Non-celiac Digestive Problems?

[Mother of Jibril]

Is it possible to have digestive problems (cramps, bloating, gas, constipation, etc...) that dramatically improved on a gluten-free diet, but not have celiac disease?

Last week I had a celiac panel done (tTG, EMA), but it came back negative. I wasn't really surprised... I had already been off gluten for five weeks. I had been planning to try the diet and re-challenge (as suggested by an allergist), but within 48 hours I felt SO much better. I don't ever want to go back.

Anyway... the reason I'm asking is because I'm wondering how careful I need to be. Can I eat something that doesn't have gluten ingredients but "may contain traces of wheat"? I definitely have a leaky gut and I want it to heal (I don't want any more autoimmune disorders to crop up!)... what if my villi are being damaged, but I don't feel it and it doesn't show up on any tests?

[home-based-mom]

Is it possible to have digestive problems (cramps, bloating, gas, constipation, etc...) that dramatically improved on a gluten-free diet, but not have celiac disease?

Last week I had a celiac panel done (tTG, EMA), but it came back negative. I wasn't really surprised... I had already been off gluten for five weeks. I had been planning to try the diet and re-challenge (as suggested by an allergist), but within 48 hours I felt SO much better. I don't ever want to go back.

Anyway... the reason I'm asking is because I'm wondering how careful I need to be. Can I eat something that doesn't have gluten ingredients but "may contain traces of wheat"? I definitely have a leaky gut and I want it to heal (I don't want any more autoimmune disorders to crop up!)... what if my villi are being damaged, but I don't feel it and it doesn't show up on any tests?

It is not uncommon for blood tests to show a false negative. Your test was probably negative because after five weeks of not eating gluten you were no longer producing antibodies for the test to detect.

If your villi are being damaged, it is not wise to eat any gluten no matter what your test results are and no matter how you feel. Read the signature of board member "ravenwoodglass" who always tested negative.

You should not eat things that "may contain traces of wheat" and only experience will tell you whether or not you can eat foods processed in shared facilities or on shared equipment.

Welcome to the forum! There is a lot to learn here and people are always ready to help!