Testing Questions

[wacky~jackie]

Hi all! First I just want you to know that I have found this message board very informative.

Here's a short bio. Older sister diagnosed by positive blood tests and positive biopsy. She recommended that I be tested as I have many symptoms (bloating, joint pain, thyroid, depression, gall bladder, headaches - just to name a few!!). After much research I decided to ask my doctor to do blood tests. She really listened to what I had researched and my symptoms and ordered blood tests. After waiting almost 2 weeks for the results (which I didn't expect such a long wait.) they came back negative (IGG of 4 and IGA of 5, iron ok, B12 ok) but she only did those four tests.

My question is should I have her do further testing based on some of the posts I have read? Should I keep the appointment that I have scheduled with a GI and request a biopsy? Or do I just go gluten-free?

In the past I was on the Atkins diet and felt 100% better - which I now believe is because my gluten consumptions was definitely dramatically reduced (although probably not 100% gluten free). I'm ready to cut-out gluten completely to feel better but I don't want to do a gluten challenge for more tests so I just keep eating like I always have. I feel like I'm in limbo!!

Any suggestions?

[plantime]

It is your choice what to do next. Your bloodwork was negative, but that could mean that there just is not enough damage to show up. You can still get the biopsy if you want to. You say you felt better on the Atkins diet, so I recommend you try the gluten-free diet for 6 weeks. A doctor's diagnosis is not needed to eat gluten-free, so if you feel better on a gluten-free diet, there is no reason why you can't remain on it. The dietary response is a test in and of itself.

[AndreaB]

If you can swing the money I would recommend Enterolab. They can catch the intolerance before it hits the blood as they test stool. Open Original Shared Link for more info.

[mle-ii]

I too noticed how much my symptoms improved when doing Atkins, I didn't make the link to gluten until I found out I had Lymphocytic Colitis and found that others with my disease had improvement with going gluten free. I had Enterolab test me and found that I had gluten sensitivity as well as the genes.

[wacky~jackie]

I too noticed how much my symptoms improved when doing Atkins, I didn't make the link to gluten until I found out I had Lymphocytic Colitis and found that others with my disease had improvement with going gluten free. I had Enterolab test me and found that I had gluten sensitivity as well as the genes.

It was amazing. I only ate when I was hungry. No more cravings. I had no bloating and my knees and back felt 100% better. I ended up going off it after some complications from my gall bladder removal and the hospital put me on a clear liquid diet (all sugar!!! which is a major no-no on Atkins) I tried to go back on it when I started gaining the weight back but I haven't had much success because it's too strict. At least on a gluten-free diet I can try corn, potatoes and rice and I can have fruit - none of that is allowed on Atkins. So I think I'll be able to stick to gluten-free pretty easily, especially if I feel better. I guess I was hoping for a definite positive diagnosis. I figured that I could stay away from the bread and stuff easier if I knew it would damage my intestine. I'm worried that I'll be more apt to cheat without the diagnosis.