Celiac-Thyroid and Cold Weather

[revroger]

My dad, uncle, and first cousin have celiac disease. I am sure that I have it too. I have many of the same symptoms my dad had before he was diagnosed in the late 80's. I have had numerous tests for symptoms that I didn't even realize were symptoms because my dad never had some of them. I have thought there were problems with my thyroid and they have tested my thyroid and it is fine. I am tired and fatigued after 8hours of sleep, joint and muscle pain, etc. I struggle with depression. I feel like I am weak and in a fog after eating a meal. I usually have to take a nap after each meal ... and then, often head to the bathroom when I wake up. The doctors look at me like a cow staring at an open gate. Until recently I did not think I had celiac disease.

But what they really can't figure out is my problem with temperature changes. I will get chilled and shiver almost uncontrolably for hours when it happens. It happens most in winter but can happen in summer too - going from hot outside to air conditioned inside. And then, I am run down for the next couple of days. I thought it was my thyroid. But that is fine. I have not read anything about this in any of the symptoms for celiac disease. Any thoughts? I know it is not in my mind. This is really a problem since I live in North Dakota. The doctors just think I am depressed, etc. And I don't think they believe me when I tell them I have these shivering episodes.

Thanks for any thoughts about this temperature change/cold weather problem.

Roger

[Fran]

I also have periods of just "freezing". I wrap up in many layers of clothes and wraps, especially at night, and usually have to use an electric heating pad or blanket to ever get warm. But after I finally do, I will wake up "sweating", and have to get all of the covers off. Yes, I think the celiac has something to do with this. Also, my hands and feet always feel as though they are freezing, even when they are warm. They feel tingly, and slightly numb, as though I need to warm them up. I was told this is periphal neuropathy, which is also a sympton.
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Fran

[Maria1223]

I do to get really cold like it is freezing in my house. when I finally get warm i get numbnes in my whole body, I get real weak too like I can't move. I also get real foggy,& am depressed I'm on medication for that .It does help some I have alot of stress in my life have a mildly retarted daughter who is 17 & a 15 yr old, 14 yr old & a 20 yr old that drive me crazy plus I have alot of stress from work. and being sick all the time. I'm on a g/f diet but I'm constantly hungry & have to eat than I'm in the bathroom. I keep losing weight my DR. wants me to gain at least 10 pounds. I keep trying but can't. I wanted to lose 10 to 15 pounds I was a little over weight but no like this feeling sick all the time.
you have to find the right GI. DR. to help you. My DR. does al the right things I also have 6 enlarged lymnods in my stomach that can be chron's her sent me to a very good cancer DR. who spent alot of time with me & my hubby to explain everything to us. you have to make sure that you ask alot of questions even if you think they are stupid. I have had many many CAT scans & MRI's blood test, Stool test &had a edo done now they are going to do a colon osc. & take biopsy of the lympnods in my stomach. I wish you all the best

[Sarah Beth]

That sounds really similar to when I first started having symptoms. I was tired all the time, and sleeping like 10-16 hours a night. I had joint pain and muscle pain, foggines in my head, etc. I was diagnosed with depression at first based on the fact that I was tired all the time and nothing seemed to be wrong with me (my thyroid levels were normal too). It was about two years that I only had those symptoms before I got the classic symptoms and a year after that until I was finally diagnosed with celiac. I had a recent blood test that showed an underactive thyroid - so I guess I do have it now, though it didn't show up before.

From what I've read & learned from doctors, it is really common for people with celiac disease to have symptoms of thyroid disease but have normal levels on the blood test. Also, peripheral neuropathy (which just means nerve damage) can occur with celiac disease (like Fran said), usually because the body can't absorb vitamin B12 very well (that's why I have it). PN can cause an extreme sensitivity to changes in temperature, as well as sensitivity to touch, tingly feelings, and sore or prickly pain all over.

It's probably a good idea to get checked for celiac disease (sounds like you're planning to). You might ask about getting your B12 level checked too.

You also might get tested for diabetes - diabetes can cause fatigue and can cause peripheral neuropathy as well (for different reasons).

[Deb]

yup--i agree with everybody here---sounds celiac related to me too--i have neuropathy and i get the cold feelings, numbness, tingling--last week for a few days it was really bad--my feet and lower legs were so cold--i even took a hot shower--all of me was red, but my feet and legs were still cold to the touch i just couldnt get them warm enough---sometimes the joint pain returns with me and it usually is a warning that i have had soy protein--i am also soy limited Roger, you definitely should get tested for celiacs and Maria, it sounds to me like you may have other intolerances to deal with too keep your chins up deb

[maria1223]

I just was told today that I have another Bacteria in my intestions it is called C- DIFFICILE & yes I'm a borderline diabetic . my sugars are tested all the time/ thanks for the concern

[abetterjulie]

Good to read this. I have peripheral neuropathy off and on of my fingers with the cold. I also have neuropathy of my tongue that comes and goes. They wanted to do an MRI before I had the dx of GI. My NP is great, so I can't complain. She referred me to a nutritionist before my lab work is even done, just based on my symptoms clearing with GF diet.
Maria, I feel for you. We see c. diff all of the time at my job. It is a horrible thing to have. Are you on Flagyl?
Julie

[aklap]

Hi Juile,

I have PN too. All the time in my hands, feet & legs. I suspect my tongue too - sometimes it feels weird and I have a salt taste. I am sensitive to cold (hands & feet) due to my neuropathy. I had lost 50 lbs 1.5 years ago. My first winter like that I was cold all the time (not just my hands & feet). Now - it doesn't bother me as much. Even in the -4F/-20 wind chill weather we're having in WI. Brrrrrrrrrrr

I hoped my PN would clear up on a GF diet...but it has not. I am noticing improvements on a dairy & sugar reduced diet tho
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Al

“We cannot all do great things, but we can do small things with great love.” Mother Teresa

[Deb]

ya know al--sometimes i surprise myself--i have to read other's remarks before i make a connection to myself--since i lost 60# in the last 3 yrs, i have noticed being cold so much more--i was told that fat is a furnace and once the furnace is gone, you have trouble staying warm--i never connected the neuropathy with my feeling cold overall--i know i have lots of trouble with my feet and hands, even my legs, but never connected it to the whole body--geez--makes perfect sense now deb