Couple Of Questions

[7-cody]

I've got a few questions if someone can help me real quick!

1) I haven't taken the gene or biopsy test, but I did take a test a year ago. Here are the results:

Date: 10/23/2006

Name: Knudson, Cody

Gluten Sensitivity Stool Test

Fecal Antigliadin IgA 12 (Normal Range <10 Units)

Interpretation of Fecal Antigliadin IgA: Intestinal antigliadin IgA antibody was elevated, indicating that you have active dietary gluten sensitivity. For optimal health, resolution of symptoms (if you have them), and prevention of small intestinal damage and malnutrition, osteoporosis, and damage to other tissues (like nerves, brain, joints, muscles, thyroid, pancreas, other glands, skin, liver, spleen, among others), it is recommended that you follow a strict and permanent gluten free diet. As gluten sensitivity is a genetic syndrome, you may want to have your relatives screened as well.

Is this enough to confirm that I am indeed Celiac? Or should I try a biopsy and hair mineral/vitamin tests etc?

2) I have a hard time gaining weight. I'm 6' exact, male, and I weigh a whopping 173 lbs. My girlfriend weighs more than me for crying out loud (she's 5'10"). Back when I was in shape and played Basketball a lot, I weighed 160'ish. Is it possible to still be celiac? I've been told that Celiacs are usually overweight.

3) I don't get D very often. BUt I've dealt with C my whole life. It's horrible, sometimes I don't go for ten plus days. Whenever I do go, I feel like I'm done but... I'm done. If that makes sense. And I end up wiping for hours. Sorry, embarrassing, but I had to ask.

4) If I do indeed have Celiac, I'm wondering about recovery. From what I know it usually takes at least 3 months to feel better. This is probably a stupid question, but how do you know if you're staying gluten free? Isn't it too easy to get glutened? I guess that's why it can be hard and you have to work extra hard?

5) How do I find a good biopsy doctor (forget what they're called) and who would do a hair test for me?

6) Is it possible to speed up the recovery with colon cleanses and vitamin supplements, etc?

7) If I find out my vitamin levels are low, is it hard to get a doctor to give me B12 shots etc? Is that a bad idea or wouldn't it boost my vitamin level until my colon heals?

8) I noticed a lot people on this forum like to say "now I'm sick". What exactly does "sick" mean for a Celiac? Like, you were glutened free and now you're glutened and you're having brain fog, feeling tired, etc? Or is it something else? I'm asking because I basically always feel the same way, no matter what. So I don't even know what sick means unless its a sore throat or a runny nose every now and then.

Sorry about all the questions. One last question though, with everything I said, does it sound like I could indeed be Celiac? Or is my story sounding like something else?

Thanks a bunch!

[elye]

Hey, there,

Okay, I can't really help with your first question, as I don't know much about the fecal test...apparently, it is VERY accurate when compared to the blood panel and even the biopsy.

2. Many people who are gluten intolerant are underweight. A person's weight, whether high or low, is not an indicator either way of celiac, nor a ruling out of such.

3. Constipation is as common with celiac as diarrhea. Again, bowel movements can often be irrelevant. I had NO gastrointestinal symptoms, ever.

4. Recovery time varies greatly. You'll read here about people who felt miraculously different after a couple of days, and some who took a year. And then there are people like me, who had NO symptoms before diagnosis with the exception of low iron. So my "recovery" has not been obvious...but now I DO feel all the classic symptoms (bloating, cramps, etc.) after accidental glutening. If you are glutened after being gluten-free for a while, you will feel it, and you'll know.

5. You're looking for a gastroenterologist. People here on the forum can likely help you with this.

6. Probiotics are a good idea, and perhaps can speed recovery. Since you haven't been absorbing vitamins and minerals properly, supplements can help until your lower intestine has healed. Staying off gluten is the only thing that is going to keep the recovery happening. I think you just have to be patient.

7. I don't know how easy it would be to convince a doctor to inject B12, but until you're healed, it makes sense to me if your level is very low.

8. As I'm sure you're realizing, the symptoms of being glutened are far-ranging. Some people feel nothing (that's the way I was until I was gluten-free for a while), others are depressed, exhausted, have joint pain, abdominal upset, migraines...I could go on and on!

I recently had a long discussion with an acquaintance who was telling me how she has been tired and depressed for months. She has been unable to conceive, has swelling in her ankles and hands and very bad indigestion. I told her to google "celiac disease". This led her to a haemotologist, and guess what? Gluten intolerance. So, knowing that this person has celiac with those symptoms, I would say that with your symptoms, you certainly could be as well.

[zkat]

I've got a few questions if someone can help me real quick!

1) I haven't taken the gene or biopsy test, but I did take a test a year ago. Here are the results:

Date: 10/23/2006

Is this enough to confirm that I am indeed Celiac? Or should I try a biopsy and hair mineral/vitamin tests etc?

