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Ask My Doctor For What Test?


bluedarling

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bluedarling Newbie

I have suspected gluten/casein sensitivity for years, but couldn't come up with enough evidence to support asking to be tested, and my hubby wasn't supportive of diet changes without proof. I've had boughts of diarhea, when I was eating more whole grains and milk, where I did lose some weight, but not lately (mostly eating white flours, now, which don't seem to have noticeable symptoms for me....other than expected weight gain in proportion to what I'm eating.)

I am now seeing a naturopath for hypoglycemic-like crashes (but I don't test hypoglycemic). I am on thyroid meds (but I don't think I actually have thyroiditis...she said my T3 was low, but not my T4. TSH was high.) All hormones are low as well. At another visit she said I don't have any disease, but I just don't feel good. She started me on a candida diet (which was pretty much gluten-free), and I didn't notice any difference. She seemed baffled by my lack of response to the candida diet, and is currently testing me for heavy metal poisoning (I'm doubtful that will find anything, either, as she said I'd feel lousy during the test if that was it...and I didn't.) I asked about doing a gluten test, and she said celiac tests almost always come back negative...said she'd do it if I insisted, but she feels its a waste of money. She suggested IGG testing would be preferable, but didn't order it.

The crashes (extreme fatigue, pre-fainting, achiness and headache about 1 hour after eating) have happened after consuming pretzels, and after granola & milk consistently. Other foods were less consistent. Diarrhea is occasional after these foods, as well, but not consistent. My heart rate drops really low (36bpm) during these crashes. Outside of the crashes I am also having achiness & fatigue to a lesser degree than during the crashes. I'm guessing this doesn't sound so much like a gluten issue....so why am I suspecting it? Because I KNOW its related to something I'm eating. My 4 children all have behavioral issues (adhd) or food allergies to milk (wheat when younger.) I have a few of the listed symptoms....large, floating stool, mouth sores, headaches and tingling in hands and feet (though I'm guessing that's from lack of exercise).

Should I order my own Enterolab test, or order an actual celiac test against doc's suggestion? or just go Gluten-free Casein-free for a longer trial? or is the doc right, and igg test would be better? how do I know?

Thanks for any help,

bluedarling


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    • Trish G
      Thanks, that's a great addition that I hadn't thought of. 
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      Other diseases, medical conditions, medications and even (for some people) some non-gluten foods can cause villous atrophy. There is also something called refractory celiac disease but it is pretty uncommon.
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      knitty kitty asks a very relevant question. So many people make the mistake of experimenting with the gluten free diet or even a reduced gluten diet soon before getting formally tested.
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