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Should I Even Bother? Allergy Testing Vs. Celiac Diagnosis

amsparky

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amsparky Newbie
amsparky
Posted

Hi all!

I am a loooooong time lurker, but decided to go ahead and ask my question. Like many other newbies, I am debating whether or not to get a Celiac diagnosis. Here's the deal - I tested positive for wheat allergy (among many others), but the issue is that it was via progressive intradermal testing. When I was tested via the skin prick test, no reaction occurred. Apparently the intradermal is supposed to be less accurate, but it is sometimes more accurate when it is progressive...confusing, I know. All I know is that I was stuck so many times I wanted to cry and they couldn't even finish the test because I was reacting so much.

Despite the conflicting info, I went gluten-free and when I stick to it, I feel WAY better. Problem is, as we all know, it is a tough lifestyle to stick to.

I am just looking for other opinions - is it even worth the effort to see if it is Celiac's? The only reason I am still doubting is the differing allergy test results.

Thanks for any advice and have a great day!

Alana

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amsparky Newbie
amsparky
Posted
  • Author

Well, after speaking with my dr, she recommended going completely gluten-free to see if it eliminated all symptoms. So, back on the gluten-free train I go! It would be SO much easier if I weren't also allergic to dairy and yeast...

Jestgar Rising Star
Jestgar
Posted

Despite the conflicting info, I went gluten-free and when I stick to it, I feel WAY better.

I think this is your answer....

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      Iron loss and potential celiac.

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    • trents
      Iron loss and potential celiac.

      By trents · Posted

      Yes, it does. And joint pain is another celiac symptom that is now well-recognized. 
    • ThomasA55
      Iron loss and potential celiac.

      By ThomasA55 · Posted

      Does my iron loss sound like celiac to you?
    • trents
      Iron loss and potential celiac.

      By trents · Posted

      Being as how you are largely asymptomatic, I would certainly advise undertaking a gluten challenge in order to get formal testing for celiac disease. We have many forum participants who become violently ill when they undertake a gluten challenge and they therefore can't carry through with it. That doesn't seem to be the case with you. The reason I think it is important for you to get tested is that many or most people who don't have a formal diagnosis find it difficult to be consistent with the gluten-free diet. They find ways to rationalize that their symptoms are due to something other than celiac disease . . . especially when it becomes socially limiting.  The other factor here is by being inconsistent with the gluten free diet, assuming you do have celiac disease, you are likely causing slow, incremental damage to your gut, even though you are largely asymptomatic. It can take years for that damage to get to the point where it results in spinoff health problems. Concerning genetic testing, it can't be used for diagnosis, at least not definitively. Somewhere between 30 and 40% of the general population will have one or both of the two genes known to be associated with the development of active celiac disease. Yet, only about 1% of the general population will develop active celiac disease. But the genetic testing can be used as a rule out for celiac disease if you don't have either gene. But even so, that doesn't eliminate the possibility of having NCGS (Non Celiac Gluten Sensitivity).
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      Iron loss and potential celiac.

      By ThomasA55 · Posted

    • trents
      Iron loss and potential celiac.

      By trents · Posted

      Welcome to the celiac.com community, @ThomasA55! Before I give my opinion on your question about whether or not you should undergo a gluten challenge, I would like to know how you react when you get a good dose of gluten? Are you largely asymptomatic or do you experience significant illness such as nausea and diarrhea? You mentioned intermittent joint pain before you began experimenting with a low gluten diet. Anything else?
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