<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>>

Hi Listmates,

Here is the summary about my question regarding whether the celiac diet might
in some way cause kidney stones.  The general consensus was that the
underlying disease itself was probably the cause of the stones, rather than the diet.
(My thanks to everyone who took the time to email me and especially those who
corresponded with me more than once.  Sue Ellen in PA)

Dr. Steven Holland's explanation stated the mechanism clearly (I believe he
posted it on the list but I will repost it here):

Patients with Celiac disease are at risk for kidney stones.  The
malabsorbtion of fat causes the fat to stay in the intestine.  Fat
binds calcium.  With calcium bound to fat, oxalic acid, which usually
would be bound up by the calcium, is better absorbed.  Oxalic acid
stones then can form in the kidney.

Increased dietary calcium helps, since the calcium then can bind up the
oxalic acid.  Calcium supplements taken at non-meal times increase the
risk of kidney stones, so I tell my patients to take the calcium
supplements with meals.
**********
Other edited posts of interest include:

I was told that Celiac Disease can cause kidney stones.  Prior to seeing
my Endochronologist, I had 18 kidney stones within 15 years.  I have to
have a 24 hour metabolic test every year to keep it under control.
Celiac Disease can cause a chemical imbalance and that's what it has
done to me.
*****
Actually stones are more common in those who are calcium deficient, which
celiac disease can cause because of malabsorption.  Chances are those
stones have been forming for years but especially before you began the GF
diet.  Make sure you're getting good quality absorbable calcium/magnesium
such as OsteoPrime Forte, Cal Max, liquid calcium, etc.
******
There is some evidence that lack of certain bacteria, that eat oxalates,
causes kidney stones. So eating more oxalates (spinach) or being on antibiotics
can cause kidney stones. However, when you go on the GF diet your calcium blood
levels may rise (SHOULD rise) which would also make them more likely, I think.
*******

My understanding is that celiac disease (not the diet) can cause kidney
stones due to malabsorbtion of calcium. I am going through celiac
diagnostics right now, and one of the symptoms leading to the diagnostic
tests was a large kidney stone a year ago that had to be removed via
lithotripsy. The Mayo Clinic web site lists kidney stones as one of the
complicaitons of celiac. See

http://www.mayoclinic.com/invoke.cfm?objectid=0B50B26D-34AE-4F43-843BDA653DD
EF6E3&section=7
*******

You need to make an appointment with a nephrologist - not the urologist, who
takes care of the stones once they're formed, but a nephrologist, who will
help you adjust diet and urine chemistry to keep them from forming.  Many foods
and drinks encourage oxalate kidney stones, the most common kind.
*******
I have been GF for 20 years and have never had a kidney stone.  My husband
who does not have CD and is not on the diet does get them.
*******
After being on the GF diet for a year, I had to have my gall bladder out
because I had alot of stones.
*******

*Support summarization of posts, reply to the SENDER not the Celiac List*