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Smell, Loss of  

CT Scan of Parathyroid Carcinoma Displacing the Trachea. Courtesy Orphanet Journal of Rare Diseases
CT Scan of Parathyroid Carcinoma Displacing the Trachea by Doina Piciu. Courtesy Orphanet Journal of Rare Diseases

What Is Parathyroid Carcinoma?

P arathyroid carcinoma is a slow growing rare malignancy involving overactive parathyroid glands and is characterized by profound hypercalcemia (elevated blood calcium level), parathyroid hormone levels of more than 3 times upper normal limits, and palpable neck mass.1

Parathyroid carcinoma is a cause of severe hyperparathyroidism. Hyperparathyroidism results from overproduction of parathyroid hormone by the parathyroid glands.

Research comparing patients with carcinoma to patients with primary hyperparathyroidism showed that patients with parathyroid carcinoma had significantly higher serum parathyroid hormone and calcium levels compared with patients with primary hyperparathyroidism.2

Q: Why is the blood calcium level elevated?

A: Blood calcium level is elevated due to overproduction of parathyroid hormone by the diseased gland(s).

The function of parathyroid hormone (PTH) is to keep calcium blood levels normal, which it does by drawing calcium out of bones as needed. The problem of too much PTH is that bone is constantly robbed of calcium and this depletion causes bone demineralization, resulting in osteopenia progressing to osteoporosis. Of course, weakened bones are subject to breakage with light trauma.

On the other hand, too much calcium in the blood can cause kidney stone formation because urine production is the way the body excretes excess calcium. That is, highly concentrated calcium precipitates out of the urine solution to form stones.

With an estimated incidence of 0.015 per 100,000 population and an estimated prevalence of .005% in the United States, parathyroid cancer is one of the rarest of all human cancers according to the National Cancer Institute.

What Is Parathyroid Carcinoma In Celiac Disease and/or Gluten Sensitivity?

Sources:
  1. Schaapveld M, Jorna FH, Aben KK, Haak HR, Plukker JT, Links TP. Incidence and prognosis of parathyroid gland carcinoma: a population-based study in The Netherlandsestimating the preoperative diagnosis. Am J Surg. 2011 Nov;202(5):590-7. doi: 10.1016/j.amjsurg.2010.09.025. Epub 2011 Aug 20. [↩]
  2. Schaapveld M, Jorna FH, Aben KK, Haak HR, Plukker JT, Links TP. Incidence and prognosis of parathyroid gland carcinoma: a population-based study in The Netherlandsestimating the preoperative diagnosis. Am J Surg. 2011 Nov;202(5):590-7. doi: 10.1016/j.amjsurg.2010.09.025. Epub 2011 Aug 20. [↩]

Tongue – Beefy Red, Smooth, Burning 

tongue in B12 deficiencyWhat Is Beefy Red, Smooth, Burning Tongue?

Beefy, red, smooth, burning tongue is an inflammatory alteration in tongue tissue characteristic of vitamin B12 deficiency.

Inflammation makes the tongue red and sore which, when untreated, progresses to atrophied papillae (shrunken taste buds) that makes the tongue smooth.

Q: Why does vitamin B12 alter the tongue?

A: Vitamin B12 is essential for the metabolism of all cells, especially for those of the digestive tract of which the tongue is an organ.1

These easily seen changes to tongue tissue are an important diagnostic feature of deficient vitamin B12, which causes other devastating unseen damage, because the discomfort generally causes the individual to seek medical care.

What Is Beefy Red, Smooth, Burning Tongue In Celiac Disease and/or Gluten Sensitivity?

Sources:
  1. Krause’s Food, Nutrition, & Diet Therapy. 10th Edition. Kathleen Mahan, Sylvia Escott-Stump. 2000. W.B. Saunders Company. [↩]

Sperm Abnormalities 

This 21 year-old woman (left) appears as old as her 70 year-old granny (right). Courtesy Prof Dr Chua Chung Nen
This 21 year-old woman (right) appears as old as her 70 year-old grandmother (left). Courtesy Prof Dr Chua Chung Nen

What Is Acquired Cutis Laxa?

