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Omg...i Might Be On To Something

Rachel--24

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Rachel--24 Collaborator
Rachel--24
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Thanks for the tips on the egg yolks and the seperator!!

I'll be looking for one this weekend....I think thats what I need since I kind of suck at cracking them to begin with. I apparantly lack the skills needed for expert egg-cracking. :P

Thanks again.

Ever since the days of my high school environmental club and the lectures we did on methyl bromide (which is supposed to be phased out, but companies/states keep filing for exemptions), I've been very hesitant to buy non-organic strawberries, and since organic strawberries are expensive, I tend not to have them terribly often. But we're going to be planting them this year - if you've got the space, I encourage you to plant a garden and know what goes into (and onto) your food!

Tiffany,

Yeah, I'm thinking a garden would be the BEST thing for me but I'm not so sure I could actually *grow* anything. If I applied myself I'm sure I could do it but it seems like it would take alot of time and work and I'm only home on the weekends. Does it require attention daily? My yard is totally landscaped and maturing and it would suck to have to wreck some of it to make room for a garden. On the other hand, I have a ton of room on the side of my house that would be perfect for a garden but it doesnt get much sun...only in the morning....its mostly always shaded. Does a garden have to be in full sun? Anyone know?

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tarnalberry Community Regular
tarnalberry
Posted
Thanks for the tips on the egg yolks and the seperator!!

I'll be looking for one this weekend....I think thats what I need since I kind of suck at cracking them to begin with. I apparantly lack the skills needed for expert egg-cracking. :P

Thanks again.

Tiffany,

Yeah, I'm thinking a garden would be the BEST thing for me but I'm not so sure I could actually *grow* anything. If I applied myself I'm sure I could do it but it seems like it would take alot of time and work and I'm only home on the weekends. Does it require attention daily? My yard is totally landscaped and maturing and it would suck to have to wreck some of it to make room for a garden. On the other hand, I have a ton of room on the side of my house that would be perfect for a garden but it doesnt get much sun...only in the morning....its mostly always shaded. Does a garden have to be in full sun? Anyone know?

Most fruits and vegetables do require full sun. Think of it as just a different type of landscaping. Yes, it does require a fair amount of attention. I'm just in the beginning stages, but from what I understand from my experience so far and other gardeners is that the time committment comes in chunks - when first planting, primarily, and then just popping out to water for a few minutes each day early on, then checking on them each day, and weeding every week. You may need more time for preventative measures depending on your bug/pest situation. But I understand that mostly it's just that it's a small, but very regular time committment. (The sort of - you need to do it every day, but it won't take very long each day, if you don't have a huge garden - type of thing.)

Rachel--24 Collaborator
Rachel--24
Posted
  • Author

Thanks Tiffany,

I'm thinking I dont have the time to do it right now but its something that I can learn about and sort of make plans for sometime in the near future. My friend has a huge garden. She even had a big elaborate tee-pee looking thing where she was growing melons (watermelons and cantaloupes). I think I can learn a ton from her and since she's coming over next weekend she might be able to give me some ideas on where in my yard I can do this. Thanks...I hope you are successful with your strawberries and whatever else you plant. :)

Glad you're doing better Rachel! Had you been eating baby carrots or whole carrots? I read an article not too long ago that explained how all baby carrots (even organic ones) are soaked in a chemical bath for a very short period of time before they are packaged. I'm not sure how credible the source was, but I kind of believed it when I read it, mainly because I've purchased baby carrots that were really slimey in the past, and the article said the chemicals can cause that slime to grow. yuck. Anyway, hope you keep getting better!

The carrots I was eating last week were the ones with the tops still on them. They remind me of Bugs Bunny for some reason. :)

I thought those would be safest but they were from Grimmway and I didnt know it.

The ones I'm eating now are the baby carrots in the bag...only because they were the only ones I could find NOT from Grimmway and the bulk ones I had no idea where they were from but didnt want to chance it. Everything that was bagged or somehow labeled came from Grimmway except this one small bag. I've been washing them really good before I eat them because of the exact thing you wrote about. So far I havent had any trouble. I have a feeling even if something were to bother me it would pale in comparison to what the stuff with MSG does so I might not even notice at this point.

