People with celiac disease have likely been malnourished for some time before their diagnosis. Malnutrition can lead to many problems, including depression, irritbility and forgetfulness. From Dr. Peter H.R. Green’s book, “Celiac Disease, A Hidden Epidemic”:
Depression may be due to the malabsorption of nutrients. One study suggested that malabsorption could interfere with the neurotransmitters that regulate mood. Researchers found a possible link between brain function, depression, and malabsorption because of abnormalities in the metabolism of monoamines (serotonis, dopamine, noradrenaline). They felt that a high number of food factors are involved in monoamine synthesis and concluded that depression and anxiety disturbances found in celiac disease and IBD could be secondary to a reduced neural production of monoamines.
Another problem with nutrient malabsorption is a deficiency of folate (folic acid). From ”Celiac Disease, A Hidden Epidemic”:
A deficiency of folate (folic acid) was shown to increase irritability and forgetfulness. Folic acid is a vitamin that is necessary for the formation and growth of blood cells and is used in cell division. A deficiency plays a role in neurological defects in newborns, anemia, blood disorders, and GI disturbances, and was proven to cause depressive symptoms including fatigue and apathy.
Since folic acid is best absorbed in the duodenum, people with celiac disease may suffer from a deficiency. The link between this and depression is unclear, but interesting.
The malabsorption of other nutrients may contribute to depression. Vitamin B12 deficiency will also contribute to depression as well as dementia (memory problems). Once the intestine has healed, absorption improves, and the effects of these deficiencies should resolve.
The book goes into greater detail on the subject of depression and you may want to read it for more information.
[...] Celiac Disease — glutenfreekathy @ 8:00 am Many people have been interested in my blog on celiac disease and depression. I have found an article on Celiac.com which may be of interest to you. It is regarding a [...]
Hi Kathy,
I am so glad I found your blog. Very very informative. I have an 18 yr old daughter that has had all kinds of symptoms since the age of 4. I cannot tell you how many E.R. trips we have taken in the middle of the night or how many times I have had to pick her up from school. And the only thing the doctors could come up with is that she is lactose intolerant. Lately has been tough on her. She gets sick immediately after she eats, has had HUGE mouth ulcers that are so deep they have had to be cauterized and each time the doctors treat the symptoms, not the symptoms as a whole. She has lost weight and has been extremely moody and constantly exhausted. Sorry, to go on anyway, I have a small baking business I run out of my house I had a woman ask me about gluten free products as she has celiac disease. I asked her exactly what celiac disease is and when she told me and started telling me her symptoms as a mother I all of a sudden became extremely interested and as soon as I got off the phone I thought OMG this could be what has been wrong with her. I was on the internet for days and then I came to the conclusion myself. I called the doctor and told him what I suspected and he said I may be right and to start her on a GF diet. That has been three weeks ago and Oh my goodness she looks better and is eating and NOT sick. She has had blood work done and returns to the doctor this Thursday. What I don’t understand is WHY the doctors never could put their finger on this? I even had her at A.I. DuPont Hospital. and it was always the same they would just look at me like I was nuts and tell me she was fine and I would just about be in tears and I would say no there is something wrong. They gave me every reason in the world as to why she could be sick but NEVER any answers. And why all of a sudden am I hearing about this disease it seems as if EVERYONE knows someone who has it.
And the frustration I have felt over the years because I had her off dairy and I would get ready to take her to school and she would be sick before I could get her out the door. And I would be so angry thinking OMG I gave her juice, toast and fruit. WHAT AM I DOING WRONG? This has been such a horrible roller coaster ride for her as well as the whole family. I do apologize to everyone reading this blog for telling this LONG story. I am so relieved that maybe just maybe I may be getting somewhere with whatever is going on with her. and that’s another thing I don’t understand there were times when she seemed fine and I would think well, maybe the doctors are right maybe I am making more out of it. do you know why she could of had episodes where she seemed fine? But, that was along time ago that she has those episodes. I am not a doctor, just a mother, like most mothers I wear many different hats. I just want to get to the bottom of it all Thanks to all who have read my long entry. Just really really worried and I have read so much over the past three weeks I am on GF overload. And I think I am driving all my friends and family NUTS with it.
~Lisa, celiac disease is not well enough known by physicians. It took a long time for my diagnosis. Your daughter may take time to have her intestine totally recover but keep on with the gluten free diet. I’m glad she is feeling better and that you caught it at her young age. She will have time to build her bones with calcium and exercise. Kathy
Hi Kathy,
I just read your blog and can relate all too well. My 14 yr. old daughter has celiac and has been since she was 5. We noticed that she was very pale and dark circles under her eyes, pains in her stomache after every meal. I made an appt. with our family physician and she then referred us to a pediatrician. He suggested that i take away all the dairy products and see how that worked and order blood work. I asked him at that time if he could test her for cecliac because my father has dermatitis herpetaphormis (another type of celiac). He said it was very unlikely that she had this, but would do the test. A few weeks went by and then his office called and asked us back to disucss the bloodwork. He told me her blood work came back positive and then said she would have to have a biopsy of her bowl to determine a more acurate diagnosis. So, we had the surgery (a really hard and emotional day that was) but the results came back positive as well. We have struggled with this a long time. She has bloodwork done every year. I have been diagnosed with celiac as well. My symptoms are different than hers, i experience the gastroenteritis problems, itchy skin, constipation. Her’s is vomiting, pains in her stomach and diarrhea sometimes. Just wanted to share our experiences with you. We experiement with foods all the time, some are successful and other’s not! Thanks for listening. Good luck!
~Thanks for your comment Wanda. It is a big help to other people dealing with celiac disease to see how other people are coping and the different symptoms that are related to celiac. One of the reasons it is so hard to diagnos is the huge range of symptoms. Kathy~
Hi Kathy, Im very glad I found your blog! I am 21 and I was diagnosed with celiac disease in march of 2011 after being constantly sick for years. I felt like I was going crazy! lol. Anyway, The doctor said my villi were completely gone and my intestines were scarred but should hopefully heal in a year or two. I was wondering ,from your personal experience, how long it took you before your forgetfullness got better, or if it was ever a symptom for you in the first place? I have a very hard time remembering things on a daily basis and am hoping it will improve as I continue my gluten free diet. I was also wondering if you had any tips or suggestions on what vitamins might help my body while its healing. Im worried that even though i am taking b12 and a multi vitamins that they are not getting absorbed. I appreciate any help, I have read a few books and researched on the web about celiac disease, but could always use more! Thank you!
I felt like I was improving within 6 weeks of the gluten free diet. You might ask your dr. about taking calcium, too, but in general you will start absorbing nutrients when you are eating a strict GF diet. Don’t cheat! good luck ~Kathy