Jump to content

  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):

    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

Blood Test Preparation Advice

Adam35

Recommended Posts

Adam35 Newbie
Adam35
Posted

Hi there,

 

My doctor has recently requested a blood test for coeliac disease (sorry that's how we spelt in here in the UK!) after suffering from constant abdominal pain every day for over two weeks now. This has been coupled with other symptoms common of this disease, such as low mood/mood swings, extreme fatigue, back pain, nausea etc.

 

I have always ate a diet pretty high in gluten, including a lot of pasta and bread, but since I have been suffering from these symptoms for the past few weeks I have cut back a bit on the amount of gluten I have ate. I was just wondering would these affect the results of my blood test, or would I have antibodies present due to the amount of time I have been eating gluten.

 

Any advice would be great, thanks!!

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


NoGlutenCooties Contributor
NoGlutenCooties
Posted

The only recommendation I've seen is for folks doing a gluten challenge after an extended period of time of being gluten-free.  I was never a big bread and pasta person, but did consume gluten daily in other foods (e.g. soy sauce) and my bloodtest came back positive.  However, it was a "low positive".  I think it takes quite awhile for the antibodies to get out of your system, and they wouldn't go away by cutting back on gluten - only by cutting it out completely.  So in my opinion, it doesn't seem like you'd have a problem.

 

(Edit: the recommendation I referred to is to eat the equivalent of 2 pieces of bread each day.)

Adam35 Newbie
Adam35
Posted
  • Author

Thank you!

 

Was the low positive enough for them to do an endoscopy? 

SkyBlue4 Apprentice
SkyBlue4
Posted

If you're still eating gluten, you'll probably be okay to test. 

I was never a huge gluten consumer even before I was diagnosed and my labs were still positive.

NoGlutenCooties Contributor
NoGlutenCooties
Posted

Thank you!

 

Was the low positive enough for them to do an endoscopy? 

 

Yes.  The lab that did my bloodtest considered anything over 11 as a positive.  I was at 13.  They did the biopsy and found moderate to severe villi damage.  So I have no faith in the "weak positive" thing.  As far as I'm concerned... positive is positive.

nvsmom Community Regular
nvsmom
Posted

Yes.  The lab that did my bloodtest considered anything over 11 as a positive.  I was at 13.  They did the biopsy and found moderate to severe villi damage.  So I have no faith in the "weak positive" thing.  As far as I'm concerned... positive is positive.

I agree. I think of it like a pregnancy test... There's no such thing as a little bit pregnant. There's no such thing as a little bit celiac - just the severity of our symptoms may vary.

Adam35 Newbie
Adam35
Posted
  • Author

Thanks for the input everyone, I feel a little more confident now that this test won't be a waste of time. In fact as crazy as it sounds I somewhat hope it comes back positive, as it seems the only other diagnosis they are willing to give me is IBS and at least with coeliac disease there is a treatment, as opposed to being told sorry there's not much you can do!

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):


  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      131,983
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    Bryan s
    Newest Member
    Bryan s
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.5k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):


  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • Scott Adams
      Celiac and dermatitis herpetiformis has taken Me from Me

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      If you have DH you will likely also want to avoid iodine, which is common in seafoods and dairy products, as it can exacerbate symptoms in some people. This article may also be helpful as it offers various ways to relieve the itch--thanks for the tip about Dupixent, and I've added it to the article:  
    • Scott Adams
      New Celiac Mama in My 30s

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      I just want to clarify that what I posted is a category of research summaries we've done over the years, and nearly each one shows that there is definitely a connection to celiac disease and migraine headaches. The latest study said: "the study did indicate some potential causal associations between celiac disease and migraine with or without aura, as well as between migraine without aura and ulcerative colitis...this study did not find evidence of a shared genetic basis..." Anyway, there is definitely a connection, and you can go through more of the articles here if you're interested: https://www.celiac.com/celiac-disease/celiac-disease-amp-related-diseases-and-disorders/migraine-headaches-and-celiac-disease/
    • SusanJ
      Celiac and dermatitis herpetiformis has taken Me from Me

      By SusanJ · Posted

      Two months ago, I started taking Dupixent for dermatitis herpetiformis and it has completely cleared it up. I can't believe it! I have had a terrible painful, intensely itchy rash for over a year despite going fully gluten-free. See if your doctor will prescribe Dupixent. It can be expensive but I am getting it free. When the dermatitis herpetiformis was bad I could not do anything. I just lay in bed covered in ice packs to ease the pain/itching and using way too Clobetasol. Dapsone is also very good for dermatitis herpetiformis (and it is generic). It helped me and the results were immediate but it gave me severe anemia so the Dupixent is better for me. Not sure if it works for everyone. I cannot help with the cause of your stress but from experience I am sure the severe stress is making the celiac and dermatitis herpetiformis worse. Very difficult for you with having children to care for and you being so sick. Would this man be willing to see a family therapist with you? He may be angry at you or imagine that your illness is a psychosomatic excuse not to take care of him. A therapist might help even if he won't go with you. Also do you have any family that you could move in with (with the kids) for a short time to get away? A break may be good for you both.
    • knitty kitty
      New Celiac Mama in My 30s

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      @tiffanygosci, Thiamine deficiency is a thing in pregnancy for "normal" people, so it's exponentially more important for those with celiac disease and malabsorption issues. I studied nutrition before earning a degree in Microbiology because I was curious what the vitamins were doing inside the body.  See my blog.  Click on my name to go to my page, scroll to drop down menu "activities" and select blog.   So glad you're motivated to see the dietician!  We're always happy to help with questions.  Keep us posted on your progress! 
    • tiffanygosci
      New Celiac Mama in My 30s

      By tiffanygosci · Posted

      Thank you for sharing all of this, Knitty Kitty! I did just want someone to share some commonality with. I did not know This one Deficiency was a thing and that it's common for Celiac Disease. It makes sense since this is a disorder that causes malabsorption. I will have to keep this in mind for my next appointments. You also just spurred me on to make that Dietician appointment. There's a lot of information online but I do need to see a professional. There is too much to juggle on my own with this condition.<3
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

NOTICE: This site places This site places cookies on your device (Cookie settings). on your device. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy.