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Gluten free

Clara Douglas
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Clara Douglas Apprentice
Clara Douglas
Posted
  • Author
8 minutes ago, trents said:

Keep us posted, Clara.

Well getting the test done to day. Lets wait for the results

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Clara Douglas Apprentice
Clara Douglas
Posted
  • Author
10 minutes ago, trents said:

Keep us posted, Clara.

Test will be done today. I'll notify of the result i two weeks

trents Grand Master
trents
Posted

Good! You got the fast track it seems. Let us know how it turns out.

Clara Douglas Apprentice
Clara Douglas
Posted
  • Author
On 10/13/2020 at 2:00 PM, trents said:

Keep us posted, Clara.

I sure will

Kate333 Rising Star
Kate333
Posted

Hi Clara.  I can relate to your sense of confusion, overwhelm by all this information.  I, too, am a relative "newbie".  Diagnosed last year after I had a sudden, severe bout of digestion problems.  And please don't feel bad about not knowing about these issues before.  I, too, also had never heard the word Celiac Disease before the doctor mentioned it, and I am over 60.  Celiac disease can be "triggered" (or activated) much later in life and through no fault of your own.  Life is a classroom and we all learn at our own pace.  

A few words of advice:

Make sure you get a TTG blood test (it tests for gluten antibodies in your system).  If it is above normal range or positive, ask your doctor for a referral to a gastroenterologist specialist so you can get an upper endoscopy to confirm that you do indeed have celiac disease.  There are many gastro specialists in Chandler or Phoenix, close to your town. (BTW, you will need to keep eating gluten every day BEFORE the endoscopy to get an accurate result.)  If your TTG blood test numbers are high, abnormal, don't be alarmed.  They will drop dramatically once you adopt a gluten-free diet. (In my case, it took about 6 months on a gluten-free diet to see my numbers return to the "normal" TTG range.)

If you do have celiac disease, you must eliminate ALL gluten from your diet for the rest of your life to allow your system to heal and prevent future damage to your body.   You cannot just "cut down" on gluten consumption or think it safe to eat it "occasionally" or "accidentally". 

In my case, I found that the simplest, easiest way to avoid all gluten, even "accidental" exposure, was to simply buy, cook, and nothing but fresh, raw food (mostly fish, un-breaded chicken, vegetables and fruits).  I decided to do that because reading and deciphering labels/label ingredients was just too time-consuming, stressful and so many processed, packaged foods (even condiments, salad dressings)--even those labeled "gluten-free"--either aren't gluten-free and/or are full of unhealthy junk food/fillers and far too expensive.  I also don't go to restaurants (even carry out) because so many restaurants that tout "gluten free" menus use shared grills/cutting boards, exposing food to cross-contamination with gluten.  Also, make sure any medications you must take are gluten-free.  

If you do not have celiac disease but, instead, an allergy to gluten, you can use the tips on this website to help you reduce/avoid gluten.  Best of luck on your healing journey!!

 

 

 

 

DJFL77I Experienced
DJFL77I
Posted

eat only fresh...   salmon... chicken, turkey..  sweet potatoes..  quinoa...     vegetables ..       greek yogurt

 

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  • Recent Activity

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      how much gluten do I need to eat before blood tests?

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    • trents
      how much gluten do I need to eat before blood tests?

      By trents · Posted

      Welcome, @catnapt! The most recent guidelines are the daily consumption of a minimum of 10g of gluten (about the amount found in 4-6 slices of wheat bread) for a minimum of two weeks. But if possible stretching that out even more would enhance the chances of getting valid test results. These guidelines are for those who have been eating gluten free for a significant amount of time. It's called the "gluten challenge".  Yes, you can develop celiac disease at any stage of life. There is a genetic component but also a stress trigger that is needed to activate the celiac genes. About 30-40% of the general population possesses the genetic potential to develop celiac disease but only about 1% of the general population actually develop celiac disease. For most with the potential, the triggering stress event doesn't happen. It can be many things but often it is a viral infection. Having said that, it is also the case that many, many people who eventually are diagnosed with celiac disease probably experienced the actual onset years before. Many celiacs are of the "silent" type, meaning that symptoms are largely missing or very minor and get overlooked until damage to the small bowel lining becomes advanced or they develop iron deficiency anemia or some other medical problem associated with celiac disease. Many, many are never diagnosed or are diagnosed later in life because they did not experience classic symptoms. And many physicians are only looking for classic symptoms. We now know that there are over 200 symptoms/medical problems associated with celiac disease but many docs are only looking for things like boating, gas, diarrhea. I certainly understand your concerns about not wanting to damage your body by taking on a gluten challenge. Your other option is to totally commit to gluten free eating and see if your symptoms improve. It can take two years or more for complete healing of the small bowel lining once going gluten free but usually people experience significant improvement well before then. If their is significant improvement in your symptoms when going seriously gluten free, then you likely have your answer. You would either have celiac disease or NCGS (Non Celiac Gluten Sensitivity).
    • catnapt
      how much gluten do I need to eat before blood tests?

      By catnapt · Posted

      after several years of issues with a para-gland issue, my endo has decided it's a good idea for me to be tested for celiac disease. I am 70 yrs old and stunned to learn that you can get celiac this late in life. I have just gradually stopped eating most foods that contain gluten over the past several years- they just make me feel ill- although I attributed it to other things like bread spiking blood sugar- or to the things I ate *with* the bread or crackers etc   I went to a party in Nov and ate a LOT of a vegan roast made with vital wheat gluten- as well as stuffing, rolls and pie crust... and OMG I was so sick! the pain, the bloating, the gas, the nausea... I didn't think it would ever end (but it did) and I was ready to go the ER but it finally subsided.   I mentioned this to my endo and now she wants me to be tested for celiac after 2 weeks of being on gluten foods. She has kind of flip flopped on how much gluten I should eat, telling me that if the symptoms are severe I can stop. I am eating 2-3 thin slices of bread per day (or english muffins) and wow- it does make me feel awful. But not as bad as when I ate that massive amnt of vital wheat gluten. so I will continue on if I have to... but what bothers me is - if it IS celiac, it seems stupid for lack of a better word, to intentionally cause more damage to my body... but I am also worried, on the other hand, that this is not a long enough challenge to make the blood work results valid.   can you give me any insight into this please?   thank you
    • trents
      Accuracy of testing concerns

      By trents · Posted

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