Getting Started

[disneyfan]

After several years of blood work trying to determine reason for malabsorption of vitamin D and low calcium, osteopenia and low iron, my current dr ordered bloodwork for transglutanimase and endomysial antibodies. Both tests came back positive, have not had an endoscopy yet, waiting to make appointment w/dr. I have read both sides of argument for starting gluten free diet before biopsy and have not completely decided what to do yet, will decide based on how long it takes to get appointment.

I am trying to figure out what I am allowed to eat while I try to comprehend all of this gluten information. Could someone please give me ideas of what to eat from those of you who had to start immediately. I have heard fresh vegies and lean meats, but what about breakfast and lunch?

Any help would be appreciated just to get me started.

[Viola 1]

After several years of blood work trying to determine reason for malabsorption of vitamin D and low calcium, osteopenia and low iron, my current dr ordered bloodwork for transglutanimase and endomysial antibodies. Both tests came back positive, have not had an endoscopy yet, waiting to make appointment w/dr. I have read both sides of argument for starting gluten free diet before biopsy and have not completely decided what to do yet, will decide based on how long it takes to get appointment.

I am trying to figure out what I am allowed to eat while I try to comprehend all of this gluten information. Could someone please give me ideas of what to eat from those of you who had to start immediately. I have heard fresh vegies and lean meats, but what about breakfast and lunch?

Any help would be appreciated just to get me started.

If you have to have the biopsy, it really isn't a good idea to start the diet before hand.

Having said that, for breakfast eggs and fruit are both good. There are some gluten free cereals which I also use. Gluten free bread for toast and 'French toast'. There is also gluten free pancake mixes that are very good ... to the point where my Dad couldn't tell the difference

There is gluten free pasta's (Tinkyada is the best), you can also get gluten free pizza crusts in some freezer sections.

Hope this helps a bit.

And welcome to the board!

[rez]

I would hold off on the diet until after the biopsy. It's nice to know for sure and to have a starting point so they can know how far you've come and healed! :) I'm sure they'll get you in very quickly. Good luck.

[rez]

After several years of blood work trying to determine reason for malabsorption of vitamin D and low calcium, osteopenia and low iron, my current dr ordered bloodwork for transglutanimase and endomysial antibodies. Both tests came back positive, have not had an endoscopy yet, waiting to make appointment w/dr. I have read both sides of argument for starting gluten free diet before biopsy and have not completely decided what to do yet, will decide based on how long it takes to get appointment.

I am trying to figure out what I am allowed to eat while I try to comprehend all of this gluten information. Could someone please give me ideas of what to eat from those of you who had to start immediately. I have heard fresh vegies and lean meats, but what about breakfast and lunch?

Any help would be appreciated just to get me started.

Ps. Kudos to your doc! Is this a new doc. How many did you go through before you finally found one who recognized the symptoms?

[disneyfan]

Ps. Kudos to your doc! Is this a new doc. How many did you go through before you finally found one who recognized the symptoms?

I have been seeing this Dr for about 1 1/2 years. He is an endocrinologist and I have been maintaining my thyroid problem since 1991. I was going to a different dr (different state) for about 3 years prior to him and I was getting low calcium/vitamin D results on lab work. After many blood tests w/hematologist that scared the heck out of me, there was no conclusive reason for my low counts. Being a thin, otherwise healthy, active person, this new dr could not understand why I was having absorption problems. His bedside manner is not the greatest because he does not like to be interrupted or asked questions, but he is a very good diagnostician. He was training his new physician assistant in the room during my appt and mentioned celiac. I was too nervous to ask what it was because he hates to be questioned so I called the office back and asked what he was looking for. After I expressed my disgust at how he handled the appointment and lack of explanation, the nurse explained that he was testing for celiac. He ordered the blood tests and they were positive, now he has referred me to have a gastro evaluation. Luckily, I am on top of my medical info because the blood test he originally ordered was wrong based on the fact that I am Iga deficient (and its in my records) so my results would have been "negative". I had to have them change the tests so he would get the correct results. I don't have the horrible intestinal problems that some patients have so that is why this is confusing. It was explained to me that there are many levels of this disease and everyone could be affected differently. I do notice bloating and fatigue so I am not oblivious to the idea that I could have this.

Just need to know where to start.

Thanks!

[StrongerToday]

While you're waiting to get the biopsy (and I agree you should continue your regular diet until then) take this time to read up. So many of us started "cold turkey" and it's made the learning curve very steep. You can read some books, surf this web site, understand what you can and can't have. Find some good recipies to try!

I started with plain meats, steamed veggies, rice and potatoes. I also started making my own bread, but discovered ordering from Knickicknick was far easier and tastier. Start checking your hygeine products, I was amazed to find gluten in my shampoo, hair spray and foot lotion.

Good luck and welcome! If you have any questions, just ask.

[tarnalberry]

I'd look at it this way - if you didn't have lots of processed stuff to pick from, what would you have for breakfast? Then take out the wheat, barley, rye and oats, and there you go.

Ok, that is an over simplification, but the point of the mental exercise is to change your thought patterns.

What you have for breakfast doesn't have to be so special from lunch or dinner, and vice versa. Here are things that I'll eat at various times of the day, starting with more traditional breakfast foods:

eggs (hard boiled, over easy, scrambled and eaten with rice cakes)

pancakes (Gluten-free Casein-free mixes) (I freeze extras when I make them on the weekend)

rice cakes with peanut butter and jam

smoothies

tuna salad in tortillas or on lettuce

bean salad

stew

chicken soup

stir-fries

grilled meats

grilled veggies

sauteed veggies

rice (plain, seasoned, pilafed, etc.)

quinoa (ditto above)

beans (ditto above)

fruit

veggies with dip

I encourage folks to open up a cookbook and explore!

[GlutenWrangler]

Don't forget about bacon. Oscar Mayer is gluten-free. I agree that since you have to wait until the biopsy to start the diet, learn everything you can now. You will save yourself a lot of frustration. I was diagnosed in June, but didn't actually start the diet until late July. I thought that I was on the diet, but I was actually doing a few things wrong and was still consuming small amounts of gluten. There is no better resource than this message board. I would suggest reading posts that could help you along in the learning process, and also, feel free to ask for help any time you need it. Good luck,

-Brian