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Link between GERD and Celiac?

AnnaA
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AnnaA Newbie
AnnaA
Posted

I was having stomach issues back in 2019-2020 and my GI attributed it GERD. We previously got this under control, but within the past 3 months I've increasingly experienced bloating, feeling full after eating very little, diarrhea, extreme tiredness (I sleep in till noon most days), headaches, brain fog, and have been in an overall worse mood. A lot of these symptoms didn't really overlap with how I felt when I first developed GERD so I wasn't sure if it was flaring up again or something else. I tried to Google search and saw an overlap/link between GERD and celiac disease. I was also tested for TTG-IgA back in 2018 but the result was only 1 U/mL. 

I was looking to see if anyone had insight on the link between the two and/or advice on if I should seek getting re-tested after 4 years. Thanks! 

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trents Grand Master
trents
Posted

Welcome to the forum, AnnaA. Yes, I believe you should get retested. But make sure if you do that you are eating regular amounts of gluten daily for a couple of months before. Many make the mistake of trialing the gluten free diet before they go in for testing.

It is also possible you have NCGS (Non Celiac Gluten Sensitivity) which has many of the same symptoms as celiac disease but does not generate inflammation of the lining of the small bowel and therefore, does not produce antibodies. It is 10x more common than celiac disease. There is not currently any test for NCGS so Celiac disease must first be ruled out. The antidote for both is the same: totally eliminating gluten from the diet.

Scott Adams Grand Master
Scott Adams
Posted

This topic has come up a lot here, and this search may be helpful:

https://www.celiac.com/search/?q=gerd&quick=1 

Posterboy Mentor
Posterboy
Posted
22 hours ago, AnnaA said:

I was having stomach issues back in 2019-2020 and my GI attributed it GERD. We previously got this under control, but within the past 3 months I've increasingly experienced bloating, feeling full after eating very little, diarrhea, extreme tiredness (I sleep in till noon most days), headaches, brain fog, and have been in an overall worse mood. A lot of these symptoms didn't really overlap with how I felt when I first developed GERD so I wasn't sure if it was flaring up again or something else. I tried to Google search and saw an overlap/link between GERD and celiac disease. I was also tested for TTG-IgA back in 2018 but the result was only 1 U/mL. 

I was looking to see if anyone had insight on the link between the two and/or advice on if I should seek getting re-tested after 4 years. Thanks! 

AnnaA,

When you say "You previously got your (GERD) under control" do you mean you started an Acid reducer like a PPI or H2 Blocker?

If so yes, these conditions can be linked.....long term use of PPIs has been linked to a subsequent Celiac and/or NCGS diagnosis.

Here is the article as it appeared on Celiac.com  entitled "Do Proton Pump Inhibitors (aka PPIs) Increase Risk of Celiac Disease?" and they answer was YES! they do!

I summarized this research and discussed it  more detail in this Posterboy blog post about how NCGS might just be Low Stomach acid going misdiagnosed and/or undiagnosed.......the same for GERD by the way.

Here is link to the blog article....

If you want to test this theory for you GERD symptom's.......you can try the "Baking Soda test" for Low Stomach acid. It can be done at home and is easy to do.

Here is a nice article that explains how to do the  baking soda test (and other ways) to test if your stomach acid might be too low......and the doctor's don't know it yet....

https://drjockers.com/5-ways-test-stomach-acid-levels/

The baking soda test is in the bottom third of the article.....when you see the pictures that says 1, 2, 3 then you have reached the part about the baking soda test.....

Good luck on your continued journey!

I hope this is helpful but it is not medical advise.

2 Timothy 2:7 Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.

Posterboy by the Grace of God,

Jim Chris Contributor
Jim Chris
Posted
On 7/13/2022 at 7:21 PM, AnnaA said:

I was having stomach issues back in 2019-2020 and my GI attributed it GERD. We previously got this under control, but within the past 3 months I've increasingly experienced bloating, feeling full after eating very little, diarrhea, extreme tiredness (I sleep in till noon most days), headaches, brain fog, and have been in an overall worse mood. A lot of these symptoms didn't really overlap with how I felt when I first developed GERD so I wasn't sure if it was flaring up again or something else. I tried to Google search and saw an overlap/link between GERD and celiac disease. I was also tested for TTG-IgA back in 2018 but the result was only 1 U/mL. 

I was looking to see if anyone had insight on the link between the two and/or advice on if I should seek getting re-tested after 4 years. Thanks! 

Previous to my diagnosis for celiac, I always had bad acid reflex. So bad that I was diagnosed with Barrett's esophagus (precancerous). 

After my diagnosis, and getting control of my gluten free diet for months now, not only did my energy improve but so did my gerd. So much so, that acid reflux is now a minor issue. My bowels, bloating and other issues(even my hair falling out)  My red blood count factors have improved immensely. 

Getting a Prometheus blood test is what confirmed my doctor's diagnosis and I highly recommend it if you haven't been tested, 

Myki Rookie
Myki
Posted
On 7/13/2022 at 7:21 PM, AnnaA said:

I was having stomach issues back in 2019-2020 and my GI attributed it GERD. We previously got this under control, but within the past 3 months I've increasingly experienced bloating, feeling full after eating very little, diarrhea, extreme tiredness (I sleep in till noon most days), headaches, brain fog, and have been in an overall worse mood. A lot of these symptoms didn't really overlap with how I felt when I first developed GERD so I wasn't sure if it was flaring up again or something else. I tried to Google search and saw an overlap/link between GERD and celiac disease. I was also tested for TTG-IgA back in 2018 but the result was only 1 U/mL. 

I was looking to see if anyone had insight on the link between the two and/or advice on if I should seek getting re-tested after 4 years. Thanks! 

I have gerd related to celiac's PPI's make it worse. FODMAP diet for a month can really help than start to add back foods. I still cannot eat any tomato, or tomato products of any kind or raw onions.

CAS7 Rookie
CAS7
Posted

FYI, I was diagnosed in 2016 due to my GERD, in which nothing helped. Reflux was my only symptom. It was " heartburn from hell". As if I had drank bleach. It was my GI doc fresh out of residency who had a six year old daughter who was celiac and he decided to test me. I do still take ppi's at the behest of my doctor which keeps it under control and maintain my gluten-free diet.

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trents Grand Master
trents
Posted
2 hours ago, CAS7 said:

FYI, I was diagnosed in 2016 due to my GERD, in which nothing helped. Reflux was my only symptom. It was " heartburn from hell". As if I had drank bleach. It was my GI doc fresh out of residency who had a six year old daughter who was celiac and he decided to test me. I do still take ppi's at the behest of my doctor which keeps it under control and maintain my gluten-free diet.

If you are on long term PPI therapy I hope you are getting dexascans done for bone density every so often and are taking some potent vitamin and mineral supplements. PPI therapy raises the Ph in the gut which reduces the uptake of calcium and other minerals and vitamins.

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      By MI-Hoosier · Posted

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