39% of Celiac Disease Patients are Overweight at Diagnosis—A Full 30% are Obese

The article is well-written and informative. (It also confirms my suspicions.)

I have struggled with my weight for decades. My doctors never checked for a gluten allergy - any they were wrong to do so. I have already lost 15 lbs in 2 weeks be eliminating gluten. Thank you!!!!!!

I have rheumatoid arthritis, Hashimoto's Thyroiditis, long term chronic anemia, depression, anxiety, ADD, and (possible) mild bi-polar disorder. An episode of Mystery Diagnosis led me to look into Celiac disease. However, I almost crossed it off the list of possibilities because of the symptoms (both categories) listing weight loss as (seemingly) a universal consequence of the disease. Only by looking more deeply into the site did I find this article - which of course indicates that weight gain is possibly more common. Although you say that doctor's don't suspect celiac disease in overweight patients because of 'popular beliefs (not to mention outdated medical training)' your website reinforces those beliefs on the symptoms page (which is the first, and sometimes only, page most people look at. Because of finding this article, I am more convinced of the possibility of celiac disease and more prepared to insist on testing. However, I wonder how many people wouldn't have researched this far because they are overweight. Perhaps you could correct the symptoms to reflect that weight gain is common also.

Thanks!

Message mainly for Tammy. I got onto this site as I have linked gastro intestinal problems with autism. I believe I have Asperger's Syndrome. It had been shown that people with Aspergers tend to have problems coping with yeast etc. From your symptoms - ADD, Depression etc I would suggest that you should look into Aspergers. It might help you with understanding some of the things you are going through.

When i was first diagnosed my doctor told me I would probably loose weight from eliminating gluten however I have slowly gained 25 lbs in the last 2 years. Admittedly I have not always been constant with my diet. My weight gain has really become a huge issue for me. The article states that, 'The increase in weight of already overweight patients after dietary gluten exclusion is a potential cause of morbidity, and the gluten-free diet as conventionally prescribed needs to be modified accordingly.' Well what does this mean? How should it be modified? Any suggestions?

When i was first diagnosed my doctor told me I would probably loose weight from eliminating gluten however I have slowly gained 25 lbs in the last 2 years. Admittedly I have not always been constant with my diet. My weight gain has really become a huge issue for me. The article states that, 'The increase in weight of already overweight patients after dietary gluten exclusion is a potential cause of morbidity, and the gluten-free diet as conventionally prescribed needs to be modified accordingly.' Well what does this mean? How should it be modified? Any suggestions?

Brooke -

If I eat rice or corn I still do not lose, but usually do not gain. If I eat mostly fruits, vegetables and lean meat, that is when I lose. I have been overweight my entire life, am just now (at age 33) getting tested for celiac and gluten intolerance. I have always lost and felt healthier on a low carb diet, I am just now making the connection.

Hi! I wanted to point out that the abstract from the medical article actually states that "13% of all patients were in the obese range (BMI=30)." I think you might have crossed numbers when you posted that a full 30% of patients were in the obese range (30 is the BMI minimum, not the percentage of patients). Please consider editing for accuracy - and thank you very much for providing this data!

I think the article is great because it did answer my question about...losing weight after gaining 30 lbs. at the time of diagnosis. I was very thin all my life UNTIL. If you have a quick fix to lose weight , I would be grateful. I am very unhappy. I do not have to eat gluten free foods because I eat regular food but NO Gluten and I am okay with that. Your article did not help in that area. Thanks

I have thought this an issue for along time. 25 years ago my Dr. read the biopsy lab report and told me that even though it said villous atrophy etc, I could not be celiac because I was overweight. I went through 15 more years of doctors and related autoimmune problems till I was diagnosed 10 years ago. Most of my autoimmune issues and even some weight disappeared once I went gluten free. In fact I threw away my handicapped sticker!

Great article. I am overweight and was told by my Gastroenterologist 3 years ago that it is impossible that I have celiac because of my weight. I have not been tested. No matter what diet I try, I can't lose the weight. I have continued to look for answers and search about celiac among my other issues. Well...I've been 100% gluten free for 3 days now and lost 8 pounds so far. It's hard to watch every little thing I eat - but I can do it! I am starting to feel better and I know it will be worth it in the long term. Thanks again for the reassurance that this isn't in my imagination...like my Dr. thought it was. I won't go back to him either!

My doctor pretty much told me today that I can not have this because I am to fat and health to have it. I am hypoglycemic, have migraines 4 to 5 days a week, have fibromyalgia, and have broken several bones in the last few years. Yup I am healthy alright. She flat out refused to test me, because of my weight. I personally think this is nuts. I am going to call my insurance company tomorrow to see about finding a new doctor, I can't take this anymore.

I am overweight / obese despite healthy eating and lots of exercise but a clever dietician spotted that I appeared to have a wheat and lactose intolerance. I cut them out and like magic, digestive problems disappeared within days as did half a stone! My doc has had a stool sample analyzed and it shows malabsorption problems consistent with celiac and also pancreatic insufficiency. The gastro consultant has booked me in for a colonoscopy but they are suggesting that they expect to be able to sort it all out with gluten-free diet and enzymes. And I thought it couldn't be celiac because I was overweight!