A cquired cutis laxa is an uncommon skin disorder characterized by abnormal reduction and degeneration of elastic fibers of the skin that can appear simply as thick, saggy skin with loose folds to severe involvement showing a premature aged appearance.

Q: What are elastic fibers of the skin?

A: Elastic fibers of the skin are connective tissue found in the dermis, which is the layer of skin under the epidermis, or surface layer. They hold the shape of skin and are important for wound healing in the development of scars.

What Is Cutis Laxa In Celiac Disease and/or Gluten Sensitivity?

Seborrhea Dermatitis

Swollen Tongue Causing Tooth Indentations. GFW
Swollen Tongue Causing Tooth Indentations. Notice the Accompanying Denuded Area Due to Riboflavin Deficiency and Mild Candida Overgrowth. GFW

What Is A Pale, Smooth, Burning Tongue?

A pale, smooth, burning tongue is an alteration in tongue tissue characteristic of iron deficiency. The tongue is also swollen.1

Additionally, the sore tongue surface may be invaded by candida yeast which takes advantage of the sore tissue.

Iron deficiency itself increases susceptibility to infection.

Q: What is iron deficiency?

A: Iron deficiency results when the level within cells is too low to meet metabolic needs of the body for this mineral.

Deficiency is characterized by impaired red blood cell formation, free-radical disposal, oxygenation of cells, immune response to infection, enzyme activity, cognitive performance, digestion, nail structure, and fetal health.2

Iron is an essential mineral that is required for normal body function. Almost two-thirds of iron in the body is found in hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen to tissues. Smaller amounts of iron are found in myoglobin, a protein that helps supply oxygen to muscle, and in enzymes that assist biochemical reactions.

Iron is also found in proteins that store iron for future needs and that transport iron in blood. Iron stores are regulated by intestinal iron absorption.3

What Is A Pale, Smooth, Burning Tongue In Celiac Disease and/or Gluten Sensitivity?

Sources:
  1. Krause’s Food, Nutrition, & Diet Therapy. 10th Edition. Kathleen Mahan, Sylvia Escott-Stump. 2000. W.B. Saunders Company. [↩]
  2. Kathleen Mahan and Sylvia Escott-Stump, ed. Krause’s Food, Nutrition & Diet Therapy, 10th Edition. Philadelphia, PA. USA: W.B. Saunders Company, 2000. [↩]
  3. http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Iron-HealthProfessional accessed 12/11/12 [↩]

Food Allergy – IgE and Non IgE

Baby with Allergic Reaction to Peanuts. GFW
Baby with Allergic Reaction to Peanuts. GFW photo.

What Is Food Allergy?

Food allergy is an abnormal immune response to food proteins that may damage the small intestinal  lining and produce malabsorption of food. The reaction is usually delayed which makes it difficult to identify the offending food that is causing symptoms.

Q: How does food allergy develop?

A: The gastrointestinal tract serves not only to digest and absorb foodstuffs but also to protect the body from unwanted substances. When allergic food substances are eaten, the immune response that is triggered in the gut produces inflammation with symptoms such as pain, vomiting and loose bowels.

Inflammation causes swelling of the gut lining that can interfere with the passage of nutrients through it to the body which results in malabsorption. Malabsorption deprives the body of nutrients needed for normal function.

Symptoms other than digestive may involve skin rashes, hives, and respiratory difficulties that can be distressing and life-threatening.

What Is Food Allergy In Celiac Disease and/or Gluten Sensitivity?

Scleroderma (Systemic Sclerosis)

Geographic Tongue Due to Riboflavin Deficiency.
Geographic Tongue Due to Riboflavin Deficiency.

 What Is Geographic Tongue?

G eographic tongue is a painful alteration in tongue tissue that is characteristic of riboflavin (vitamin B2) deficiency.1

Q: How does the tongue surface appear?

A: Areas of inflamed tissue with flattened papillae develop among areas of normal tissue, giving a map-like appearance to the tongue surface. There are often swollen papillae that hurt or sting, such as is seen in the photo to the left.

A diet that does not provide adequate amounts of riboflavin and any condition that 1) interferes with riboflavin absorption from the gut, 2) depletes the vitamin from the body, 3) overuses the vitamin in the body, or 4) adversely affects its use in the body will result in riboflavin deficiency causing geographic tongue.

