Appt With Gi On Jan 30

[xcraigx]

So, last time I posted on this board I was unsure of where to proceed with my suspicions. I've since seen my general practitioner who did blood work and said I came back for positive gliadin. She was quite non chalant about it and said that I have an intolerance to gluten and should just avoid "doughy foods." I couldn't believe how generic that response was but anyways... I asked her if I should see a GI and she said they'll just tell you the same thing.

Well one look around this board and I knew this was strange advice so I spoke to a family friend who is a doctor and she said emphatically that its important for me to see a GI because a blood test is not enough.

My questions:

1. Should I continue eating a gluten diet until I see the GI?

2. What is the difference between Celiac and gluten intolerance. Can gluten intolerant people handle small amounts or something?

Thanks for all your help everyone.

[Rachel--24]

1. Should I continue eating a gluten diet until I see the GI?

2. What is the difference between Celiac and gluten intolerance. Can gluten intolerant people handle small amounts or something?

1. Yes, you should remain on a normal diet before seeing the GI. You should be eating gluten daily for about 3 months prior to tests.

2. There isnt much of a difference as far as symptoms go and there is no difference as far as the treatment. You would still have to be gluten-free for life. It would not be a good idea in either case to eat small amounts of gluten. You will not find villi damage w/out Celiac Disease though. Although intolerance causes damage it does not cause villi damage...so that is specific to Celiac.

[hollyd]

So, last time I posted on this board I was unsure of where to proceed with my suspicions. I've since seen my general practitioner who did blood work and said I came back for positive gliadin. She was quite non chalant about it and said that I have an intolerance to gluten and should just avoid "doughy foods." I couldn't believe how generic that response was but anyways... I asked her if I should see a GI and she said they'll just tell you the same thing.

Well one look around this board and I knew this was strange advice so I spoke to a family friend who is a doctor and she said emphatically that its important for me to see a GI because a blood test is not enough.

My questions:

1. Should I continue eating a gluten diet until I see the GI?

2. What is the difference between Celiac and gluten intolerance. Can gluten intolerant people handle small amounts or something?

Thanks for all your help everyone.

I am awaiting diagnosis by endoscopy. I am now seeing a celiac specialist and researcher. This specialist has told me that I need to eat 4 servings of glutenous food per day for 2 weeks prior to my test to make sure an accurate result is achieved. That is in addition to eating gluten as I have normally been doing. I just wanted to pass that on.

All the best to you.

Holly