Former patient of Dr. Hass and celiac issues today

[Lynne Drew]

I was cured by Dr. Hass of celiac in the 1940’s with his banana diet. I have had a good health record with a few intestinal problems, but ate well and most any food I chose. Now, at 78, I am having problems with acid reflux, allergies and other issues which I wonder if they are related to celiac.

[GFinDC]

Hi Lynne,

Welcome to the forum!

People did think that celiac disease could be cured in the past.  But they didn't understand back then that celiac disease is an AI (autoimmune condition).  There is no cure for AI conditions.  Once the immune system learns to attack a virus, a bacteria, or our guts or joints etc., it never forgets.

So it would be surprising if you didn't have symptoms of some sort from eating gluten.  I wonder how long its been since you had your vitamin and mineral levels checked?  People with untreated celiac disease tend to be low on vitamin D and B vitamins, plus they can have low cholesterol levels.

As long as you are still eating gluten, you can be tested for the blood antibodies.  After you go gluten-free for a while, the antibodies decline and testing is not accurate.

Edited June 8, 2020 by GFinDC

[cyclinglady]

My girlfriend’s sister was diagnosed years ago with celiac disease as a child.     She was told that she would outgrow it.  Some 40 years later, she discovered that her celiac disease never did go away.   My girlfriend was tested because the olds of first-degree relatives having celiac disease even if asymptomatic, is high (almost 44% per a recent Mayo Clinic study).  She had celiac disease too.

So, ask your doctor or for celiac disease testing.    Do not go gluten free until all testing is done.   Personally, I would opt for an endoscopy as at your age, you might have developed other issues and should be checked. 

All those things you listed are mostly likely due to untreated celiac disease if your original diagnosis was correct.  

Edited June 7, 2020 by cyclinglady

[Scott Adams]

Wow, I’m amazed because we did an article on this a while back, I’d love to hear your comments on it: