Caffeine consumption masking symptoms of Coeliac?

[Keight]

Hi. I am new to Celiac.com and only had my bloods come back super high. Waiting for my biopsy in 10 days' time. 

I want to ask if it makes sense that my reliance on coffee to get through every day over the last 8 years could have masked, and even contributed to, my Coeliac symptoms? 

Lately, I have been avoiding coffee as it makes my symptoms worse since getting more glutened due to this challenge. It has made me aware how I thought I was ok, when really, my malnourushment was band-aided by my caffeine consumption. 

A part of me wants to get rid of caffeine, but I am scared of the slump I am falling into. Each days seems harder and harder to lift my body up and be 'normal'. 

Am I right to consider caffeine detrimental to my current mal absorbtion?

 

Thank you. 

[cyclinglady]

Plain coffee is gluten free.  It can be cross contaminated with  gluten in a shop or if flavors are added.  You must read the label and if in doubt, contact the manufacturer.  

If your small intestine is damaged from undiagnosed celiac disease, coffee may be bothering you.  It is pretty acidic.   It might be wise to give it up until you are feeling better.  

I drink coffee daily and I have healed from celiac disease (confirmed repeat biopsies).  I must admit, I am addicted to it. Often I need it to get through an afternoon slump.  That is usually when I ask my doctor to check my thyroid as I have Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis (which is commonly linked to celiac disease).  Usually, an adjustment to my thyroid hormone replacement is needed then.  You can also ask your doctor to check you for vitamin and mineral deficiencies which usually resolve once you have been gluten free for a while.    

[Keight]

Thanks, cyclinglady. I guess as I am already low in so many nutrients, it makes sense to lay off the caffeine til I am healed. Just depleting more nutrients, really. 

[Fredo]

Greetings,   As a few on here know, I am about 4 years post diagnosis, and freely share my experience.  I too am an avid coffee drinker.  Over the past  8 years or so I had noticed that even coffee failed to give me that morning "umph" to get my day going, or give me that occasional "pick me up" in my day.  Well, last month my care provider ordered a blood panel and extended the search to include my vitamin levels, as my fatigue periods were increasing for no apparent reason.  Come to find out that I am deficient in B12 and D vitamins.  My care provider ordered B12 shot, the kind that last " a month"...  I added to my intake, over the counter vitamin D 2000 IU once a day.    HOLY COW what a difference!!!!   I have felt the closest to being normal than I have in years!  

Might be worth a check and ask your doctor to look into your vitamin levels, people  with celiac, as I have notice in research, are prone to be deficient in there vitamin levels....   

In my case adding a simple vitamin has made a world of difference.

Best of luck to you...

[GFinDC]

Hi Keight,

I was fatigued before going gluten-free but also found it hard to sleep.  Racing mind and such.  Some things that helped me are time on the gluten-free diet, selenium, and vitamin D.  Lately I am taking boron and calcium citrate.

You are correct that malabsorption can cause fatigue.  Caffeine also causes me fatigue after drinking it for several weeks.  And it dehydrates me.  Doesn't matter if it's coffee or tea.

Coffee can also make D worse so that's a good reason to avoid it while healing.

[Keight]

Thank you, Fredo. My bloods done mid last month showed low in all. Really, the only thing to do is stay off the coffee, or at least enjoy the one I do have. I appreciate you taking the effort to respond. 

Hi GFinDC. Seems I am on the right track with my thinking. Hoodwinked myself into thinking I was ok all this time. Time to start healing, hey?

[Keight]

Oh, I should clarify a few things. My Coeliac blood tests were in the very high range, so a biopsy should confirm a Coeliac diagnosis. 

Blood tests for various vitamins and minerals all came back low on the range of normal. I eat extremely healthy, clean food and am an avid body builder. That was a huge red flag for my dr. 

[GFinDC]

Hi Keight,

Yep, it's a good idea to take it easy on your gut when you have celiac disease.  While healing easy to digest foods and low spiceyness is good.  Some times avoiding sugar and carbs helps to limit gas/bloating.  Pepto Bismol and peppermint Altoids or peppermint tea can help too.

You might want to try avoiding dairy for a few months also.  Celiac damage makes it hard for the gut to digest dairy sugar (lactose).
This lactose intolerance can be temporary or permanent, there is no way to know.

A gluten challenge is necessary for testing, but it sure doesn't sound like any fun!