Tuesday, March 12, 2024

Living With Diabetes And Celiac Disease

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How Does It Affect Blood Sugar Levels

Webinar: Celiac Disease & Type 1 Diabetes

When someone with Type 1 Diabetes eats food and injects insulin, the sugar in the food pairs with the insulin for the body to use as fuel. With celiac disease, the small intestines do not allow for the food to be digested and the sugar molecules to be present. For those with both diabetes and celiac, the insulin doesnt have anything to pair with and the blood sugar level drops.

For many people with Type 1 Diabetes, low blood sugar may be their only symptom. Low blood sugar is very dangerous because it can lead to problems such as seizures or loss of consciousness. If it becomes a common problem, schedule an appointment with your physician right away. Make sure you keep a log of the foods that you are eating as well as your blood sugar levels.

After beginning a gluten-free diet, a person with diabetes may discover that their blood sugar levels are increased. This is expected and should not be seen as a bad thing. It means that their body is finally digesting the food that they are eating and that the intestines are healing. Insulin or medication can be adjusted as needed after talking with the physician.

Back to the see-saw metaphor that I used in the beginning of this article: balancing both diseases can be very difficult because of how celiac disease affects the blood sugar. Many gluten-free versions of foods have different amounts of carbohydrates than their regular gluten-containing kinds. It is very important to read all labels carefully.

How Are They Related

Type 1 diabetes and CD have overlapping environmental and genetic risk factors. Certain immune-related genes have been identified in both T1D and CD.

In addition, studies are not consistent, but researchers have found an increased risk of developing T1D and CD in people when cereal was introduced at younger than 4 months of age or older than 7 months of age, those who were not breastfed, and those who have had viral infections, particularly rotavirus.

Typically, T1D precedes CD, and one autoimmune disease can trigger the other. Due to genetic, environmental, and immunological factors, people with T1D are generally at increased risk of developing other autoimmune diseases.

How Do I Know If I Have Celiac Disease

If you have any symptoms of celiac disease, the best thing to do is to see a healthcare provider. They’ll ask you questions, order necessary testing, and make a treatment plan that works best for you.

This may include antibody or genetic testing, or a referral to a gastroenterologist for an endoscopy .

Greenspan said, Its important to keep gluten in your diet before testing. To get accurate results from blood work, endoscopy, or biopsies gluten must be in your system. Otherwise, you can get false negative results, which means that you could have celiac disease, but the tests arent showing it.

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Life With A Couple Of Chronic Diseases Thrown Into The Mix

20 years ago today, my mum picked me up from my university dorm room and brought me to the ER where I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. I spent a couple of nights in the intensive care unit, then 3 days learning the basics of diabetes management. Then I was sent out into the real world to learn what it was really like to live day to day with my newfound life mate.

During the last 2 decades , I have been:

Oh, and also generally getting on with the rest of my life.

Sorry, that got a little out of hand, but once I started typing, the list kind of grabbed a life of its own. There is no question that diabetes is a full time job and this list only scratches the surface of the mental gymnastics that living with D involves. I guess the point is that diabetes has added a lot to my life, some of it downright horrible, some of it tedious and time consuming, some of it stressful and emotionally difficult, and some of it utterly amazing. I could not have gotten this far without the ongoing support I have from my family and friends and of course, the amazing people with diabetes I have met along the way, in person or in the DOC.

And as a little diaversary gift, my diabetes gave me this today:

It doesnt happen all the time, so its worth celebrating !

Day 3 of #dblogweek2016 has a very important topic : The language we use when talking about diabetes and those who live with it:

Children And Celiac Disease

Link Between Celiac Disease and Type 1 Diabetes

Celiac disease can be confusing for kids. Weve put together some information for kids with relatively simple terminology and explanations to help them learn about celiac disease. The celiac disease community is active and vocal online. Connect with others living with celiac disease through our social media pages.

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What Are Type 1 Diabetes And Celiac Disease

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which the body mistakenly attacks the pancreas, destroying the cells that produce insulin. Insulin is a hormone that has many roles.

One important role is helping glucose get into the cells so that it can be used for energy. Without insulin, the body cannot get energy from food. As a result, the sugar, or glucose, stays in the blood.

Some people with T1D get diagnosed with the disease when their blood sugars are at dangerously high levels and they are experiencing diabetic ketoacidosis . People with T1D need to take insulin daily to keep their blood sugars in range.

Celiac disease is also an autoimmune disease in which the intestinal villi become damaged due to the immune system’s response to the ingestion of gluten.

Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley, rye, and some oats. It is also found in other products, such as certain cosmetics, vitamins, minerals, and even play dough. People with CD must follow a gluten-free diet to heal the villi and prevent further damage. Even the smallest amount of gluten can be problematic.

