Possible Gluten Intolerance & Questions, Please

[Jujbe]

This is all so new to me that I'm not sure I even know what to ask yet. I'll try to be clear so bear with me if this sounds rambling. Questions will be in bold to see them easier.

I strongly suspect gluten intolerance but never had any idea I had trouble with it before. I chalked up my somewhat looser bowels & lots of gas to what I inherited from my mom as she's the same. When I came out with this indescribably itchy rash starting a month ago, I looked for answers on the cause. I've never shown (other than loser bowels & gas) any allergic reactions to any foods, drugs, or airborne allergens. My immune system is strong - I don't get colds, flu or infections from cuts or punctures ever. So never thought I might be gluten sensitive. But looking at dozens & dozens of photos of dermatitis herpetiformis, I was struck at how much my rash looked like those. It sure didn't look remotely like any other rash either. And the itch was worse than I've ever had before & I had scabies once years ago. It doesn't hold a candle to this itch!

So if I have gluten intolerance (which I guess means I have celiac disease) because of DH, does that mean I also have pathological changes (of some degree) in my intestine? About 15 years ago, another doctor had me tested for nutrient deficiencies because I bruised so easily. But my iron was normal & B12, folic acid levels & a few others came back in the high normal range. All was good. Mind you, I took extra supplements as I've always had low stomach acid & was worried about assimilation of nutrients. And I've always eaten very healthy, no junk food, home-grown (mostly) & home cooked.

I have some of the other linked disorders that come with celiac disease but not severely. And some things don't seem to fit - like my excellent immune system, very strong bones (I've worked hard though, always drank milk & ate cheese & took extra vitamin D - 1000 IU halibut liver oil capsules). Could I still have celiac disease?

I'm thinking perhaps my rash appeared because I'd been eating a lot of gluten lately (I bake my own foods & use extra gluten when I add various non-wheat flours) & seaweed. I read about the link of iodides wit DH. I love seaweed & eat it in various forms - been pigging out on it lately. Could that be why this rash decided to appear now after so many years?

I'm just confused still. Not so much about how celiac disease is but with the range of its symptoms, how severe or mild they may be & how it relates to me. I'm still waiting on the results of the blood tests. If negative, I'll be referred to a specialist. Right now, I'm driven to distraction trying not to rip at myself any more than I have to. I have stopped ALL gluten though - even any possible hidden sources by simply not eating those foods.

Thank you anyone for any answers or enlightenment you can provide.