Thanks for your well wishes!! :)

Oh...to give an example I ate 2 of those Bugs Bunny type carrots....peeled, washed and lightly steamed. Only 2 carrots and my jaw was tightening and hurting. I always had this experience with carrots so thought it was because they were hard and aggravated TMJ or something. Thats why I steam them but it still happens.

Now I'm eating about half a bag of those baby carrots (not from grimmway) in one setting. I just wash them, dont steam them and just crunch away on them and nothing happens as far as swelling, jaw tightening or pressure, headache or blurred vision. I just keep eating them and *nothing* has happened. I'm still amazed by it.

Rachel--24 Collaborator
Rachel--24
Posted
  • Author
Anyway, on to egg yolks. They have egg seperators. They're plastic and have a little round place where the egg yolk sits and the white runs through the sides. They've been around for years. My mom used to have one from tupperware I think.

YAY!

My Mom just called to tell me she was reading my posts and she wanted me to know that she has a Tupperware egg seperator that works really well. COOL...now I can scratch that off my "to do" list.

My Mom is the best...I love how she reads the posts. :)

Love you Mom!

Green12 Enthusiast
Green12
Posted
YAY!

My Mom just called to tell me she was reading my posts and she wanted me to know that she has a Tupperware egg seperator that works really well. COOL...now I can scratch that off my "to do" list.

My Mom is the best...I love how she reads the posts. :)

Love you Mom!

Yay, Rachel! Good to see you back. Thanks for sharing your update.

Hi Rachel's Mom :)

I am thinking a garden is in my future too, but I think it's going to take some time.

dlp252 Apprentice
dlp252
Posted

Wow, lots of activity since I went shopping and had a massage, lol.

Rachel, I'm so happy you are making those connections left and right!

Hi Rachel's mom, thanks for taking such good care of her!

I like the idea of the mini fritata things....I may try it, although not sure if that would make me feel ill since it's so close to scrambled. Omelets also tend to turn my stomach. I also tested negative for eggs both on my allergy tests and through enterolab, so not sure why some forms of them make me feel ill...I still think I'm a mental case on that point, lol.

The fruit is almost out of control too. I went from having an apple a day to only wanting to eat fruit. I have a freezer full of veggies but yesterday all I wanted was fruit. So, I think just for a couple of weeks I need to get completely off it them, lol...cold turkey....do they have rehab for fruit addiction. :lol:

Speaking of fruit, I'm about to go make myself a fruit smoothie. :ph34r:

Rachel--24 Collaborator
Rachel--24
Posted
  • Author
Just a suggestion..... I was told that ALL the vegatables I buy to soak them in sea salt for about 15 min. and carefully rinse them off.... this should eliminate most of the MSG... it's worked for me so far, I've no bad reation from vegis....

Floridian,

Unfortunately the msg cant be washed off. Its used in a growth enhancer so its actually "part" of the vegetable. Its not just something thats on the outside of the veggie...wish it was cuz then I'd just peel it off. I get crazy with my peeler sometimes but I guess if I tried to peel the MSG off I'd be left with nothing but a pile of shavings. :lol:

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Rachel--24 Collaborator
Rachel--24
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The fruit is almost out of control too. I went from having an apple a day to only wanting to eat fruit. I have a freezer full of veggies but yesterday all I wanted was fruit. So, I think just for a couple of weeks I need to get completely off it them, lol...cold turkey....do they have rehab for fruit addiction. :lol:

Speaking of fruit, I'm about to go make myself a fruit smoothie. :ph34r:

LOL Donna,

You crack me up! :lol:

OK...maybe try to calm down on the fruit. :P

How about mixing it up a bit. A liitle bit of fruit, a little bit of this and a little bit of that...other safe foods for you. I'm thinking a fruit-filled day and nothing else cant be good. <_<

On second thought maybe dont take my advice since I'm the one who's now on her 4th (or is it 5th) jar of jam. :ph34r:

I get a little crazy with anything that I can eat without having a reaction. I always feel like going back to the store and clearing the shelf for them in case something happens and I cant get any more or they decide to add an ingredient and then there will be NO safe jam. :o

I can already picture having a whole shelf in my kitchen just for the jam. :lol:

Green12 Enthusiast
Green12
Posted
Wow, lots of activity since I went shopping and had a massage, lol.