See Your Doctor Regularly

One of the most important parts of managing a double diagnosis is seeing your doctor regularly. Always track your health and monitor for any seen, or unseen, signs of complications. The earlier that these things are found, the better the prognosis. Discuss your needs with your doctor to set up appointments with your management team yearly.

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Does Eating A Gluten

This question is very important for individuals with both diabetes and celiac disease. Many foods that are made gluten-free are higher in carbs and sugar to keep the consistency of gluten. This makes blood sugars increase and more medication or insulin may be needed. For example, look at the comparison in the image below of pancake mix that contains gluten versus gluten-free . As you can see, the gluten-free mix has more total carbohydrates and sugar.

On the other end, some gluten-free items are made with substitutes that have less carbohydrates and sugar which can cause low blood sugar levels. A list of gluten-free flours that exist are listed below. As you can see, there are several of them. Reading the label for nutritional value very important. You need to know how many carbohydrates are in the product to properly dose insulin or medication.

If you want more information, www.celiac.org is a great resource. They have lots of gluten-free recipes as well as information about medications and other things that contain gluten. They also have a carbohydrate counter to help those with diabetes manage both of their diseases. Information on local support is listed for people who may need it. I highly recommend anyone to start there when looking for information and encouragement.

Is There A Connection Between Type 2 Diabetes And Celiac Disease

Living With Celiac Disease

Diabetes authorities believe that there is no significant connection between celiac disease and type 2 diabetes. Studies have shown that celiac disease is no more or less common in people with type 2 diabetes than in people without it.

The exact cause of celiac disease is unknown. It is believed to involve a combination of genetic factors and environmental triggers.

If you happen to have both conditions, its probably just a matter of bad luck.

We did find some speculation from a team of Turkish doctors that celiac disease may be more prevalent in patients with type 2 diabetes that also have difficulty achieving blood sugar targets. This may make some sense, given the way that untreated celiac disease can make nutrient absorption so unpredictable, but there is no good data supporting the theory.

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Clinical Presentation Serology And Adherence To Gluten

The main mode of presentation at celiac disease diagnosis was categorized into three groups: 1. Classical gastrointestinal celiac disease comprising subjects with for example diarrhea and malabsorption 2. non-classical presentations such as dermatitis herpetiformis, infertility, joint pains and neurological symptoms and 3. apparently silent/asymptomatic subjects detected by screening in at-risk groups. From the concomitant chronic diseases, particular attention was paid to the presence of autoimmune and gastrointestinal disorders, osteoporosis or osteopenia, asthma, malignancies, hypercholesterolemia and cardiovascular diseases. Anemia at diagnosis was defined as a hemoglobin value < 13.4 g/dL in men and < 11.7 g/dL in women .

Adherence to the gluten-free diet was considered strict if the patient reported no dietary lapses. A few minor lapses less than once per a month was regarded as occasional lapses, and lapses more often than that as no gluten-free diet. Furthermore, the strictness of the diet was estimated on the basis of the positivity to endomysial antibodies after a minimum of one year on gluten-free diet. The antibodies were measured by a well-validated in-house test that uses human umbilical cord as substrate .

How Is It Diagnosed

If you think that you have Coeliac Disease, you should first approach your doctor. A medical history and an examination will be performed and, if thought necessary, further tests will be undertaken to help diagnose the condition. You may be referred to a specialist.

If Coeliac Disease is suspected, a gluten free diet should not be started until the condition is properly diagnosed, otherwise this will interfere with the correct diagnosis. The gluten free diet should always be undertaken with medical supervision.

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Who Is At High

While anyone can develop celiac disease, its common within families because its hereditary. For example, if you have a first-degree family member living with celiac, you have a 1 in 10 chance of developing it. So, be sure to let your provider know if you have a sibling, parent, or a child that has celiac disease.

Managing Celiac Disease With Type 2 Diabetes

MY LIFE

There is little doubt that living with these two separate conditions, each of which requires dietary changes and mindful eating, will take unusual self-control to thrive.

While celiac disease can be an extremely frustrating diagnosis, its treatment is comparatively simple: Patients must adhere strictly to a gluten-free diet. That means eliminating all food products made from wheat, barley, and rye, in addition to sneaky sources like soy sauce, vitamin supplements, and even lipstick.

Luckily, a gluten-free diet has significant overlap with the low-carbohydrate diets that many people with type 2 diabetes already prefer and that have shown potential for outstanding diabetes results. Patients that choose to eliminate wheat, flour, and other gluten-containing ingredients have a terrific opportunity to enjoy improved blood sugar control as a result. Thats because most products containing gluten are high in carbohydrates and therefore create glycemic management challenges for diners with diabetes. It stands to reason that a gluten-free diet adopted for the treatment of celiac disease could also result in improved diabetes management and better diabetes outcomes.

If you have both conditions, you should work with your medical team to find an eating plan that will work for both your celiac disease and type 2 diabetes. A well-designed diet should be able to help treat both conditions at once.

