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Symptoms- Brain Fog?

Kwx525

By Kwx525
in Coping with Celiac Disease

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Kwx525 Apprentice
Kwx525
Posted

Good Morning,

Looking for some advice on how to deal with a doctor. I've been going to a doctor that has been overall fairly nice and understanding. I'm dealing with a situation where a need a statement from the gastroenterologist stating that when I have a Celiac/gluten attack or issue there is associated brain fog as one of the symptoms (among other obvious symptoms). I just heard back from the office, and they said brain fog is not related to the gut (GI) and is not a symptom, therefore they could not make this statement. I was kind of shocked at first and didn't really know how to respond. I managed to get the office worker to re-submit the request and just confirm this was the case. Does this seem right to anyone? I feel like if this is the case, I may need to just find another doctor. Appreciate and insight or thoughts those of you may have.

 

Thanks

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RMJ Mentor
RMJ
Posted

I wonder if your request actually went to the doctor or was just denied by other staff.  

Perhaps some references to scientific articles would help to make your point:

Gluten induced cognitive impairment (brain fog) in coeliac disease

Cognitive impairment in celiac disease…

Celiac Disease and Neurological Manifestations: From Gluten to Neuroinflammation

Kwx525 Apprentice
Kwx525
Posted
  • Author

Thank you for the links to the articles. You would think you wouldn't have to send articles to a GI doctor about these symptoms. I did mention that maybe there was some confusion as to when I have these symptoms. Normally, gluten free, I do not typically have these issues. However, when I get glutened I get the whole array of symptoms that most people get, to include brain fog related issues. I feel like if they come back with the same response I'll have to try and get another opinion, which isn't really ideal.

 

Thanks

Scott Adams Grand Master
Scott Adams
Posted

Brain fog in celiac disease is often linked to nutrient deficiencies. The most common nutrient deficiencies associated with celiac disease that may lead to testing for the condition include iron, vitamin D, folate (vitamin B9), vitamin B12, calcium, zinc, and magnesium.  Unfortunately many doctors, including my own doctor at the time, don't do extensive follow up testing for a broad range of nutrient deficiencies, nor recommend that those just diagnosed with celiac disease take a broad spectrum vitamin/mineral supplement, which would greatly benefit most, if not all, newly diagnosed celiacs.

 

 

 

knitty kitty Grand Master
knitty kitty
Posted

@Kwx525,

One of my doctors excused my brain fog as a type of migraine.  Not 100% scientifically and technically accurate, but more acceptable to the uneducated masses and doctors clueless about Celiac. 

Do consider supplementing with vitamins and minerals.  Subclinical deficiencies in Thiamine B1 Pyridoxine B 6, and B12 Cobalamine can help clear brain fog and improve migraines both! 

 

Kwx525 Apprentice
Kwx525
Posted
  • Author

Thanks for the responses. It’s hard to describe to doctors and people sometimes. I just use brain fog cause that makes sense to me and most people who deal with these issues. This usually happens specifically when glutened. I guess you could use terms like decreased ability to focus and/or concentrate. It has always resembled flu like symptoms to me.

Thanks 

Scott Adams Grand Master
Scott Adams
Posted

Here is some more reading on brain fog and celiac disease in case you are interested:

https://www.celiac.com/search/?&q="brain fog"&type=cms_records2&quick=1&search_and_or=and&search_in=titles&sortby=relevancy 

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      By knitty kitty · Posted

      Hello, @NanceK, I'm glad you're willing to give Benfotiamine with B Complex another go!  I'm certain you'll feel much better.   Yes, supplementation is a good idea even if you're healing and gluten free.  The gluten free diet can be low in B vitamins and other nutrients. A nutritionist can help guide you to a nutrient dense diet, but food sensitivities and food preferences can limit choices.  I can't consume fish and shellfish due to the sulfa hypersensitivity and iodine content, and dairy is out as well.  I react to casein, the protein in dairy, as well as the iodine in dairy.  My Dermatitis Herpetiformis is aggravated by iodine.   Blood tests for B vitamin levels are notoriously inaccurate.  You can have deficiency symptoms before blood levels change to show a deficiency.  I had subclinical vitamin deficiencies for years which affected my health, leading to a slow downward spiral.  Because the B vitamins are water soluble, they are easily excreted in urine if not needed.  It's better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it.   Wheat and other gluten containing grain products have vitamins and minerals added to them to replace those nutrients lost in processing.  Manufacturers add cheap vitamins that our bodies don't absorb or utilize well.  Even normal people can suffer from vitamin deficiencies.  The rise in obesity can be caused by High Calorie Malnutrition, where people eat more carbohydrate calories but don't get sufficient thiamine and B vitamins to turn the calories into energy.  The calories are stored as fat in an effort to ration out diminishing thiamine  stores.    It's time to buy your own vitamins in forms like Benfotiamine that our bodies can use well.   Not sleeping well and fatigue are symptoms of Thiamine deficiency.   I'm certain Benfotiamine with a B Complex will help you immensely.  Just don't take them at night since B vitamins provide lots of energy, you can become too energetic to sleep.  Better to take them earlier in your day.   Do keep me posted on your progress!
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      Is this celiac?

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    • Trish G
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      By Trish G · Posted

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    • trents
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