How To Know If I've Eliminated All Gluten?

[jackay]

My D has lessened but not gone away. I know I've eliminated all gluten from my diet but there is a chance of cross contamination from others. I'm being very careful with preparing foods, washing hands, etc.

Since it takes a while for the stomach to heal, how do I know I'm doing enough? I do think the fact that the D has lessened is a good sign. Until it goes away completely, I will continue to wonder.

[Wolicki]

have you given up dairy? That is frequently a problem.

[Lisa]

Dairy is often recommended to eliminate for a time. It can later be reintroduced.

Keep a food diary.

Depending on the amount of damage you have and dedication to the diet, will determine your healing time. Sometimes full healing can take up to two years.

[jackay]

I also eliminated dairy, soy, and eggs about six months ago after saliva testing came back positive. About a month ago I eliminated all nuts and corn. A few days ago I added back peanuts that I shelled myself. The D didn't get any worse. Then I added back walnuts, almonds and filberts that I shelled myself. Again the D didn't get worse. Possibly the preshelled nuts I bought in the past were cross contaminated.

Today I tried kefir, which is a probiotic drink. I tried it a while back at my doctors suggested and it made the D worse. If it definitely makes the D worse tomorrow, I will discontinue it. If there is no change, I will continue drinking a small amount daily until it is gone and then take another break from dairy.

I had no appetitie for a year and now all I want to do is eat. I have put on a few pounds which is definitely good. With this appetite, I now want the forbidden foods which I had no problem avoiding up til now. I still don't crave the gluten though.

I started taking L-Glutamine about a week ago. I wonder if that is giving me the appetitie. I hope it makes the healing go faster.

[dilettantesteph]

I don't think that you can know that you have eliminated all gluten unless you grow everything that you eat, and your farm is far away from gluten grain fields. Even then you would have to be careful about fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides and mulches.

You do best avoiding processed foods and washing everything else well.

[JillianLindsay]

I agree, we never know 100% for sure, we all just do our very best and are as cautious as possible. After being gluten-free for 6-9 months your DR should re-check (if you had a celiac panel pre-diagnosis) your ttg levels to see if they have gone down. If they have, that is a good indication that you are sticking to the diet. If they go up or stay the same, then it is time to re-evaluate and find out where the gluten is coming from.

Good luck

[byoung20415]

My D has lessened but not gone away. I know I've eliminated all gluten from my diet but there is a chance of cross contamination from others. I'm being very careful with preparing foods, washing hands, etc.

Since it takes a while for the stomach to heal, how do I know I'm doing enough? I do think the fact that the D has lessened is a good sign. Until it goes away completely, I will continue to wonder.

I believe you can be 'glutened' by more than just the food you eat. I suggest that you try to eliminate gluten from your soap, shampoo, laundry detergent, cleaning supplies and everything else, too. It's not easy, but it's worth it.

[jackay]

I am really trying hard to eliminate gluten from everything. I think of more things every day that I may be missing. I've spent lots of time researching online and calling companies for the gluten status of their products.

Only those with gluten intolerance can understand how this is necessary.