How Much Gluten Do You Have To Eat

[acousticmom]

I've heard comments about how long you need to be eating gluten to be tested for celiac (around 6 mos., if I remember right), but I'm wondering how much you need to consume.

Since only one member of our family is officially diagnosed with celiac, our family doctor recommended doing blood tests on the rest of the family every 1-2 years unless someone develops problems that warrant testing sooner--and I'm good with that approach. At home, we all eat gluten-free, which is 90% or more of the non-celiac kids' meals. They get gluten at social events and friends' houses, but it doesn't amount to nearly as much as a "normal" diet. So when they get tested next spring, will this mess up the blood test?

Carol

[CarlaB]

It will definately affect the blood tests. I have heard it's the equivalent of three slices of bread per day. But I wouldn't have them eating that if they're genetically predisposed to the disease!

[AndreaB]

If they are predominately gluten-free I would recommend Enterolab every 2-5 years, unless symptoms develop before hand. Open Original Shared Link for Enterolab's website.

[acousticmom]

Thanks! I think Enterolab testing may be our solution, but I do want to check on their accuracy rate, since I've heard some concerns regarding this type of testing in general.

Three slices of bread a day--yikes! We haven't had gene testing yet, but my own suspicions make me uncomfortable with that idea. Does anybody know where this estimate comes from?

Carol

[VydorScope]

Frankly there is no solid answer yet, this article here will give you some details though :

https://www.celiac.com/st_prod.html?p_prodi...-26106308354.ce

[acousticmom]

Frankly there is no solid answer yet, this article here will give you some details though :

https://www.celiac.com/st_prod.html?p_prodi...-26106308354.ce

Thanks, Vincent. That helps.

Cute kid you got there!!

Carol

[gfp]

From Vincents link

A 0.3 g/kg body weight/day of single gluten challenge causes immunological changes (cellular immunity) in the intestine (J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr 1989; 9:176-180) in patients on a gluten-free diet, however, the serological response is much slower.

Our recommendation is to ingest at least 0.3 g/kg/day of gluten for two months prior to the serological tests. However, if somebody experiences symptoms during the gluten challenge we recommend to perform serological tests earlier.

However if they have been eating random gluten outside then this will affect that too.

The question is really one of cost.... you could send off NOW... and bear in mind it might be a false negative BUT knowing you will be able to take them off gluten now if its positive. I would guess most insurance companies would not be happy testing now then again if its negative.

You could make them gluten free 100% for 2-3 months (no outside gluten) and then take the second paragraph .. that is as soon as you have positive reaction wait 2-3 days to a week then have a blood test.

Its all a compromise in the end.