*Disclaimer: I am not a healthcare professional/doctor and do not intend for this post to replace a medical diagnosis. This post is completely for informational purposes and is intended to be used for awareness only. If you suspect that you may be allergic to gluten, please consult your primary care provider for more information.
Could you be allergic to Gluten and not even know it?
Yes! In fact, it is estimated that 99% of the people who have either Celiac Disease or are allergic to gluten haven’t even been diagnosed yet.
Could you be one of them?
First of All, What is Gluten?
Gluten is a type of protein that can be found in grains such as wheat, rye, and barley. It is what gives the dough its elasticity and helps it to rise and keep its shape and texture. Which means bread, pasta, oats, and basically any and all baked goods contain gluten.
In addition, gluten is also now becoming more and more present in our processed foods such as condiments, canned soups, and even alcoholic beverages.
But wait! Gluten doesn’t stop there.
Gluten has been creeping up in our everyday non-food goods like our medicines/vitamins, lipsticks, and skin products. Crazy right?
What’s the difference between Celiac Disease and Gluten Intolerance?
Celiac Disease is a hereditary autoimmune disorder where the immune disorder actually attacks the lining of the small intestine when the person eats foods that contain gluten. Because of this attack, the villi in the small intestine are damaged resulting in the food’s nutrients not being absorbed into the blog stream.
While on the other hand, Gluten Intolerance that is not a result of Celiac Disease is where the person who eats gluten experiences pains similar to that of someone with celiac disease without the intestinal damage and antibodies present.
Signs of Gluten Intolerance You May Be Overlooking
- Digestive Issues such as bloating, abdominal pain, cramping, vomiting, constipation, diarrhea, and IBS or Irritable Bowel Syndrome.
- Ongoing Chronic Fatigue
- Muscle and Joint Pains
- Mental Issues such as Depression, Anxiety, ADD/ADHD, and more.
- Frequent Migraines
- Infertility & Miscarriages
- Nutrient Deficiency
- Skin problems
- Numbness and tingling in the arms and legs
- Issues with Weight Loss/Gain
- Mouth Ulcers and More…
How can I find out if I have Celiac Disease or Gluten Intolerance?
If you are experiencing a few of these symptoms for a long period of time with no relief then you should talk to your doctor. There are a blood test and a biopsy of the small intestine that can be done to determine if you truly have Celiac Disease.
However, gluten sensitivity typically is not picked up by a blood test. For many people, the easiest way to find out if you are sensitive to gluten is to simply eliminate any and all gluten from your diet for at least 1 to 2 weeks and see if your symptoms subside.
And if your symptoms do in fact go away, you have a pretty good guess that you are allergic to gluten.
(THIS POST MAY CONTAIN AFFILIATE LINKS HOWEVER, I WILL NEVER RECOMMEND ANYTHING THAT I DO NOT BELIEVE IN OR USE MYSELF. YOU CAN READ MORE ABOUT MY DISCLOSURE POLICY HERE)
But How Will I Live Without Bread and Pasta???
This was my first thought when my doctor told me to go on a gluten-free diet for 2 weeks. To be completely honest I am not the type of person who can commit to a diet. I have always loved having the freedom of being able to eat what I want and never dieting.
But fret not your soul. You do not have to live without pasta or bread. Just Gluten.
There are so many different gluten-free products available at almost any store nationwide. From Gluten free bread to gluten-free toothpaste. Yep! I bet you never thought it would be in toothpaste.
The best way to deal with living gluten-free is to become an expert at reading labels and being very careful about everything you put in your mouth. Trust me your body will thank you later.
And if you’re not sure if a product has gluten, you can download a FREE app called the Gluten Free Scanner. It has been a HUGE lifesaver for me. All you do is line the barcode up with the camera of your phone and it will tell you if it contains gluten or if it is gluten-free.
Easy Peasy!
My Gluten Free Journey
Finally after years of suffering through sickness after eating and having constant digestive issues, migraine headaches, horrible depression and crippling fatigue, I was determined to finally feel better.
