Elimainate Dairy And Gluten At Same Time?

[jldanforth]

Hi, I am relatively new to this board. I have been following a lot of the blogs with interest and mine contains some of the same questions. Here is the scenario:

I have had a history of 'IBS' for years, self-diagnosed although my MD did not disagree. This past year I have had episodes of severe abdominal bloating with such bad cramping I have to walk the floor until the bloating and pain subside. I am alternating between diarrhea and constipation, occasional nausea and not wanting to eat, optical migraines and I do have hypothyroid. I know too much rich dairy (1/2 & 1/2, ice cream) can sometimes trigger diarrhea, but not always. I am currently staying away from dairymost of the time, but not always.

My MD tested me last year for Celiac but told me since only 1 test was elevated i do not have it.

Antigliadin Antibody, IgG - 31 (High, the normal range 0-19 units)

Antigliadin Antibody, IgA - 14 (normal, the normal range 0-19 units)

Antigliadin Tranglutaminase Antibody, IgA - 4 (normal, the normal range 0-19 units)

I have tried thougout the year going dairy-free or gluten-free, but not for any extended period of time (most is 5 - 7 days).

I am still having the same symtoms, although some improvement based on eating better.

When I saw the MD this year he told me again he does not believe I have Celiac, just 'lactose intolerance' and have no dairy products or if I do just take a lactaid tab.

I got the results of this years lab results and they are now showing more abnormalities:

Antigliadin Antibody, IgG - 58 (High, the normal range 0-19 units)

Antigliadin Antibody, IgA - 34 (high, the normal range 0-19 units)

Antigliadin Tranglutaminase Antibody, IgA - 6 (normal, the normal range 0-19 units)

I had myself convinced the 1st years elevated IgG was due to having Hepatitis A as young child (this can cause elevated IgG) But after this years results I cannot blame that. I guess I don't want to accept the fact I could have celiac disease.

My question is, should I ignore his advice and go 'gluten-free' for a longer period of time? Also I thought it would make sense to go gluten and dairy free at the same time, then add back one at a time (e.g. gluten) to see if the symtoms return. Has anyone done this, does it make sense?

Sorry for the long post.

[tom]

My question is, should I ignore his advice and go 'gluten-free' for a longer period of time?

I think so.

5-7 days is pretty short.

I haven't had much testing, but does the Dr. give any explanation for the high - and RISING - IgG ???

[dbmamaz]

I dropped both dairy and gluten at the same time, because i had been dx'd as allergic to both as an infant. My celiac panel was negative, but my allergy test was positive My stomach was better in days, my headaches left a few weeks later, my mood and energy continues to rise (when my yeast isnt flaring up) Oh, i used to have D from only high-fat milk products too .. . but why risk it . ..

Celiacs will have trouble digesting lactose because the damage to the villi, which is where the enzyme for lactose is made. But other people cannot tolerate the milk protien, so lactiad wont help for that. Some doctors dont understand that you can actually be allergic or intolerant to milk. You probably want to re-introduce milk first, but using lactaid milk. THat way you know if you are reacting to the protien or the lactose.

. . . but heck, yeah, drop both for a month and see how you feel. What do you have to lose? Years and years of suffering and a month of pizzas. Eat meat and potatoes and veggies for a month.

[ShayFL]

With those numbers you should ask to see a GI doc and get a biopsy. Dont go gluten free until you get that biopsy. And consider genetic testing as well.