Getting tested

[Maria33255]

Hi everyone, I would like to know how can I get tested without having to gluten because I already can't eat it. Is there a way for me to get tested without having to eat gluten? Suggestions are welcome. Thanks.

[trents]

Sorry, but there is not. If you are already eating gluten-free let's ask the most important question. Did your symptoms improve significantly with eliminating gluten?

[Scott Adams]

If your answer is this clear, and you already know that you cannot tolerate gluten, there is probably a little reason for you to go through a gluten challenge to get tested. Most people want a diagnosis because the diet is very tough to stay on for life, but to me it sounds like you already have your answer.

[knitty kitty]

Welcome to the forum, @Maria33255!

For peace of mind, you might try a DNA test to see if you have any of the most common genes for Celiac Disease.  Not all Celiac genes are known.  Just having the genes doesn't necessarily mean the genes are activated and causing Celiac.  But, since you have improvement on the gluten free diet, it might be a safe assumption to make. 

I couldn't stay on a gluten challenge long enough for blood tests to be accurate, but I do have two Celiac Disease genes.  Having genes and improvement on gluten free diet is enough for me. 

Hope this helps!  Keep us posted on your progress!  

 

[Maria33255]

On 2/20/2022 at 10:34 AM, trents said:

Sorry, but there is not. If you are already eating gluten-free let's ask the most important question. Did your symptoms improve significantly with eliminating gluten?

 

On 2/20/2022 at 10:01 AM, Maria33255 said:

Hi everyone, I would like to know how can I get tested without having to gluten because I already can't eat it. Is there a way for me to get tested without having to eat gluten? Suggestions are welcome. Thanks.

Thanks for your comments everyone. To give you a background on my condition, I have leaky gut syndrome. My symptoms improved when my naturopath introduced a gluten and lactose free diet which worked together with their prescription. However, when I am under stress, I get a severe case of dermatitis herpetiformis that spreads on parts of my body followed by other symptoms that are worrying me. That is why, I wish to get tested to perhaps rule it out. I just don't want to consume gluten to do the test because I already have rashes all over my body and I don't want it to get worse than it already is. Perhaps the DNA test may be safer for me to take.

[trents]

As you may know, the DNA test can only establish the potential for developing celiac disease. It cannot establish whether or not you do have celiac disease. It takes both the potential and some kind of triggering stress event (such as a viral infection) to turn potential into active.

But you say when you get stressed you get DH. How do you know it's DH? Have you had a skin biopsy done to confirm that? If in fact you do have DH then that confirms you do have celiac disease since there is no other cause for DH.

[knitty kitty]

15 hours ago, Maria33255 said:

 

Thanks for your comments everyone. To give you a background on my condition, I have leaky gut syndrome. My symptoms improved when my naturopath introduced a gluten and lactose free diet which worked together with their prescription. However, when I am under stress, I get a severe case of dermatitis herpetiformis that spreads on parts of my body followed by other symptoms that are worrying me. That is why, I wish to get tested to perhaps rule it out. I just don't want to consume gluten to do the test because I already have rashes all over my body and I don't want it to get worse than it already is. Perhaps the DNA test may be safer for me to take.

Hi, Maria!  

Are you having Dermatitis Herpetiformis outbreaks or could you be having Hives?

Dermatitis Herpetiformis outbreaks usually occur after exposure to gluten.  Iodine (as in iodized salt, eggs, dairy, and seafood) can make DH flare.  Have you kept a food journal to see if there's an association with something in your diet?  Do you eat processed gluten free facsimile foods?  Some food preservatives and food coloring can trigger DH flares.  

Hives can flare up when under stress, after exercise, and when experiencing temperature changes (going from warm inside to cold outside for example). 

Do these rashes get worse when you have been out in the sun? 

What prescription did your naturopath give you?

What are the "other symptoms" that are worrying you?   We could be more helpful if we knew a little bit more.