Got Blood Tests Friday

[DJ Jess]

I'm new here and want to start by saying thank you!! I've spent HOURS reading these forums over the past few weeks and have learned so much.

My doctor did the blood tests on Friday and I'll hear back next week. My concern (strange word) is that they'll be negative/inconclusive because I've been super strict gluten-free since Jan 1. (so about 2 weeks) Prior to that I was having something with gluten maybe once a week for the past few months - I kept not believing it really made me feel that awful or something. Silly Jess. So I'd have a cookie or pizza or something then vow again not to have it anymore. For some reason I wasn't seeing my doctor during this "data collection" time, even though she was the one who suggested possible celiac a few months ago based on my symptoms. When I saw her Friday she said she was really proud of me for my detective work and determination, especially when I said there was NO way I'd start eating it again just so we could test me.

So my basic question is - do you think I was off gluten too long to get conclusive results? My doc really wasn't sure and her suggested plan was that if the tests are positive, great, we know and that's that. If they're negative she wants to do the biopsy. (So that brings up THAT question of how long would being gluten-free affect those results.)

I don't feel like she's pushing me to get a firm answer - my anecdotal evidence was very convincing to her, and obviously to me as well. I just can't seem to find info on how long is too long on the gluten-free diet to affect tests results. (and I do realize the tests are not always conclusive even if the person had been eating gluten the whole time.)

Thank you again for all of your wonderful knowledge. This really is an amazingly helpful forum.

[Skylark]

From what I've read in studies where people are challenged with gluten, eating it once a week for a few months may not be enough. I would certainly question a negative result. I don't know about the biopsy. Celiacs in studies who "cheat" regularly do often have damage.

[ravenwoodglass]

If you have been gluten light for a while you may very well have a false negative. It sounds like you know gluten is an issue for you so do go back to being strictly gluten free after the procedure is done.