Jump to content

  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):

    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

Is 3 Weeks Long Enough For A Gluten Challenge?

passionfruit877

Recommended Posts

passionfruit877 Apprentice
passionfruit877
Posted

I saw a GI today who said he doesn't think I have Celiac but said I might as well be tested since I'm only 22. I have been gluten free for 6 months so he asked me to eat gluten for 2 weeks then get a biopsy. The biopsy is actually scheduled for 3 weeks though. I'm not sure what to do. I really want to call and cancel the endoscopy and just say I'm gluten sensitive. I don't really want to eat it. And they scheduled me for a Celiac panel that I can go get done whenever I have time. Is this worth it?

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


jerseyangel Proficient
jerseyangel
Posted

I saw a GI today who said he doesn't think I have Celiac but said I might as well be tested since I'm only 22. I have been gluten free for 6 months so he asked me to eat gluten for 2 weeks then get a biopsy. The biopsy is actually scheduled for 3 weeks though. I'm not sure what to do. I really want to call and cancel the endoscopy and just say I'm gluten sensitive. I don't really want to eat it. And they scheduled me for a Celiac panel that I can go get done whenever I have time. Is this worth it?

After being gluten-free for 6 months, 3 weeks just isn't enough time to insure an accurate test result. The rule of thumb is to eat the equivalent of 3-4 slices of wheat bread a day for 3-4 months.

I would reschedule both tests for later on--the blood test probably won't be accurate either at this point.

passionfruit877 Apprentice
passionfruit877
Posted
  • Author

After being gluten-free for 6 months, 3 weeks just isn't enough time to insure an accurate test result. The rule of thumb is to eat the equivalent of 3-4 slices of wheat bread a day for 3-4 months.

I would reschedule both tests for later on--the blood test probably won't be accurate either at this point.

But is it even worth it? And I was confused that he scheduled the blood test and the biopsy at the same time. Shouldn't I just try the blood test and if it comes back positive then do the biopsy? I ate like 3/4 of a piece of bread when I got back and now I'm bloated. He said I had two options, just keep eating gluten free or do the testing. I'm thinking maybe I should just call him and pick option 1.

ciavyn Contributor
ciavyn
Posted

Hm, I want to say go with your gut, but I think it's already biased! :) I am undiagnosed. So far, I've had no issues. I'm an adult, so I don't need to worry about school lunches or college issues (I am in grad school, and they've been great about it when I'm on campus) and other than that, I have had "gluten sensitivity" put on my medical chart. For me, a diagnosis would require funds and misery that I have not the patience for. So I'm good. But you have to do what you can live with. Good luck!

DebbieM Rookie
DebbieM
Posted

I would give it longer...I just did a 3 month challenge and the results were "suggestive of mild/early" celiac. DR wants me to do 3 more months on gluten and do the endoscopy again!!!!!!! It might depend how long you were gluten free???

passionfruit877 Apprentice
passionfruit877
Posted
  • Author

I would give it longer...I just did a 3 month challenge and the results were "suggestive of mild/early" celiac. DR wants me to do 3 more months on gluten and do the endoscopy again!!!!!!! It might depend how long you were gluten free???

Debbie, how long were you gluten free beforehand?

jerseyangel Proficient
jerseyangel
Posted

But is it even worth it? And I was confused that he scheduled the blood test and the biopsy at the same time. Shouldn't I just try the blood test and if it comes back positive then do the biopsy? I ate like 3/4 of a piece of bread when I got back and now I'm bloated. He said I had two options, just keep eating gluten free or do the testing. I'm thinking maybe I should just call him and pick option 1.

Positive response to the gluten-free diet, and symptoms that recur when adding it back is a valid diagnostic tool in and of itself. If you are comfortable listening to your body and don't need a firm medical diagnosis, then just go 100% gluten-free yourself. You don't need a doctor to tell you what to eat--if it makes you sick, don't eat it. :) This board is an excellent resource, and we'll do everything we can to help you.

If, and only if, you decide you want to be tested you do need to be eating gluten for longer than 3 weeks. Some doctors do the blood tests first but not all. Mine went straight to the biopsy and never did the bloodwork.

It's a personal decision and completely up to you. :)

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


tarnalberry Community Regular
tarnalberry
Posted

But is it even worth it? And I was confused that he scheduled the blood test and the biopsy at the same time. Shouldn't I just try the blood test and if it comes back positive then do the biopsy? I ate like 3/4 of a piece of bread when I got back and now I'm bloated. He said I had two options, just keep eating gluten free or do the testing. I'm thinking maybe I should just call him and pick option 1.

