Questions about Gluten Intolerance

[simplykate]

I've been working with a Naturopath for about five months trying to heal my low thyroid and adrenal fatigue.
Come to find out, I'm not absorbing the supplements or many of the nutrients in my food even though I follow a nutrient dense diet, therefore my conditions are not improving.
She's treating me now for possible H. Pylori.
She didn't mention this but I'm wondering about a possible gluten intolerance because doesn't that cause malabsorption?
I was really sick with my pregnancy last year (REALLY sick) and I remember a friend telling me that she was sick with hers too until they discovered she was gluten intolerant.
For those of you who are familiar with this, what you think?
Basically my symptoms are fatigue, water retention, inability to lose weight ( though I've always been more on the underweight side before pg.)
headaches, eczema, hair falling out, going gray, achy joints, blurred vision, and tired tired tired! I've also always had severe menstrual cramps.
I've just attributed these to thyroid and adrenals, but since I'm not responsing to treatment, I'm starting to wonder.
Suggestions and experiences needed!
TIA!

[kjbrown92]

what kind of testing was done to determine that you have malabsorption (of food and supplements)?

It could be gluten intolerance (go off it for 6 weeks to find out, unless you want a blood test and biopsy, then you have to stay on it, but I prefer the take it out and find out method, since it won't catch intolerance, only celiac). Gray hair is some vitamin deficiency but I can't remember what (you may have more responses if you cross post in the Allergies subforum). Headaches, menstrual cramps and achy joints could also be Mg deficiency. I just think you might have more going on than just gluten intolerance, if it is that. Also, keep a food journal.

Do you sleep well at night?
How old is your child?
Are you BFing?
Is your child showing any signs of intolerance (eczema, colic, sleep issues, poop issues, etc.)?

[simplykate]

Thank you, I didn't think of posting in allergies.

As far as testing, I've had a hair analysis, blood work-up, and saliva testing.

The hair analysis shows that my iron, pottasium, sodium, chromium, selenium and phosphorus are all low while my copper level is very high.
It shows that my cal/mag ratio are ideal though.

Sleeping well is hit or miss right now because of teething, but lately it's been good and for the first 7 months it was great. She sleeps with us so I don't usually have to get up.
She's 9 months old.
Yes, I am BF'ing. My daughter has not showed major signs of intolerance though lately she gets a diaper rash that I wonder about. Her skin is fine and she does pretty well with sleep except when she's having teething problems. Oh, and lately she wants to wake up and play at 5am!

Thank you for replying, I really could use help figuring this out!

[tanyalynn]

I've had thyroid and adrenal problems, and for me, figuring out _why_ I have them has been a big deal. If your problem was totally in the past, some stress that's come and gone (physical, emotional, a combo), then just doing stuff to support thyroid and adrenal function seems like it could work, but if there are ongoing stresses, then that's important to address.

Anecdotally, it seems like a lot of people with thyroid issues have gluten issues. I do, and I don't have digestive symptoms, at all. Weird, and I think my absorption was ok (is it possible you've got celiac in the family? history of auto-immune disorders, people with lots of gastro symptoms, anything stand out?). Mine isn't celiac, just very simple gluten intolerance.

Menstrual cramps, for me, are lack of minerals, I supp a 50-50 cal-mag mineral supp and that's all I need. So if you consume a good diet, and take supps, and it isn't helping, malabsorption does seem possible.

For me, making a timeline of odd stuff in my personal health history, what happened when, what ages, what other things were going on, makes a lot of stuff make sense for me. Add in family health history, the stuff people are prone to, and you may see something interesting pop up. I think gluten's been a problem for us (my family) for quite a while, among other things.

GF (and consider dairy free, even good quality dairy can be hard to digest for people with other issues) is a cheap thing to try, and it may be quite helpful.