Positive Blood Test With gluten-free Diet?

[flutterby]

Hey folks,

I wanted to hear some opinions about a case that I imagine is somewhat common. Two years ago, my family doctor put me on a gluten-free diet without doing any tests, after I got extremely sick, lost weight, had many celiac disease symptoms, and had been told that if we didn't find the cause I would have to take medicine of my life in order to be able to eat and digest food. It was a last-resort type scenario because at that point I couldn't manage to eat even 1 meal per day and I was very sick. I got better. At that time I didn't have insurance, and my doctor was satisfied with having found the solution to my problem, so did not refer me to a specialist or order testing.

About 6 months ago, now with insurance, I got sick again and went to a gastroenterologist, who told me that from my history I had classic signs of celiac disease and that I should be careful with my diet and call her if I kept having problems, but that the tests were expensive and she didn't think that insurance would cover them.

So now ... after 2 years of struggling with a gluten-free diet, I find out that there is not only a Specialist in celiac disease near me, but that the test has lowered in price AND insurance will cover it. I'm curious to see what the Specialist says, but wanted to ask:

Has anyone had a positive blood test after going gluten-free? Has anyone re-introduced gluten into the diet and then taken the test? Has anyone else had similar experiences? Thanks for your responses!

[cassP]

maybe better for u to see what this specialist thinks, and what other members advise... i hate having to tell someone to get back on gluten.

basically- for about 7 or 8 years prior to my 1st celiac test- i was mostly LOW or NO carbs... mostly gluten lite with binges & "cheats".. my antigliadins were negative & my ttgs were "weak positive"

then, my Gi put me on a "wheat challenge". only 4 slices of bread a day for 2 weeks. 2nd test was the same as the 1st. members on here say that 2 week challenge is not enough.

members on here suggest 2-3 months.. i couldnt do more than 2 weeks

good luck deciding what to do- ask this new doc.. and dont worry about any costs if you get accurate answers

[flutterby]

Thanks for the reply! Spoke to the celiac specialist today ... he ordered IgA and IgG blood tests and endoscopy and is also going to test for some other things besides Celiac. He said that he thought putting me on a gluten challenge would do more harm than good, but that I should "feel the inclination to cheat once in a while" before doing the tests.

I also told him that I doubt my diet is completely gluten-free right now. I will occassionally eat ice cream or a piece of deli meat or a can of tuna that I don't know is safe ... but ever since the last time I got sick I've been being pretty careful. I guess we'll see what happens. He said it only takes 10mg to do damage, anyway, so we'll see!