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

Is This A Good Idea?

sidelined

Recommended Posts

sidelined Apprentice
sidelined
Posted

I've been gluten free for nearly 2 months, but I never had the Celiac tests done before going off gluten. My GI doctor believes that I have celiac, and encourages me to take the gluten challenge, but I'm holding off because I really want to be recovered by the fall in time for fall sports. However, since some of my symptoms have yet to resolve themselves (almost everything except my energy levels, which have skyrocketed), I'm eager to get some indication of whether gluten is my problem. Would it make sense to eat a bagel or two one day and see how my body reacts. I would only do this once, under the assumption that such a small portion would only take a few days to recover from. Any thoughts?

 

Thanks so much!

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


Kelsie Apprentice
Kelsie
Posted

I've been gluten free for nearly 2 months, but I never had the Celiac tests done before going off gluten. My GI doctor believes that I have celiac, and encourages me to take the gluten challenge, but I'm holding off because I really want to be recovered by the fall in time for fall sports. However, since some of my symptoms have yet to resolve themselves (almost everything except my energy levels, which have skyrocketed), I'm eager to get some indication of whether gluten is my problem. Would it make sense to eat a bagel or two one day and see how my body reacts. I would only do this once, under the assumption that such a small portion would only take a few days to recover from. Any thoughts?

 

Thanks so much!

I am in the midst of doing a Gluten Challenge myself, in hopes of getting a proper diagnosis.  I am eating one meal a day that contains gluten (equivalent of 1-2 slices of bread), and then I have a Gastroscopy booked for June 12.  Unfortunately, its the only way to get a diagnosis.  Which I think is important to really understand what is going on with your body.

nvsmom Community Regular
nvsmom
Posted

It can take days to weeks to recover from one exposure to gluten if you have celiac disease. Symptoms do not always correspond to the damage that is being done to you body when a celiac eats gluten. If you eat the bagel, you might feel poorly and that could affect your energy for a few days to weeks.  Or you might feel fine, and then after a few more days (or weeks) or eating gluten you might have symptoms slowly  creep up on you.

 

If you do feel okay after eating the bagel, you might want to consider doing the 8-12 week gluten challenge (of about 1-2 slices of bread per day)... but you may not be recovered by the fall. On the other hand, you'll probably know if it is celiac disease or not.

 

Good luck with whatever you decide to do.  :)

Georgia-guy Enthusiast
Georgia-guy
Posted

Sidelined, I went about 2 weeks gluten free to see what happened, and I noticed a huge improvement. When I started eating gluten again, I feel worse than before. I'm still fighting to get the tests run, so I'm still eating gluten. I don't tell you this to scare you out of a gluten challenge, but to just give you a head up. Some of the reason I feel worse is because there are things I didn't really notice until they stopped without gluten.

On the other hand, I was put in touch with someone who "self-diagnosed" 10 years ago without testing... They wanted to get their child tested for celiac, but true insurance said "he** no! There's no family history anywhere, so we will NOT pay for it!" Their doctor years ago added "presumed celiac" to their file for prescription reasons, and believes cealiac is accurate. However, they just had to start a gluten challenge to get themself tested, and then get thier child tested. After 10 years of feeling great, the symptoms of gluten have literally incapacitated them. This makes me think that the longer you wait, the worse the gluten challenge will be on you. I recommend doing it now. You may not be fully recovered for fall sports, but I'm assuming that you tried out and have played in the past with gluten symptoms, so healing during the season will still be better than previous seasons.

BlessedMommy Rising Star
BlessedMommy
Posted

A gluten challenge can work for many people. Be sure to listen to your body, though and don't overdo the gluten. I made a mistake of not being careful during my gluten challenge and had to cease it early, so as not to go on and have a full blown stroke. (I had a TIA after experiencing severe headaches)

 

So I'm not diagnosed and I will never do a gluten trial again. If the insurance refused to pay for my child being tested on that basis, well there's labs where you can order the tests yourself and self-pay.

Archived

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

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


  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      131,998
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    Wendy Jo
    Newest Member
    Wendy Jo
    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

    • trents
      Chances of being coeliac

      By trents · Posted

      If this applies geographically, in the U.K., physicians will often declare a diagnosis of celiac disease based on the TTG-IGA antibody blood test alone if the score is 10x normal or greater, which your score is. There is very little chance the endoscopy/biopsy will contradict the antibody blood test. 
    • JoJo0611
      Chances of being coeliac

      By JoJo0611 · Posted

      TTG IgA reference range 0.0 to 14.9 KU/L
    • trents
      Chances of being coeliac

      By trents · Posted

      What was the reference range for that test? Each lab uses different reference ranges so a raw score like that makes it difficult to comment on. But it looks like a rather large number.
    • JoJo0611
      Chances of being coeliac

      By JoJo0611 · Posted

      I have had the tTG-IgA blood test my result are >250.0  I am waiting for the appointment with the gastroenterologist for endoscopy and biopsies.    what are the chances it’s not coeliacs.  waiting and not knowing is so hard. Especially the eating of gluten knowing it may be causing you more harm and coping with the symptoms. 
    • knitty kitty
      Nicotine Gum For Gluten Symptoms.. Am I Crazy?

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      @sleuth, Has your son been checked for nutritional deficiencies?  All of those symptoms can be caused by malnutrition.  I had severe malnutrition that went unrecognized by my doctors.  Intense fatigue, brain fog, depression, anxiety, and gastrointestinal distress are symptoms of deficiencies in the eight essential B vitamins, especially Thiamine B1, which becomes low first because the demand is higher when we're sick.     Celiac Disease causes inflammation and damage of the intestinal lining which inhibits absorption of essential nutrients.  Checking for nutritional deficiencies is part of proper follow up care for people with celiac disease.   Is your son taking any vitamin supplements?  Most supplements contain thiamine mononitrate which in not readily absorbed and utilized by the body.  Benfotiamine is a form of thiamine that is shown to promote intestinal healing.  Benfotiamine is available over the counter.  Benfotiamine is safe and nontoxic.   Is your son eating processed gluten-free foods?  Gluten-free processed foods are not required to be enriched with vitamins like their gluten containing counterparts.   Is your son following a low histamine diet?  Histamine is released as part of the immune response to gluten and other foods high in histamine.  High levels of histamine in the brain can cause anxiety, insomnia, and depression.  The body needs the B vitamins to make the enzyme Diamine Oxidase (DAO) to break down and clear histamine.  DAO supplements are available over the counter.  Vitamin C helps clear histamine as well.  Some people find over the counter antihistamines helpful as well, but they're not for long term use.   Nicotine has antihistamine-like properties, but can also irritate the gut.  Tobacco, from which nicotine is derived, is a nightshade (like tomatoes, potatoes, peppers and eggplant).  Nightshades contain alkaloids which affect gastrointestinal permeability, causing leaky gut syndrome.  Nicotine can cause gastrointestinal irritation and alter for the worse the microbiome. Safer alternatives to Nicotine that have antihistamine properties include Lemon Balm (Sweet Melissa),  Passion Flower, Chamomile, and Bilberry.  They can be taken as supplements, extracts, or tea.  These will help with the anxiety, insomnia and depression in a much safer way. Oolong tea is also helpful.  Oolong tea contains the amino acid L-Theanine which helps the digestive tract heal.  (L -Theanine supplements are available over the counter, if not a tea drinker.)  Tryptophan, a form of Niacin B3, also helps calm digestive symptoms.  Another amino acid, L-Lysine, can help with anxiety and depression.  I've used these for years without problems.   What ways to cope have you tried in the past?
×
×
  • 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.