Rachel, I'm so happy you are making those connections left and right!

Hi Rachel's mom, thanks for taking such good care of her!

I like the idea of the mini fritata things....I may try it, although not sure if that would make me feel ill since it's so close to scrambled. Omelets also tend to turn my stomach. I also tested negative for eggs both on my allergy tests and through enterolab, so not sure why some forms of them make me feel ill...I still think I'm a mental case on that point, lol.

The fruit is almost out of control too. I went from having an apple a day to only wanting to eat fruit. I have a freezer full of veggies but yesterday all I wanted was fruit. So, I think just for a couple of weeks I need to get completely off it them, lol...cold turkey....do they have rehab for fruit addiction. :lol:

Speaking of fruit, I'm about to go make myself a fruit smoothie. :ph34r:

So maybe eggs aren't the best idea for you if they don't sit well with your system.

We are all different and what works for one doesn't necessarily work for another. I hope you find something that works for you!

Rachel--24 Collaborator
Rachel--24
Posted
  • Author

I found another jam tonight!!!

This one is peach perserves...its only got peaches, cane sugar and lemon juice. It says right on the jar..NO fruit concentrates and NO pectin. I also found a cracker last week that I seem to be doing fine with. Its a rice cracker but I had never tried it cuz it has the "made in a facility w/ wheat" CYA statement on it. So far so good and I have something to put my jams on now. :D

The cracker keeps me from getting out of control with the jam cuz now I can just spread a little on the cracker instead of constantly eating spoonfuls right outta the jar.

Rachel--24 Collaborator
Rachel--24
Posted
  • Author

Heres a list I found of the most dangerous additives in our food.

Worst Food Additives

Here is a list of some of the worst food additives. Check food labels to make sure that what you buy does not contain these ingredients.

BHT, legal in the U.S. but banned in England, is associated with liver and kidney damage, behavioral problems, infertility, weakened immune system, birth defects and cancer.

Artificial coloring - contribute to hyperactivity in children; may contribute to learning and visual disorders, nerve damage; may be carcinogenic.

Aspartame and all artificial sweeteners - may cause central nervous system disturbances, menstrual difficulties; may affect brain and growth development in unborn fetus. Dangerous excitotoxins.

Brominated vegetable oil - linked to major organ system damage, birth defects, growth problems; considered unsafe by the FDA, can still lawfully be used unless further action is taken by the FDA .

Carrageenan - stabilizer and thickening agent; linked to toxic hazards, including ulcers and cancer; In addition to suppressing immune function, carrageenan causes intestinal ulcers and inflammatory bowel disease in animals and some research indicates that carrageenan is associated with causing cancer in humans.

Partially Hydrogenated vegetable oils - associated with heart disease, breast and colon cancer, atherosclerosis, elevated cholesterol, depressed immune system, allergies

Nitrates - form powerful cancer-causing agents in stomach; can cause death; considered dangerous by FDA but not banned because they prevent botulism.

MSG - may cause headaches, itching, nausea, nervous system and reproductive disorders, high blood pressure; pregnant, lactating mothers, infants, small children should avoid MSG; allergic reactions common; may be hidden in infant formula, low fat milk, candy, chewing gum, drinks, over-the-counter medications. (MSG - A dangerous excitotoxin)

Neotame - similar to aspartame, but potentially more toxic; awaiting approval. A dangerous excitotoxin.

Olestra - causes gastrointestinal irritation, reduces carotenoids and fat soluble vitamins in the body.

