Test And Doctor

[FairySprinkle]

Hi, how do I find a doctor who can test for gluten levels? Can a family doctor do this or does it have to be a specific specialist like an allergist doctor?

Also, how is this test done? Do they do a blood work and inside your butt?

[Guest Kalynn]

Hi, how do I find a doctor who can test for gluten levels? Can a family doctor do this or does it have to be a specific specialist like an allergist doctor?

Also, how is this test done? Do they do a blood work and inside your butt?

I don't know about all PCPs, but mine sent me to a GI doc and he ordered the blood test. I never had the colonoscopy done. I haven't found many (and believe me, I've seen many over the past year) docs that will readily admit that what you have is celiac disease or gluten intolerance.

I believe Enterolabs will allow you order your own tests. They have a website.

[tiredofdoctors]

Oddly, because I have neurological damage from gluten, I was referred to a GI doc by my vitreoretinal surgeon! The GI doc was fantastic -- he said, let's do the bloodwork today. Do you want to know for sure if it's celiac? I said "yes" -- he said, then let's do the biopsy on Monday. (This was Thursday). It was all a piece of cake. Good luck to you. . . . Lynne

[slpinsd]

FairySprinkle: Where do you live?

[tiredofdoctors]

Louisville, KY -- if you live anywhere close, I would highly recommend this practice. My MD's name was Martin Mark. They have on staff a celiac specialist, Dr. Adler, who read and re-read my biopsies and bloodwork. They are awesome. BTW: Biopsies for celiac are down down your throat. They give you liquid to numb the back of your throat, give you some meds to make you sleepy, and a bite guard in your mouth. They thread the tub down your throat, through your stomach, and into your small intestine. My MD took 4 biopsy samples from the small intestine. I did, though, have a colonoscopy the same day, because I had some DEFINITE changes from the usual. I had IBS for the majority of my life, then simply stopped going. Really. Like once every 6-8 days was good. So they did the colonoscopy. I told someone on another thread -- if you have to have both, be advised: They do NOT think it's funny if you ask them that, if they're going to use the same tube, will the put it down your throat first. . . . Lynne