Canadian Testing?

[puppymamma]

I am new to the gluten-free world. I was diagnosed with IBS but my doctor thought it was a possibility that gluten was an irritator.

I went off gluten to try it and feel much better - almost all of my ibs symptoms are gone, unless I inadvertently eat something with hidden gluten.

I would like to get tested and have a true diagnosis but I am confused about what is available in Canada. My doc has indicated that a biopsy is the only way? This seems a bit extreme to me especially when it seems there is so much more available in the US. Any Canadians out there that can help me? I would like to go into my next appt informed.

Thanks

[psawyer]

I am in Canada, and was diagnosed ten years ago. At that time, the blood screening now considered common was just out in the US, and was not available in Canada.

Acceptance of the blood testing varies by province, as I understand it. Here in Ontario, I hear that OHIP will now pay for some blood tests, but I don't know which ones. For the full panel, I believe that you need $$$ or private insurance.

No matter where in Canada you are, your government health plan will cover the endoscopy and subsequent biopsy analysis.

Talk more to the doctor. In my experience, the doctor may say you can't have it, when what he really means is the provincial plan won't pay for it. The final choice is yours.

[Gerri]

I am new to the gluten-free world. I was diagnosed with IBS but my doctor thought it was a possibility that gluten was an irritator.

I went off gluten to try it and feel much better - almost all of my ibs symptoms are gone, unless I inadvertently eat something with hidden gluten.

I would like to get tested and have a true diagnosis but I am confused about what is available in Canada. My doc has indicated that a biopsy is the only way? This seems a bit extreme to me especially when it seems there is so much more available in the US. Any Canadians out there that can help me? I would like to go into my next appt informed.

Thanks

I live in Ontario, had to pay for some of the blood test. The biopsy is not a 100% accurate, and sometime a number of biopsy have to be run. I was following low gluten diet for years. When the blood work was ran, I was showing low Celiac. For a month before the biopsy, I was to eat as much gluten as possible (like a hundred times more than I as eating). I landed in the hospital three times, I honestly thought I was dying. The biopsy showed, I have diverticulum, hiatus(sp) hernia, and severe GERDs with inflamation. My doctor ordered because of the results to follow the celiac diet. This note I sent into the government. Since following the Celiac diet, my supposed IBS symptoms have vastly improved. My severe obstucted sleep apnea, is now down into the mild-moderate range (biggest improvement). It has been suggested that possible thyroid problems, porphyria, may have resulted in me having Celiac disease.

Gerri

[puppymamma]

Thanks to both of you guys! I plan to go back to the doctor next week and we will see where I get to from there.

I was hoping we could just do blood tests. The biopsy sounds scary!

[psawyer]

The biopsy sounds scary!

I have had the procedure twice, each time in conjunction with a colonoscopy. At my age, being over fifty, routine colonoscopy screening for colon cancer is recommended.

The endoscopy itself is not traumatic. You don't have to do the bowel purge associated with colonoscopy (and abdominal surgery). You are typically given a strong sedative (but short of general anesthesia), and remember nothing of the actual procedure. You will be groggy afterward, and another person must come with you and accompany you when you travel home from the hospital. My wife drove me, both times, to and from the hospital.

My first endoscopy and biopsy, in 2000, showed serious villous atrophy caused by celiac disease. I went on the gluten-free diet immediately, and the 2005 test showed that my intestines had healed completely on the gluten-free diet.

My five-year colonoscopy schedule is coming up again soon. The prep is unpleasant, but I will have it done.

[adab8ca]

Hi I am from Ontario and I had a "celiac panel" ordered by a Dr. that was done by gamma-dynacare labs.

THey tested for IgA Antigliadin, IgG Antigliadin and transglutanimase (sp). It cost 125.00 and OHIP did not pay for it, which is shocking to me.