Potassium bromate - can cause nervous system, kidney disorders, gastrointestinal upset; may be carcinogenic.

Saccharin - delisted as a carcinogen in 1997, however, studies still show that saccharin causes cancer. A dangerous excitotoxin

Sulfites - destroys vitamin B1; small amounts may cause asthma, anaphylactic shock; dangerous for asthma, allergy sufferers; has caused deaths; banned on fresh fruits and vegetables, except potatoes.

Sweet 'N Low - contains saccharin. A dangerous excitotoxin.

If the list of ingredients on a package label is long, there are probably a lot of chemical additives in the product, and you're risking your health by eating it.

The ones I know are affecting me are Aspartame, Carageenan, MSG and Artificial colors.

I'm pretty sure I will react to sulfites if I were to test them but thats for another day. I react to dried coconut and raisins and its most likely due to sulfites. I can eat dates all day long but one date sprinkled with cocunut can mess me up good.

I avoid all the other stuff listed anyway since I dont eat processed foods so I'll probably never know if I react to them but I'm thinking my body doesnt want anything to do with anything on this list. <_<

mouse Enthusiast
mouse
Posted

Rachael, this thread has to have the record for the most viewed LOL. I guess that many of us look to you for help in guiding us thru our allergy mine field. Hope you are doing well and thank you for all the info you give to us.

Green12 Enthusiast
Green12
Posted
I found another jam tonight!!!

This one is peach perserves...its only got peaches, cane sugar and lemon juice. It says right on the jar..NO fruit concentrates and NO pectin. I also found a cracker last week that I seem to be doing fine with. Its a rice cracker but I had never tried it cuz it has the "made in a facility w/ wheat" CYA statement on it. So far so good and I have something to put my jams on now. :D

The cracker keeps me from getting out of control with the jam cuz now I can just spread a little on the cracker instead of constantly eating spoonfuls right outta the jar.

That's a switch, your diet expanding rather than cutting something out :lol::lol:

Have you looked into Fruit Butters? They are ususally in with the jellies and jams in the stores. I have a jar of Peach Apple Butter and the only ingredient is apples and peaches, absolutely nothing else. It's a different texture than jelly/jam and it might give some variety. Just a thought.

Heres a list I found of the most dangerous additives in our food.

The ones I know are affecting me are Aspartame, Carageenan, MSG and Artificial colors.

I'm pretty sure I will react to sulfites if I were to test them but thats for another day. I react to dried coconut and raisins and its most likely due to sulfites. I can eat dates all day long but one date sprinkled with cocunut can mess me up good.

I avoid all the other stuff listed anyway since I dont eat processed foods so I'll probably never know if I react to them but I'm thinking my body doesnt want anything to do with anything on this list. <_<

Thanks for this list Rachel, my body doesn't like anything on this list either. As long as I eat everything in as natural state as possible I seem to do ok, it's when I start adding things in from bottles, boxes, packeges that get me really in trouble and really really sick.

Rachel--24 Collaborator
Rachel--24
Posted
  • Author
Rachael, this thread has to have the record for the most viewed LOL. I guess that many of us look to you for help in guiding us thru our allergy mine field. Hope you are doing well and thank you for all the info you give to us.

Thanks Armetta, I hope you're doing well also. :)

Yeah...alot of views! I wonder if its more than the McDonalds frenzy that took place a few months back. :lol:

Its kind of cool because I feel like this past couple months has really been my turning point and its all documented here on this thread...as I figured things out. It will be nice to look back on when I'm all recovered.