Only you can answer that. I was in a similar position (though I hadn't even been gluten free for as long as you had been) when I went in for testing. The results were inconclusive, and I had to decide if I wanted to go back on gluten for further testing. I tried one gluten challenge (made it pretty massive, but still) and felt awful. I decided that the results from the dietary challenge were enough for me, and opted not to keep eating gluten. I've been perfectly fine with my "doctor approved self-diagnosis" but it's a personal decision.

(It would make sense, if it's a reasonable suspicion, to do the blood tests and biopsy at the same time, so you don't have to be on gluten longer than necessary.)

passionfruit877 Apprentice
passionfruit877
Posted
  • Author

Only you can answer that. I was in a similar position (though I hadn't even been gluten free for as long as you had been) when I went in for testing. The results were inconclusive, and I had to decide if I wanted to go back on gluten for further testing. I tried one gluten challenge (made it pretty massive, but still) and felt awful. I decided that the results from the dietary challenge were enough for me, and opted not to keep eating gluten. I've been perfectly fine with my "doctor approved self-diagnosis" but it's a personal decision.

(It would make sense, if it's a reasonable suspicion, to do the blood tests and biopsy at the same time, so you don't have to be on gluten longer than necessary.)

I'm worried that I'm wrong. Sometimes I get sick after I eat, like immediately. But today when I ate that bread I just got really bloated and now I have heartburn. I don't have stomach cramps. And I have to go in between Monday and Thursday to get the blood test, they told me just go whenever. I though maybe I could just wait a week and go get the blood test done, and if its negative cancel the endoscopy. Honestly, I don't want to do an endoscopy.

AlysounRI Contributor
AlysounRI
Posted

I'm worried that I'm wrong. Sometimes I get sick after I eat, like immediately. But today when I ate that bread I just got really bloated and now I have heartburn. I don't have stomach cramps. And I have to go in between Monday and Thursday to get the blood test, they told me just go whenever. I though maybe I could just wait a week and go get the blood test done, and if its negative cancel the endoscopy. Honestly, I don't want to do an endoscopy.

I'm with the rest of the people that gave their opinions.

Both my endo and my blood tests were normal except for the IgA levels.

I am not willing to go back to eating what I know is poison for me!!

If you want to do the blood testing, then great. If you don't want to do the endo, then great :)

If you know that the gluten hurts you and you are not planning to have children (unrecognized celiac and fertility issues are very linked, it seems), then just follow what YOU know to be good for you. You can always find a celiac support group near you, as it's full of gluten intolerant people too. You'll come away with some really interesting experiences, and very beneficial ones too.

Just my two sous,

~Allison

passionfruit877 Apprentice
passionfruit877
Posted
  • Author

Ah, ok now I'm feeling it. I ate some soup and my stomach feels very bloated. I also have heartburn and that tightness in my chest. How long would I have to wait to take the blood test? They said whenever, so I could do it next week. I have gluten intolerance in my family, as well as lactose intolerance. I don't know that any of them were able to test positive, and one has taken the blood test 3 times. I will definitely stay off gluten either way.

I don't mean to come off as whiny. I just really don't know what to do.

AlysounRI Contributor
AlysounRI
Posted

I don't mean to come off as whiny. I just really don't know what to do.

You're not coming across as whiny at all!!

We all know what this hell feels like.

It will pass, sooner than later hopefully.

But it sounds to me like taking a gluten challenge is not something you are going to want to do ....

I hope you feel better soon :(

~Allison

tarnalberry Community Regular
tarnalberry
Posted

Ah, ok now I'm feeling it. I ate some soup and my stomach feels very bloated. I also have heartburn and that tightness in my chest. How long would I have to wait to take the blood test? They said whenever, so I could do it next week. I have gluten intolerance in my family, as well as lactose intolerance. I don't know that any of them were able to test positive, and one has taken the blood test 3 times. I will definitely stay off gluten either way.

I don't mean to come off as whiny. I just really don't know what to do.

It kinda sounds like you know what to do, but are not CONFIDENT. Be confident that something isn't right when you don't feel well. The exact symptoms may not always be the same, but if you eat gluten and then feel worse, that's a pretty strong sign!

If you want the tests, though, prepare to eat plenty of gluten (3-4 slices of bread a day) for a long time (3-4 months).

ravenwoodglass Mentor
ravenwoodglass
Posted

Ah, ok now I'm feeling it. I ate some soup and my stomach feels very bloated. I also have heartburn and that tightness in my chest. How long would I have to wait to take the blood test? They said whenever, so I could do it next week. I have gluten intolerance in my family, as well as lactose intolerance. I don't know that any of them were able to test positive, and one has taken the blood test 3 times. I will definitely stay off gluten either way.

