certain point and learn what works for you. To this day, coffee will bring it back, I gave it up, that was hard.

The diluted Braggs is supposed to help people that need more acid, dill pickles worked better for me, and the vinegary water their in. When your throat burns try aloe gel or juice. Pineapple is acid but is also good for the digestive system and is an anti-inflammatory. I think I read it changes to alkaline when in stomach acid, it flip flops on the PH scale.

I had the reflux when sleeping (scary!). I jacked up the head of my bed on small cut 2x4 blocks of wood to about 8 inches, what a relief that was!

Any reflux related questions, let me know, been there, it sucked!