Jump to content
This site uses cookies. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. More Info... ×

  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):

    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

Diagnoses

Pegsc82
 Share

Recommended Posts

Pegsc82 Newbie
Pegsc82
Posted

I was diagnosed 10 years ago by genetic testing and symptoms, dr didn’t do bloodwork or endoscopy. I continue to have severe bloating , other digestive issues along with weight gain . I’ve been Gluten-free 10 years, dairy and grain free 2 months . Should I go get endoscopy and blood work now?

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


Scott Adams Grand Master
Scott Adams
Posted

If you've been happily gluten-free for 10 years I don't see any reason to start eating gluten again to be retested, unless you're not happy with the diet, and doubt your self diagnosis. If you need a diagnosis to stay on the gluten-free diet, then it probably makes sense to do a gluten challenge and eat gluten daily for 4-6 weeks for a celiac disease blood panel. Given how long you've been gluten-free it's possible you may need to eat gluten for a longer time, but here is more info on that:

 The downside of an official diagnosis would be higher private health and life insurance rates for the rest of your life due to having a pre-existing condition.

cyclinglady Grand Master
cyclinglady
Posted

Hi!

Genetic testing is used to help rule out celiac disease.  That is because about 35% of the population has the celiac genes.  That is a ton of people!  Only a few actually go on to develop celiac disease.  I am sorry that your were given such  poor advice.  
 

If you do have celiac disease, you may have have developed other health issues.  Many celiacs go on to develop other autoimmune diseases (Crohn’s, SIBO, gallbladder disease, etc.) or illness like cancer (rare).  
 

Continuing to adhere to a gluten free diet without seeing improvement is not good (for lack of a better word).  Either gluten continues to get into your diet or you have something else.  I urge you to see a doctor.  
 

know that you would need to get back on gluten for 6 to 12 weeks prior to a blood test.  But your GI might want to test you now anyway just to see if gluten is getting into your diet.  This is a conversation you should have with a Gastroenterologist.  He will know your whole health history.  
 

Let us know how it turns out.  

cyclinglady Grand Master
cyclinglady
Posted
(edited)
52 minutes ago, Scott Adams said:

If you've been happily gluten-free for 10 years I don't see any reason to start eating gluten again to be retested, unless you're not happy with the diet, and doubt your self diagnosis. If you need a diagnosis to stay on the gluten-free diet, then it probably makes sense to do a gluten challenge and eat gluten daily for 4-6 weeks for a celiac disease blood panel. Given how long you've been gluten-free it's possible you may need to eat gluten for a longer time, but here is more info on that:

 The downside of an official diagnosis would be higher private health and life insurance rates for the rest of your life due to having a pre-existing condition.

Whoa!  Slow down, Scott and read!  The OP has been gluten-free for 10 years.  The past two months she has been dairy and grain free.  Something is wrong!  

3 hours ago, Pegsc82 said:

I was diagnosed 10 years ago by genetic testing and symptoms, dr didn’t do bloodwork or endoscopy. I continue to have severe bloating , other digestive issues along with weight gain . I’ve been Gluten-free 10 years, dairy and grain free 2 months . Should I go get endoscopy and blood work now?

 

Edited by cyclinglady
Scott Adams Grand Master
Scott Adams
Posted
Quote

Whoa!  Slow down, Scott and read!  The OP has been gluten-free for 10 years.  The past two months she has been dairy and grain free.  Something is wrong! 

@cyclinglady I've got no idea what you mean here. I re-read her post, and my response, and every word of my reply stands. I fully understand the situation, she was never officially diagnosed, went gluten-free, and now is considering getting an official diagnosis. Did I miss anything?

Please explain?

Scott Adams Grand Master
Scott Adams
Posted

Also, if your diet has been 100% gluten-free for 10 years and you still have the same issues it's important for you to follow up and figure out what is going on. Definitely check with your doctor, which it sounds like you're already doing, and keep a food diary to identify other allergy/intolerance issues.

RMJ Mentor
RMJ
Posted

You could start with bloodwork, while on your current diet.  If positive, it would indicate a problem with gluten, either the diet still contains some, or you’re not responding to the gluten free diet.  However, if negative, it would not say anything about whether you have celiac disease because of being on the gluten free diet. 

If you’re having annoying symptoms a gastroenterologist visit would be recommended.

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


cyclinglady Grand Master
cyclinglady
Posted
2 hours ago, Scott Adams said:

@cyclinglady I've got no idea what you mean here. I re-read her post, and my response, and every word of my reply stands. I fully understand the situation, she was never officially diagnosed, went gluten-free, and now is considering getting an official diagnosis. Did I miss anything?

Please explain?

Maybe I am misinterpreting the OP’s post.  It certainly would not be the first time for me.  🤣. It sounds like she has been gluten free for 10 years and that her symptoms  have not resolved.  Why continue the gluten-free diet if it is not working?    That in itself is strange.  Let’s hope she comes back and provides more information.  

Pegsc82 Newbie
Pegsc82
Posted
  • Author
6 hours ago, cyclinglady said:

Hi!

Genetic testing is used to help rule out celiac disease.  That is because about 35% of the population has the celiac genes.  That is a ton of people!  Only a few actually go on to develop celiac disease.  I am sorry that your were given such  poor advice.  
 

