Celiac and Lactose Intolerance?

[esnyder105]

After almost 10 months GF - I still have some really bad stomach issues.  How many of you developed a lactose intolerance since being dx?  I eat a lot of ice cream and yogurt products, and drink cream in my java.

I plan to go cold turkey on lactose products and ask my MD for the lactose test to be sure. 

[Sharon]

Absolutely.  I can't eat the smallest amount of dairy, or I have the very same symptoms as if I eat gluten.  Could eat it all before diagnosis.  However, I always have the question whether it's lactose intolerance vs. dairy allergy.  If it's lactose intolerance one should be able to take Lactaid or whatever that stuff is.  I finally had blood tests done to test for a range of food allergies and was totally off the chart in allergy to casein and all dairy.  But I don't think it's quite the same thing as lactose intolerant.

[the sensible celiac]

I've heard of many, many cases of newly GF celiacs suddenly having problems with dairy foods. It happened to our lovely co-Moderator Nurse Gwen.

I was already vegetarian when I was diagnosed as celiac, and at that time I decided to become completely vegan as well. So I do not know if I could tolerate dairy products or not.

[Sharon]

My understanding is that on the villi damaged by gluten are micro villi needed to process dairy.  So by the time the villi are destroyed so are the micro villi, leading to those dairy problems.  But what does nurse Gwen say?

[GwenRN]

That is my understanding as well. Once a person has been on the gluten free diet for some time- say about 6 months, the villi do start to repair themselves. This is why, for many, the lactose intolerance is temporary.

Personally, I could tolerate very little dairy at first, but am now able to eat most dairy- I still avoid large glasses of milk, and sometimes get uncomfortable after eating ice cream, but I refuse to avoid it for that reason

Of course, milk allergy and lactose intolerance are two different things, and it IS possible to have both. If the symptoms persist, or do not respond to the lactaid or lactose-reduced dairy products, it is wise to have the testing done as Sharon described. If you have an allergy to casein, the problem is not related to the damaged villi, and it is wise to continue avoiding dairy.

Some people just naturally produce less lactase (the enzyme needed to digest lactose) and even as their villi return to normal, lactose intolerance can persist, but in that case, lactaid would generally help. This is commonly seen, for instance, in people of Asian heritage.

I hope this answers your questions

[esnyder105]

I think I figured out why I became lactose intolerant - I had two courses of anti-biotics in the past month.  I read that such medications can cause "temporary" lactose intolerances after they destroy the bacteria needed to digest milk sugars.  Hopefully this condition will go away, I do not like soy milk in my coffee.

I will be drinking more tea for the time being!

[GwenRN]

Have you tried the Lactaid milk? Original Coffeemate Liquid is also said to be lactose free- neither is perfect, but I'm rather picky about what goes in my coffee, too.

Gwen

[vpuri]

My daughter has never been formerly diagnosed with lactose intolerance but she says her stomach problems only go away if she stops the milk intake.

[megaserve]

Have you tried the Lactaid milk? Original Coffeemate Liquid is also said to be lactose free- neither is perfect, but I'm rather picky about what goes in my coffee, too.

Gwen

I'm pretty sure you can get lactose free coffeemate powder as well, I personally find the liquid a bit too sweet for my coffee. I have a few vegan friends who are very happy with one brand of whitener since it has 0 milk products in it, but I'll have to ask one what the brand is and I'll let you know if you're interested

------
Josh
Gluten Free Since 2003

[esnyder105]

Thankfully my lactose issues were caused by the antibiotics and I have since fully recovered.  It is tough enough to be bread-free!