How can I tell if I have been exposed to gluten with random symptoms?

[alross]

I have been on a strict gluten free diet for almost a month now after diagnosis via blood test and endoscopy.  I have had 3 episodes of bad diarrhea, and I can't seem to pinpoint if it's a gluten exposure or not.   For example- last night I had chicken meatballs labeled gluten free (not certified), Kirkland brand frozen vegetables, and some of a Lily's chocolate bar (certified gluten free).  I started having symptoms before bed, so it's really hard to tell if it was caused by gluten exposure.  Would you all steer clear of those foods or try again to see if they were the cause?  I know people mention other food intolerances, but would something like lactose intolerance cause symptoms so sporadically?  I don't want to cut out a whole food group if I don't have to.  

[ravenwoodglass]

8 hours ago, alross said:

I have been on a strict gluten free diet for almost a month now after diagnosis via blood test and endoscopy.  I have had 3 episodes of bad diarrhea, and I can't seem to pinpoint if it's a gluten exposure or not.   For example- last night I had chicken meatballs labeled gluten free (not certified), Kirkland brand frozen vegetables, and some of a Lily's chocolate bar (certified gluten free).  I started having symptoms before bed, so it's really hard to tell if it was caused by gluten exposure.  Would you all steer clear of those foods or try again to see if they were the cause?  I know people mention other food intolerances, but would something like lactose intolerance cause symptoms so sporadically?  I don't want to cut out a whole food group if I don't have to.  

Things are often up and down at first. I don't know about those specific items. If you can it helps to eat mostly fresh unprocessed foods for meats and single ingredient fresh or frozen like veggies and fruits.  It can be hard if you are not someone used to cooking but you can add prepared gluten free stuff after you have healed a bit. A log book of what you eat and how you feel can be helpful. If you have other intolerances like soy or dairy it can make it easire to pinpoint the problem since reactions including to gluten can be delayed. What you ate today may not be what makes you ill tonight.

[Scott Adams]

One of our advertisers here is GlutenDetect, which makes home urine test kits that can tell you if you were exposed to gluten in something you at 4-5 hours earlier.