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Should People With Diabetes Avoid Glutenanswers By Lara Hamilton Rd Cde

Gluten-free diets have been trending for many years. Grocery stores are packed with everything from gluten-free bread to pizza, pasta, crackers and cookies. Since gluten-free has become very popular there has been a lot of confusion around gluten and the benefits of a gluten-free diet. People with diabetes in particular may be wondering if they should be following a gluten-free diet and if this would help manage their diabetes.

Coeliac Disease Is A Lifelong Condition Where Your Immune System Reacts To Gluten A Protein Found In Wheat Rye And Barley

This immune reaction damages the lining of your gut, making it hard to absorb nutrients from food properly. Coeliac disease is more common in people with type 1 diabetes because both are autoimmune conditions. Up to 10% of people with coeliac disease also have type 1 diabetes.

If you have type 2 diabetes youre not at increased risk of coeliac disease as type 2 diabetes isnt an autoimmune condition.

However, there are many people who have coeliac disease, but dont know it. Here, we answer all your questions about the symptoms, treatment and management of coeliac disease and diabetes.

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Rationale Behind Adoption Of The Diet

Coeliac disease is a chronic, immune-mediated, and mainly intestinal process, caused by the ingestion of wheat, barley, rye and derivatives, that appears in genetically predisposed people of all ages. Coeliac disease is not only a gastrointestinal disease, because it may affect several organs and cause an extensive variety of non-gastrointestinal symptoms, and most importantly, it may often be completely asymptomatic. Added difficulties for diagnosis are the fact that serological markers are not always present and many people with coeliac may have minor mucosal lesions, without atrophy of the intestinal villi. A 2017 study found that gluten is not related to a risk of coronary heart disease in people without celiac disease.

Coeliac disease with “classic symptoms”, which include gastrointestinal manifestations such as chronic diarrhea and abdominal distention, malabsorption, loss of appetite, and impaired growth, is currently the least common presentation form of the disease and affects predominantly to small children generally younger than two years of age.

Following a lifelong gluten-free diet is the only medically-accepted treatment for people with coeliac disease.

Is There A Connection

Diabetes and Celiac Disease

Dr. Danielle Weiss is the founder of the Center for Hormonal Health and Well-Being, a personalized, proactive, patient-centered medical practice with a unique focus on integrative endocrinology. She enjoys giving lectures and writing articles for both the lay public and medical audiences.

Type 1 diabetes and celiac disease are both autoimmune diseases. According to the Celiac Disease Foundation, the estimated prevalence of CD in people with T1D is approximately 6%. The prevalence of CD in the general population is about 1%.

Due to the seeming connection between T1D and CD, most doctors will screen for CD after a T1D diagnosis and vice versa. Find out the connection between the two diseases, who is at greatest risk, and how to cope.

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When In Doubt Go Without

If you are uncomfortable with alternatives provided or unable to verify if an item is gluten free, remember that its OK to say no. You have the right to make the best decisions for your health. You can also be an advocate and make a difference. Consider taking the time to educate others and provide reliable resources where they can learn more.

What Can You Eat If You Have Celiac Disease

Perhaps the benefit of living with celiac disease is that it could encourage you to adopt a healthier, cook-more-at-home lifestyle.

Eating gluten-free can help you transition to a more whole-foods diet that consists of more vegetables, legumes, nuts, fruits, and healthy proteins, says Warren.

If youve been eating Starbucks muffins on your way to work every day, a diagnosis of celiac disease could be the motivation you need to start making breakfast at home. If regular pasta or a Dominos pizza have been your go-to choices for dinner when you dont feel like cooking, having celiac disease could be the encouragement you need to ditch the excuses and cook more real-food meals at home.

There are thousands of resources to help you learn about clean eating the trendy term for eating foods in their most natural state and learning how to cook with whole foods.

Choose one whole food and match it with another, looking for a combination that includes one of the following: carbs/fiber and protein or carbs/fiber and fat or protein and fat. For example:

  • Instead of a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, try an apple with some peanut butter or nuts.
  • Instead of regular pasta with meatballs, try sauteed onions, bean sprouts, shredded carrots with gluten-free meatballs.
  • Instead of a bagel with cream cheese, try raw veggies with hummus and some cheese.
  • Instead of cold pasta salad, try mixing sauteed onions, celery, and bell pepper with a can of black beans and herbs.

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What Are The Symptoms Of Celiac Disease

Celiac disease has 200 possible symptoms. It can affect each person differently, and this can make it challenging to diagnose, since they often have overlapping genetic and environmental risk factors.

Whether you have symptoms or not undiagnosed celiac disease puts you at risk for other health conditions. So, it’s important for your overall health and well-being to understand if gluten is causing you any ill effects.

Consider using this Symptoms Assessment Tool from the Celiac Disease Foundation to see if youre at risk. And take note, you must be eating gluten regularly for this test to work properly

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