Hopefully you're right and other people can benefit from this journey I've been on. That would be a huge bonus even if its only one person who reads this and gets better from the info. here. That would be awesome! :D

jerseyangel Proficient
jerseyangel
Posted

I just thought of something--Rachel, when you are all better, you can use the notes and documentation from this thread and write a book. Really, I'll bet there are lot of people out there that would benefit from all of it. Food for thought..... ;)

Rachel--24 Collaborator
Rachel--24
Posted
  • Author
I just thought of something--Rachel, when you are all better, you can use the notes and documentation from this thread and write a book. Really, I'll bet there are lot of people out there that would benefit from all of it. Food for thought..... ;)

I think alot of people could benefit from learning about what goes into our food. Alot of my inspiration came from reading stories about other people who were as sick as I was and completely recovered because they figured out which foods or chemicals were the culprits. Its really hard to figure these things out and thank God for the internet because without it I wouldn't have had the resources to get through this. I would still be so lost. I would love to write a book about my experience and I dont think there are enough books about food intolerance out there even though so many people are suffering. I don't know that I really have the skills for it though....it would probably take me a long time to get something like that together but its a good idea. :)

Have you looked into Fruit Butters? They are ususally in with the jellies and jams in the stores. I have a jar of Peach Apple Butter and the only ingredient is apples and peaches, absolutely nothing else. It's a different texture than jelly/jam and it might give some variety. Just a thought.

I would love to find a fruit butter. I look at all the labels in that section and so far all the fruit butters I've seen have lots of ingredients and both pectin and citric acid or absorbic acid. I'm pretty much buying whatever I can find...I dont even care what flavor it is. :P

Rachel--24 Collaborator
Rachel--24
Posted
  • Author

WooHoo! I'm on my way to my first Farmers Market right now....I'll let you guys know how it was when I get back. :)

Mango04 Enthusiast
Mango04
Posted
I just thought of something--Rachel, when you are all better, you can use the notes and documentation from this thread and write a book. Really, I'll bet there are lot of people out there that would benefit from all of it. Food for thought..... ;)

I keep thinking the same thing! You should consider that Rachel. You've already gathered so much information, and I think you have a knack for explaining this stuff in ways that are easy to understand. If nothing else, this thread has practically turned into a book. :D I'm sure there are lots of lurkers out there learing all sorts of crazy things :)

Green12 Enthusiast
Green12
Posted
WooHoo! I'm on my way to my first Farmers Market right now....I'll let you guys know how it was when I get back. :)

Have fun, hope you find lots of good stuff!

My peach apple butter is from a local orchard, you might find some at the farmers market in fact.

christine 25 Newbie
christine 25
Posted

Rachel, does Grimmway make produce in Ohio too? From what you have described, I dont want to buy it if it does.

I live in Columbus, OH and I'm still looking for a safe produce brand to eat.

I dont seem to do well with Whole Foods brand either nor, the Fresh Market of Kroger.

I dont think I have as much a problem with Meijer, brand,,,

I went to a farmers maket here on saturday, and I didnt buy anything because I thought it was kind of expensive. But it looked nice. I asked one lady who was selling lettuce if it was organic and she said no. ?? no quite sure.

Youll have to let me know if the farms produce give you a reaction or not.

Christina

dlp252 Apprentice
dlp252
Posted

They have a farmer's market just a couple of blocks away from me every Sunday...I think I need to get my lazy butt down there next week, lol.

Thanks Julie for trying to help me, lol. I did have eggs today, but I had to have something in them...today it was the Pancetta I was talking about. This brand doesn't have nitrates and isn't cured. The eggs sat well even though they were scrambled. I also had a little pineapple juice with it, so maybe that's the key, lol.

(Or maybe I just needed a little protein with my fruit fix!) :lol:

I do think Rachel should write a book...it's amazing what you've learned and retained.

I had a bag of romaine hearts that I bought last week. I turned it over and sure enough it was from Grimmway. I threw it out. MSG may not be my main problem, but I want to limit it as much as I can.

Rachel--24 Collaborator
Rachel--24
Posted
  • Author
If nothing else, this thread has practically turned into a book. :D I'm sure there are lots of lurkers out there learing all sorts of crazy things :)

LOL Mango. No Kidding!

I always kinda laugh to myself when I read the title "Maybe I can eat dairy again". :lol: Boy, was I living in a dreamland!

