Please Help....

[cherishlife]

It was recommend that I stop eating wheat and gluten by my accupucture doctor about 8 months ago. I had stomach problems my entire life, but never equated it to wheat or gluten. I changed my diet and felt amazingly better in a few weeks. I was told that I should be tested for Celiac. My regular doctor did one blood test, not sure what it was, but I had not been eating wheat or gluten for several months at this point. It came back negative.

However, after reading a lot about the disease and the way I react when I accidently eat something with it in it, I really do think I have it. My sister was recently diganoised with it. She had a small intestine biopsey done.

I understand there are different ways to be tested. However, I read that you have to eat a pretty large amount of wheat prior to the testing. I don't think I could survive. I have four very small children and I homeschool.

Please help. I just moved to Portland and I do not have insurance yet so I can seek professional help at this time. If anyone has information or can direct me to where I can get accurate information so I can make wise decisions, I would greatly appreicate it. So, far my regular doctors in Southern Calf. had no idea what I was talking about.

I also wanted to find out if I need to have my children tested. I do not see any signs of it in any of them at this point. My daughter does have some food alergies.

Thank you!!

[ShayFL]

You are correct. You will need to go back on gluten for a good 3-4 month eathing 3-4 slices of bread a day (or the equivalent) to hope for a positive result at this time.

Enterolab testing does not require you eat gluten, but your insurance (if you had any) would not cover it.

You can also opt for genetic testing since your sister has Celiac.

You already have your answer though. Do you really need a piece of paper to tell you that not eating gluten makes you feel better?

[MissyH]

I'm in the UK so the situation may be different where you are..but in the UK you can only get prescription foods if diagnosed as Coeliac or wheat intolerant..

The only tests I could have was a set of biopsies..even then only 3 were ok to test but I came back negative.

Luckily I was given a diagnosis of wheat intolerance so I do have prescription foods..

But..living without prescription foods can be done..and if you feel well and can cope without buying extortionately priced gluten-free food then just stick with avoiding gluten.

I would say it's quite likely you have it seeing as your sis does.

[cherishlife]

You are correct. You will need to go back on gluten for a good 3-4 month eathing 3-4 slices of bread a day (or the equivalent) to hope for a positive result at this time.

Enterolab testing does not require you eat gluten, but your insurance (if you had any) would not cover it.

You can also opt for genetic testing since your sister has Celiac.

You already have your answer though. Do you really need a piece of paper to tell you that not eating gluten makes you feel better?

Thank you for your input. I guess I thought that because I have children I should be tested to confirm I have it. I pretty much know that I do. I have all the symptoms, from the stomach issues to the skin issues as well as neurological issues. At what point should I test my children? Or should I? I read that some people do not have the outward signs and still could have it and be causing damage. At this point, I do not think my children have any of my symptoms. Thanks!!!!

[nora-n]

Here in Scandinavia, they diagnose more celiacs without symptoms than with symptoms. That is because they often test all relatives of diagnosed celiacs.

Yes, you have to be eating a good amount of gluten for the tests to be accurate, more li e0,3 per kg, that would be like 21 grams if you weigh 70 kg.