Jump to content

  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.


  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):
    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

Do Your Kidneys Seem To Hurt?

penguin

By penguin
in Coping with Celiac Disease

Recommended Posts

penguin Community Regular
penguin
Posted

Hi all,

Yet another strange thing that can happen as a result of celiac :rolleyes:

I've been glutened, and my kidneys hurt, or at least my back hurts suspiciously where the kidneys are. Ow. I've been drinking a lot of water and while they hurt the first week I went gluten-free, they don't usually anymore.

Oh, and I always drink a lot of water, so that's not different.

Could this be related to the glutening?

(no more scientific experiements for me :rolleyes: )

Thanks! :D

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


jams Explorer
jams
Posted

I have a cronic pain where my right kidney would be. I saw the dr for it and they took out my gallbladder. It is still happening now though. I don't think it was my gallbladder!! I don't know what's going on. My dr doesn't seem to be too worried about it. It is a dull pain, not sharp pain.

GlutenFreeAl Contributor
GlutenFreeAl
Posted

I have the same pain.

I don't have any insight except that maybe it's not our kidneys but our intestines? They wrap around all over the place, so maybe it's that?

But I can sympathize. The right side of my back pretty much always aches...

PghBOB Newbie
PghBOB
Posted
Hi all,

Yet another strange thing that can happen as a result of celiac :rolleyes:

I've been glutened, and my kidneys hurt, or at least my back hurts suspiciously where the kidneys are. Ow. I've been drinking a lot of water and while they hurt the first week I went gluten-free, they don't usually anymore.

Oh, and I always drink a lot of water, so that's not different.

Could this be related to the glutening?

(no more scientific experiements for me :rolleyes: )

Thanks! :D

I GET PAINS IN MY LOWER BACK ,RIGHT OR LEFT NEVER BOTH AT SAME TIME. I BELEIVE IT TO BE KIDNEYS ALSO. I WAS TOLD BY A DOCTOR AND A NURSE BACK PAIN IS COMMON WITH GI PROBLEMS

jerseyangel Proficient
jerseyangel
Posted

When I get a gluten reaction, I get an achy pain in my back (where you describe) and also in my upper arms and thighs. The type of aches you might get with the flu. This lasts only a day or two.

penguin Community Regular
penguin
Posted
  • Author
When I get a gluten reaction, I get an achy pain in my back (where you describe) and also in my upper arms and thighs. The type of aches you might get with the flu. This lasts only a day or two.

That's what I get exactly, only in the neck and shoulders (and the back). I always thought I was getting the flu and I never did get it (knock on wood that I won't). Glad to know I'm not the only one. :)

cgilsing Enthusiast
cgilsing
Posted

I never really thought about it, but yes! Not so much if I have one accident, but before I went on the gluten-free diet I had kidney infections all the time. I'm sure my mom has celiac disease (although she is not gluten-free and has not been diagnosed with celiac disease) and she has always been prone to kidney infections too. She was actually hospitalized for several weeks with a bad infection once. However, in the 1.5 years that I've been gluten-free I haven't had one single kidney infection!

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


DonnaD Apprentice
DonnaD
Posted

My daughter gets kidney pain when gluted. We have had a neuclear scan of her kidneys today to make sure there is no scarring. It seems to be linked to bladder problems.

Guest cassidy
Guest cassidy
Posted

I am 28 and I have kidney stones. Last time they checked I had 5 left, some in each kidney. Sometimes my kidneys start to hurt and I'm afraid it is going to turn into bad pain like one of the stones is on the move, but it never gets worse than an ache. I've never thought to compare that achy feeling with when I'm glutened. I wonder if kidney stones have to do with Celiac, every other problem I have has gotten better since going gluten-free. Usually older white men have kidney stones. My mom also has kidney stones and Celiac, guess I got both from her.

