Difference Between Celiacs And Gluten Sensitivity?

[SerpentGoddess]

Hello all. At the very least, I know that my body is sensitive to gluten, but lately I'm starting to think that I have actual celiacs. I'v looked into to getting tested, but honestly, having to eat gluten in order to get the results is not something I'm willing to do considering the discomfort and horrible misery that would put me through. I tried a gluten-free diet for no real reason other then curiousity. Eventually, after cheating on the diet, I noticed it was directly causing me to have terrible anxiety/depression/brain fog. The longer I've been gluten free, the more dramatic it is when I get dosed. Now heres the part that makes me think it may be celiacs; I've started gaining weight despite my food/exercise staying the same. I was always VERY tiny as a kid weighing in the 2%tile range. Other kids called me anorexic/sick even though I was eating an ungodly ammount on a daily basis. Looking back, I now realize I had alot of symptoms of a celiac's child: unable to gain weight, anemia, poor dental enamal, delayed puberty, stunted vertical growth and development, tempertantrums etc. I have been very thin my whole life and I have always made numerous bowel movements a day that come on very suddenly, and usually expel food that is not impressivly digested, and now that I am on a gluten-free diet, I think my intestinal lining is starting to repair it'self and I am absorbing nutrients way more efficiently. I feel better then I ever have. Based off of this information, do you think it makes sense to suspect celiacs?

[Scott Adams]

Here are a couple of articles that you may find helpful:

 

• https://www.celiac.com/articles/23091/1/Celiac-Disease-vs-Gluten-Sensitivity-or-Gluten-Intolerance/Page1.html
• https://www.celiac.com/articles/23633/1/An-Experts-Group-Meeting-About-Non-celiac-Gluten-Sensitivity/Page1.html

[nvsmom]

It could be celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS). Celiac damages the intestinal lining - it is an autoimmune disease that attacks the body after being triggered by gluten. NCGS is an immune response to gluten (not an autoimmune disease) that can make you feel every bit as horrible as a celiac but your intestines won't be damaged.  

 

If you want to be tested for celiac disease you need to be eating gluten in the 2-3 months prior to testing. If you want to be tested, you'll need to resume eating gluten.... Treatment is the same for both problems though: a gluten-free diet for life, and it sounds as though gluten may be an issue for you so the gluten-free diet (without cheating) may be needed.

 

Welcome to the board.