Confused About Blood Test...and A Question About Being Gultenized

[jennifervan]

I have read other peoples posts about a blood test for celiac.

I took one bood test that the doctor explained showed that I was a "carrier" for Celiac. It showed up on a genetic test. Is this the test other people are talking about.

I then started the diet and it has helped except for recently. I got glutenized 2 weeks ago and I still feel really bad with symptoms getting worse. Shouldn't it clear up if I have been back to being gluten free for 2 weeks- or at least I should be getting better?

I suffer mostly from bloating and leg/muscle cramps right now.

Thanks for your help,

Jennifer

[Guest cassidy]

If you recently went gluten-free, then it is understandable that you still feel bad. For me, it took two weeks of being gluten-free to even realize when I got glutened because I never felt good, although I felt much better than I used to in the beginning.

It takes a while for the damage to heal, 6 months to a year is what I have heard. During the first 6 months at least you will probably feel better and better, but you may have some set backs when you accidently gluten yourself or discover some of your bathroom products have gluten in them or some food changed their ingredients. For me it was a 10 steps forward, 1 step back type of thing.

Since you haven't been gluten-free for long and you glutened yourself, I'm sure you don't feel well two weeks later. I find that two weeks is about how long it takes for me to feel 100% and I've had time for my system to heal. If you are still healing and you get glutened again, it might take a while longer. However, hopefully every day is better. If it isn't maybe there is still some hidden gluten in your diet. It takes a while to educate yourself and get the hang of this diet.

[CarlaB]

The genetic test is different than the blood test others refer to. The blood test is a panel of tests that show the immune system is reacting to the gluten and whether there is an autoimmune reaction. The gene test shows whether you carry the gene, but you can carry the gene and never develop the disease.

I would look for hidden gluten in your diet. Have you checked your lipstick and other beauty products that may get in your mouth? Are you watching for contamination from others in the home who eat gluten (wooden spoons, cutting boards, jars of pb or mayo)? Are you eating things with sauces that contain gluten?

It takes time for the body to heal, so it might not be getting glutened that is causing the ongoing problem. You may also have other intolerances start to show up as you get better, for a lot of us it's casein (milk protein) and/or soy. Bloating is a symptom I have from casein.