Guest Robbin
Guest Robbin
Posted

I have the same thing and also, does anyone have really bad smelling urine when they get this pain? It seems when I get glutened I get this too. ?? I don't have pain when urinating, just the dull ache in the back. :blink:

CMCM Rising Star
CMCM
Posted
Hi all,

Yet another strange thing that can happen as a result of celiac :rolleyes:

I've been glutened, and my kidneys hurt, or at least my back hurts suspiciously where the kidneys are. Ow. I've been drinking a lot of water and while they hurt the first week I went gluten-free, they don't usually anymore.

Oh, and I always drink a lot of water, so that's not different.

Could this be related to the glutening?

(no more scientific experiements for me :rolleyes: )

Thanks! :D

I deliberately ate some coffee cake on Saturday, I think it was (very bad decision!). About an hour later the first reaction I got was an aching neck and lower back, arms too, and that was followed by pain and burning in my stomach. This lasted maybe 12 hours. I never used to connect my aches/pains with gluten...but I've spend a fair amount of time going to bed early with a hot water bottle for the aches. Weird how gluten can cause this, I just never connected the two things. :o

ravenwoodglass Mentor
ravenwoodglass
Posted
Hi all,

Yet another strange thing that can happen as a result of celiac :rolleyes:

I've been glutened, and my kidneys hurt, or at least my back hurts suspiciously where the kidneys are. Ow. I've been drinking a lot of water and while they hurt the first week I went gluten-free, they don't usually anymore.

Oh, and I always drink a lot of water, so that's not different.

Could this be related to the glutening?

(no more scientific experiements for me :rolleyes: )

Thanks! :D

I do think this is gluten related. I get this also and also tend to throw microscopic blood in my urine when it happens. My Mom was an undiagnosed celiac and died of bladder cancer. Makes me wonder if there is a connection.

hungryforlife Apprentice
hungryforlife
Posted

A few weeks ago I went gluten free for one week. Felt fabulous. Then decided that I wanted to get tested so started eating gluten again. Then next morning when I woke up my back (where my kidneys would be) was in terrible pain. Not stabbing pain, but just very noticable. I have always had this feeling, and while I get very frequent UTI's I have never had a kidney infection. Also during the week I was gluten free I was on antibiotics for a UTI and stopped two days after consuming gluten again. So was actually on the antibiotics when the pain came back?

In the past I always assumed that it was female related ( In my mind, it doesnt matter what time of the month it is, I would just assume the monthly cycle was getting shorter/longer instead of four/three/two/ I was down to one good week?) They have tried to diagnose me with endometriosis (sp), but I now wonder if it is just not a reaction to gluten as well.

Susan123 Rookie
Susan123
Posted

I get pain in my kidney area from inflammation in urinary tract. My doctor says it isn't my kidneys but muscle spasms from the inflamation below. Maybe the intestines?

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Celiac.com:
    Join eNewsletter
    Donate
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):
    Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):



    Celiac.com Sponsors (A17-M):



  • Recent Activity

    1. Dr. Gunn
      - Dr. Gunn replied to MicG's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      7

      Test interpretations

      Exactly! Negative genetics can rule out celiac disease with close to 100% certainty. It takes tTg antibody testing and biopsy confirm the diagnosis in a genetically susceptible individual.
    2. trents
      - trents replied to MicG's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      7

      Test interpretations

      What Dr. Gunn states is essentially true. It is a rule out measure. But be aware that to possess either of the two primary genes that have been identified with celiac disease (or both) doesn't necessarily mean that you have or will develop celiac disease. Almost 40% of the general population carries one or both but only about 1% of the general population...
    3. Dr. Gunn
      - Dr. Gunn replied to MicG's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      7

      Test interpretations

      Have you had celiac genetic risk testing? A celiac genetic test is accurate with or without gluten in your diet. If you don't carry the celiac risk genes you can effectively rule out celiac disease for life.
    4. Aretaeus Cappadocia
      - Aretaeus Cappadocia commented on Scott Adams's article in Spring 2026 Issue
      1

