In 1994 I was diagnosed with celiac disease, which led me to create Celiac.com in 1995. I created this site for a single purpose: To help as many people as possible with celiac disease get diagnosed and living happy, healthy gluten-free lives. Celiac.com was the first site on the Internet dedicated solely to celiac disease, and since then it has become an invaluable resource to people worldwide who seek information about celiac disease and the gluten-free diet. In 1998 I created The Gluten-Free Mall, Your Special Diet Superstore! which was also another Internet first—it was the first gluten-free food site to offer a shopping cart-style interface, and the ability for people to order gluten-free products manufactured by many different companies at a single Web site.
- Tests your bone density (osteoporosis is more likely in those with untreated celiac disease);
- Tests your blood for iron and folate deficiencies;
- Vaccinates you for pneumococcal disease (serious infections are common in immune-stressed individuals. This step will vary with your overall condition upon diagnosis and may not be necessary).
Other recommendations for initial management of celiac disease:
- Referral to a dietitian and support group;
- Ensure all regular medications are gluten-free;
- If osteoporosis is found, assess vitamin D and parathyroid hormone concentrations;
- Blood screening of your parents, children, brothers and sisters for celiac disease.
- Check the Diseases and Disorders Associated with Celiac Disease section of Celiac.com and if you have any other health problems listed in that section be sure to discuss this with your doctor.
Many people with celiac disease have additional food intolerance, and therefore never fully recover on a gluten-free diet alone. If you fall into this category try the following:
- Re-check your diet and make sure it is 100% gluten-free;
- Food allergy testing (finger-stick or ELISA);
- An elimination diet;
- Keep a food diary;
- Try a rotation diet--only eating the top food allergens once every few days. The most common additional food intolerance are: Cows milk, corn, soy and eggs.
Many people who have had difficulty recovering from celiac disease have found that maintaining a "paleo" perspective which favors unprocessed meats, vegetables, and fruits while avoiding all grains, is the final step necessary for a complete recovery.
For more information on this topic the Winter 2005 edition of Scott-Free Newsletter has an excellent article: Putting the Pieces Back Together by Roy S. Jamron, which is available on-line to all subscribers. A special thanks to Ron Hoggan for providing me with some of the information that appears in this article.