Starting Dietary Changes

[Ab-Normal]

I got "that call" this morning from the doctor's office, confirming that the blood test and biopsy were positive for celiac. At that time, I was scheduled for a bone density test and a follow-up with the gastroenterologist almost a month from now. The person I spoke with didn't mention dietary changes, except to reassure me when I jokingly said, "Goodbye, bread! Goodbye, beer!"

I realize I should probably ask my doctor this, but I thought it couldn't hurt to ask here as well: Should I start eliminating gluten from my diet now that I've received a positive diagnosis? Or should I wait for official notification? To be honest, I'm thinking "woo-hoo! four more weeks of food that I'm used to!" but my husband was dubious when I put it to him in that fashion. (A little history: I ended up at the hematologist/oncologist with iron-deficiency anemia that didn't respond to oral supplements; the hematologist referred me on to the gastroenterologist for colonoscopy + upper endoscopy; endo found scalloping of the duodenum, and here I am. Since my guts haven't obviously been a problem, I'm more inclined than I probably should be to just "keep on eating".)

Thanks in advance,

Norma

[home-based-mom]

Hi, Norma, and welcome to the forum. You will learn a lot here.

Just because you are not experiencing GI symptoms does not mean that gluten is not doing its insidious damage. You really should go off the gluten ASAP now that you have your diagnosis. Shop around the edges of your grocery store for fresh and frozen meats and produce. If you need help adjusting, read, read and read some more. Do a forum search and if you don't see an answer, post your question and someone will know!

[Ab-Normal]

Hi, Norma, and welcome to the forum. You will learn a lot here.

Just because you are not experiencing GI symptoms does not mean that gluten is not doing its insidious damage. You really should go off the gluten ASAP now that you have your diagnosis. Shop around the edges of your grocery store for fresh and frozen meats and produce. If you need help adjusting, read, read and read some more. Do a forum search and if you don't see an answer, post your question and someone will know!

Thanks! My husband and I had a good discussion about this last night, and he agrees with you. Since he's our stay at home parent, and therefore does all the shopping and 99% of the cooking (somewhere I turned into Ward Cleaver, go figure), I feel very fortunate to have his buy-in and enthusiastic support in this.

[Ab-Normal]

PS just heard from the PA at the doctor's office, she agrees with you that I should start right away. To the grocery store!