2) I have a hard time gaining weight. I'm 6' exact, male, and I weigh a whopping 173 lbs. My girlfriend weighs more than me for crying out loud (she's 5'10"). Back when I was in shape and played Basketball a lot, I weighed 160'ish. Is it possible to still be celiac? I've been told that Celiacs are usually overweight.

3) I don't get D very often. BUt I've dealt with C my whole life. It's horrible, sometimes I don't go for ten plus days. Whenever I do go, I feel like I'm done but... I'm done. If that makes sense. And I end up wiping for hours. Sorry, embarrassing, but I had to ask.

4) If I do indeed have Celiac, I'm wondering about recovery. From what I know it usually takes at least 3 months to feel better. This is probably a stupid question, but how do you know if you're staying gluten free? Isn't it too easy to get glutened? I guess that's why it can be hard and you have to work extra hard?

5) How do I find a good biopsy doctor (forget what they're called) and who would do a hair test for me?

6) Is it possible to speed up the recovery with colon cleanses and vitamin supplements, etc?

7) If I find out my vitamin levels are low, is it hard to get a doctor to give me B12 shots etc? Is that a bad idea or wouldn't it boost my vitamin level until my colon heals?

8) I noticed a lot people on this forum like to say "now I'm sick". What exactly does "sick" mean for a Celiac? Like, you were glutened free and now you're glutened and you're having brain fog, feeling tired, etc? Or is it something else? I'm asking because I basically always feel the same way, no matter what. So I don't even know what sick means unless its a sore throat or a runny nose every now and then.

Sorry about all the questions. One last question though, with everything I said, does it sound like I could indeed be Celiac? Or is my story sounding like something else?

Thanks a bunch!

Welcome! Never apologize for asking questions-we all learn from each other here. I am sure there are a hundred people lurking that have the same questions as you. OK, I can't answer all your questions, but I may be able to help some.

1. The reaised anti-bodies would be enough for me, but some people need the peace of mind of a test.

2. Many with Celiac have a hard time gaining weight, if you are not absorbing calories, then the weight will not stay on.

3. Constipation is also a common symptom . I have figured out that when I do get glutened, I am constipated the first day and then have terrible diarhea after that. It is very uncomfortable to me

4. Most people will see some improvement, especially with the brain fog etc. within a month or so and trust me-you will know you got glutened.

5. Gastroentroligsit do small bowel biopsies-try the celiac support groups for you area for recommendations

6. There are varying degrees in this. My personal believe is that the villa have to heal, like a cut or scrape, so a cleanse may help with constipation, but will not make the villi grow faster. Vitamins may help speed recovery-the healthier you are the faster you heal. Do your research on vitamins, this is one area that I could go off on a tangent about cheap companies etc. but will save it for another thread

7. HMMM, not sure on this one, never asked for a B-12 shot

8. When most people on the forum refer to being sick-it is indeed because they have eaten something they are intolerant to, most likely gluten but can also refer to any other food intolerances. The hard part is that everyone reacts differently. Some people get brain fog, diarhea, muscle aches, headaches, some get constipation and still some other throw up. It is different for everyone. Some people have no digestive symptoms at all, only nuerilogical ones.

I have not had any tests done. I was very ill for about 12 years. Tired, brain foggy, muscle aches, major digestive issues. I was basically told it was stress, all in my head, IBS etc. I went gluten-free on my own, saw HUGE improvements and that is enough for me and my current doctor.

I hope this helps some. Again, welcome!

Kat.

[7-cody]

Thanks so much for the responses. So does my antigen test result I posted earlier sound like I'm Celiac? I don't really get D hardly at all and my stomach doesn't usually hurt unless I take Colosan or something. Otherwise I'm tired as hell, can't think worth crap (extreme brain fog), etc etc etc...

Maybe I'll just do the complete test this time. The gene panel and everything else from Enterolab. If it still looks like I'm intolerant, then I'll try a gluten-free diet.

[ravenwoodglass]

Thanks so much for the responses. So does my antigen test result I posted earlier sound like I'm Celiac? I don't really get D hardly at all and my stomach doesn't usually hurt unless I take Colosan or something. Otherwise I'm tired as hell, can't think worth crap (extreme brain fog), etc etc etc...

Maybe I'll just do the complete test this time. The gene panel and everything else from Enterolab. If it still looks like I'm intolerant, then I'll try a gluten-free diet.

Yes that test was positive. You do not have to have daily D to have celiac and with your fatigue, brain fog etc if I were you I would do the diet strictly for at least a couple of months. Then if you still have doubt do a short, until you react gluten challenge.

[7-cody]

Yes that test was positive. You do not have to have daily D to have celiac and with your fatigue, brain fog etc if I were you I would do the diet strictly for at least a couple of months. Then if you still have doubt do a short, until you react gluten challenge.

I'm going to order the Gene test and the stool absorption test from Enterolab first, before I try the diet.

Has anyone heard of scdiet.org? Is this diet any good?