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what does gluten test have to do with lyme

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Posted 9/21/2010 9:02 PM (GMT 0)
Just curious here, what does the gluten test many LLMD's want patients to get have to do with lyme?  My LLMD said he would like me to get this test eventually.  How exactly does gluten affect lyme?

Thanks

 

Posted 9/21/2010 9:49 PM (GMT 0)
Actually, Lyme can cause gluten sensitivity. Also, Celiac Disease can cause neurological, skin, and gastrointestinal symptoms and it is good to rule this out as a potential cause of "Lyme-like" symptoms. And problems tolerating gluten are becoming more common - research suggests 1:120 people have Celiac Disease, and some researchers believe that a significant portion of the general population has some kind of difficulty tolerating gluten (gluten sensitivity, wheat allergy, or Celiac).

http://sites.google.com/site/jccglutenfree/ - The Gluten File - has a ton of info on Gluten Sensitivity and Celiac.
Posted 9/21/2010 9:53 PM (GMT 0)
Oh also, many LLMD's recommend a gluten-free, dairy-free diet because the proteins in these foods (milk, wheat, gluten) tend to promote inflammation. Inflammation is a big enough problem from Lyme itself, without adding foods that promote the inflammation to it.
Posted 9/22/2010 12:56 AM (GMT 0)
When the Lyme goes away, do you think the gluten sensitivity will go away?

Before I found out this past June that I've had Lyme since 2003, I was being treated for major GI problems. I finally decided I must have gluten intolerance or Celiac, and so have been Gluten Free since June 2009. I never got "tested" though.

What gluten test are you talking about that your LLMD wants to do?

If my GI problems are from Lyme, and the Lyme goes away, maybe I won't have to live GF for the rest of my life?!!!!
Posted 9/22/2010 1:12 AM (GMT 0)
It may or may not go away with Lyme treatment. In my case, my gluten issues are genetic, and it is thought that the Lyme turned "on" and activated the gluten sensitivity genes. But even I may be able to tolerate small amounts of gluten after Lyme treatment...but to be honest, I actually prefer gluten free bakery goods...they taste better to me. The only thing I miss is my home-made whole wheat bread...
Posted 9/22/2010 2:18 AM (GMT 0)
I just had an intestinal barrier test done and I had REALLY high antibodies to gluten, dairy, and all sorts of yeast.  I'd been wondering how much of my GI problems are from Lyme, how many are from long term abx use and how much might have been an issue before.  But I never had trouble before I was treated for Lyme.

I definitely feel better without gluten.  I've done Singleton's anti-inflamation diet which eliminated dairy and gluten and some fruits and veggies as well - the only one I recall off hand is tomatoes.  I'm just doing dairy and gluten free now and am having marked improvement with joint pain.  My poor guts are still uber messed up though.

Posted 9/22/2010 2:20 AM (GMT 0)
the gluten sensitivity test is what my LLMD wants me to do. I was thinking cutting out gluten basically meant not eating carbohydrates. After a quick internet search I realized gluten is mainly found in wheat. A gluten free diet can still consist of rice, potatoes, corn, oats, and all fruits. A gluten free diet would still be difficult to follow, but not impossible.
Posted 9/22/2010 8:00 AM (GMT 0)
Oats in the USA are heavily cross-contaminated with wheat due to growing and storage conditions, so make sure you get "gluten free" oats if you do choose to eat oats.

Gluten free foods are popping up more and more in regular grocery stores. Also, many health food stores have gluten free sections.

Some of my favorites are Amy's gluten free frozen entrees, Enjoy Life Foods cookies, Tinkyada rice pasta, Chebe pizza crust mix, Ener-G Foods potato mix (for baking), Lundberg Farms Risotto mixes, and Beanitos chips (pinto bean & rice chips).

And many believe a gluten-free diet is actually healthier, as long as one doesn't over-do the gluten-free bakery goods (due to the high sugar content of most of them).

Take care,
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