18 replies to this topic

[Happy Holly]

[quote name='thleensd' date='Feb 27 2009, 11:06 PM' post='514195']
Went to a nutritionist/dietician today. Eh. After talking to me for about 2 minutes she said I probably knew more about it than her. True. At least she was nice. She told me I could take a multi-vitamin, but I wasn't really missing things from my diet...unless I went carb free. But I'm not.

I have heard the same thing from many many celiac sprue friends. It is next to impossible to find a dietician that knows much if anything about glutten free diets. I even had one friend go to a dietician who told her to eat a lot of "whole grains." Good grief!!

Before spending the time or money on a dietician call first and ask questions. Find out how much they know about celiac sprue and gluten free diets.

I still have not found a dietician here (I live in Hampton Roads Virginia). It would be so helpful to know what my diet is lacking in. I know I'm probably not eating the most well-balanced diet since I've been gluten and wheat free.

[Tara32]

[
Hi,
I was diagnosed with Celiac in Jan. 2008 after over 10 years of suffering. I went to a dietician too, but she didn't tell me anything new than what I found online on my own. My Doc has me tested one a year to see if my numbers are dropping. That means that my intestines are healing and I am absorbing nutrients. You really should see a specialist if you do not feel like you are getting the answers you want from your doc. If he/she is willing to send you, than take advantage of it. Hope this helps. God Bless!!

[nanlou]

I've been trying my best to live gluten-free since Nov 07. My doctor considers the matter resolved since trying a gluten-free diet, and honestly he hasn't endeavored to learn anything more about celiac or gluten. I've been pretty much on my own.

What I want to know is, are there specific kinds of tests a celiac should get regularly? Is it worth it to spend money on a Dietitian? I would imagine that damage to the gut causes increased risk of colon cancer, so what about that?

Can anyone think of anything? I'd like to run them by my doctor because he's always willing to recommend me to someone if he thinks I need it.

[lm9]

It really depends on your GI. A large number of GI doctors will diagnose you, recommend the nutritionist and then send you off to fend for yourself.

The thing is, the follow-up is almost as crucial as the diagnosis.

I went to my first Celiac support group meeting, in Napa, CA and there was an exceptional doctor who spoke and shared some key points.

1. You need to know which vitamins you are low in and take supplements in the right dosage.
- She covered all possible types of vitamin deficiencies and their symptoms.

2. You may need guidance in finding out if you have an accompanying problem - like a hypo or hyperthyrodism, microscopic colitis and so on.

3. Any other allergies.. Finding out what these are and treating them accordingly.

4. The possibility of leaky gut or candida.

5. Exercise! <--- I'm still working on that one
- A good exercise program is also crucial.. Motivation, even more crucial *lol*

If you'd like, I can provide her name and email. She was VERY informative. I'm looking forward to her opening up her new practice, so she can be my new follow-up doc!

I hope this kind of helps. Oh! And ask your GI and then any possible Nutritionist how familiar they are with follow-up with Celiac Disease. A good way to see if you have a good Nutritionist.. just ask them the following question, What gluten-free foods they would recommend, in order to retain the needed amounts of vitamins normally found in gluten containing foods? A good nutritionist should be able to not only provide a list of those foods, but know them right off the bat. If he/she hands you a bag of nuts and tells you to eat them for calorie intake - RUN!

Good luck =)

Hi,
Could I get the name and email of this dr. I'd like to ask her a few questions because all this information is extremely informative. I hope she can help me out.
Thank you