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

Gluten Challenge And Tests

across

Recommended Posts

across Contributor
across
Posted

I have been gluten free for six months after trying an elimination diet for my interstitial cystitis, and have experience profound changes in my health and in multiple disease symptoms. As a result, I decided to ask my doctor about being tested for celiac.

 

After reviewing my symptoms, he agreed that I am definitely gluten-intolerant, and told me he thought there was about a 50% chance that I was celiac, and that he wanted to order a blood test. I had done some research before asking him about this, and knew that the blood tests required a gluten challenge in order to be accurate. I asked him twice about the gluten challenge, and he assured me that the tests would come back positive even without doing one if I had celiac disease. I had the tests (sorry, don't know exactly which ones), and they came back negative.

 

Prior to the test, I had eaten some gluten for about three weeks as a result of an extensive plumbing repair (it was hard to fix meals with no water, so I was eating out). So basically, I was six months very strictly gluten free, followed by three weeks of some gluten -- perhaps every other day or so. I was miserable by the end of those three weeks! I'm still dealing with symptoms from that!

 

I really don't know what to do now. I know I would have an extremely hard time handling a longer gluten challenge, and I don't trust the tests I have had. 

 

Has anyone done the gluten challenge and found it worthwhile to get an official diagnosis? My husband is supportive, but my extended family definitely doesn't understand this disease, and is very unsympathetic. They know I had the tests done, and now they'll pretty much think I'm a hypochondriac if I try to get more testing done since the ones I had came back negative. Heck, they were pretty much insinuating that celiac disease itself was a malady for hypochondriacs. Ugh!

 

I'd really appreciate your thoughts and suggestions. I'm at a loss to know what to do next.

 

 

 

 

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


GF Lover Rising Star
GF Lover
Posted

Hi across, and Welcome to the Forum.

 

The tests you had really told you nothing.  A gluten challenge needs to be 8-12 weeks.  Since Celiac is an autoimmune disease it takes time for your immune system to ramp up.  Family is family....don't worry about em.  Worry about your health.  If you can't manage a full gluten challenge then you may want to just go gluten free and enjoy the benefits you've already seen.  You fall into the category of may have it or may not.  I would choose the "may have it" and eat appropriately.  If you do in fact have celiac then you would be damaging your body by eating glutinous food.  The diet is not a big hardship and is healthy.

 

Good luck to you

 

Colleen

nvsmom Community Regular
nvsmom
Posted

There are very few people around here who had their celiac disease caught the first time they went to the doctor about it. I think hypochondriac is synonymous with celiac disease. :(

 

I'm sorry your doctor was so misinformed. If a diagnosis is important to you, and you can handle 2-3 months (12 weeks is best) of gluten, then I say go for it. If it's too much, then skip it and go back to strictly gluten-free.  

 

If your family is giving you a hard time, you can stretch the truth a bit.  Saying, "I was tested. It looks like celiac disease," is basically the truth. If they are still not supportive, you'll just need to work around them and bring you own food to family functions.... Most of us end up doing that anyways as very few people really understand the extent we have to go to make safe food. For example, my SIL made gluten-free cookies but she used butter and sugar that was not from a dedicated gluten-free container so I sadly had to skip them - she had good intentions but it wasn't safe enough for me to risk it.

 

Best wishes and welcome to the boards.  :)

BlessedMommy Rising Star
BlessedMommy
Posted

Hi and welcome to the boards!

 

I'm sorry for the hassle that you're going through. It's entirely up to you as to whether to do a gluten challenge or not. 

 

If you do a gluten challenge, make sure that you don't overdo the gluten. Eat a mostly gluten free diet and then add something like one grilled cheese sandwich a day or so. I tried to go cold turkey to eating normal and had very serious complications and wound up in the hospital 10 days into my gluten challenge. I've been gluten free ever since that day.

 

Good luck with whatever you decide!

across Contributor
across
Posted
  • Author

Thanks, all, for your welcome and words of wisdom. I appreciate it!

Archived

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

Go to topic listing

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Celiac.com:
    Join eNewsletter
    Donate
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):
    Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):



    Celiac.com Sponsors (A17-M):



  • Recent Activity

    1. Heatherisle
      - Heatherisle replied to Heatherisle's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      35

      Blood results

    2. knitty kitty
      - knitty kitty replied to Jmartes71's topic in Coping with Celiac Disease
      12

      Related issues

      I take Niacin, bilberry, Omega threes, zinc, selenium, and Vitamins C and A for eye health, skin health and digestive tract health. The skin, digestive system and eyes are all derived from basically the same sort of cells. Niacin is extremely important to keeping these tissues healthy. Niacin has be shown to prevent cataracts and improve eye...
    3. Jmartes71
      - Jmartes71 replied to Jmartes71's topic in Coping with Celiac Disease
      12

      Related issues

      Thankyou. I have cyclosporine 0.05% OP single use drops and Erythromycin ophth ointment 3.5 Gmail for eyes. Dermatologist gave Pimecrolimus cream 1% and Clobetasol Propoonate USP 0.05% it doesn't help at all.i do see a difference taking Yarrow Pom but its too expensive!
    4. Wheatwacked
      - Wheatwacked replied to Jmartes71's topic in Coping with Celiac Disease
      12