And I did. I am still continuing to feel better each and every day.
For the past two months, I have been on a gluten-free diet and I am finally beginning to heal my body and feel like my old self again.
*If the symptoms of this posts sound like you or someone you love please seek out your health care provider. Take care of yourself so you can feel like the best version of yourself. Also please tell me in the comments if I missed anything or if you loved this article. I always love to hear from my readers.
After struggling intensely with acid reflux and developing a precancerous condition in my esophagus, I decided it was time to skip the gluten. I very rarely even give it a second thought. I prefer the rice pastas to gluten anyway and I save bread products as an occasional treat. It’s amazing how much it has changed my skin and body. I have lost weight, more energy, less aches and pains, and clearer skin. Coincidence? Maybe. But I feel better so I’ll take it. Great informational read!
Thank you so much and I am so happy you are doing much better.
I think this is definitely worth trying if you have any of the symptoms.
Yes, it was definitely worth it for myself and several others. You can always go back if nothing changes.
I am like you, I can’t commit to a diet because there are just things I don’t want to give up! My doctor wanted me to try gluten free for 2 weeks to see if it would help with my brain fog issues I was having and other symptoms. I really didn’t give it a go, but it sounds like it is doing great for you!
Yes, it has made such a huge difference in my life and I feel so much better every day.
I was diagnosed with gluten intolerance eighteen months ago and now it looks like my son has the same. The difference both of us going gluten free has made is amazing. No more of those horrible symptoms you mentioned. It takes a bit of reworking but it is possible to live a gluten free life. Thanks for sharing! 😉
Thank you, Sarah! I had a huge struggle at first trying to figure out what I should eat especially when out of the house. But after feeling the results of my gluten free diet, I will NEVER go back. And I am so happy you and your son are feeling much better.
This is so helpful!! I’ve been wondering about gluten intolerance for quite some time, and this post gave me a lot of the answers I’ve been looking for. Thank you!
Thanks for your kind comment Paula. I hope you continue to find the answers you need.
This was really useful – I am almost certain that I am intolerant to gluten, it makes me feel SO unwell. Maybe, I do just need to cut it out completely and not just occasionally!
Hey, Channon! For me, that was all it took and I feel so much better.
This is so helpful. I think I might have gluten intolerance after reading this.
Thank you so much.
Our 9yo was diagnosed with celiac last year, and since it is/can be hereditary, I wonder if I have it as well–I definitely feel better if I don’t eat bread. We do a lot gluten free now because I don’t want to cook 2 separate meals, but the 8yo actually has way less ADHD symptoms if she goes gluten free! Great post!
Thank you! It is so fascinating how just a slight change in diet can make a world of difference.
Thanks for sharing these symptoms to look out for… I have several of them… I’m going to try this for 2 weeks and see of I feel a difference…
Hey thanks for this helpful info. I’m always wondering if I’m gluten intolerant.. I have most of the symptoms:(
I went gluten free for one month and didnt really notice the affects until the month after. One thing that happened, I lost weight and discovered some delicious gluten free foods. It could have ben that I just was not as bloated so felt like I lost weight. I’m thinking about going back to the gluten free diet. Thanks for this reminder!
This post is really informative for Gluten intolerance signs. Thanks for sharing. The suggestions are really great.
I have a couple friends with a gluten intolerance, it has opened up my eyes to a lot of things!
Thanks for sharing these symptoms to watch out for! It seems like it is becoming more prevalent these days so good to know what to watch out for!
This is great advice. Thanks for writing this post. It’s something I’ve been looking into, especially for my mom.
My SIL and one of her daughters are both coeliac. As was my late FIL. She was years suffering before she was diagnosed. But at least then knew what she was looking at with her daughter and she was diagnosed early on. So important to get help.
I know I have gluten intolerance but I’m very bad at managing it. I really need to get back on the gluten free wagon. Pinning your post!
I eliminated gluten for the past month and I feel much better . I would rather give up bread and pasta than feel down and out. Thanks for sharing