Jump to content
This site uses cookies. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. More Info... ×
  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.




  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):



    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):


  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

I Go To The Gi On Thursday


KarenFe

Recommended Posts

KarenFe Contributor

I am going to the GI doctor on Thursday and want to make sure I know everything I need to ask about. I will ask about a biopsy, calcium levels, vitamin D levels, iron pills to take (I am anemic), and my diet. These are good things to ask about, right? Is there anything else I should know to ask or discuss?

Thanks so much!

Karen


Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):



Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):



happygirl Collaborator

Have you been diagnosed with Celiac or are you searching for a diagnosis?

KarenFe Contributor

Searching, I suppose. The blood test I had revealed a "gluten intolerance" with numbers that were high. The nurse who called me with the results said I have celiacs disease, but I know she was a bit ignorant on the issue. She also told me to eat gluten free but I can have gluten if I don't mind feeling a little bad.

leadmeastray88 Contributor
She also told me to eat gluten free but I can have gluten if I don't mind feeling a little bad.

Oh goodness...

There are 2 things very wrong about what she told you:

First, if you're going to have a biopsy, you HAVE to be consuming gluten for your biopsy to be accurate. A "normal" amount is the equivalent of 4-6 slices of bread a day (some have said).

Secondly, if you have Celiac's you CANNOT have ANY amount of gluten, not even a little. If you do, you're setting yourself up for some major health problems, including cancer and other autoimmune diseases. It's not about "feeling a little bit bad", it's about you having an autoimmune reaction to gluten...in other words, gluten is destroying your intestines and other organs.

Unless you don't plan on getting a biopsy (since your bloodwork was positive) then you can go ahead and start going, I might add, completely gluten-free.

You've already found a great support group! We're here to help! :)

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.


  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):



  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      131,342
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748

    Setb1210
    Newest Member
    Setb1210
    Joined

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):


  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.4k
    • Total Posts
      1m

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):





  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):



  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • trents
      My reaction to a gluten bolus exposure is similar to yours, with 2-3 hours of severe abdominal cramps and intractable emesis followed by several hours of diarrhea. I don't necessarily equate that one large exposure to gluten with significant intestinal lining damage, however. I think it's just a violent reaction to a what the body perceives to be a somewhat toxic substance that I am no longer tolerant of because I have quit exposing myself to it regularly. It's just the body purging itself of it rather than an expression of significant damage. Before diagnosis, when I was consuming gluten daily, I had little to no GI distress. I was, for the most part, a "silent celiac". The damage to my small bowel lining didn't happen all at once but was slow and insidious, accumulating over a period of years. The last time I got a big shot of gluten was about three years ago when I got my wife's wheat biscuits mixed up with my gluten-free ones. There was this acute reaction after about two hours of ingestion as I described above. I felt washed out for a few days and fully recovered within a week or so.  Now, I'm a 74-year-old male. So, I'm not worried about being pregnant. And I don't want to contradict your physicians advice. But I just don't think you have done significant damage to your small bowel lining by one episode of significant gluten ingestion. I just don't think it works that way.
    • Skydawg
      Wondering about some thoughts on how long to wait to try to get pregnant after a gluten exposure?  I have been diagnosed for 10 years and have followed the diet strictly. I have been cross contaminated before, but have never had a full on gluten exposure. I went to a restaurant recently, and the waiter messed up and gave me regular bread and told me it was gluten free. 2 hours later I was throwing up for the whole evening. I have never had that kind of reaction before as I have never had such a big exposure. My husband and I were planning to start trying to get pregnant this month. My dr did blood work to check for electrolytes and white blood cells, but did not do a full nutritional panel. Most of my GI symptoms have resolved in the past 2 weeks, but I am definitely still dealing with brain fog, fatigue and headaches. My dr has recommended I wait 3 months before I start to try to get pregnant.   I have read else where about how long it can take for the intestine to fully heal, and the impacts gluten exposure can have on pregnancy. I guess I am really wondering if anyone has had a similar experience? How long does it take to heal after 1 exposure like that, after following the diet so well for 10 years? Is 3 months an okay amount of time to wait? Is there anything I can do in the meantime to reduce my symptoms? 
    • ShadowLoom
      I’ve used tinctures and made my own edibles with gluten-free ingredients to stay safe. Dispensary staff don’t always know about gluten, so I double-check labels or just make my own.
    • Scott Adams
      It's great to hear that there are some good doctors out there, and this is an example of why having a formal diagnosis can definitely be helpful.
    • RMJ
      Update: I have a wonderful new gastroenterologist. She wants to be sure there’s nothing more serious, like refractory celiac, going on. She ordered various tests including some micronutrient tests that no one has ever ordered before.  I’m deficient in folate and zinc and starting supplements for both. I’m so glad I decided to go to a new GI!
×
×
  • Create New...