      Related issues

      I've added NAC, N-Acetyl Cysteine; "crucial for replenishing glutathione—the body's master antioxidant." I used Clear Eyes 1% NAC lubricating eye drops for several years until the FDA forced them off the market. In 2015 I had cataracts in bofh eyes. In 2019 my left eye was clear, right eye was improved. They are back now. I discovered new companies w...
    5. Known1
      - Known1 replied to Known1's topic in Gluten-Free Foods, Products, Shopping & Medications
      2

      What would you do - neighbor brought gluten-free pizza from Papa Murphy's

      When the pizza was dropped off she told me it had a Udi's certified gluten-free crust. Even so, I am trying to play things as safe as possible for at least the next 6-months. With that said, I returned the two slices to my neighbor and asked her to thank her mom for the pizza. 😊 I will likely bump into my neighbor's mom sometime next week. She sh...
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):

  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      133,458
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    Healthierbody2026
    Newest Member
    Healthierbody2026
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.6k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):

  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • Heatherisle
      Blood results

      By Heatherisle · Posted

    • knitty kitty
      Related issues

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      I take Niacin, bilberry, Omega threes, zinc, selenium, and Vitamins C and A for eye health, skin health and digestive tract health.  The skin, digestive system and eyes are all derived from basically the same sort of cells.  Niacin is extremely important to keeping these tissues healthy.    Niacin has be shown to prevent cataracts and improve eye health.  Niacin is turned into tryptophan which is necessary to heal the digestive tract.  Tryptophan is used to make Serotonin, a very important neurotransmitter in mood regulation.  Those with Niacin insufficiency become irritable and easily upset, angry, even. Niacin improves skin health.  The flushing of Niacin opens the smallest blood vessels in the skin so that waste products can more easily be removed.  I have Dermatitis Herpetiformis.  Niacin helps drain away those built up antibodies in the blisters and improve skin health.   Bilberry contains lutein and zeaxanthin and other anthocyanins,  potent antioxidants that help protect the eyes from macular degeneration and cataracts.  Bilberry has sGLT1 and GLUT2 which help to lower glucose levels by removing excess glucose from the bloodstream.  High blood glucose levels are bad for eye health.   Omega Threes are important to provide relief in dry eyes.  You are familiar with how oil floats on water.  Same thing happens with eyes.  Omega threes provide the oily layer that protects water from evaporating from the eyes causing dry eyes.  Omega threes in olive oil, sunflower seed oil,  and flaxseed oils will help improve dry eyes. Vitamin A and Riboflavin B2 are important in this function as well.   None of the medications I was given improved my dry eyes.  I increased my Omega threes and Vitamin A, and had improvement very quickly. Selenium and zinc are important in skin and eye barrier functions, too, and are important to preventing infections. When I take 100 mg of Niacin every three hours (but not more than 500 mg/day), my skin and eye health improves.  If one is deficient in Niacin, the flushing effects may be uncomfortable, but ride it out, continue taking Niacin and the flushing goes away as niacin stores inside cells are repleted.  When flushing, don't scratch!  Use pressure applied over a bigger area above the itch.  I wrap up in a towel or blanket to create the counter pressure.  The flushing goes away the longer one takes Niacin.  Don't use Niacinamide (the non flushing form of Niacin).   Other vitamins that improve eye health are Vitamin E and Pyridoxine B6 and Thiamine B1.  Most Vitamin E sold is derived from wheat germ, so find another source of Vitamin E.  I used Evening Primrose oil, also a source of healthy Omega threes and helps with female problems like perimenopause  and menopause symptoms. Do be aware that antifungals and antibiotics (as are frequently prescribed) destroy Thiamine.  Immunosuppressive drugs can suppress production of tTg antibodies.  Supplementing with thiamine above the RDA is safe and nontoxic.  RDA were set as the lowest amount to prevent illness.  Optimal health is seen in higher amounts.   Do talk to your doctor and dietician about supplementing essential nutrients.   References: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39183990/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41156490/ https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7602486/
    • Jmartes71
      Related issues

      By Jmartes71 · Posted

      Thankyou. I have cyclosporine 0.05% OP single use drops and Erythromycin ophth ointment 3.5 Gmail for eyes. Dermatologist gave Pimecrolimus cream 1% and Clobetasol Propoonate USP 0.05% it doesn't help at all.i do see a difference taking Yarrow Pom but its too expensive!
    • Wheatwacked
      Related issues

      By Wheatwacked · Posted

      I've added NAC, N-Acetyl Cysteine; "crucial for replenishing glutathione—the body's master antioxidant." I used Clear Eyes 1% NAC lubricating eye drops for several years until the FDA forced them off the market.  In 2015 I had cataracts in bofh eyes.  In 2019 my left eye was clear, right eye was improved.  They are back now.  I discovered new companies with the drops at higher NAC but went with 500 mg NAC capsules.  Spread the cheer 🤓. My impression so far is the NAC is doing good.  Best with meal.
    • Known1
      What would you do - neighbor brought gluten-free pizza from Papa Murphy's

      By Known1 · Posted

      When the pizza was dropped off she told me it had a Udi's certified gluten-free crust.  Even so, I am trying to play things as safe as possible for at least the next 6-months.  With that said, I returned the two slices to my neighbor and asked her to thank her mom for the pizza.  😊  I will likely bump into my neighbor's mom sometime next week.  She shuttles my neighbor's son, a freshman, to and from high school.  As mentioned, she is very kind so I am sure she will understand.  Heck, at least it went back to her family members and not in the trash.
×
×
  • 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.