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Vitamins

jewelsp

By jewelsp
in Coping with Celiac Disease

Recommended Posts

jewelsp Newbie
jewelsp
Posted

I am new here - I read on another topic about taking Vit B complex, Magnesium, & Vit D. - What brands???? if it doesn't say gluten free??

ALSO:

I have not been diagnosed - but - feel certain I have a problem with gluten. I have all the symptoms of Bloating,especially after eating -even a little , - joint pain, fatigue CONSTIPATION- I am overweight - some of the topics here concern me - - of gaining wt.....

One more ? and I don't know where to post it...If you could tell me where...... Most I know have diarrhea. I have and have had consipation for years and has got worse to where nothing helps me to "go"..... My neighbor who is Celiac and totally on gluten free diet & I were talking one day when I was so terribly bloated like I was going to bust in pain and miserable and she mentioned the gluten free diet. . . We were about to leave for vacation and I HAD to do something, so I went to the health food store and got me some gluten free snack crackers to take with me - - and started eating gluten free that day - - I ate carefully the next few days and within 3 or 4 days I started going to the bathroom for the first time in as long as I can remember - (I was taking a gluten free laxative) but it was a minimal amount compared to what I was taking loads of stuff and not going prior. . . I tested it.....If I ate bread or something sweet ..... I don't go to the bathroom and I'm bloated and miserable....(all over) ......If I do eat gluten free - - everyting "goes" much more "normal" - - (never diarreha)....... Does this sound like Celiac or Gluten Intolerance???

But - if I'm tested by a blood test - I have to eat gluten - - right??? how long ahead??? (well not much of a problem because I went on a sweet binge this wkend and have felt terrible past 4 days) Couldn't even function Monday. Why can't I learn? One thing I don't know the diet - but that's not really it - - the willpower of SWEETS I've dealt with all my life - - knowing they make me miserable.

Is there anyone else on here that has a problem with gluten and Constipation?

I am overweight - -already - - I do not want to gain weight . . I need to lose. . I have gained from eating wrong.....

What is the Difference between Celiac Disease and Gluten Intolerance????? (Read where someone made it sound like there was a difference)

Thanks

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mushroom Proficient
mushroom
Posted

Hello Jewel, and welcome.

I will start you out with some answers, but not all; others will chime in. Yes, you certainly sound like a "classic" celiac to me. Of course the doctors would not agree, but on the forum yours is a common profile.

Weight gain: most doctors think you have to be skinny, practically anorexic, but they're wrong. For some of us, when our bodies are starved of nutrients they go into conservation mode and store everything they can get their cells on, thinking we must be in a period of famine. You will be pleased to hear that most people in this category lose weight when they become gluten free, while the skinny ones gain.

Constipation: definitely a symptoms. Some have this, others diarrhea, some alternate between the two. Then of course there are those with no GI issues at all.

Testing: yes, you have to have been eating the equivalent of four slices of bread every day for 6-8 weeks for either the blood tests or biopsy to be valid, otherwise healing takes place in the intestine and you stop making the antibodies that the blood tests measure.

You are right to consider you are probably vitamin and mineral deficient; include taking a sublingual B12 in that list. Someone else will have to help you with brands, but it should state on the label if it contains wheat, although the good ones will also state if they do not contain wheat.

As far as your sweet tooth, you will be pleased to learn that there are plenty of sweet treats you can have, just not the ones with gluten :)

As for the difference between celiac and gluten intolerance, there have been many pixels used up on this issue and I still really don't comprehend what difference it makes. It seems that both are autoimmune, both can lead to other autoimmune diseases, both are treated by not eating gluten. I will leave it to others to split the hairs.

I hope this was of some help to start you off.

jewelsp Newbie
jewelsp
Posted
  • Author
Hello Jewel, and welcome.

I will start you out with some answers, but not all; others will chime in. Yes, you certainly sound like a "classic" celiac to me. Of course the doctors would not agree, but on the forum yours is a common profile.

Weight gain: most doctors think you have to be skinny, practically anorexic, but they're wrong. For some of us, when our bodies are starved of nutrients they go into conservation mode and store everything they can get their cells on, thinking we must be in a period of famine. You will be pleased to hear that most people in this category lose weight when they become gluten free, while the skinny ones gain.

Constipation: definitely a symptoms. Some have this, others diarrhea, some alternate between the two. Then of course there are those with no GI issues at all.

Testing: yes, you have to have been eating the equivalent of four slices of bread every day for 6-8 weeks for either the blood tests or biopsy to be valid, otherwise healing takes place in the intestine and you stop making the antibodies that the blood tests measure.

You are right to consider you are probably vitamin and mineral deficient; include taking a sublingual B12 in that list. Someone else will have to help you with brands, but it should state on the label if it contains wheat, although the good ones will also state if they do not contain wheat.

As far as your sweet tooth, you will be pleased to learn that there are plenty of sweet treats you can have, just not the ones with gluten :)

As for the difference between celiac and gluten intolerance, there have been many pixels used up on this issue and I still really don't comprehend what difference it makes. It seems that both are autoimmune, both can lead to other autoimmune diseases, both are treated by not eating gluten. I will leave it to others to split the hairs.

I hope this was of some help to start you off.

A BIG THANK YOU FOR YOUR REPLY MUSHROOM - (my only reply!!! :( - I'm not Sure "where" I need to be posting - since this is my first post.....

I see you - "self diagnosed" & I guess that's what I will say I am doing because I'd hate to eat 6 -8 pieces of bread a day for 6 -8 wks just to get diagnosed and what if it was neg..? I know what the gluten does to me!!!

Are there any "sample menus" on here??? And I don't mean just dinner...... but breakfast, lunch, snack and dinner!!!!

I get tired of eggs.... like something fast.... maybe I'm lazy!!!!! Well, I do have alot of fatigue going on right now....Just am in the midst of beginning this gluten free and my husband 'LOVES gluten you might say! (understand my dilemma??) That is stressful..... In other words we both love to eat and he is no good for my willpower..........with sweets (my downfall) I'm still trying to figure out "what not to have"....Is there a good book I can order or a website to "check foods" or drugs I'm on??

Mushroom, I see you have Fibromaylia....Do you take Lyrica?? I take Lyrica and wondering about some of my medication and how to find out what has gluten or not.

Again, thank you for your reply - I'm just sort of lost here at the moment! (Oh, I checked email notification but it didn't notify me!) I'll try again.

mushroom Proficient
mushroom
Posted

A BIG THANK YOU FOR YOUR REPLY MUSHROOM - (my only reply!!! :( - I'm not Sure "where" I need to be posting - since this is my first post.....

I see you - "self diagnosed" & I guess that's what I will say I am doing because I'd hate to eat 6 -8 pieces of bread a day for 6 -8 wks just to get diagnosed and what if it was neg..? I know what the gluten does to me!!!

Are there any "sample menus" on here??? And I don't mean just dinner...... but breakfast, lunch, snack and dinner!!!!

I get tired of eggs.... like something fast.... maybe I'm lazy!!!!! Well, I do have alot of fatigue going on right now....Just am in the midst of beginning this gluten free and my husband 'LOVES gluten you might say! (understand my dilemma??) That is stressful..... In other words we both love to eat and he is no good for my willpower..........with sweets (my downfall) I'm still trying to figure out "what not to have"....Is there a good book I can order or a website to "check foods" or drugs I'm on??

Mushroom, I see you have Fibromaylia....Do you take Lyrica?? I take Lyrica and wondering about some of my medication and how to find out what has gluten or not.

Again, thank you for your reply - I'm just sort of lost here at the moment! (Oh, I checked email notification but it didn't notify me!) I'll try again.

