PCOS = Automatic Gluten Intolerance?

LydiaA

3 Posts
Reply Posted on: Mar 21, 2013 at 1:22pm
Dr. Braverman,

First and foremost, I must say how impressed I am with the fact that you take the time out to answer these questions. Your attention to our concerns matters a great deal. Thank you.


Some context:

I have been diagnosed with PCOS. I have had 3 miscarriages within a 9 month timespan. I took a year off to change my diet and focus on my health, even though I am not an average PCOS patient. I am not over weight or facial hair. With 2 of my pregnancies, I was on Metformin, and it did not prevent my miscarriages, so I gave since stopped taking it. Especially since I have been able to ovulate on my own on a fairly regular basis since my first miscarriage. I changed to a Vegan-Gluten free diet and added acupuncture. I am now 8 weeks pregnant and heard the heartbeat during the 6th week. I have NEVER made it this far. Never have I heard a heartbeat. My initial progesterone levels are higher than they have ever been. With my previous pregnancies, my P4 levels rarely ever went above 14. Last checked, with this current pregnancy, they were above 40. Things are looking good and my dr say he is almost certain that things will be different this time and I will indeed carry to term, but since past failures bring future fears, I am scared to death.

My question:

Gluten has been slowly creeping its way back into my diet. I don't mean too, but I find myself STARVING when hunger sets in these days and given my work schedule and activities, sometimes the only thing around has gluten in it. Not as much (I was never really ever to eliminate it completely over the past year) but still enough to have me wonder if more Gluten consumption could increase my chances of having a miscarriage at this point. My acupuncturist thinks I am far enough along that small amounts of gluten will not harm the baby. I just don't know. I have read that there are links to PCOS and gluten intolerance where gluten consumption prevents the baby from absorbing necessary nutrients to survive. I have not had a test to check my gluten resistance. Am I worrying for no reason? Any light you can shed on this would be extremely helpful. Thank you so much.

Lydia

Dr. Braverman

2026 Posts
RE: PCOS = Automatic Gluten Intolerance? Posted on: Mar 21, 2013 at 2:17pm
without knowing your gluten senstivity testing this is a hard quesiton to answer. I would certianly entertain that cutting it out has helped you concieve, we see this quite often. With the theory that it was a problem , I have my patients stay off of it unitl the 3rd trimester when Im sure its not an issue and it will help the baby sensitize properly. Sorry I know the pregnancy is begging for gluten. Be strong.
Braverman Medical Team
Braverman Reproductive Immunology P.C.

LydiaA

3 Posts
Reply RE: PCOS = Automatic Gluten Intolerance? Posted on: Mar 21, 2013 at 5:49pm
Thank you for your speedy reply. I needed to hear those words. I am going to pray that I do not have a glutten intolerance, because after this week, I would be doomed. I will stay FAR away from now on. My next sonogram is at 9 weeks. Hopefully the heart is still beating away.

Just for future reference, what is the test for gluten intolerance and how would I get the test conducted? Is it too late to do it now?

Lydia

Dr. Braverman

2026 Posts
RE: PCOS = Automatic Gluten Intolerance? Posted on: Mar 21, 2013 at 8:50pm
here is a useful link for you.

http://www.glutenfreesociety.org/gluten-free-society-blog/gluten-sensitivity-intolerance-self-test/
Braverman Medical Team
Braverman Reproductive Immunology P.C.