First I hafta get myself all the way better before I can think of writing a book. Who's really gonna take my book seriously if I'm still sick? :lol:

As far as explaining things...I suck at it unless I'm writing it down. I've always found it easier to express myself on paper. In person its not as easy for me to get my point accross. If its personal stuff or I'm angry about something I always say the wrong things and it doesnt even make sense to me but if I write down my feelings it makes perfect sense. Too bad I couldnt do that in real life in the middle of an arguement or something maybe then I wouldnt be so misunderstood. :P

Rachel--24 Collaborator
Rachel--24
Posted
  • Author
Have fun, hope you find lots of good stuff!

My peach apple butter is from a local orchard, you might find some at the farmers market in fact.

I didnt find any butters there. :(

They didnt have a ton of stuff I guess cuz its still early in the season. My friend said as the weeks go on they get more and more variety. I got cherries, berries, nectarines, squash, potatoes, long green beans, asparagus and I think thats it.

We'll see how it goes.

Everything was way cheaper than what I'm used to paying so at least if I react to anything and have to throw it out its not gonna be like throwing out a chunk of my paycheck. :D

Rachel, does Grimmway make produce in Ohio too? From what you have described, I dont want to buy it if it does.

I dont know where your produce comes from...you'd have to ask or look at the labels. You're carrots probably come from Grimmway though since they are the biggest carrot growers in the US.

They have a farmer's market just a couple of blocks away from me every Sunday...I think I need to get my lazy butt down there next week, lol.

Hey, wheres the farmers market at? I wonder where the produce is coming from since there are like zero farms left in the area...except that Oleson cherry farm on El Camino. I bet they have a farmers market at that flea market area off Berryessa...is that where its at?

miamia Rookie
miamia
Posted
Thanks Armetta, I hope you're doing well also. :)

Yeah...alot of views! I wonder if its more than the McDonalds frenzy that took place a few months back. :lol:

Its kind of cool because I feel like this past couple months has really been my turning point and its all documented here on this thread...as I figured things out. It will be nice to look back on when I'm all recovered.

Hopefully you're right and other people can benefit from this journey I've been on. That would be a huge bonus even if its only one person who reads this and gets better from the info. here. That would be awesome! :D

Rachel-

you've already helped people- I know you opened my eyes to things I haden't thought about and also you've started this thread that has allowed all these people who felt so lost at least have a place where there were others who could really relate. - I know for me this has been a huge comfort-

Miamia

Rachel--24 Collaborator
Rachel--24
Posted
  • Author
Rachel-

you've already helped people- I know you opened my eyes to things I haden't thought about and also you've started this thread that has allowed all these people who felt so lost at least have a place where there were others who could really relate. - I know for me this has been a huge comfort-

Miamia

Miamia,

I'm glad you've found comfort here. :)

What you said was very sweet. Thank you. :)

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

      By trents · Posted

      So, essentially all of the nutrition in the food we eat is absorbed through the villous lining of the small bowel. This is the section of the intestinal track that is damaged by celiac disease. This villous lining is composed of billions of finger-like projections that create a huge amount of surface area for absorbing nutrients. For the celiac person, when gluten is consumed, it triggers an autoimmune reaction in this area which, of course, generates inflammation. The antibodies connected with this inflammation is what the celiac blood tests are designed to detect but this inflammation, over time, wears down the finger-like projections of the villous lining. Of course, when this proceeds for an extended period of time, greatly reduces the absorption efficiency of the villous lining and often results in many and various nutrient deficiency-related health issues. Classic examples would be osteoporosis and iron deficiency. But there are many more. Low D3 levels is a well-known celiac-caused nutritional deficiency. So is low B12. All the B vitamins in fact. Magnesium, zinc, etc.  Celiac disease can also cause liver inflammation. You mention elevated ALP levels. Elevated liver enzymes over a period of 13 years was what led to my celiac diagnosis. Within three months of going gluten free my liver enzymes normalized. I had elevated AST and ALT. The development of sensitivities to other food proteins is very common in the celiac population. Most common cross reactive foods are dairy and oats but eggs, soy and corn are also relatively common offenders. Lactose intolerance is also common in the celiac population because of damage to the SB lining.  Eggs when they are scrambled or fried give me a gut ache. But when I poach them, they do not. The steam and heat of poaching causes a hydrolysis process that alters the protein in the egg. They don't bother me in baked goods either so I assume the same process is at work. I bought a plastic poacher on Amazon to make poaching very easy. All this to say that many of the issues you describe could be caused by celiac disease. 
    • catnapt
      how much gluten do I need to eat before blood tests?

