Hidden Ingredients

[nickim]

I was diagnosed with Celiac Disease 2 months ago. I immediately went on a gluten-free diet. I got all sorts of information, met with a dietician and have not cheated once. I just had an endoscope and was told that I still have traces of gluten, and that my villi are atrophy (flattened) still and that after 2 months on the diet they should have started to heal. I am so confused, not sure what I am doing wrong. I eat very healthy, mainly fruits and veggies with spices. Are there certain ingredients in spices that contain gluten. I chew alot of gum, eat alot of salads, and usually have ranch dressing, Hellmans appears gluten-free along with Margetti's (sp). I have had chips, but always corn or tostados and meat without bread crumbs. When using barbeque sauce I use sweet baby rays. Breakfast I usually make my own smoothie with yogurt and fruit and milk or cereal from a gluten-free like natures path. I do drink the Redbridge beer which is gluten-free. I also drink Mt. Royal Light Whiskey which the company wrote to me and said it was gluten-free. Festival Foods has lunch meat from a company Krestzmar(sp) that is gluten-free and I usually get that from their deli. The bread I eat is gluten-free, UDI ( by the way it is the best bread ever, I almost cried when I had my first bite), I have my own toaster and put homemade strawberry jelly on it. I also enjoy ice cream, but there again the ingredients look okay. Is there a hidden ingredient in ice cream. If it has modified food starch, I don

[psawyer]

If you are in the US, modified food starch is not wheat unless is specifically says so using the word "wheat." Hidden gluten in ice cream is almost unheard of--the only gluten would be in obvious additives like cookie dough or cookie chunks.

Spices refers to a set of plant materials, none of which are grains. "Spices" does not hide gluten. "Seasonings" is a whole different ball game, though.

My first guess would be cross-contamination at the deli.

Some people have reported issues with corn chips made by Frito-Lay. Others have no problem with them.

[Lisa]

Keep a food diary. It often can pin point an issue. But, depending on your damage, it could take up to a couple of years for a full recovery.

Post your daily menu. Many of us can help you with a potential issue.

[Ahorsesoul]

Since you are new to the gluten free diet I would suggest you also go dairy and soy free for a few months to promote faster healing. Also look at all products that go into your mouth to be sure they are gluten free. Include your drinks, medications, toothpaste, mints, anything. Try not to use plastic, wooden or coated cooking items including cutting boards, toasters and storage containers that have been in contact with gluten.

Two months probably is not enough time to show much healing if you have been glutened a few times. Think of it as a cut on your arm. If you pick the scab off every now and then it will take longer to heal. So every time you get glutened it will take longer for your intestines to heal.

[Gemini]

I was diagnosed with Celiac Disease 2 months ago. I immediately went on a gluten-free diet. I got all sorts of information, met with a dietician and have not cheated once. I just had an endoscope and was told that I still have traces of gluten, and that my villi are atrophy (flattened) still and that after 2 months on the diet they should have started to heal. I am so confused, not sure what I am doing wrong. I eat very healthy, mainly fruits and veggies with spices. Are there certain ingredients in spices that contain gluten. I chew alot of gum, eat alot of salads, and usually have ranch dressing, Hellmans appears gluten-free along with Margetti's (sp). I have had chips, but always corn or tostados and meat without bread crumbs. When using barbeque sauce I use sweet baby rays. Breakfast I usually make my own smoothie with yogurt and fruit and milk or cereal from a gluten-free like natures path. I do drink the Redbridge beer which is gluten-free. I also drink Mt. Royal Light Whiskey which the company wrote to me and said it was gluten-free. Festival Foods has lunch meat from a company Krestzmar(sp) that is gluten-free and I usually get that from their deli. The bread I eat is gluten-free, UDI ( by the way it is the best bread ever, I almost cried when I had my first bite), I have my own toaster and put homemade strawberry jelly on it. I also enjoy ice cream, but there again the ingredients look okay. Is there a hidden ingredient in ice cream. If it has modified food starch, I don

[Kim27]

I think it sounds like you are being very vigilant about your food. I'm surprised your dr had you repeat an EGD already! My doctor retested my TTG IGA levels 5 weeks after going gluten-free, but only b/c I just had to get some other bloodwork done and she said might as well to see if it's dropping at all. HOWEVER she made it very clear that she would not expect my levels to be in the normal range by that time frame. She said that typically blood is retested after 5-6 months. She never mentioned a repeat EGD at this point. It makes sense that you might still have gluten in your system and visible damage, 2 months just isn't that long. If you've been damaging your body for a long time, it's gonna take some time to heal completely. I think they have insane expectations. I wouldn't take what they say too hard, if you keep being vigilant, check all your foods, and be as careful as you sound, you should continue to heal, just not going to be overnight.