      How Social Media Algorithms Are Fueling Gluten Anxiety: TikTok, Reddit, and Instagram Trends

      Good, balanced analysis. I liked the comparison of the different platforms in this context. Fwiw, the same essay largely would work if you substitute any of many contemporary topics. As a moderator of this site, have you stepped back and considered how this site fits into this essay? Personally, I don't think I have enough visibility into the comments...
    5. Scott Adams
      - Scott Adams replied to MicG's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      7

      Test interpretations

      Based on those results alone, it’s not possible to say you have celiac disease. The test that is usually most specific for celiac, tTG-IgA, is negative in your results, and the endomysial antibody (EMA) is also negative, which generally argues against active celiac disease. However, your deamidated gliadin IgA is elevated, and your total IgA level is also h...
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):

  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      133,659
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    Dr. Gunn
    Newest Member
    Dr. Gunn
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.6k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):

  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • Dr. Gunn
      Test interpretations

      By Dr. Gunn · Posted

      Exactly! Negative genetics can rule out celiac disease with close to 100% certainty. It takes tTg antibody testing and biopsy confirm the diagnosis in a genetically susceptible individual. 
    • trents
      Test interpretations

      By trents · Posted

      What Dr. Gunn states is essentially true. It is a rule out measure. But be aware that to possess either of the two primary genes that have been identified with celiac disease (or both) doesn't necessarily mean that you have or will develop celiac disease. Almost 40% of the general population carries one or both but only about 1% of the general population will develop active celiac disease. It remains latent until triggered by some stress event which may or may not occur. So, there is a genetic component to celiac disease but there is also an epigenetic component. 
    • Dr. Gunn
      Test interpretations

      By Dr. Gunn · Posted

      Have you had celiac genetic risk testing? A celiac genetic test is accurate with or without gluten in your diet. If you don't carry the celiac risk genes you can effectively rule out celiac disease for life. 
    • Scott Adams
      Test interpretations

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      Based on those results alone, it’s not possible to say you have celiac disease. The test that is usually most specific for celiac, tTG-IgA, is negative in your results, and the endomysial antibody (EMA) is also negative, which generally argues against active celiac disease. However, your deamidated gliadin IgA is elevated, and your total IgA level is also high, which can sometimes affect how the other antibody tests behave. Another important factor is that you were reducing gluten before the test, which can lower antibody levels and make the results less reliable. Because of that, many doctors recommend a gluten challenge (eating gluten regularly for several weeks) before repeating blood tests or considering an endoscopy if symptoms and labs raise concern. It would be best to review these results with a gastroenterologist, who can interpret them in context and decide whether further testing is needed.
    • trents
      Test interpretations

      By trents · Posted

      Since you compromised the validity of the antibody testing by experimenting with gluten withdrawal ahead of the testing, you are faced with two options: 1. Reintroduce significant amounts of gluten into your diet for a period of weeks, i.e., undertake a "gluten challenge". The most recent guidelines are the daily consumption of at least 10g of gluten (about the amount found in 4-6 slices of wheat-based bread) for at least two weeks leading up to the day of testing. Note: I would certainly give it more than two weeks to be sure. 2. Be willing to live with the ambiguity of not knowing whether gluten causes you problems because you have celiac disease or NCGS (Non Celiac Gluten Sensitivity). There is no test for NCGS. Celiac disease must first be ruled out and we have tests for it. Celiac disease has an autoimmune base. NCGS does not. GI symptoms overlap. In the early stages of celiac disease, other body systems may not be showing stress or damage so, symptomatically, it would be difficult to distinguish between celiac disease and NCGS. Both conditions require elimination of gluten from the diet for symptom relief. Some experts feel that NCGS can be a precursor to celiac disease.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

NOTICE: This site places This site places cookies on your device (Cookie settings). on your device. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy.