Diagnosed at 79 - 3/4 years old

[carolcat]

All these years and still do feel good and basically asymptomatic, but my 

transglutaminase IgA antibody level (tTG) test was high, my boispy show moderate wear. So now,I am told to go on no gluten for the rest of my life, will be working with nutritionist. Anyone else have a similar experience?

[trents]

Welcome to the forum, @carolcat!

Many celiacs are of the "silent" type, meaning, they have few or no symptoms, sometimes for years after onset of the disease, until the damage to the villous lining of the small bowel reaches a critical level and other disease processes, such as osteoporosis, are well underway. Essentially, that describes my experience.

Just curious, if you are asymptomatic, what led to your being tested for celiac disease? Did you have lab values that were out of norm before getting tested for celiac disease?

We sympathize with you. You are facing a major adjustment in your life with regard to your eating habits that will also likely have repercussions socially. We all know what that is like. Since arriving at a truly gluten free eating state involves a significant learning curve, I am including an article that should be helpful. 

 

[carolcat]

Thank u for any info u can give. Back in Dec of 2023 I experienced a gas problem and a full feeling it would come and go. Then it finally went away but I felt that is was a stomach issue and being very active, getting older I should see a nutritionist. She asked me questions and I told her of my past problem, she told me the area affect wasn't my stomach but my gut area. So then I thought I better talk with a doctor that knows what might have happened even if it was ok now. He did a complete exam and then tests. I never really had much in symptoms like bowel changes, pain, only that time of gas and full feeling, but also previously  I had some low sodium problems that I have to make sure I eat salt. No other conditions tho. My physical blood work was good. Bottom line I started my no gluten diet and soon  nutritionist will take over.

 Any info is appreciated tho. 🙂

[trents]

By the way, it is not unusual at all to be diagnosed with celiac disease at your age in case you were wondering.

[carolcat]

I was wondering about that but then guess since it mostly is asymptomatic then it never acted up enough to make me think about getting checked, and all those years flew by.

Thank u for bringing that up.

[trents]

Yes, most likely the onset was years ago.

[carolcat]

Yes and guess I can be thankful that the damage is not bad yet which with switching to gluten free will help. Will be talking with nutritionist soon.

 

[trents]

I would suggest you consider adding in some high potency vitamin and mineral supplements. I'm talking about more than an adult multivitamin. Long term undiagnosed celiac disease typically results in vitamin and mineral deficiencies due to the damage it does to the lining of the small bowel. That is the section of the intestines where all of our nutrition is absorbed. The constant low-level inflammation damages it and reduces the efficiency of absorption.

By the way, dieticians are not necessarily well-versed in their understanding of hidden sources of gluten, particularly issues of cross contamination, unless they themselves or someone in their immediate family that they are responsible for has celiac disease. I hope you have read the article I included above.

[Russ H]

On 8/25/2024 at 4:29 PM, carolcat said:

I was wondering about that but then guess since it mostly is asymptomatic then it never acted up enough to make me think about getting checked, and all those years flew by.

Thank u for bringing that up.

You might notice that you were actually symptomatic but you were just habituated to the symptoms. I had all kinds of strange signs and symptoms that just disappeared such as red thickened skin on knees and elbows, chilblains, body odour, tendonitis and a heart arrhythmia amongst others.

[carolcat]

U probably are right since I am and always was very active and an avid walker. The signs obviously were small and did not interfere in my activities. I will probably realize that once I have been on a gluten free for a few weeks. I am amazed at all the gluten free foods out there and soon I will meet with nutritionist.  I send her all my tests and what I had introduced into my diet, she said good choices and we will go over it all at the visit.

[carolcat]

Has anyone found a good cereal that is gluten free. I looked at Cheerios but there is so much pros hi asand cons about it.

[trents]

So, you are referring to dry cereal and not hot cereal?

[carolcat]

Both types of cereal I am intoin.

. I saw Chex recommended.  I will see the nutritionist on zThir so she will let me know what she suggests. 

[trents]

What do you mean about seeing Cheerios having so many pros and cons about it? Do you mean about whether or not it is truly gluten free?

[CeliacWarrier]

On 8/27/2024 at 12:51 PM, carolcat said:

Has anyone found a good cereal that is gluten free. I looked at Cheerios but there is so much pros hi asand cons about it.

I am use to eating health food type stuff so I find this delicious and very crunchy. Also expensive.

[carolcat]

Thanks I am going to research them.