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Is Positive Genetic Test Enough For Some Of You To Go Gluten Free?

Newbyliz

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Newbyliz Rookie
Newbyliz
Posted

I just had my second endoscopy yesterday, Tues. Dec. 1st. The doctor said everything looked okay but that I could certainly try a gluten free diet to see if that helps since all of my testing is over. Part of me wonders if I should wait to see what the biopsies say but the other part of me is really ready to give the gluten free diet a whirl. My genetic testing stated I was positive for HLA-DQ2 and a subset of that gene(sorry I don't have the exact wording of the results-this was given to me by my gastro's nurse) which is the only evidence so far that celiac may be playing a part in how I feel. I have tried just about everything else and really am ready to feel better. Has anyone felt that having the genes alone is enough to make them want to at least try a gluten free lifestyle? I have a follow-up with my gastro in 8 weeks which I feel is a good amount of time to give this diet a try. It is sort of strange to know that I posses 2 copies of the HLA-DQ2 gene and that it is lurking in the background. I have to find some peace that even if the biopsies come back normal it may be the best thing for my body to elimate gluten. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

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Swimmr Contributor
Swimmr
Posted
I just had my second endoscopy yesterday, Tues. Dec. 1st. The doctor said everything looked okay but that I could certainly try a gluten free diet to see if that helps since all of my testing is over. Part of me wonders if I should wait to see what the biopsies say but the other part of me is really ready to give the gluten free diet a whirl. My genetic testing stated I was positive for HLA-DQ2 and a subset of that gene(sorry I don't have the exact wording of the results-this was given to me by my gastro's nurse) which is the only evidence so far that celiac may be playing a part in how I feel. I have tried just about everything else and really am ready to feel better. Has anyone felt that having the genes alone is enough to make them want to at least try a gluten free lifestyle? I have a follow-up with my gastro in 8 weeks which I feel is a good amount of time to give this diet a try. It is sort of strange to know that I posses 2 copies of the HLA-DQ2 gene and that it is lurking in the background. I have to find some peace that even if the biopsies come back normal it may be the best thing for my body to elimate gluten. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

If you carry the gene, I've read, heard and been told that there is more than a good chance you have it.

I would do the gluten free diet anyways...what do you have to lose? Well, gluten, but that is a good thing anyways because you'll probably feel better even after just a couple weeks. Some people say they feel better within days.

Good luck :)

Nancym Enthusiast
Nancym
Posted

For me the decision was pretty simple. Make a temporary change in my diet to see if long standing issues went away or continue to suffer and put myself at the mercy of current medical practices constantly which weren't doing me a bit of good, and were quite possibly making things worse.

I had my answer very quickly after going gluten free.

Newbyliz Rookie
Newbyliz
Posted
  • Author
For me the decision was pretty simple. Make a temporary change in my diet to see if long standing issues went away or continue to suffer and put myself at the mercy of current medical practices constantly which weren't doing me a bit of good, and were quite possibly making things worse.

I had my answer very quickly after going gluten free.

Thank you for your replies. You're right the diet change is relatively easy as long as you are committed to it and if it helps it will be wonderful. I have to let go of that feeling that I have to have more than just a positive gene test to be validated. I have stocked my pantry with things so that baking this season won't be hard and am really hoping and PRAYING that this helps me regardless of the results I get from the biopsies. I am so glad this site is here for all the support you get.

ravenwoodglass Mentor
ravenwoodglass
Posted
Thank you for your replies. You're right the diet change is relatively easy as long as you are committed to it and if it helps it will be wonderful. I have to let go of that feeling that I have to have more than just a positive gene test to be validated. I have stocked my pantry with things so that baking this season won't be hard and am really hoping and PRAYING that this helps me regardless of the results I get from the biopsies. I am so glad this site is here for all the support you get.

Start the diet now. You are done with the celiac testing and your body may give you the answer before you even go back for the results. You have nothing to lose.

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    • rei.b
      High DGP-A with normal IGA

      By rei.b · Posted

      I was tested for celiac at the same time, so I wasn't taking naltrexone yet. I say that, because I don't. The endoscopy showed some mild inflammation but was inconclusive as to celiac disease. They took several biopsies and that's all that was shown. I was not given a Marsh score.
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      High DGP-A with normal IGA

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      Food and environmental allergies involve IgE antibodies.  IgE antibodies provoke histamine release from mast cells.   Celiac disease is not always visible to the naked eye during endoscopy.  Much of the damage is microscopic and patchy or out of reach of the scope.  Did they take any biopsies of your small intestine for a pathologist to examine?  Were you given a Marsh score? Why do you say you "don't have intestinal damage to correlate with lifelong undiagnosed celiac disease"?   Just curious.  
    • rei.b
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      By rei.b · Posted

      I was tested for food allergies and environmental allergies about 7 months before I started taking Naltrexone, so I don't think that is the cause for me, but that's interesting!  The main thing with the celiac thing that is throwing me off is these symptoms are lifelong, but I don't have intestinal damage to correlate with lifelong undiagnosed celiac disease.
    • trents
      Finding gluten free ingredients

      By trents · Posted

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