If you google Daily Menu in the searach box above you will come up with ideas from others of what to eat--we have different products down here so it is hard for me to advise you. Does your husband understand about cross-contamination issues and how he must keep all his crumbs to himself, not contaminate your spread and jams with his gluteny knife, etc. You should keep your own supplies of these separate from his and have your own counterspace that he does not use, also your own toaster.

Fibromyalgia was actually one of my many misdiagnoses on the way to finding out what my real problem was. I actually have rheumatoid arthritis so no, I don't take Lyrica. Others on here do though, or have.

I don't have to hand the links for lists of companies that always list gluten on their label, and the list of gluten free meds; Momma Goose is one of the posters who has these at her fingertips. If you were to post a message "Questions for Momma Goose" in this same Coping section you would get her attention.

With medications it is always a problem trying to trace the gluten; I am sure others would have mentioned if there was a problem with Lyrica. It is usually best to email or call the 800 number of the company and ask directly about gluten, because they often change fillers, just to make things more difficult.

It is a long and interesting journey you have embarked upon. Good luck on your travels and keep asking questions.

MaryJones2 Enthusiast
MaryJones2
Posted

I'm not Momma Goose but can tell you that Kirkman Labs, Freeda and Country Life are popular brands.

beanpot Apprentice
beanpot
Posted

Hi and welcome!

Constipation is one my symptoms too, and truthfully, I still have it even though I started the gluten free diet a few months ago. But the bloating and gas are gone, and my waist size is actually smaller! I've actually lost about 8 or so pounds on this diet, mostly because you can't binge on baked goods and other things that happen to be around. I do bake my own treats, and also healthy things like teff muffins, amaranth pancakes, and even once some incredible gluten-free choc chip cookies. I bet if you made these cookies for your husband he would have no idea they were gluten-free! I think you need to satisfy yourself with substitutions if you are prone to going off the diet. Some people can be fine with starting out just with mostly fruits, veggies and protein sources, but not everyone.

You might want to scout out a good health food store and load up on some alternative grains and flours, maybe a hot breakfast cereal too or something. Its all about trying new things to forget about the old things! And having alternatives around.My sweet tooth is a little more under control these days.

There are some really good cookbooks too - the choc chip cookies come from a book by Annelies Roberts.

You will figure it all out in time. I live with a husband and two teenage boys so I know what its like to deal with sharing the kitchen with gluten eaters. I bought a breadbox so they could keep all their evil gluten bread in it instead of spread around the kitchen creating crumbs. It takes a little while. Good luck and keep informing yourself!

mattathayde Apprentice
mattathayde
Posted
I am new here - I read on another topic about taking Vit B complex, Magnesium, & Vit D. - What brands???? if it doesn't say gluten free??

ALSO:

I have not been diagnosed - but - feel certain I have a problem with gluten. I have all the symptoms of Bloating,especially after eating -even a little , - joint pain, fatigue CONSTIPATION- I am overweight - some of the topics here concern me - - of gaining wt.....

One more ? and I don't know where to post it...If you could tell me where...... Most I know have diarrhea. I have and have had consipation for years and has got worse to where nothing helps me to "go"..... My neighbor who is Celiac and totally on gluten free diet & I were talking one day when I was so terribly bloated like I was going to bust in pain and miserable and she mentioned the gluten free diet. . . We were about to leave for vacation and I HAD to do something, so I went to the health food store and got me some gluten free snack crackers to take with me - - and started eating gluten free that day - - I ate carefully the next few days and within 3 or 4 days I started going to the bathroom for the first time in as long as I can remember - (I was taking a gluten free laxative) but it was a minimal amount compared to what I was taking loads of stuff and not going prior. . . I tested it.....If I ate bread or something sweet ..... I don't go to the bathroom and I'm bloated and miserable....(all over) ......If I do eat gluten free - - everyting "goes" much more "normal" - - (never diarreha)....... Does this sound like Celiac or Gluten Intolerance???

