DO I have a Gluten Allergy- Japan, need test

[shiffd]

Hello,

I am 34 and living in Japan.   I have had a weak stomach for a long time.  I just thought "I have a weak stomach".  I have heard of gluten allergy before but never gave it much thought.   I tried to cut out gluten a few days ago, my idea from something i read was to stop eating gluten for two weeks, then try to eat some and see how I felt before/after....

I do feel better.   I haven't had diarrhea but my stools have still been soft....overall though I just felt much better going to the bathroom where usually for me diarrhea is my normal situation.  It's hard to tell if I have more energy or not.

I have two big questions-

How likely is it that I have serious intestine damage at 34 if I AM suffering an allergy?   I would say I've had regular diarrhea for about 3 or 4 years at least.  I have bad skin too.  I basically never remember ever being constipated.  And will I be able to heal 100% if I do have damage??

2nd question-  Does anyone know I way I can get tested in Japan that is affordable?

 

I really want to know what is going on with this.   I guess something is abnormal about my stomach, but is changning my diet the answer?  Its REALLY hard to be gluten free.

[SLLRunner]

Hi Shiffd,

Welcome!

I suggest calling your doctor asking to be tested for celiac disease, as well as a full blood panel to check for other things. Celiac testing is a blood panel followed by an endoscope.  However, you must be eating gluten every single day until all testing is complete, otherwise you can get false negatives.

If you have celiac and continue to eat gluten, damage to your intestine will continue.  Age does not matter. For many people, getting the celiac diagnosis is what helps them to stay gluten free. It really is difficult to stay gluten free without a diagnosis but it can be done.

If you have gluten sensitivity but not celiac, you will not have damage to your intestine but you might continue to feel horrible. 

Other than saying this, I don't know about affordability of testing in Japan. Do you have health insurance? Are there any medical clinics there? 

[cyclinglady]

You are right.   It is hard to be gluten free in Japan, but not impossible.  But I think you need to do more research.  It is difficult, but again not impossible to be gluten free, without a proper diagnosis.  First, you need to be consuming gluten daily for 8 to 12 weeks prior to the celiac blood panel tests.  Next, you need to learn more about celiac disease which is an autoimmune disorder (like Lupus or MS) that is triggered by gluten (no known triggers for MS and Lupus) that sets off a "flare-up" that can last for days, weeks or months!  Being educated is your best defense especially since you are in a country where celiac disease is not as common so doctors might not be as familiar.  That means you need to share your newly found knowledge with your doctor (take in copies.  The University of Chicago has an excellent celiac website and there's a section for medical professionals.  

Damage to your intestines?  Only a biopsy will reveal that.  celiac disease can develop at any age.  You could go years causing damage or just a few months.  So, at 34 years old who knows?  

Let's hope a few of our members who are living in Japan can help you with your other questions!  

[etbtbfs]

5 hours ago, shiffd said:

Hello,

I am 34 and living in Japan.   I have had a weak stomach for a long time.  I just thought "I have a weak stomach".  I have heard of gluten allergy before but never gave it much thought.   I tried to cut out gluten a few days ago, my idea from something i read was to stop eating gluten for two weeks, then try to eat some and see how I felt before/after....

I do feel better.   I haven't had diarrhea but my stools have still been soft....overall though I just felt much better going to the bathroom where usually for me diarrhea is my normal situation.  It's hard to tell if I have more energy or not.

I have two big questions-

How likely is it that I have serious intestine damage at 34 if I AM suffering an allergy?   I would say I've had regular diarrhea for about 3 or 4 years at least.  I have bad skin too.  I basically never remember ever being constipated.  And will I be able to heal 100% if I do have damage??

2nd question-  Does anyone know I way I can get tested in Japan that is affordable?

 

I really want to know what is going on with this.   I guess something is abnormal about my stomach, but is changning my diet the answer?  Its REALLY hard to be gluten free.

No, its not hard to be gluten free.  At least where I live.

Gluten is fiendishly difficult to digest, even for "normal" people.  The wheat growers associations have covered that up.  You should have the gliadin antibody and TTG tests before you have been off gluten too long.  If you can afford it, there are stool tests that will show if you have developed enteropathy (leaky gut).  If so, chances are you have deep nutritional deficiencies.  Also, you may have autoimmune antibodies; thyroid autoimmunity is the most common.

[Estes]

I am from the US, lived in Japan for four years and then moved back to the US  before I started getting sick.  Now that I know I have celiac I am eating Japanese rice everyday.  Also, fresh fruits and veggies.  I know that can be expensive in Japan and I feel for you.  I believe that Japanese curry is made with wheat and I am assuming noodle soups are mostly out for you unless you have rice noodle varieties in your area.  You will need to research each item which will be difficult.  Where in Japan do you live?  It will take a lot of research.  I am having my Japanese friends research my favorite items but I don't have the results yet.  I think rice balls should be safe if you avoid and sauces.  Just fish or plain sound gluten free to me.

I tried to put my son on a gluten free diet while in Japan and it was very difficult.  No one at school or my neighborhood understood what I was talking about.

Now I have Japanese friends who understand both gluten and celiac.  I believe there is a better understanding than 7 years ago.

I wish you luck and am happy to help if I can.