Riboflavin is essential for converting foodstuffs into energy, maintaining the normal lifespan of red blood cells and maintaining healthy skin, eyes, hair, and nervous system. Riboflavin is converted into its active forms, flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) and flavin mononucleotide (FMN). These enzymes are primarily involved as co-factors in oxidation reduction reactions that are essential for cellular energy production and respiration.

Riboflavin is required for the conversion of pyridoxine (vitamin B6) to its functional form and the production of niacin (vitamin B3) from the amino acid tryptophan. Riboflavin has a role in antioxidant status by activating glutathione reductase, which regenerates used glutathione, a powerful antioxidant.

Respiratory infection, exercise, certain diseases, drugs and hormones can adversely influence riboflavin status.2 Stress is a major depleter of riboflavin.

What Is Geographic Tongue In Celiac Disease and/or Gluten Sensitivity?

Sources:
  1. Krause’s Food, Nutrition, & Diet Therapy. 10th Edition. Kathleen Mahan, Sylvia Escott-Stump. 2000. W.B. Saunders Company. [↩]
  2. Lakshmi AV. Riboflavin metabolism–relevance to human nutrition. Indian J Med Res. 1998 Nov;108:182-90. [↩]

Schizophrenia

Collagenous Colitis.
Microscopic Image Showing a Pink Collagen Band in Collagenous Colitis.

What Is Collagenous Colitis?

C ollagenous colitis is a disease of the large intestine (colon) that is characterized by microscopic inflammation of the surface mucosal lining and an abnormally thickened collagen band of tissue that develops wthin the lining of the colon.

The thicker than normal layer of collagen of at least 10 µm (reference value: 2–7 µm) can vary in different locations. Inflammation occurs with increased numbers of lymphocytes (white blood cells) and plasma cells and epithelial (surface cell) damage. These changes can only be seen under microscopic examination of multiple biopsied tissue samples taken during a colonoscopy procedure.

Q: What is collagen?

A: Collagen is a strong, fibrous protein found in connective tissue of the colon and many other tissues such as tendons. The normal basement membrane in the bowel consists mainly of collagen type IV, laminin, and fibronectin. The increased collagen band observed in collagenous colitis consists basically of collagen type I and III, which are the subtypes produced by repair functions, indicating a reactive origin to some irritant or drug.1

The biopsies should preferably be taken from the ascending colon, since the pathological hallmarks may be absent in the descending colon, and in the normally occurring thicker collagen layer in the rectosigmoid region.1 Inflammation of the ileum (last segment of the small intestine next to colon) is common.2

Endoscopy and radiological (x-ray) examinations are usually normal.3

Autoimmune disorders are frequently seen in adult patients with collagenous colitis.4 In the study below by Koskela et al. concomittent autoimmune diseases were present in 53% of patients with collagenous colitis.5

Importantly, the finding of collagenous colitis in patients with autoimmune diseases may reflect the treatment with NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), such as Ibuprofin and aspirin, PPIs (proton pump inhibitors), and other drugs. However, if secondary forms of collagenous colitis are not taken into consideration, underlying, treatable diseases may be overlooked, while only the gastrointestinal symptoms are treated symptomatically or with budesonide (a steroid).6

Treatment with budesonide steroid is efficacious irrespective of bile acid malabsorption.7

Budesonide at a mean dose of 4.5 mg/day maintained clinical remission for at least 1 year in the majority of patients with collagenous colitis and preserved health-related quality of life without safety concerns. Treatment extension with low-dose budesonide beyond 1 year may be beneficial given the high relapse rate after budesonide discontinuation.8

See below for nutritional deficiency problems caused by steroid usage and steps to be taken for correction.

What Is Collagenous Colitis In Celiac Disease and/or Gluten Sensitivity?

