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What is Celiac Disease?
Celiac disease (aka coeliac disease) is a genetic autoimmune disorder where ingesting gluten (a protein in wheat, barley, and rye) triggers an immune response that damages the small intestine's lining. This damage leads to inflammation and atrophy of the villi, tiny finger-like projections in the intestine responsible for nutrient absorption. As a result, individuals with celiac disease may experience symptoms like diarrhea, bloating, fatigue, and malnutrition. Over time, untreated celiac disease can lead to more severe health problems, including anemia, osteoporosis, weight loss, and increased risk of certain cancers. A strict gluten-free diet is the only effective treatment. Celiac disease is an autoimmune disease, not a wheat allergy. It's also different from non-celiac gluten sensitivity, gluten intolerance, or sensitivity to gluten.
My Long Journey to Celiac Disease Diagnosis
Like many people, I spent a lot of years, a lot of dollars, and endured many tests and misdiagnoses, before doctors finally discovered that I had celiac disease (also known as coeliac disease or celiac sprue), and needed to eliminate gluten and all gluten-containing ingredients from my diet. Gluten is a protein found in the three main gluten-containing grains: wheat, rye, and barley; and is often hidden in processed foods, and things like soy sauce and beer...[READ MORE about my long and winding road to a celiac disease diagnosis and recovery.]
Gluten-Free Diet
To treat my celiac disease I had to go on a gluten-free diet for life. That meant learning to read food labels to avoid gluten ingredients, and eating a diet of mostly naturally gluten-free foods like meats, fruits, nuts, vegetables, and packaged foods only if they are certified gluten-free or labeled gluten-free, for example gluten-free breads made using gluten-free grains.
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Recent Activity
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- trents replied to LynnM's topic in Gluten-Free Foods, Products, Shopping & Medications6
Is "Shield" skincare products gluten-free?
@LynnM, when you say, "today, his numbers were high", what numbers do you refer to? Are you speaking of celiac antibody scores? Can you be more specific and can you post the test names, the numbers and the reference ranges for the tests? So, I am understanding you to say that topical exposure to gluten doesn't cause him GI reactions but ingestion of... -
- Ginger38 posted a topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms0
Abnormal Labs, Should I Be Concerned?
So I recently had blood work and my hemoglobin, hematocrit, protein and alkaline phosphatase were all low. They have never been low in the past but since august of last year I have been on the in and off gluten rollercoaster as I mentioned in previous posts. Should I be concerned with these new findings? I am worried I have made myself really sick and done... -
- LynnM replied to LynnM's topic in Gluten-Free Foods, Products, Shopping & Medications6
Is "Shield" skincare products gluten-free?
Thank you Scott. My son doesn't have a reaction topically, only when ingested. Interestingly though, the doc told us the face cream getting gluten into his bloodstream doesn't do the damage akin to when gluten is ingested. He had no reaction when using the face cream, it only presented in blood-work. I'm hopeful from all the comments today and will wait for... -
- Scott Adams replied to LynnM's topic in Gluten-Free Foods, Products, Shopping & Medications6
Is "Shield" skincare products gluten-free?
It’s great that you’re taking the time to research products carefully for your son with celiac disease—especially since accidental gluten exposure through skincare can be a real concern for sensitive individuals. Based on the ingredient lists you’ve shared, none of the products appear to contain obvious sources of gluten like wheat, barley, or rye derivat... -
- LynnM replied to LynnM's topic in Gluten-Free Foods, Products, Shopping & Medications6
Is "Shield" skincare products gluten-free?
Greetings Trents and Scott. This is the first time I'm posting here so I apologize in advance if I'm not replying properly. My 13 YO was diagnosed at age 5 and once gluten was removed from his diet, he grew 3" in a year, skin became much better and dark circles around his eyes disappeared. Today his numbers were very high and our new dietician discovered...
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