Jump to content

  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):

    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

New With Quesions..

Momtwoboys

Recommended Posts

Momtwoboys Newbie
Momtwoboys
Posted

Hi,

I have been having GI problems ( mostly cramps and diaherria) since the birth of my eldest child (5yrs). I have been to a GI specialist and he did a colonoscopy. He found nothing and diagnosed me with IBS. I still continue to have problems and have developed others since that time that include hypothyroidism, rash on inside of forearms, and scalp sores. I'd like to add that I had been on a low carb diet and had felt some releif. Could I possibly have celiac disease? Should I find a different GI specialist? And, what test should I have done?

TIA

Chris

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


CarlaB Enthusiast
CarlaB
Posted

It is definately a possibility. You should ask for a celiac panel. There should be about 5 different tests done, I'm sure someone will post what they are ... After you get those results, which will tell you if you are reacting to gluten, most docs will want to do a biopsy of the small intestine. Do not stop eating gluten until all the testing is completed if you want a diagnosis. If you don't need a diagnosis, then you can stop eating gluten and see what you're dietary response is. An alternative to traditional testing is www.enterolab.com. Their tests are a bit more sensitive, but can only diagnose gluten sensitivity not necessarily celiac.

So, it's up to you what path of testing you decide to do. Feel free to ask questions, and welcome!

Canadian Karen Community Regular
Canadian Karen
Posted

Hi Chris! Welcome to the board!

It certainly is a definite possibility that celiac is behind your problems. It is well documented that celiac can lie "dormant" in you for years until it gets "triggered" by either an infection (mono, meningitis, rotivirus, etc.) or a very stressful event in your life (pregnancy, loss of someone close, stress of work, etc.)

The fact that the low carb diet seemed to bring you "some relief" would also be an indicator. What I would suggest is to pursue it further, ask for an endoscopy with numerous biopsies and get the bloodwork done (make sure it is the full panel). Keep in mind that there are many false negatives, particularly if the antibodies are just at their beginning stages and don't register on the bloodwork yet and if you have minor villi damage, it could very easily be missed with the biopsies.

The general consensus around here is that the ONLY true test is trying the gluten free diet and seeing if you have a positive response to that. There are many, many people who are on this board who don't have the official diagnosis of celiac but are obviously gluten intolerant because they have had incredible success upon going gluten free.

Any questions you have, just ask away!

Again, welcome!

Karen

tarnalberry Community Regular
tarnalberry
Posted

It's possible. Did the GI do any biopsies with that test? You can either insist upon a blood test, from even your GP (though it may not be accurate if you're low carb), or just go totally gluten free, and see if that helps.

Momtwoboys Newbie
Momtwoboys
Posted
  • Author

I have made an appointment with the same GI specialist instead of starting all over with a new. I am going to request a celiac panel since the more I read the more I think celiac is a possibility. I have not been on a low carb diet for months now so it shouldn't affect the results. I'll come back when I have results.

Thanks again,

Chris

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):


  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      131,609
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    Gwen Gatzke
    Newest Member
    Gwen Gatzke
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.4k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):



  • Who's Online (See full list)

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):


  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • Scott Adams
      Potential celiac need advice

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      It seems like you have two choices--do a proper gluten challenge and get re-tested, or just go gluten-free because you already know that it is gluten that is causing your symptoms. In order to screen someone for celiac disease they need to be eating gluten daily, a lot of it--they usually recommend at least 2 slices of wheat bread daily for 6-8 weeks before a blood screening, and at least 2 weeks before an endoscopy (a colonoscopy is no used to diagnose celiac disease). Normally the blood panel is your first step, and if you have ANY positive results there for celiac disease the next step would be to take biopsies of your villi via an endoscopy given by a gastroenterologist.  More info on the blood tests and the gluten challenge beforehand is below: The article includes the "Mayo Clinic Protocol," which is the best overall protocol for results to be ~98% accurate. Here is more info about how to do a gluten challenge for a celiac disease blood panel, or for an endoscopy: and this recent study recommends 4-6 slices of wheat bread per day:   Not to discourage you from a formal diagnosis, but once you are diagnosed it may lead to higher life and medical insurance rates (things will be changing quickly in the USA with the ACA starting in 2026), as well as the need to disclose it on job applications. While I do think it's best to know for sure--especially because all of your first degree relatives should also get screened for it--I also want to disclose some negative possibilities around a formal diagnosis that you may want to also consider.  
    • Wheatwacked
      Potential celiac need advice

      By Wheatwacked · Posted

      Yes.  Now, if you hit your finger with a hammer once, wouldn't you do your best not to do it again?  You have identified a direct connection between gluten and pain.  Gluten is your hammer.  Now you have to decide if you need a medical diagnosis.  Some countries have aid benefits tgat you can get if you have the diagnosis, but you must continue eating a gluten-normal diet while pursuing the diagnosis. Otherwise the only reason to continue eating gluten is social. There are over 200 symptoms that could be a result of celiac disease.. Celiac Disease and Non Celiac Gluten Sensitivity  both cause multiple vitamin and mineral deficiency.  Dealing with that should help your recovery, even while eating gluten.  Phosphatidyl Choline supplements can help your gut if digesting fats is a problem,  Consider that any medications you take could be causing some of the symptoms, aside from gluten.        
    • trents
      Potential celiac need advice

      By trents · Posted

      Welcome to the forum, @Ben98! If you have been consciously or unconsciously avoiding gluten because of the discomfort it produces then it is likely that your blood antibody testing for celiac disease has been rendered invalid. Valid testing requires regular consumption of generous amounts of gluten. The other strong possibility is that you have NCGS (Non Celiac Gluten Sensitivity) which shares many of the same symptoms with celiac disease but does not have the autoimmune component and thus does not damage the small bowel lining. It is 10x mor common than celiac disease. There is currently no test for NCGS. Celiac disease must first be ruled out. Some experts in the field believe it can be a precursor to the development of celiac disease. Having one or both of the primary genes for developing celiac disease does not imply that you will develop active celiac disease. It simply establishes the potential for it. About 40% of the population has the genetic potential but only about 1% develop active celiac disease. 
    • Ben98
      Potential celiac need advice

      By Ben98 · Posted

      TTG blood test and total IGA tested on many occasions which have always remained normal, upper GI pain under my ribs since 2022. I had an endoscopy in 2023 which showed moderate gastritis. no biopsy’s were taken unfortunately. genetic test was positive for HLADQ2. extreme bloating after eating gluten, it’ll feel like I’ve got bricks in my stomach so uncomfortably full. the pain is like a dull ache under the upper left almost like a stitch feeling after a long walk. I am just wanting some advice has anyone here experienced gastritis with a gluten issue before? thank you  
    • Wheatwacked
      Unusual bright yellow but odourless discharge

      By Wheatwacked · Posted

      "Conclusions: The urinary iodine level was significantly lower in women with postmenopausal osteoporosis, and iodine replacement may be important in preventing osteoporosis"  Body iodine status in women with postmenopausal osteoporosis Low iodine can cause thyroid problems, but Iodine deficiency will not show up in thyroid tests.  Iodine is important for healing, its job is to kill off defective and aging cells (Apoptosis). Skin, brain fog, nails, muscle tone all inproved when I started taking 600 mcg (RDA 150 - 1000 mcg) of Liquid Iodine drops. Some with dermatitis herpetiformis, Iodine exacerbates the rash.  I started at 1 drop (50 mcg) and worked up to 12 drops, but I don't have dermatitis herpetiformis.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

NOTICE: This site places This site places cookies on your device (Cookie settings). on your device. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy.