I Was Off Gluten For 3 Weeks But Would Like To Get Tested

[Libbyanne]

I have been tested for Celiacs before (maybe twice) via blood tests but was always just told the tests were negative. I never saw my actual results so I don't know if they were high or if they tested for everything necessary. After dealing with "IBS" problems for years (and now realizing all the other problems I have that are related - nightmares, vertigo, mood swings, hunger, brain fog, etc.) I stumbled upon an article discussing Gluten Intolerance and decided to give the gluten free diet a shot. I felt better instantly, in all areas, and stuck with it for three weeks. My doctor is still pushing for a colonoscopy to rule out Crohn's but I've decided if I'm going to do that I would also like the endoscopy to test for Celiacs. My question is ... since I was gluten-free for three weeks, how long would I have to go back on gluten in order for the test results to be accurate? Also, if I wanted to try the blood test again first, or even have them test for Gluten Intolerance first, would the time "back on gluten" be the same for those tests?? I'm pretty miserable when I'm eating gluten so I'm hoping I wouldn't have to do the full 3-month gluten challenge that I keep hearing people talk about, but I do want the results to be accurate.

Any advice is appreciated. Thanks!

[karenhockley]

Don't quote me on this but I think you have to be on gluten for at least 3 months (not too sure though). If I were you I'd also get the Doctor to test for gluten allergy, I've got a few friends who have gluten allergy and the symptoms they had mimic Celiac. They were also tested for Celiac but test was negative. Hope this helps out a bit and good luck. What ever the results of the tests are do what makes you feel better and if that means staying on the gluten free diet then do that

[Libbyanne]

Don't quote me on this but I think you have to be on gluten for at least 3 months (not too sure though). If I were you I'd also get the Doctor to test for gluten allergy, I've got a few friends who have gluten allergy and the symptoms they had mimic Celiac. They were also tested for Celiac but test was negative. Hope this helps out a bit and good luck. What ever the results of the tests are do what makes you feel better and if that means staying on the gluten free diet then do that

Thanks for the info, Karen. I'm not sure I'm up for 3 months...especially during swimsuit season . I've requested to have all my lab results sent to me so I guess I'll start by making sure they tested me correctly and go from there.