Acid reflux is a possible symptom of either gluten allergy or celiac disease, along with several other causes. Here is a specific example.
Christine is experiencing the following problems with acid reflux. A gluten free diet seems to be helping but not enough.Christine says:
Over the past few years I have had what I thought was ongoing sinus headaches and after seeing an ENT specialist and then a Neurologist it was decided my headaches may be food based. This lead to an elimination diet where I found gluten to be a reactor. I was tested for Celiacs and all the tests returned negative. My doctor said if i felt better gluten free then that was way to go. Now having as close to gluten free diet as I can manage for last 6 months I find that I now have bad reflux and am on medication for this. When ever I do have anything with gluten in it I have a blinder of a headache and really bad reflux, on occasion so bad I want to be sick.
I don’t know much about Gluten sensitivity or allergy except what I have found out about Celiacs. Can other grains/ cereals like rice and corn also have similar reactions, as I have started eating more rice and corn based products. I also was diagnosed 9 years ago with Hypothyroidism and take medication for this. Any suggestions anyone can make would be great.
In my opinion (let me qualify: I am not a doctor!) celiac tests are not necessarily accurate. A biopsy, considered to be the “gold standard” of celiac tests is particularly prone to false negatives. Christine may have been tested negative for celiac, but may still be celiac. The hyperthyroid diagnosis makes me suspicions.
I recommend going on a truly gluten-free diet, not just ‘as close as I can manage’. Eliminating a lot of gluten helps, but not enough. Take it to the next level!
Some people are better of without any grains, cutting out corn and rice may also help. I suggest going gluten-free first because it’s easier (still have rice and corn to fall back on) and because it has a high probability of being the problem.
If that doesn’t work, stick to 100% gluten-free, but also cut out all grains.
If you have had a similar experience with celiac disease or a gluten allergy, or if you have questions or comments, share your thoughts in a comment below.
Christine