Went In For Follow-up

[Guest zipy]

So I went in for my follow up....wow...now I have a new question about testing. My TTG was >100, and my Gliadin was >100. Does having really high numbers mean that you're super super alergic to gluten, or just that you had high blood levels at that moment in time? I have to go in for follow up blood work to make sure my liver is healing in 6 weeks. I'm getting referred to a dietician and a gastrointestinal specialist, yipee.

My doctor here is ordering the blood work test now for lots of her patients because it is so easy. Which I think is awesome becaue it sounds like so many people are going undetected for so many years. My onset was a textbook case and so severe that she knew almost immediately what it was. She said that even if people come in just complaining of diarrhea every once in a while or lactose intolerance. She sounds like a pretty up-to-date Dr.

On the other hand she gave me a crappy handout that said that all juices were safe. I spoke with the Gatorade people yesterday and they said the same thing to me that I've read on the board, all Gatorade products are gluten free, as are the pure, fresh, Tropican orange juices, but not the blends. There has to be an official handout on getting started as a Celiac.

Question: I'm reading that people have to throw out their cutting boards, wooden spoons and toasters/toasterovens. Is this necessary?

Erin

[gf4life]

Question: I'm reading that people have to throw out their cutting boards, wooden spoons and toasters/toasterovens. Is this necessary?

It is a personal choice, but a good idea to replace the things that are impossible to get every speck of gluten out of. A toaster oven is easier to clean that a toaster, and if you use a new pan or foil lined pan, then it should be okay. Do NOT place your food directly on the rack that you have used for gluten foods though.

Spoons and cutting boards are easy to replace and don't have to be expensive, so those are probably a good idea to replace. Anything like wood, cast iron, plastic, is impossible to get the gluten out of. It sort of soaks into the surface and small particles come out when you prepare your food.

Now as for the question about the high blood levels, it can vary from person to person, but it most likely means there is a large amount of intestinal damage right now. The numbers should start to go sown after about 6 months and by 1-2 years should be in the negative range. Some people heal much quicker, and others take a long time. Your best bet to help yourself heal is to be very careful about keeping your diet gluten free, and eat foods that are easier to digest. I also recommend digestive enzymes. Ask the dietician about this. A good multi-vitamin/multi mineral supplement is also essential, since you are probably deficient in many vitamins and mineral due to not absorbing your food properly.

God bless,

Mariann