Too much sleep? Is this an autistic trait?

I've just happened across a clinical study with elderly individuals who did not know they were coeliac until later life. Studies found: "Elderly persons with celiac disease may have low folic acid and vitamin B₁₂ levels or a calcium deficiency from occult intestinal malabsorptive abnormalities." So this appears to be a thing. I have been advised over the years to mind these levels as well. 

www.consultant360.com/.../atypical-celiac-disease-could-you-be-missing-common-problem

I've always been labelled anxious, shy & depressed, but I've always felt there is something else going on to make me feel so out of place with the world. I've only realised in the past year or so that I could be autistic, because I was taught (during my Psych undergrad!!) that autism is mainly a male problem. There are a few past and current things that stick out to me as being linked to autism :

• Going mute or speaking with a whisper when I'm overwhelmed in public.

• Feeling overwhelmed when plans change

• I used to be INTENSELY interested in the Tudors. I bored so many people silly with all my facts. My interest have changed since then, but some can be quite intense.

• Needing lots of alone time

• Two work-related burnouts (one incredibly serious) from being overstimulated from 9-5 office work.

• Fussy eater, especially when it comes to certain textures.

• Inability to follow instructions with more than one step involved, unless clearly laid out in written form. I require everyone to be very clear with me, otherwise I won't feel able to complete a task .

I’ve recently started to realise I may have autism - I originally thought it was ADHD but when I started looking at the crossover I realise that autism might be playing a role too!

I was just wondering what were the signs that originally made you realise you have/might have autism? Especially if you were diagnosed as an adult rather than as a child.

And a follow on question - looking back what did you do as a child that was likely due to autism? I want to get tested but seeing other peoples experiences I’m worried about the process - my memory is so rubbish I’m worried they’ll think I’m just wasting their time.

Thanks in advance!

Have you tried adding 100% pure cranberry juice (mixed with 100% grape juice it's quite nice). It apparently aids a little mechanism that can help the kidneys stay hydrated. 50ml a day every other day can help. 

I take a mushroom compound which is excellent for Vit D levels. Ashwaganda also helps. And I also eat a good deal of fish / seafood.

Hydration is an issue in the blood. If it's low we need sugar + sodium. Maple syrup and Honey are excellent for this but if she's craving salt, make sure she's allowed it. I now buy natural spring water as chlorinated tap water can actually be dehydrating depending on what's in it. We need the natural minerals which are in water to stay hydrated as well. There's quite the science to this. But if it helps I'd recommend a few lemons juiced with water and a light dash maple syrup to taste once per week. I juice lemons every night as they incredible for aiding with digestion. 

I also have ceoliac - my father as well. I've not been tested as I went off it before they could really test properly and the tests are a bit barbaric. However, I've noticed severe problems with almost all grains (note corn is a vegetable, potato is a tuber) except plain white rice. Getting into the botany of plants has been useful as I've had other digestive issues with legumes (including peanuts) and brassicas. When in doubt, I've found the FODMAP diet a good starting point. But so long as I don't have any of these 3 groups I have no problems with any fruit or dairy. 

thank you for your comment. Before she went into complete shutdown and not leaving the house she would have regular (every 6months) blood tests as she was diagnosed with Coeliac disease just before she turned 3. She has no problem with needles, and would actually enjoy having her bloods taken, laughing at the nurse (we always found this a little strange but went with it)  As the years have gone on her Vitamin D and folic acid levels have bottomed out and has had to be put on very high doses to try and correct the issue. Now that she can't leave the house i am petrified that more scary things are happening to her body. I have spoken to her GP but not getting very far with them but i will be calling them again to push them to come here, my fear is that our daughter will not allow them to do the bloods. 

We are very lucky that she drinks like a fish so don't feel hydration is an issue and she was always tested for diabetes and thyroid issues as its in the family. 

If this were my daughter, I would get her allergy and blood tests immediately. While yes, I function really well and am far more alert and productive on 8-9 hours of sleep, when I was 19 I slept through 3 months before my parents took me to get blood-work checked and then finally a homeopathic GP who put me on a strict diet and noticed I had "Invasive Candidiasis" in the blood, the kind that the slowly shuts down the body. 

I have also experienced issues with hydration which caused the same problem - my whole system was slowly shutting down. It wasn't until I suddenly couldn't walk that my partner took me to the ER. 2 IVs literally saved my life. 

The body will be exhausted when it is battling disease, when it is fighting infections. Being "tired" is a biological preservation-mode. 

Always start by eliminating anything and everything biological before moving into psychological problem-solving.