So, here's a big symptom I had for several years before finding out I had celiac. Ice Chewing! I thought it was one of those horrible habits. No matter how hard I tried, I CRAVED the darn stuff. That ice that sat in the cup, partially melted from a glass of finished ice tea was the best. Crunch, crunch, crunch. And if someone dumped it down the sink in the process of clearing the table after dinner . . . NOoooooo!!!! That was MY ice! I wanted that ice.
I NEEDED that ice!!
I NEEDED that ice!!
It was odd - Once gluten free (not long - maybe a couple months? a few weeks?) - I realized, no more crunching. I couldn't care less for that ice. I discovered (through discussions with others) that ice chewing is a sign of anemia. And, as many of us know, anemia is a symptom of undiagnosed celiac.
Another weird thing - I also craved the smells of lighter fluid, oil based paints, gasoline. Ya, I know, not good, but signs of "something is wrong here."
Years and years of subtle - and not so subtle - symptoms. Symptoms that can be avoided with awareness and correct diagnosis.
Know an ice chewer? Tell them to get their iron checked.
Know someone who is anemic? Tell them to get tested for celiac.
Other big red flags that should have resulted in celiac testing much earlier than it was:
Hypothyroidism
Osteoporosis
Another weird thing - I also craved the smells of lighter fluid, oil based paints, gasoline. Ya, I know, not good, but signs of "something is wrong here."
Years and years of subtle - and not so subtle - symptoms. Symptoms that can be avoided with awareness and correct diagnosis.
Know an ice chewer? Tell them to get their iron checked.
Know someone who is anemic? Tell them to get tested for celiac.
Other big red flags that should have resulted in celiac testing much earlier than it was:
Hypothyroidism
Osteoporosis
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