Any Benefit To Getting Tested And Diagnosed Officially?

[Live4Hiking]

After having years of joint pain and diagnosed incorrectly with RA as well as having non specific "food hangovers" or "food poisonings", I finally went on a gluten free diet for the last 2 months and wow! I feel like my old self again. Is there any reason to now go in a see a doc to get a blood test and/or biopsy to confirm what I already know - I cant eat glutens and feel ok?

BTW - I decided to go gluten-free after stumbling upon this site and reading all the symptoms and amazing recoveries. So thank you, to all of you!!!!

[ShayFL]

The tests will be inaccurate now. Some say you have to eat a fair amount of gluten EVERYDAY for 3 or 4 months for the tests to MAYBE come out positive.

You have your answer.

Congratulations!!!

[Lockheed]

I think the only reason to do it right now is if you need to claim some sort of resulting disability or work accommodation. I came out incredibly ambigious on all my testing except food sensitivity (which shows wheat rye barley oat amaranth millet and hops - so I have something a little more broad spectrum than just gluten going on for whatever reason). My biopsy was inconclusive and my blood test came back with one positive marker and one negative marker so one of them is false. But given that I was having so many issues I did an elimination diet and a gluten challenge and man I just can't eat gluten for sure. I think you have about as firm of a diagnosis as you'll ever have with the current technologies available.

[Live4Hiking]

I think the only reason to do it right now is if you need to claim some sort of resulting disability or work accommodation. I came out incredibly ambigious on all my testing except food sensitivity (which shows wheat rye barley oat amaranth millet and hops - so I have something a little more broad spectrum than just gluten going on for whatever reason). My biopsy was inconclusive and my blood test came back with one positive marker and one negative marker so one of them is false. But given that I was having so many issues I did an elimination diet and a gluten challenge and man I just can't eat gluten for sure. I think you have about as firm of a diagnosis as you'll ever have with the current technologies available.

Thanks you guys!!! That was my gut (no pun intended!) feeling, thanks for verifying.

[Katsby]

I am kind of glad I didn't get an official diagnosis mainly because insurance can't turn me down if there's nothing stating that I have Celiac Disease in writing. I think the only benefit is if you are able to get support from an official diagnosis. I think in some countries they give financial aid.