[ravenwoodglass]

How are you feeling? Are you still having symptoms? If your not I wouldn't worry too much about the results of the endo as it was done really quickly. Most doctors don't reendo until at least 6 months after the diet is started, if ever. Mine didn't reendo until years after I started the diet and then since he was doing a routine 'over 50' colonoscopy figured he might as well do the endo at the same time.

One thing I will say is that there are rare celiacs, like myself, who react to distilled gluten grains like that found in whiskey or gluten grain derived vodkas. It your are still having symptoms you might want to drop those for a while and see if it makes a difference. Most will tolerate them but not everyone does.

[nickim]

I think it sounds like you are being very vigilant about your food. I'm surprised your dr had you repeat an EGD already! My doctor retested my TTG IGA levels 5 weeks after going gluten-free, but only b/c I just had to get some other bloodwork done and she said might as well to see if it's dropping at all. HOWEVER she made it very clear that she would not expect my levels to be in the normal range by that time frame. She said that typically blood is retested after 5-6 months. She never mentioned a repeat EGD at this point. It makes sense that you might still have gluten in your system and visible damage, 2 months just isn't that long. If you've been damaging your body for a long time, it's gonna take some time to heal completely. I think they have insane expectations. I wouldn't take what they say too hard, if you keep being vigilant, check all your foods, and be as careful as you sound, you should continue to heal, just not going to be overnight.

This was my first endo, they never tested me because my bloodwork for the celiac test was extremely high. They told me that 2 of the tests would report a high score of between 8 and 14 to test high for celiac, and mine were both over 100, and the 3rd test was high around 400 and I was over 520. Because they results were so high they didn't do a colonscopy or endo. I wasn't feeling better, still bloated etc after a week and 1/2 of feeling good, that is why I requested they do the test. I just eanted to know for sure.

[nickim]

If you are in the US, modified food starch is not wheat unless is specifically says so using the word "wheat." Hidden gluten in ice cream is almost unheard of--the only gluten would be in obvious additives like cookie dough or cookie chunks.

Spices refers to a set of plant materials, none of which are grains. "Spices" does not hide gluten. "Seasonings" is a whole different ball game, though.

My first guess would be cross-contamination at the deli.

Some people have reported issues with corn chips made by Frito-Lay. Others have no problem with them.

I am in the US and have started the journal again. I also have dramatically reduced my portion sizes and that seems to help too.

[Morningstar313]

I was diagnosed with Celiac Disease 2 months ago. I immediately went on a gluten-free diet. I got all sorts of information, met with a dietician and have not cheated once. I just had an endoscope and was told that I still have traces of gluten, and that my villi are atrophy (flattened) still and that after 2 months on the diet they should have started to heal. I am so confused, not sure what I am doing wrong. I eat very healthy, mainly fruits and veggies with spices. Are there certain ingredients in spices that contain gluten. I chew alot of gum, eat alot of salads, and usually have ranch dressing, Hellmans appears gluten-free along with Margetti's (sp). I have had chips, but always corn or tostados and meat without bread crumbs. When using barbeque sauce I use sweet baby rays. Breakfast I usually make my own smoothie with yogurt and fruit and milk or cereal from a gluten-free like natures path. I do drink the Redbridge beer which is gluten-free. I also drink Mt. Royal Light Whiskey which the company wrote to me and said it was gluten-free. Festival Foods has lunch meat from a company Krestzmar(sp) that is gluten-free and I usually get that from their deli. The bread I eat is gluten-free, UDI ( by the way it is the best bread ever, I almost cried when I had my first bite), I have my own toaster and put homemade strawberry jelly on it. I also enjoy ice cream, but there again the ingredients look okay. Is there a hidden ingredient in ice cream. If it has modified food starch, I don

[GFinDC]

You really shouldn't assume your reactions are due to gluten. You could also be reacting to other foods as many of us do. Soy, nightshades, dairy, corn, eggs, etc etc etc can all be problems. Check out the top 8 food allergens for a starting list of potential problems.

[nickim]

I'm very new to the gluten free lifestyle. I was under the impression that Sweet Baby Rays was not gluten free. Are they? Because they're my favorite, so that would be amazing!

Sweet Baby Rays is definitely gluten free so enjoy!!

[Jenn27]

Check the yogurt.. Any Yoplait yogurt is safe but there are many that aren't.

[dilettantesteph]

Some spices are contaminated enough to bother super sensitive celiacs.

[T.H.]

How are you doing now? Do the symptoms seem to be improving, or are you still having trouble?