Could my Constant Hunger be Gluten Sensitivity?

by Julie
(CT)

Could Constant Hunger be Gluten Sensitivity?

I have been experiencing constant hunger pains within 1 - 2 hours after I eat. I was tested for the H Pylori Bacteria and the results were negative. I was taking Zantac at the time of the test and do not know if this may have interfered. (Note from Kerri: It's not likely to have interfered with the blood test.)

I have a low Vitamin D Level and low Vitamin B12 Level as well. I also have a high IgE antibody test.

However my blood tests reveal no food allergies. Could this constant hunger and grumbling in my stomach be caused by food allergies or a gluten/wheat intolerance.

I eat very healthy and eat a very balanced diet. Luckily I have not gained weight eating so much just to get rid of the hunger. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated since this has been going on for 2 years.

Comments for Could my Constant Hunger be Gluten Sensitivity?

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Something is going on...
by: Kerri Knox, RN- The Immune Queen!

Hi Julie,

You definitely have SOMETHING going on, and since you don't have H pylori, because of your low B12 level then I would definitely suspect that you have gluten sensitivity. There are just not that many Causes of Vitamin B12 Deficiency.

So, really the only other explanation for your low Vitamin B12 levels would be if you were eating almost completely vegan. If you are not, then it's almost certainly Gluten Sensitivity- and having a high IgE makes this even more suspect.

As for your hunger, though, it's possible that it's the gluten. But I would be more likely to suspect that it might be your blood sugar dropping after you eat. You say that you eat 'healthy', and I find that most people equate fewer animal products and/or less fat with 'eating healthy'.

If you are not getting enough protein with your meals or if they are composed of mostly simple carbohydrates without much fat, then your blood sugar could be dropping after meals causing you to feel hungry.

Try having meals that are composed of more healthy protein with some good fats and that might help you a lot. Many people are confused about how they 'should' be eating, but everyone is different so it's hard to say.

Some people thrive on a high carb vegetarian or vegan diet, and some (like me) crash and burn on that. I need a lot of protein and a generous amount of good fat to feel right.

Kerri Knox RN Immune Health Queen

Kerri Knox, RN- The Immune System Queen
Functional Medicine Practitioner
Immune System

PS: If you found this website helpful, please consider using the
Easy Immune Health Product Store the next time you purchase your supplements online. Thank you for visiting my site!

Thank You
by: Anonymous

Hi Kerri, thank you for responding to my question. I actually am hypoglycemic so I do balance my healthy carbs and lean animal proteins with every meal. I also make sure to eat every 3 hrs. I actually eat plenty of good fats as well this is why I am frustrated with the constant hunger feeling.

Your website has been very helpful...

I am going to try a gluten free diet and will let you know what happens. Thanks again!!

Possibly..
by: Anonymous

If you are constantly hungry, and not gaining weight, makes me wonder if you've had your Thyroid Panel(TSH)checked?

Just a thought..

Its a Real Possibility
by: Anonymous

I was recently diagnosed with a gluten sensitivity. Before the diganosis, no matter how much I ate, I was still hungry. I would feel full to bursting (as far as stomach capacity went) but I would feel like I was starving. I didn't have hunger pains, but I often felt like my food 'didn't agree with me'. And I was still hungry!!! In particular I had cravings for dairy: milk, cheese and ice cream.

Once I cut gluten out of my diet, I came to realize that my body was interpreting my tummy's distress as being hungry. Gluten free, I wasn't starving after meals. No more ice cream cravings (well, no unnatural ones, anyway), and no more stomach aches.

A test for a food allergy won't reveal gluten intolerance--its a slightly different immunological process. There is a blood test for celiac disease, but sometimes it shows false negatives. My doctor's advice was to cut out first dairy, then gluten from my diet to see if the symptoms changed. In fact, he said, if the symptoms get worse at first, it can mean you're on the right track (this is what happened to me the first week or so of no gluten), and things will ultimately resolve. I wouldn't embark on this without speaking with your doctor, but I'd look into it.

________________________________________________

Kerri's Comment: Everyone who is having any health problems should ALWAYS see their doctor first to make sure that there is no medical problem, but once the doctors can't find anything wrong with you, there is no reason why you can't start a gluten free diet without speaking to your doctor.

A gluten free diet can cause NO HARM unless you simply eat junk food all day long. And it's unlikely that you'll get any support from your doctor to give it a try unless you are diagnosed with Celiac Disease.

Most likely, you will get derision and be told that you are reading too much on the internet and then you will question yourself. There is NO REASON not to try eliminating specific foods without speaking to your doctor first.

Your health is YOUR responsibility and getting the OK from your doctor to do this gives YOUR power to your doctor. Don't give your power to your doctor, use your doctor as a tool to help you achieve health and solve problems while keeping the power of finding health 100% YOURS!!

Kerri Knox, RN

low gastric acid
by: Jogi

As I learned, this constantly hungry feeling can also be a result of ** Hypochlorhydria ** (stomach produces not enough gastric acid). - And since you have not enough B12, this would be very possible. Please let the doctors check, if you have Hypochlorhydria.

Low Vit D levels CAN also cause constant hunger.
As well as reactive Hypoglycemia - would happen, when you produce too much insulin after a meal and your glucose goes lower than before the meal.

Good luck !!

Don't need a doctor to check
by: Kerri Knox, RN- The Immune System Queen

Great advice! But you don't need a doctor to check if you have hypochlorhydria, in fact, you'd probably go around in circles for months trying to talk a doctor into testing you for such a thing based on hunger.

I outline an easy way to test yourself on the Too Much Stomach Acid page- which really is about too little stomach acid!

Testing for reactive hypoglycemia is easy to do at home, as well, just by buying a home glucose machine at your local drug store.

Kerri Knox, RN

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