Gluten Challenge

[michaelkl1]

I have been gluten free now for over 6 weeks. I don't have the stomach gurgling and my stool is pretty normal except for occasional D. I think I probably had some cross contamination. Overall I feel that I have more energy and just have a better overall feeling, but I still have itchiness over my skin. Before going gluten free I had a stomach biopsy that came back positive that indicated the beginning stage of gluten sensitivity, and my blood test came back negative. My GI doctor only suspects Celiac,so she wanted be to be gluten free for 6 weeks and then take the gluten challenge for 2 weeks and then retest my blood work. I am concerned about going back to eating gluten just as I am finally feeling better. I have heard conflicting stories about the Gluten Challenge. Any thoughts out there?

[Skylark]

I'm confused about the point of the challenge. If you bloodwork started negative it's not going to magically go positive. It's OK to tell your doctor that gluten makes you sick, you're just starting to feel better, you don't want to be sick again, and you're comfortable with a "maybe" diagnosis. They can rule out other problems without you eating gluten.

[RoseTapper]

I also see no reason for a gluten challenge. There's simply no point. If you feel better without gluten, then you either have celiac or are gluten sensitive. Case closed.

[sunnybabi1986]

I agree with the others...would you really want to go back to being sick again just because a doctor told you to? I wouldn't in a million years!!

[ravenwoodglass]

You have already had a positive biopsy and good results from the diet. I would pass on the challenge as the positive biopsy is the 'gold standard' and false negatives on blood work are all to common. Accept that you are already diagnosed.