Its Been A Long Road

[ranger]

ive been reading the forums for awhile, but just decided to join in. I had a negative blood test and a negative biopsy but feel so much better gluten free that Ive decided to ignore all that and go gluten-free. Ive been sick for a year and a half- gone from 110 lbs. to 84 lbs at my low point. Been gluten-free since Oct. 31 ( except for some major glutenings through all the holidays!) Am now up to 94 lbs.(hooray) and feeling much better. I probably would have never stopped eatin gluten after the biopsy if it werent for the info Ive gotten on this forum. For that, I thank you all! Have always been a cook- now relearning everything, bit eating rather well.I really feel sorry for those that dont cook on this diet.Again thank you

[ravenwoodglass]

Welcome. I am glad you are starting to feel better. It does take a bit to get the hang of things but it sounds like you are well on your way.

[sbj]

If you haven't already done so, you might consider a complete blood count, vitamin and mineral testing, and a bone density scan. These are tests that are recommended for those newly diagnosed with celiac disease.

[Jestgar]

If you haven't already done so, you might consider a complete blood count, vitamin and mineral testing, and a bone density scan. These are tests that are recommended for those newly diagnosed with celiac disease.

Or not. Not everyone chooses additional testing.

[sbj]

Or not. Not everyone chooses additional testing.

That's sort of why I wrote "you might consider"

Must every well-intentioned suggestion come with a disclaimer?

[rinne]

Hi and welcome.

Congratulations on taking your health into your own hands. I have found this site enormously helpful too.

A vitamin and mineral panel check at minimum is very helpful, it is quite possible your B12 and D are low and that can be dealt with simply, if not dealt with it may lead to other problems.

And I am not a doctor.

I had negative blood work too and I didn't wait for the endoscopy because it was scheduled for five months after I went gluten free and there was little use in having it done at that point. I had already decided I was never going to eat gluten again.

[Jestgar]

That's sort of why I wrote "you might consider"

Must every well-intentioned suggestion come with a disclaimer?

Sorry, I didn't mean to be argumentative, I was just trying lessen the immediate burden of a lifestyle change. Sometimes the info comes too fast and it's intimidating. I wanted to emphasize that additional testing is optional, and doesn't need to happen immediately.

[marciab]

I agree all this info can be overwhelming but getting your nutrient levels tested could save you some recovery time.

I was tested after about a year on the diet and found to be B12 and iron deficient. I felt a whole lot better once I got those built back up.

And .. I was just retested a few months ago, 3 years after starting the diet and found out I'm chromium deficient.

Oh and if you're feeling weak or dizzy, a BG tolerance test would be a good idea too. These are things that are easily treated and can make a big difference in how you feel.

[sbj]

Sometimes the info comes too fast and it's intimidating.

That's true!

Ranger, the weight loss seems a bit scary so there could be a deficiency there that might benefit from quick action - a supplement from your doctor. On the other hand, there is no absolute requirement to do any of these tests, and most deficiencies resolve themselves after being on the gluten-free diet for a while. It's your call on what to do beyond the gluten-free diet, if anything.

Life would be so much more simple if everything was a yes or no, black and white, do this don't do that, wouldn't it? All we can do is gather information and try to make informed decisions.