celiac disease and RLS

[Elizabeth King]

In reading through questions and responses on "Therapeutic Discussions" I noticed that ViewsAskew mentioned having Celiac disease. I also have this one. I guess some of us are just lucky, huh? I'm interested in knowing how many RLS sufferers also have Celiac. Could there be a connection? I'll ask for a poll.

Elizabeth

[ViewsAskew]

Elizabeth, it is very common for untreated celiacs to have RLS. It's because the gut isn't absorbing iron. Once the celiac is treated, it's unlikely that a celiac will have any more RLS potential than a non-celiac.

So, if your celiac is under control through a strict and rigid diet and your tests are coming back negative (annual blood tests), then the RLS is either from another secondary source, inherited, or possible from no known cause.

Hope that makes some sense.

[Elizabeth King]

ViewsAskance,

It makes perfect sense that a person with celiac would have a problem with iron absorption and therefore RLS. Thanks. I was diagnosed with celiac in March and so far the diet seems to be working. In fact, it all seems to fit for me. I had my ferritin level up for quite a while, but when I ended up in the hospital with celiac, they also took a ferritin level and it was low again. Last ferritin level test I had showed it was on the way back up!

I'm surprised I didn't get the connection sooner!

Elizabeth

[Elizabeth King]

Thanks again, Viewsaskew! (Sorry I mis-wrote your name in my last post.)

Your letter contains lots of helpful information which I'll take to my neuro.!
Elizabeth