gluten-free 3 Weeks; Will It Affect Endo?

[hikermom4]

Hello!

I am new to this forum. I have been having GI symptoms for a while, long story as usual. I have an appt to see the GI specialist in 2 weeks; have been gluten-free 3 weeks. If he orders an endo, do you think it will be a false neg? How long does it take for gluten to clear the system? I am 51 and have been wheat free 5 months, but completely gluten-free only 3 wks. I am also concerned about checking for other problems.

Thanks for your help!

[eatmeat4good]

Two weeks off of gluten is iffy as to whether the results will be accurate. I have read on here many times that people have been gluten free for months and then did a 3 month return to eating gluten so they could be properly tested. When they post their results that they were miserable all three months and STILL tested negative on the endoscopy and biopsy. It is extremely variable as to whether you will test positive even if you have been eating gluten the whole time. There is a high false negative rate. They usually post that they are going to go gluten free anyway in spite of the negative test result. If you are concerned about other things as well of course you should still go through with the testing. Some people's antibodies clear very quickly and others don't.

[hikermom4]

Two weeks off of gluten is iffy as to whether the results will be accurate. I have read on here many times that people have been gluten free for months and then did a 3 month return to eating gluten so they could be properly tested. When they post their results that they were miserable all three months and STILL tested negative on the endoscopy and biopsy. It is extremely variable as to whether you will test positive even if you have been eating gluten the whole time. There is a high false negative rate. They usually post that they are going to go gluten free anyway in spite of the negative test result. If you are concerned about other things as well of course you should still go through with the testing. Some people's antibodies clear very quickly and others don't.

Thanks for your reply!

[sarawr]

Hmm my doctor told me to get off gluten, and i waited 6 weeks for a GI appointment, and when I got there they told me that the only way to get a positive result (aside from blood tests, which came back negative) was having a endoscopy, but that I'd need to be back on gluten for atleast 4-6 weeks. Speaking with people on here, many have said you need to be on gluten 3-6months to get a more accurate (though still can have a negative result) .. i hope your GI specialist doesn't mess you around like they did with me, but they may unfortunately tell you to go back onto gluten until the endoscopy.