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Hyperthyroidism – Grave’s Disease 

hypokalemia gluten celiac disease symptomWhat Is Hypokalemia?

H ypokalemia means the level of potassium in the bloodstream is too low to meet metabolic needs of the body for this mineral and is characterized by metabolic acidosis, altered nerve conduction and muscle contraction.

Rapid potassium loss can result in life-threatening hypokalemic rhabdomyolysis which is destruction of muscle tissue that results in kidney damage.1

Q: What are metabolic needs of the body for potassium?

A: The metabolic needs of the body for potassium are great because this mineral is crucial for life and especially for normal nerve and muscle function.

Most potassium is intracellular, meaning it is found within cells while sodium, its opposing mineral (both electrolytes), is found in the fluid surrounding cells. In muscle contraction, exchange of potassium and sodium takes place so that potassium moves out of muscle cells and sodium moves into them. With muscle relaxation, potassium moves back into the cells and sodium moves out.

What Is Hypokalemia In Celiac Disease and/or Gluten Sensitivity?

Sources:
  1. Williams SG, Davison AG, Glynn MJ. Hypokalaemic rhabdomyolsis: an unusual presentation of celiac disease. European Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology. Feb 1995;7(2):183-4. [↩]

National Jewish Health Expert Discusses Psychological Aspect of Living with Life Threatening Food Allergies

Gluten Free Works Author Jennifer Leeson

Mary Klinnert National Jewish Health
Mary Klinnert, PhD at National Jewish Health

I recently had the pleasure of meeting Mary Klinnert, PhD at National Jewish Health. Mary is an expert in child psychology and has numerous previous research studies on the effects of asthma on mental health.  She started her career mostly focusing on asthma, but in recent years, has turned much of her attention to the psychological aspects of living with life threatening food allergies.

While meeting with Mary, she briefed me on a study she is conducting on the psychological aspects of food allergies and how this study differs from the majority of previous studies that mostly focus on quality of life issues related to living with food allergies.  The hope of Mary and the rest of the team is to get to the root of what is happening to families that sometimes contributes to deeper

Overcoming Gluten Free Social Isolation: Part I Communication

Jennifer Leeson Gluten Free Works

gluten free cooking friendsThe phone rings…it’s my friend calling to see if I would like to come over to dinner.  Little does she know that I have just been diagnosed with Celiac disease and I’m now nervous about eating at other people’s homes… 

I’m still learning what to eat and how to read labels.  I feel my heart beat increase, and my palms start to sweat.  “What is this weird feeling,” I ask myself.  I feel like I’m going to panic…and all over a social invitation.  “What’s wrong with me, this shouldn’t be a big deal.  It never was before, I’ve always just done what I wanted.”  Oh yeah, I remind myself, it’s because I don’t know if I will be able to eat if I go over.  Maybe I just shouldn’t