I don't mean to come off as whiny. I just really don't know what to do.

You need to be back on gluten for the same length of time for the blood test as you do for the endo. Even then false negatives are all too common. Sounds like your body is giving you the answer. The next few days may be rough. Whether you want to continue for another 2 or 3 months is up to you.

DebbieM Rookie
DebbieM
Posted

Debbie, how long were you gluten free beforehand?

I had been off for 9 months

passionfruit877 Apprentice
passionfruit877
Posted
  • Author

You need to be back on gluten for the same length of time for the blood test as you do for the endo. Even then false negatives are all too common. Sounds like your body is giving you the answer. The next few days may be rough. Whether you want to continue for another 2 or 3 months is up to you.

Hmm, I'm not liking the word "months" there. Ok, I think I'm not gonna do it. It's not a good sign if I'm ready to give up after one day. He did say the only difference was that if I did have Celiac disease I would just have to check up with a doctor every so often, maybe get screened for osteoporosis later. I could do that on my own. He told me constipation is rare with Celiac disease (and that Celiac itself is rare) and so I probaby don't have it. I can accept just gluten intolerant.

tarnalberry Community Regular
tarnalberry
Posted

well, he's "right" when he says celiac is rare, but only in comparison to common things like how many people are likely to get a cold during cold season. :/

The rate of celiac disease incidence in the population is 1%. 1 in 133 is the last study I've read, but the numbers seem to vary somewhere between a tiny bit over 1% and a tiny bit under.

passionfruit877 Apprentice
passionfruit877
Posted
  • Author

well, he's "right" when he says celiac is rare, but only in comparison to common things like how many people are likely to get a cold during cold season. :/

The rate of celiac disease incidence in the population is 1%. 1 in 133 is the last study I've read, but the numbers seem to vary somewhere between a tiny bit over 1% and a tiny bit under.

Well thank you all for responding. I felt a little stressed and confused this morning, but now I think I feel confident about my decision.

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Celiac.com:
    Join eNewsletter
    Donate
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):
    Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):



    Celiac.com Sponsors (A17-M):



  • Recent Activity

    1. Jmartes71
      - Jmartes71 replied to Jmartes71's topic in Related Issues & Disorders
      20

      My only proof

      Thus has got to STOP , medical bit believing us! I literally went through 31 years thinking it was just a food allergy as its downplayed by medical if THEY weren't the ones who diagnosed us! Im positive for HLA-DQ2 which is first celiac patient per Iran and Turkey. Here in the States especially in Cali its why do you feel that way? Why do you think your celiac...
    2. knitty kitty
      - knitty kitty replied to Scott Adams's topic in Post Diagnosis, Recovery & Treatment of Celiac Disease
      44

      Supplements for those Diagnosed with Celiac Disease

      @Scatterbrain, Thiamine Vitamin B1 and amino acid Taurine work together. Our bodies can make Taurine from meats consumed. Our bodies cannot make Thiamine and must consume thiamine from food. Meat is the best source of B vitamins like Thiamine. Vegetarians may not make sufficient taurine since they don't eat meat sources of taurine...
    3. knitty kitty
      - knitty kitty replied to Jmartes71's topic in Related Issues & Disorders
      20

      My only proof

      @Jmartes71, I went to Doterra's site and had a look around. The Doterra TerraZyme supplement really jumped out at me. Since we, as Celiacs, often have digestive problems, I looked at the ingredients. The majority of the enzymes in this supplement are made using black mold, Aspergillus! Other enzymes are made by yeast Saccharomyces! Considering...
    4. Scott Adams
      - Scott Adams commented on Scott Adams's article in Additional Concerns
      2

      Gluten Transfer from Biodegradable Tableware: What a New Study Found and Why It Matters (+Video)

      Thanks for mentioning this, and here is an older article on the topic:
    5. Scott Adams
      - Scott Adams commented on Scott Adams's article in Gluten-Free Grains and Flours
      18

      Cricket Flour Makes Really Good Gluten-Free Bread

      Your concern about certified gluten-free cricket powder is completely valid, as cross-contamination in both feedstock and processing is a real issue. Currently, the availability of certified gluten-free options is limited, but brands like Chapul and Entomo Farms, which I believe have offered products processed in dedicated facilities and labeled gluten-free...
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):


  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      132,543
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    Jeanette K.
    Newest Member
    Jeanette K.
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):



  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.5k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):

  • Who's Online (See full list)

  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • Jmartes71
      My only proof