      By catnapt · Posted

      thank you so much for your detailed and extremely helpful reply!! I can say with absolute certainty that the less gluten containing products I've eaten over the past several years, the better I've felt.   I wasn't avoiding gluten, I was avoiding refined grains (and most processed foods) as well as anything that made me feel bad when I ate it. It's the same reason I gave up dairy and eggs- they make me feel ill.  I do have a bit of a sugar addiction lol so a lot of times I wasn't sure if it was the refined grains that I was eating - or the sugar. So from time to time I might have a cookie or something but I've learned how to make wonderful cookies and golden brownies with BEANS!! and no refined sugar - I use date paste instead. Pizza made me so ill- but I thought it was probably the cheese. I gave up pizza and haven't missed it. the one time I tried a slice I felt so bad I knew I'd never touch it again. I stopped eating wheat pasta at least 3 yrs ago- just didn't feel well after eating it. I tried chick pea pasta and a few others and discovered I like the brown rice pasta. I still don't eat a lot of pasta but it's nice for a change when I want something easy. TBH over the years I've wondered sometimes if I might be gluten intolerant but really believed it was not possible for me to have celiac disease. NOW I need to know for sure- because I'm in the middle of a long process of trying to find out why I have a high parathyroid level (NOT the thyroid- but rather the 4 glands that control the calcium balance in your body) I have had a hard time getting my vit D level up, my serum calcium has run on the low side of normal for many years... and now I am losing calcium from my bones and excreting it in my urine (some sort of renal calcium leak) Also have a high ALP since 2014. And now rapidly worsening bone density.  I still do not have a firm diagnosis. Could be secondary HPT (but secondary to what? we need to know) It could be early primary HPT. I am spilling calcium in my urine but is that caused by the high parathyroid hormone or is it the reason my PTH is high>? there are multiple feedback loops for this condition.    so I will keep eating the bread and some wheat germ that does not seem to bother me too much (it hasn't got enough gluten to use just wheat germ)    but I'm curious- if you don't have a strong reaction to a product- like me and wheat germ- does that mean it's ok to eat or is it still causing harm even if you don't have any obvious symptoms? I guess what you are saying about silent celiac makes it likely that you can have no symptoms and still have the harm... but geez! you'd think they'd come up with a way to test for this that didn't require you to consume something that makes you sick! I worry about the complications I've been reading about- different kinds of cancers etc. also wondering- are there degrees of celiac disease?  is there any correlation between symptoms and the amnt of damage to your intestines? I also need a firm diagnosis because I have an identical twin sister ... so if I have celiac, she has it too- or at least the genetic make up for having it. I did have a VERY major stress to my body in 2014-2016 time frame .. lost 50lbs in a short period of time and had severe symptoms from acute protracted withdrawal off an SSRI drug (that I'd been given an unethically high dose of, by a dr who has since lost his license)  Going off the drug was a good thing and in many ways my health improved dramatically- just losing 50lbs was helpful but I also went  off almost a dozen different medications, totally changed my diet and have been doing pretty well except for the past 3-4 yrs when the symptoms related to the parathyroid issue cropped up. It is likely that I had low vit D for some time and that caused me a lot of symptoms. The endo now tells me that low vit D can be caused by celiac disease so I need to know for sure! thank you for all that great and useful information!!! 
    • 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

      The biopsy looks for damage to the mucosal lining of the small bowel from the inflammation caused by celiac disease when gluten is ingested. Once you remove gluten from the diet, inflammation subsides and the mucosal lining begins to heal. 
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