This is my second attempt at posting - first one completely failed. Hope this can go through and I can figure it out. I am 68 years old and I have gained close to 20 pounds in the past year which I felt was caused by major eye surgery and inactivity in the summer. In addition I have had multiple abdominal problems and skin rash. I was diagnosed with celiac disease on 4/15/07 and immediately started a gluten free diet. I am now very careful about what I eat, quantity, calories as well as gluten free. While I am not gaining, I am also not losing and am somewhat discouraged. Even though I stay tired, I have pushed myself to increase activity. Any suggestions?

Hello and welcome to the board A few things might be going on. First I should ask if your soaps, toothpastes, shampoos, conditioners, makeup, lotions and dishwashing detergents are gluten free ? If not they can stay on your fingers and on your dishes so it would virtually be like your still eating gluten. Have you changed cutting boards, toasters, plastic kitchen tools, and wooden spoons to brand new ones? Your microwave also could be a source of getting glutened. I recommend a microwave bag if you are using the same microwave with others who are not gluten free and toaster bags for toasting. I ended up buying a new toaster.

If you are doing both of those it might be you were malnutritioned before even with the weight gain due to celiac disease and your body virtually feels like it is starving so it holds onto the calories and fat you are eating. Once your nutrients are back to par that might pull the weight off for you. I started taking a probiotic , acidophilus tablets, to heal faster.

Hi and welcome,

I would have your doctor check the following levels -
Vitamin D
Vitamin B (all of them)
Vitamin C
Iron
Folate
Phosphorous
Calcium

Due to the fact you were diagnosed later in life severe malabsorption would cause your body to not be able to get these from your diet. Vita D deficiency can cause slow weight gain and all the symptoms you are listing as can other deficiencies.

[size="2"][/size]

Can you tell me the symptoms of malabsorbtion? I have gained about 100lbs in the last 9 years. Since I was diagnosed a year ago, I've been able to maintain my weight if I eat 1200 - 1500 calaries a day, but cannot seem to lose weight.
(This is gross, but I need to ask) I see undigested food in my bm everyday. Is this a symptom of malabsorbtion?
Thanks for any info you can offer.
Marlene