Is it worth getting tested?

[Tbetteridge]

I know I react to gluten. Severely. Is it worth getting tested and having to go back to eating gluten?  I accidently consumed something last night and now i feel as though I am dying. That was one tiny item!  I can't imagine purposefully eating gluten for several weeks for a blood test and biopsy. 

[Fundog]

I feel your pain.  Literally, I do.  It all comes down to us each as individuals.  I get "The Rash" and after both blood test and the skin biopsy came out negative, the next step would have been endoscopy.  But I have been fantasizing about a wall "mural" made of sandpaper for 16 years, and had already given myself cellulitis.  Could I stand to go back to eating gluten for three months?  Unthinkable!  So all I know is, gluten makes me want to skin myself alive.  And I'm not alone.  There are several on here who are undiagnosed or self diagnosed.  Good luck in whatever you decide.

[Tbetteridge]

I'm thinking it won't change my lifestyle, I already avoid gluten like the plague. Two of my children are gluten intolerant as well as have other food allergies. So I know what to look for. For me it came on within the last 6 months. My whole house is now gluten-free, even my husband is on board as he sees how much more pain this causes me. (It doesn't cause my children nearly the pain/symptoms that I get, which is why I think I have celiac vs an intolerance). 

[cyclinglady]

Only you can decide if it is worth getting an official diagnosis.  

I can tell you that I am officially diagnosed (3 years).   Just a lucky catch during my GI consult for a routine colonoscopy (Yep, am over 50).  Anemia was my only known symptom.  No tummy issues.  My hubby went gluten-free 15 years ago when my allergist and his GP suggested going gluten free.  It worked.  The first year was a struggle of doubt and cheating on the diet though.  He would be the first to tell you that I have had it easier from family, friends , and medical regarding support.  Will he do a gluten challenge?  No.  He is thankful for my diagnosis.  Now, our daughter gets tested every few years and her doctor does not hesitate to check.  celiac disease is genetic.  It can be symptom free. It can cause unknown damage (I have had fractures from osteoporosis.)  Accommodations from schools (even university dorms), is necessary and a diagnosis paves the way.  

Again, it is a individualized decision.  I wish you well.  

[cstark]

12 hours ago, Tbetteridge said:

I know I react to gluten. Severely. Is it worth getting tested and having to go back to eating gluten?  I accidently consumed something last night and now i feel as though I am dying. That was one tiny item!  I can't imagine purposefully eating gluten for several weeks for a blood test and biopsy. 

I am right with you.  I had the blood test and found the intolerance.  However, if I do go for the biopsy (don't think I will), I would have to be on gluten and that sends my body completely out of whack.  I don't have "the rash" of GI issues, but I do experience the neurological side of consuming gluten.  Not fun by any sort of the imagination!

[Tbetteridge]

My husband wants me to get tested but I am not sure I can go back to that hell.  It is even worse now that I have been off gluten for 3 months.  The cross contamination I had the other night was enough to make me think I was dying.  I pretty much was living in the bathroom for 24 hours and then the gas, bloating, and burping continues for another 24 hours after that,  Who knows what it is actually doing to my intestines!

[cstark]

18 minutes ago, Tbetteridge said:

My husband wants me to get tested but I am not sure I can go back to that hell.  It is even worse now that I have been off gluten for 3 months.  The cross contamination I had the other night was enough to make me think I was dying.  I pretty much was living in the bathroom for 24 hours and then the gas, bloating, and burping continues for another 24 hours after that,  Who knows what it is actually doing to my intestines!

When you go off gluten and then accidentally get cross-contaminants, your body will go into hyper drive to get the poison out of system because it was starting to get used to operating without the gluten.  It stinks during the reaction time, yes, but hang in there.  

[mama.liz07]

I'm essentially in the same situation you are, except my blood test came back negative.  I don't think I need the definitive diagnosis to eat like I have celiac (i.e. be really careful and not cheat).  I have two family members with celiac (one with a negative blood test too) and when I went off gluten I felt better than I've felt in years...and then when I ate gluten recently I felt awful again (still do).  My body does not like gluten and I likely have the gene for celiac disease.  I could even get tested for the gene which wouldn't require going back on gluten.  Positive gene, body hates gluten...that'd be enough for me.  But, if you need a more definitive, standard diagnosis I guess you do what you have to do.  Every situation is different.   Hope you feel better soon!  :-)

[Tbetteridge]

I have had dna gene testing done, for other reasons and I have both genetic markers for celiac!

[cashs mom]

I went gluten free a year ago to see if it helped with some of the issues I'd been having.  It did help with some, not so much with others.  But overall, I think I'm doing much better without gluten.  It's a personal decision but I've decided not to go back on gluten to have the blood tests done.  There is no cure or treatment other than what I am doing now so I don't see the point of putting myself and my husband thru the misery of going back on gluten just to get a diagnoses.  But as I said, its a personal decision.