Sources:
  1. Ohlsson B. New insights and challenges in microscopic colitis. Therap Adv Gastroenterol. 2015 Jan;8(1):37-47. doi: 10.1177/1756283X14550134. [↩] [↩]
  2. Bjørnbak C, Engel PJ, Nielsen PL, Munck LK. Microscopic colitis: clinical findings, topography and persistence of histopathological subgroups. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2011 Nov;34(10):1225-34. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2036.2011.04865.x. [↩]
  3. Abdo AA, Urbanski SJ, Beck PL. Lymphotcytic and collagenous colitis: the emerging entity of microscopic colitis. An update on pathophysiology, diagnosis and management. Canadian Journal of Gastroenterology. Jul 2003;17(7):425-32. [↩]
  4. Leung ST, Chandan VS, Murray JA, Wu TT. Collagenous gastritis: histopathologic features and association with other gastrointestinal diseases. Am J Surg Pathol. 2009 May;33(5):788-98. doi: 10.1097/PAS.0b013e318196a67f. [↩]
  5. Koskela RM, Niemela SE, Karttunen TJ, Lehtola JK. Clinical characteristics of collagenous and lymphocytic colitis. Scandanavian Journal of Gastroenterology. Sep 2004;39(9):837-45. [↩]
  6. Ohlsson B. New insights and challenges in microscopic colitis. Therap Adv Gastroenterol. 2015 Jan;8(1):37-47. doi: 10.1177/1756283X14550134. [↩]
  7. Bjørnbak C, Engel PJ, Nielsen PL, Munck LK. Microscopic colitis: clinical findings, topography and persistence of histopathological subgroups. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2011 Nov;34(10):1225-34. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2036.2011.04865.x. [↩]
  8. Münch A, Bohr J, Miehlke S, et al. Low-dose budesonide for maintenance of clinical remission in collagenous colitis: a randomised, placebo-controlled, 12-month trial. Gut. 2014 Nov 25. pii: gutjnl-2014-308363. doi: 10.1136/gutjnl-2014-308363. [↩]

Prolonged Prothrombin Time

bloodvialWhat Is Prolonged Prothrombin Time?

Prolonged prothrombin time (PT) is a laboratory blood test result showing that blood clots too slowly which makes the patient subject to abnormal bleeding.

Q: What does the prothrombin time (PT) test measure?

A: The prothrombin test measures the clotting ability of blood protein factors I, II (prothrombin), V, VII, and X. If any of these factors are too low, it takes longer than normal for the blood to clot. Prothrombin is a vitamin K dependent factor meaning a deficiency of vitamin K will cause low prothrombin.

Blood is drawn into a blood collection tube with a light blue stopper which has a buffering additive. Tubes must be completely filled.

What Is Prolonged Prothrombin Time In Celiac Disease and/or Gluten Sensitivity?

Prurigo Nodularis (Hyde’s Prurigo)

Canker Sore Inside Mouth. Notice The White Spot on This Person's Nail Showing Zinc Deficiency.
Inflammation/Sore Inside Mouth. Notice White Spot on Fingernail Nail Showing Zinc Deficiency.

What Are Chronic Oral Mucosal Lesions?

Chronic lesions of the oral mucosa are disorders of the mouth that are characterized by soreness and sores of the soft mucosal lining of the mouth.

What Are Chronic Oral Mucosal Lesions In Celiac Disease and/or Gluten Sensitivity?

Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy

jejunitis
Copyright © 2014 Sigman et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.1

What Is Chronic Ulcerative Jejunitis?

C hronic ulcerative jejunitis is a disease of the small intestine that is characterized by inflammation and ulceration of the mucosal lining of the jejunum.

Q: How do inflammation and ulceration affect digestion in the jejunum?

A: Inflammation swells the lining and this impairs absorption of nutrients. Together with ulceration the inflamed and swollen jejunum hampers peristalsis, or the rhythmic movement of food by intestinal muscles.

Impaired peristalsis promotes constipation and/or diarrhea. Bacterial overgrowth may develop. Ulcerations may bleed which could cause the development of iron deficiency anemia.

What Is Chronic Ulcerative Jejunitis In Celiac Disease and/or Gluten Sensitivity?

Sources:
  1. Sigman T, Nguyen VH, Costea F, Sant’Anna A, Seidman EG. Ulcerative jejunitis in a child with celiac disease. BMC Gastroenterol. 2014 Feb 13;14:29. doi: 10.1186/1471-230X-14-29. [↩]