      By Jmartes71 · Posted

      Thus has got to STOP , medical bit believing us! I literally went through 31 years thinking it was just a food allergy as its downplayed by medical if THEY weren't the ones who diagnosed us! Im positive for HLA-DQ2 which is first celiac patient per Iran and Turkey. Here in the States especially in Cali its why do you feel that way? Why do you think your celiac? Your not eating gluten so its something else.Medical caused me depression. I thought I was safe with my former pcp for 25 years considering i thought everything I went through and going through will be available when I get fired again for health. Health not write-ups my health always come back when you're better.Im not and being tossed away at no fault to my own other than shitty genes.I was denied disability because person said he didn't know how to classify me! I said Im celiac, i have ibs, hernia, sciatica, high blood pressure, in constant pain have skin and eye issues and menopause intensified everything. With that my celiac nightmare began to reprove my disregarded disease to a bunch of clowns who think they are my careteam when they said I didn't have...I feel Im still breathing so I can fight this so no body else has to deal with this nightmare. Starting over with " new care team" and waisting more time on why I think I am when diagnosed in 1994 before food eliminated from my diet. P.s everything i went through I did write to medical board, so pretty sure I will continue to have a hard time.
    • knitty kitty
      Supplements for those Diagnosed with Celiac Disease

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      @Scatterbrain, Thiamine Vitamin B1 and amino acid Taurine work together.  Our bodies can make Taurine from meats consumed.  Our bodies cannot make Thiamine and must consume thiamine from food.  Meat is the best source of B vitamins like Thiamine.   Vegetarians may not make sufficient taurine since they don't eat meat sources of taurine.  Seaweed is the best vegetarian source of taurine. Vegetarians may not consume sufficient Thiamine since few veggies are good sources.  Whole grains, legumes, and nuts and seeds contain thiamine.  Many of these sources can be hard to digest and absorb for people with Celiac disease.   You may find taking the forms of thiamine called Benfotiamine or TTFD (tetrahydrofurfuryl disulfide) and a B Complex will give the benefits you're looking for better than taurine alone.  
    • knitty kitty
      My only proof

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      @Jmartes71, I went to Doterra's site and had a look around.  The Doterra TerraZyme supplement really jumped out at me.  Since we, as Celiacs, often have digestive problems, I looked at the ingredients.  The majority of the enzymes in this supplement are made using black mold, Aspergillus!  Other enzymes are made by yeast Saccharomyces!  Considering the fact that Celiac often have permeable intestines (leaky gut syndrome), I would be very hesitant to take a product like this.  Although there may not be live black mold or yeast in the product, the enzymes may still cause an immune system response which would definitely cause inflammation throughout the body.   Skin, eyes, and intestines are all made from the same basic type of cells.  Your skin on the outside and eyes can reflect how irritated the intestines are on the inside.  Our skin, eyes, and intestines all need the same vitamins and nutrients to be healthy:  Vitamin A, Niacin B3 and Tryptophan, Riboflavin B2, Biotin B7, Vitamin C, and Omega Threes.  Remember that the eight B vitamins work together.  Just taking high doses of just one, vitamin like B12, can cause a deficiency in the others.  Taking high doses of B12 can mask a Folate B9 deficiency.  If you take B12, please take a B Complex, too.  Thiamine B1 can be taken in high doses safely without toxicity.  Thiamine is needed by itself to produce energy so every cell in the body can function, but Thiamine also works with the other B vitamins to make life sustaining enzymes and digestive enzymes.  Deficiencies in either Niacin, Vitamin C, or Thiamine can cause digestive problems resulting in Pellagra, Scurvy, and Gastrointestinal Beriberi.   If you change your diet, you will change your intestinal microbiome.  Following the Autoimmune Protocol Diet, a Paleo diet, will starve out SIBO bacteria.  Thiamine keeps bacteria in check so they don't get out of control as in SIBO.  Thiamine also keeps MOLDS and Yeasts from overgrowth.   Menopause symptoms and menstrual irregularities are symptomatic of low Vitamin D.   Doctors are not as knowledgeable about malnutrition as we need them to be.  A nutritionist or dietician would be more helpful.   Take control of your diet and nutrition.  Quit looking for a pill that's going to make you feel better overnight.  The Celiac journey is a marathon, not a sprint.   "Let food be your medicine, and let medicine be your food."
    • RUKen
      Are Lindt chocolate balls gluten free?

      By RUKen · Posted

      The Lindt (Lindor) dairy-free oat milk truffles are definitely gluten-free, and (last time I checked) so are the white chocolate truffles and the mint chocolate truffles. 
    • lmemsm
      Supplements for those Diagnosed with Celiac Disease

      By lmemsm · Posted

      I've used magnesium taurinate and magnesium taurate vitamins.  Didn't notice much of a difference when I used them.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

NOTICE: This site places This site places cookies on your device (Cookie settings). on your device. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy.