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

Newbie Question


lonewolf

Recommended Posts

lonewolf Collaborator

I've been mostly wheat/gluten free for about 9-1/2 years now, as well as dairy-free, egg-free and soy-free. I have never had any testing done for celiac disease, but am starting to wonder if I am more than just "allergic" to gluten. I have not been good about eliminating all the "hidden" glutens lurking around and every once in a while slip up and eat a spelt pancake or something. I never have immediate problems, but enough to tell me that it's a mistake.

I am REALLY tired of going to doctors and being tested for stuff. I've had almost 2 years of pretty good health (hmmm, corresponding to being more careful about gluten) and have enjoyed no blood tests for anything. I'm surprised my naturopath hasn't recommended being tested for celiac disease, although I think she figures I already don't eat gluten, so it's not a problem.

My question is, do I have to eat a bunch of gluten for all the tests to be accurate? I don't know if I could handle that. I would almost rather assume that I have celiac disease and do a better job monitoring my diet. On the other hand, it would be nice to know for sure so I don't deprive myself uneccessarily.

Thanks for the help.

Liz


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



Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):



Jnkmnky Collaborator

When you slip up, you notice you don't feel well?? So why try and prove it with a test? You don't even want to hear that you have to eat lots of gluten prior to testing...sooooo......

Hey, you can't eat gluten. :P Now that you've found this site, work on being 100% gluten free and see how that makes you feel!

KaitiUSA Enthusiast

Yes, you need to be on gluten for tests to be accurate. They usually say you need to eat equal to 2-3 pieces of bread a day for 3 months prior.

However, if you have been gluten free for so long why are you trying to get tested now? Are you still sick? If you are then maybe you need to look at if any gluten is slipping in through products like makeups or anything. Getting tested for celiac while being gluten free is worthless though.

Have you got intolerance and allergy testing? There may be something else contributing if you have been 100% gluten free and that could not be it.

lonewolf Collaborator

Thanks for your responses. I had food allergy testing done several years ago, which is why I am gluten-free, egg-free, soy-free and dairy-free. I KNOW that I need to avoid all these things. I just wonder sometimes if it's all in my head that I have to be super careful, especially with gluten. Those of you with spouse/children (I have 4) who can eat anything know how hard it can be to cook separately. I make mostly gluten free everything for all of us, even though it's more expensive, just because I don't want to have to cook 2 separate meals all the time.

The thought of having to eat gluten for 3 months is enough to make me forget about the idea of testing. I'm not "sick" right now, but I have a kidney disease that is in remission (going on 2 years now) and I have psoriasis that I can't seem to control unless I completely fast for long periods or take prednisone.

I think I'll just stick to gluten-free and be more diligent.

Liz

RiceGuy Collaborator

Simply put, gluten intolerance means absolutely zero gluten in your diet. Being just sorta gluten-free isn't enough. An allergy is a different thing altogether.

Heck, anyone who goes gluten-free knows how tough it is, but at the same time knows how bad they felt beforehand. I'll never touch the stuff again - NEVER!

Having said that, I just found out my all natural shampoo has barley malt and wheat something-or-other in it! I'm so disappointed. I really liked that stuff, but now I have to switch :( Maybe that's what has been giving me certain mysterious reactions, which I've been unable to pinpoint.

jerseyangel Proficient

The barley malt ingred. in your shampoo can cause you to have symptoms! Early on in my quest to be completely gluten-free, I was still getting D every afternoon after feeling ok when I woke up. Anyway, I read that the hair gel I was using had wheat in it. I threw it away, along with most of what I had under the sink (wheat in almost everything!!!) That did the trick. I'm as careful with products as I am with my food.

Archived

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

  • 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. - knitty kitty commented on Scott Adams's article in Multiple Sclerosis and Celiac Disease
      3

      Gluten-Free Diet Linked to Reduced Inflammation and Improved Outcomes in Multiple Sclerosis (+Video)

    2. - trents replied to Matthias's topic in Coping with Celiac Disease
      1

      Unexpected gluten exposure risk from cultivated mushrooms

    3. - Matthias posted a topic in Coping with Celiac Disease
      1

      Unexpected gluten exposure risk from cultivated mushrooms

    4. - trents replied to catnapt's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      9

      how much gluten do I need to eat before blood tests?

    5. - Scott Adams replied to SilkieFairy's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      2

      IBS-D vs Celiac

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):
  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      133,328
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748

    VerafromNJ
    Newest Member
    VerafromNJ
    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

    • trents
      Welcome to the celiac.com communiuty, @Matthias! Yes, we have been aware that this can be an issue with mushrooms but as long as they are rinsed thoroughly it should not be a problem since the mushrooms don't actually incorporate the gluten into their cellular structure. For the same reason, one needs to be careful when buying aged cheeses and products containing yeast because of the fact that they are sometimes cultured on gluten-containing substrate.
    • Matthias
      The one kind of food I had been buying and eating without any worry for hidden gluten were unprocessed veggies. Well, yesterday I discovered yet another pitfall: cultivated mushrooms. I tried some new ones, Shimeji to be precise (used in many asian soup and rice dishes). Later, at home, I was taking a closer look at the product: the mushrooms were growing from a visible layer of shredded cereals that had not been removed. After a quick web research I learned that these mushrooms are commonly cultivated on a cereal-based medium like wheat bran. I hope that info his helpful to someone.
    • trents
      I might suggest you consider buckwheat groats. https://www.amazon.com/Anthonys-Organic-Hulled-Buckwheat-Groats/dp/B0D15QDVW7/ref=sr_1_4_pp?crid=GOFG11A8ZUMU&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.bk-hCrXgLpHqKS8QJnfKJLKbKzm2BS9tIFv3P9HjJ5swL1-02C3V819UZ845_kAwnxTUM8Qa69hKl0DfHAucO827k_rh7ZclIOPtAA9KjvEEYtaeUV06FJQyCoi5dwcfXRt8dx3cJ6ctEn2VIPaaFd0nOye2TkASgSRtdtKgvXEEXknFVYURBjXen1Nc7EtAlJyJbU8EhB89ElCGFPRavEQkTFHv9V2Zh1EMAPRno7UajBpLCQ-1JfC5jKUyzfgsf7jN5L6yfZSgjhnwEbg6KKwWrKeghga8W_CAhEEw9N0.eDBrhYWsjgEFud6ZE03iun0-AEaGfNS1q4ILLjZz7Fs&dib_tag=se&keywords=buckwheat%2Bgroats&qid=1769980587&s=grocery&sprefix=buchwheat%2Bgroats%2Cgrocery%2C249&sr=1-4&th=1 Takes about 10 minutes to cook. Incidentally, I don't like quinoa either. Reminds me and smells to me like wet grass seed. When its not washed before cooking it makes me ill because of saponins in the seed coat. Yes, it can be difficult to get much dietary calcium without dairy. But in many cases, it's not the amount of calcium in the diet that is the problem but the poor uptake of it. And too much calcium supplementation can interfere with the absorption of vitamins and minerals in general because it raises gut pH.
    • Scott Adams
      What you’re describing really does not read like typical IBS-D. The dramatic, rapid normalization of stool frequency and form after removing wheat, along with improved tolerance of legumes and plant foods, is a classic pattern seen in gluten-driven disease rather than functional IBS. IBS usually worsens with fiber and beans, not improves. The fact that you carry HLA-DQ2.2 means celiac disease is absolutely possible, even if it’s less common than DQ2.5, and many people with DQ2.2 present later and are under-diagnosed. Your hesitation to reintroduce gluten is completely understandable — quality of life matters — and many people in your position choose to remain strictly gluten-free and treat it as medically necessary even without formal biopsy confirmation. If and when you’re ready, a physician can help you weigh options like limited gluten challenge, serology history, or documentation as “probable celiac.” What’s clear is that this wasn’t just random IBS — you identified the trigger, and your body has been very consistent in its response.
    • Scott Adams
      Here are some results from a search: Top Liquid Multivitamin Picks for Celiac Needs MaryRuth's Liquid Morning Multivitamin Essentials+ – Excellent daily choice with a broad vitamin/mineral profile, easy to absorb, gluten-free, vegan, and great overall value. MaryRuth's Liquid Morning Multivitamin – Classic, well-reviewed gluten-free liquid multivitamin with essential nutrients in a readily absorbable form. MaryRuth's Morning Multivitamin w/ Hair Growth – Adds beauty-supporting ingredients (biotin, B vitamins), also gluten-free and easy to take. New Chapter Liquid Multivitamin and New Chapter Liquid Multivitamin Orange Mango – Fermented liquid form with extra nutrients and good tolerability if you prefer a whole-food-based formula. Nature's Plus Source Of Life Gold Liquid – Premium option with a broad spectrum of vitamins and plant-based nutrients. Floradix Epresat Adult Liquid Multivitamin – Highly rated gluten-free German-made liquid, good choice if taste and natural ingredients matter. NOW Foods Liquid Multi Tropical Orange – Budget-friendly liquid multivitamin with solid nutrient coverage.
×
×
  • 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.