If you do have celiac disease, you may have have developed other health issues.  Many celiacs go on to develop other autoimmune diseases (Crohn’s, SIBO, gallbladder disease, etc.) or illness like cancer (rare).  
 

Continuing to adhere to a gluten free diet without seeing improvement is not good (for lack of a better word).  Either gluten continues to get into your diet or you have something else.  I urge you to see a doctor.  
 

know that you would need to get back on gluten for 6 to 12 weeks prior to a blood test.  But your GI might want to test you now anyway just to see if gluten is getting into your diet.  This is a conversation you should have with a Gastroenterologist.  He will know your whole health history.  
 

Let us know how it turns out.  

No , you are correct .  I was diagnosed without endoscopy bc o had been no carb for awhile and he felt the test wouldn’t be accurate. I’ve never had all my issues resolved by going gluten-free. I’ve been very strict and believe it is something else . I’m going to see gastro doc . Thanks your input helps

5 hours ago, Scott Adams said:

@cyclinglady I've got no idea what you mean here. I re-read her post, and my response, and every word of my reply stands. I fully understand the situation, she was never officially diagnosed, went gluten-free, and now is considering getting an official diagnosis. Did I miss anything?

Please explain?

 

Pegsc82 Newbie
Pegsc82
Posted
  • Author
5 hours ago, Scott Adams said:

Also, if your diet has been 100% gluten-free for 10 years and you still have the same issues it's important for you to follow up and figure out what is going on. Definitely check with your doctor, which it sounds like you're already doing, and keep a food diary to identify other allergy/intolerance issues.

I’m making appt with gastro , Thank you

Scott Adams Grand Master
Scott Adams
Posted

Please let us know how things turn out!

Pegsc82 Newbie
Pegsc82
Posted
  • Author

I will

docaz Collaborator
docaz
Posted

There are recent studies suggesting that symptoms attributed to gluten are in fact related to complex sugars like fructan. You can take with every meal alpha-galactosidase enzymes which are very effective in breaking down complex sugars that the body can not break down. They are cheap and easily obtainable (Beano or the less expensive version Bean-zymes) and see if they help with the symptoms. These will also not negatively effect a gluten challenge because they have no effect on the gluten antibody testing. If they do not work, there is not much lost. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29102613/

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share
Go to topic listing
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):


  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      130,250
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    BPFlood
    Newest Member
    BPFlood
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.3k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):


  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • Scott Adams
      Hypothetical question about antibodies

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      Great question! Even if some individuals with celiac disease don’t experience immediate villi damage from occasional cross-contamination, it’s still strongly recommended to maintain strict avoidance of gluten. The immune response triggered by gluten can vary between individuals, and even small amounts may cause systemic inflammation or other symptoms, even if intestinal damage isn’t immediately detectable. Additionally, repeated exposure—even at low levels—could lead to cumulative harm over time. Strict avoidance of cross-contamination remains the safest approach to prevent long-term complications and ensure overall health. Everyone’s sensitivity differs, so working with a healthcare provider to tailor precautions is ideal.
    • Zuma888
      Hypothetical question about antibodies

      By Zuma888 · Posted

      Thank you so much.
    • knitty kitty
      Hypothetical question about antibodies

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      You have one gene for Celiac.  You have a second autoimmune disease, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, which is frequently found at a higher rate with Celiac.  HLA genes carry autoimmune disease genes like Celiac and Hashimoto's and diabetes and others.   You have Celiac symptoms of reacting after gluten.  You said "I am however still suffering from the effects of the gluten challenge (food sensitivities, slight brain fog, weird stool, fatigue, swollen thyroid, bodyaches)."  And your anti-thyroid antibodies increase after gluten exposure.  While tTg IgA does not directly attack the thyroid, gluten exposure does trigger the  immune system to produce antibodies against the thyroid in genetically predisposed individuals.  You did not eat sufficient gluten (10 grams of gluten per day for two weeks minimum) to raise the autoimmune antibodies to the point they can be measured in the blood, so your blood tests may well be inaccurate.  You could choose to continue the gluten challenge of 10 grams a day for at least two weeks and get retested.   At the very least, you know that gluten is harmful to your thyroid, and because you are genetically predisposed to Celiac disease, a strict gluten free diet would be beneficial for your overall health.  
    • Zuma888
      Hypothetical question about antibodies

      By Zuma888 · Posted

      Thanks @Scott Adams! I guess my question now is: do the celiacs who can get away with regular contamination without villi damage as you mentioned have to be strict about cross-contamination ? 
    • Zuma888
      Hypothetical question about antibodies

      By Zuma888 · Posted

      Thank you very much @knitty kitty! I'm glad you brought up the point about histamine. I have been taking an antihistamine after meals where I don't feel so good and never knew why it helped so much. At first I thought I might have a food allergy, but I recently did a food allergy test and I actually have ZERO food allergies. Regarding your last point about the stages of grief, are you saying it's likely that I have celiac? I have Hashimoto's BTW and I know for sure that gluten causes an autoimmune response to my thyroid as my anti-TPO and anti-Tg go up and my throat feels swollen. Could the symptoms be due to that autoimmune response?
×
×
  • Create New...