But - if I'm tested by a blood test - I have to eat gluten - - right??? how long ahead??? (well not much of a problem because I went on a sweet binge this wkend and have felt terrible past 4 days) Couldn't even function Monday. Why can't I learn? One thing I don't know the diet - but that's not really it - - the willpower of SWEETS I've dealt with all my life - - knowing they make me miserable.

Is there anyone else on here that has a problem with gluten and Constipation?

I am overweight - -already - - I do not want to gain weight . . I need to lose. . I have gained from eating wrong.....

What is the Difference between Celiac Disease and Gluten Intolerance????? (Read where someone made it sound like there was a difference)

Thanks

here is my view on the tests, if you go gluten-free and it helps you why do you need a test to tell you what you already know and give you a "preexisting condition" to insurance companies. docs will put in your file you need to be on gluten-free (at least any good doc will) if it really has helped you. tests usually want 30 days worth of gluten eating for the blood tests

celiac vs gluten intolerance, there is no real line between the 2 other than 80% of celiacs have positive blood tests on certain tests, no one knows for sure if gluten intolerance has the other issues with it but you eat the same way still.

as to weight, what i have seen is people that are over weight seem to lose it, i was 185 at 5'7" and lost 20 lbs in 2 months and the over the next 4-5 months i dropped another 5 lbs

part of the weight lose will come from not eating processed foods and eating less carbs in general but also part because your body is back in balance

good luck

-matt

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Jenny (AZ via TX) Enthusiast
Jenny (AZ via TX)
Posted

Jewelsp, here are a few of the supplements that I take:

Methylcobalamin (Vitamin B12) - by Source Naturals

Vitamin D3 - by Vitamin Research Products (I find them in my health food store, but you may have to order)

DigestMore Ultra - by Renew Life

FloraSmart (12 Billion) is a probiotic - by Renew Life

You may want to get your B12, D3 and maybe Ferritin (iron) level checked before supplementing. Everyone is going to be different in what their body needs.

All of these say gluten free on the bottle. I take many other supplements besides these, which I took before I was dx'd with celiac. If you want more info, please pm me.

jewelsp Newbie
jewelsp
Posted
  • Author
Hi and welcome!

Constipation is one my symptoms too, and truthfully, I still have it even though I started the gluten free diet a few months ago. But the bloating and gas are gone, and my waist size is actually smaller! I've actually lost about 8 or so pounds on this diet, mostly because you can't binge on baked goods and other things that happen to be around. I do bake my own treats, and also healthy things like teff muffins, amaranth pancakes, and even once some incredible gluten-free choc chip cookies. I bet if you made these cookies for your husband he would have no idea they were gluten-free! I think you need to satisfy yourself with substitutions if you are prone to going off the diet. Some people can be fine with starting out just with mostly fruits, veggies and protein sources, but not everyone.

You might want to scout out a good health food store and load up on some alternative grains and flours, maybe a hot breakfast cereal too or something. Its all about trying new things to forget about the old things! And having alternatives around.My sweet tooth is a little more under control these days.

There are some really good cookbooks too - the choc chip cookies come from a book by Annelies Roberts.

You will figure it all out in time. I live with a husband and two teenage boys so I know what its like to deal with sharing the kitchen with gluten eaters. I bought a breadbox so they could keep all their evil gluten bread in it instead of spread around the kitchen creating crumbs. It takes a little while. Good luck and keep informing yourself!

Thanks for your info... I had to go to a family get together yesterday - Pot luck - - could I resist all the good food and chocolate desserts? NO! I am in such a mess today and so miserably bloated!!...I took so much last night with no results yet....(I do have one thing that works....IF I am "Being Good" - You might want to get it. It is gluten free - by Renew Life called "Constipation Stop" - - I found it in a Health Food Store in Florida. I live in TN & they don't have it here - so I just ordered some more online & the price was the same. . It works well if I'm leaving off the gluten. . . but I'm having such a problem leaving it off. . . I feel like I'll just have to stay home and not go to any function and COOK - which I hate!!

What is a typical menu for you??? Breakfast, lunch and dinner if you don't mind sharing.... I really need help!!!!!!!

I probably don't need the cookies till I "get control" do I ??? I really need to lose about 20lbs. . I have gained 10 recently - I think - trying to get on this diet - and eating wrong!!! I don't know what I've done wrong!!!

Thanks for any help from anyone!!!

jewelsp Newbie
jewelsp
Posted
  • Author
here is my view on the tests, if you go gluten-free and it helps you why do you need a test to tell you what you already know and give you a "preexisting condition" to insurance companies. docs will put in your file you need to be on gluten-free (at least any good doc will) if it really has helped you. tests usually want 30 days worth of gluten eating for the blood tests

celiac vs gluten intolerance, there is no real line between the 2 other than 80% of celiacs have positive blood tests on certain tests, no one knows for sure if gluten intolerance has the other issues with it but you eat the same way still.

as to weight, what i have seen is people that are over weight seem to lose it, i was 185 at 5'7" and lost 20 lbs in 2 months and the over the next 4-5 months i dropped another 5 lbs

part of the weight lose will come from not eating processed foods and eating less carbs in general but also part because your body is back in balance

good luck

-matt

OH MATT - I REALLY hope your right about the weight loss - - but so far I am gaining - - I think because I am on this way of diet 2 days then offf - - then on (but with gluten free products (cookies, crackers) which maybe high in fat......

mattathayde Apprentice
mattathayde
Posted
OH MATT - I REALLY hope your right about the weight loss - - but so far I am gaining - - I think because I am on this way of diet 2 days then offf - - then on (but with gluten free products (cookies, crackers) which maybe high in fat......

go over to a paleo heavy style diet (meats, veggies, fruit, etc) honestly i wouldnt worry about 2 days differance in weight, and remember even 5 lbs can be just dehydration or over hydration (my brother in law is a retired hall of fame jockey and he would have to sweat out 3-5 lbs often to make weight, so its not hard to get weight changes from just water changing)

o and i think i forgot to mention my vitamin choice, i take stuff form "thorne research" we get it via our alternative medicine guy and it works really well, they make a bunch of different variants for people that need more/less of the metals

-matt

peacebwu Rookie
peacebwu
Posted

Hi - I too have been trying to switch over to gluten free foods for the past couple of weeks. So far this is what I have accomplished:

LIGHT TAPIOCA LOAF BREAD (energ co.) www.ener.g.com it costs me at a local store $3.49 for about 14 slices.

I have this toasted in morning w/coffee (1 cup)

lunch (so far) I have one corn Tortilla (fried in pan w/virgin olive oil) and a slice of lunchmeat turkey

with fruit (that agrees w/me) cantalope/banana, fresh strawberries

Dinner, pototo beef (barbqued,) turkey, green beans (steamers) and fresh carrots I microwave for about 2 minutes covered.

I have tea and arrowroot gluten, soy free cookies (2-4 their small) I buy at local Krogers I believe Midel (or something like that).

At night for a snack I'll have rice krispies, corn flakes glutten free (again at Krogers) and almond milk.

I had a food allergry test and tested positive for egg, dairy, wheat, yeast, soy, etc. etc.

I do not drink any soda, only filtered water.

Sometimes I have pop corn. I would like to add more, but like you I do not want to go backwards....

hopefully, in due time w/the suggestions for the members we'll be able to find more that will agree w/us.

I do feel a little better, less pains.......I'm trying my best....hope you will too. d

Again, I just started like you, I am reading everything I can get my hands on, the blogs, etc.

This week I'm going back to my allergy dr. to get retested on food allergeries, it will be interesting how this turns out from the previous test (2007)!

mattathayde Apprentice
mattathayde
Posted
Hi - I too have been trying to switch over to gluten free foods for the past couple of weeks. So far this is what I have accomplished:

LIGHT TAPIOCA LOAF BREAD (energ co.) www.ener.g.com it costs me at a local store $3.49 for about 14 slices.

I have this toasted in morning w/coffee (1 cup)

lunch (so far) I have one corn Tortilla (fried in pan w/virgin olive oil) and a slice of lunchmeat turkey

with fruit (that agrees w/me) cantalope/banana, fresh strawberries

Dinner, pototo beef (barbqued,) turkey, green beans (steamers) and fresh carrots I microwave for about 2 minutes covered.

I have tea and arrowroot gluten, soy free cookies (2-4 their small) I buy at local Krogers I believe Midel (or something like that).

At night for a snack I'll have rice krispies, corn flakes glutten free (again at Krogers) and almond milk.

I had a food allergry test and tested positive for egg, dairy, wheat, yeast, soy, etc. etc.

I do not drink any soda, only filtered water.

Sometimes I have pop corn. I would like to add more, but like you I do not want to go backwards....

hopefully, in due time w/the suggestions for the members we'll be able to find more that will agree w/us.

I do feel a little better, less pains.......I'm trying my best....hope you will too. d

Again, I just started like you, I am reading everything I can get my hands on, the blogs, etc.

This week I'm going back to my allergy dr. to get retested on food allergeries, it will be interesting how this turns out from the previous test (2007)!

just checking but your not eating the kellogs rice krispies right?

-matt

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      how much gluten do I need to eat before blood tests?

      By catnapt · Posted

      thank you so much for your detailed and extremely helpful reply!! I can say with absolute certainty that the less gluten containing products I've eaten over the past several years, the better I've felt.   I wasn't avoiding gluten, I was avoiding refined grains (and most processed foods) as well as anything that made me feel bad when I ate it. It's the same reason I gave up dairy and eggs- they make me feel ill.  I do have a bit of a sugar addiction lol so a lot of times I wasn't sure if it was the refined grains that I was eating - or the sugar. So from time to time I might have a cookie or something but I've learned how to make wonderful cookies and golden brownies with BEANS!! and no refined sugar - I use date paste instead. Pizza made me so ill- but I thought it was probably the cheese. I gave up pizza and haven't missed it. the one time I tried a slice I felt so bad I knew I'd never touch it again. I stopped eating wheat pasta at least 3 yrs ago- just didn't feel well after eating it. I tried chick pea pasta and a few others and discovered I like the brown rice pasta. I still don't eat a lot of pasta but it's nice for a change when I want something easy. TBH over the years I've wondered sometimes if I might be gluten intolerant but really believed it was not possible for me to have celiac disease. NOW I need to know for sure- because I'm in the middle of a long process of trying to find out why I have a high parathyroid level (NOT the thyroid- but rather the 4 glands that control the calcium balance in your body) I have had a hard time getting my vit D level up, my serum calcium has run on the low side of normal for many years... and now I am losing calcium from my bones and excreting it in my urine (some sort of renal calcium leak) Also have a high ALP since 2014. And now rapidly worsening bone density.  I still do not have a firm diagnosis. Could be secondary HPT (but secondary to what? we need to know) It could be early primary HPT. I am spilling calcium in my urine but is that caused by the high parathyroid hormone or is it the reason my PTH is high>? there are multiple feedback loops for this condition.    so I will keep eating the bread and some wheat germ that does not seem to bother me too much (it hasn't got enough gluten to use just wheat germ)    but I'm curious- if you don't have a strong reaction to a product- like me and wheat germ- does that mean it's ok to eat or is it still causing harm even if you don't have any obvious symptoms? I guess what you are saying about silent celiac makes it likely that you can have no symptoms and still have the harm... but geez! you'd think they'd come up with a way to test for this that didn't require you to consume something that makes you sick! I worry about the complications I've been reading about- different kinds of cancers etc. also wondering- are there degrees of celiac disease?  is there any correlation between symptoms and the amnt of damage to your intestines? I also need a firm diagnosis because I have an identical twin sister ... so if I have celiac, she has it too- or at least the genetic make up for having it. I did have a VERY major stress to my body in 2014-2016 time frame .. lost 50lbs in a short period of time and had severe symptoms from acute protracted withdrawal off an SSRI drug (that I'd been given an unethically high dose of, by a dr who has since lost his license)  Going off the drug was a good thing and in many ways my health improved dramatically- just losing 50lbs was helpful but I also went  off almost a dozen different medications, totally changed my diet and have been doing pretty well except for the past 3-4 yrs when the symptoms related to the parathyroid issue cropped up. It is likely that I had low vit D for some time and that caused me a lot of symptoms. The endo now tells me that low vit D can be caused by celiac disease so I need to know for sure! thank you for all that great and useful information!!! 
    • trents
      how much gluten do I need to eat before blood tests?

      By trents · Posted

      Welcome, @catnapt! The most recent guidelines are the daily consumption of a minimum of 10g of gluten (about the amount found in 4-6 slices of wheat bread) for a minimum of two weeks. But if possible stretching that out even more would enhance the chances of getting valid test results. These guidelines are for those who have been eating gluten free for a significant amount of time. It's called the "gluten challenge".  Yes, you can develop celiac disease at any stage of life. There is a genetic component but also a stress trigger that is needed to activate the celiac genes. About 30-40% of the general population possesses the genetic potential to develop celiac disease but only about 1% of the general population actually develop celiac disease. For most with the potential, the triggering stress event doesn't happen. It can be many things but often it is a viral infection. Having said that, it is also the case that many, many people who eventually are diagnosed with celiac disease probably experienced the actual onset years before. Many celiacs are of the "silent" type, meaning that symptoms are largely missing or very minor and get overlooked until damage to the small bowel lining becomes advanced or they develop iron deficiency anemia or some other medical problem associated with celiac disease. Many, many are never diagnosed or are diagnosed later in life because they did not experience classic symptoms. And many physicians are only looking for classic symptoms. We now know that there are over 200 symptoms/medical problems associated with celiac disease but many docs are only looking for things like boating, gas, diarrhea. I certainly understand your concerns about not wanting to damage your body by taking on a gluten challenge. Your other option is to totally commit to gluten free eating and see if your symptoms improve. It can take two years or more for complete healing of the small bowel lining once going gluten free but usually people experience significant improvement well before then. If their is significant improvement in your symptoms when going seriously gluten free, then you likely have your answer. You would either have celiac disease or NCGS (Non Celiac Gluten Sensitivity).
    • catnapt
      how much gluten do I need to eat before blood tests?

      By catnapt · Posted

      after several years of issues with a para-gland issue, my endo has decided it's a good idea for me to be tested for celiac disease. I am 70 yrs old and stunned to learn that you can get celiac this late in life. I have just gradually stopped eating most foods that contain gluten over the past several years- they just make me feel ill- although I attributed it to other things like bread spiking blood sugar- or to the things I ate *with* the bread or crackers etc   I went to a party in Nov and ate a LOT of a vegan roast made with vital wheat gluten- as well as stuffing, rolls and pie crust... and OMG I was so sick! the pain, the bloating, the gas, the nausea... I didn't think it would ever end (but it did) and I was ready to go the ER but it finally subsided.   I mentioned this to my endo and now she wants me to be tested for celiac after 2 weeks of being on gluten foods. She has kind of flip flopped on how much gluten I should eat, telling me that if the symptoms are severe I can stop. I am eating 2-3 thin slices of bread per day (or english muffins) and wow- it does make me feel awful. But not as bad as when I ate that massive amnt of vital wheat gluten. so I will continue on if I have to... but what bothers me is - if it IS celiac, it seems stupid for lack of a better word, to intentionally cause more damage to my body... but I am also worried, on the other hand, that this is not a long enough challenge to make the blood work results valid.   can you give me any insight into this please?   thank you
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