I was overweight, packing on the pounds instead of losing them. I was eating at every turn – and carbing up no less – to try and get some quick energy or just make me “feel better” since I was so tired and dragging all the time. My morning routine consisted of a bagel from the in-office deli; it became my signature breakfast. Since my stomach felt sick so often, I ate bread or crackers (you know, like Saltines) thinking it would make me feel better. I felt the need to constantly eat to keep me going.
Then there’s the inactivity issue. I was never one to exercise (I hate sweating) or be active in any meaningful way. In my 20s and 30s, a demanding office job (sitting for more than 8-10 hours a day) and family life with two small children to tend to on the home front didn’t exactly leave much time to take care of myself. On top of this, who felt like doing ANYTHING with a constantly “sick” stomach (IBS) and aching body (fibromyalgia among other aches and pains)? The result: I gained more and more weight over the years and felt crappier and crappier.
You’re Fat: You Don’t Look Like a Celiac
After I was finally correctly diagnosed and returned to my PCP for a follow-up visit, I asked my doctor why he didn’t suspect or test me for Celiac Disease BEFORE I became so sick and hospitalized. His response was somewhat along these lines: “Because you didn’t present like a Celiac.” Well, what the heck did that mean?
The information junkie in me immediately began looking for answers. Apparently what my doctor meant was that instead of becoming smaller, weaker and losing weight (“typical” celiac presentation), I was a fatty, constantly eating and gaining weight. It didn’t look like I wasn’t “thriving.”
Debunking the Myth: Overweight–Celiac Disease Connection
Well, with more research, I found some answers that make a lot of sense:
- As it turns out, 40% of people diagnosed with Celiac Disease are overweight at the time of diagnosis, according to the Celiac Disease Foundation.
- Malabsorption issues related to Celiac Disease causes one to eat more and eat excessively because their body is not absorbing minerals and nutrients like healthy people.
- Before going gluten free, the Celiac’s body absorbs some nutrients, but not all. So the body goes into starvation mode and holds onto everything. You eat and the body holds onto it because it doesn’t know when it will get its next meal.
Moral of the Story
There are more than 200 symptoms of Celiac Disease. Some are not as obvious as the well-publicized ones. If you suspect Celiac Disease or gluten intolerance, follow up with a physician before going gluten free on your own. Otherwise, medical tests may be inconclusive.
This is my story.
See related posts:
- Celiac Disease Diagnosis: 15 Years Gluten Free and Counting
- Celiac Disease: A Pain in the Butt, Literally
- Celiac Symptoms: Why Do I Feel So Bad?
- Hospital Stay: Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door
Sandy Skrovan, diagnosed with Celiac Disease and gluten free since 2001
Founder and Research Director, GlutenFreeRetailHQ.com
Want to drop me a line? Email: Sandy@GlutenFreeRetailHQ.com