New To The Forum - Question

[mommy25]

Hello~

I am new to this forum. I found it while doing an internet search. I think I may have celiac/gluten intolerance (although at this point I am not sure there is a difference between the two).

I went to a functional medicine doctor and I gave her all of my symptoms and she thinks I am gluten intolerant. She did a saliva test and I am awaiting the results. My main symptoms are extreme fatigue, failing thyroid, muscle weakness, some gastro upset, loose stools (light colored too), etc.

While awaiting the test results, I decided to go gluten free. It has been 4 1/2 days now. The fatigue has lifted a little and gastro symptoms have went away. So my main questions are:

1) based on what I have said, I can assume this is the issue?

2) is there any sort of "gluten withdrawal" symptoms I should expect or be aware of ?

3) if this is what it is, how long before I start feeling well?

4) I know gluten is in all wheat products, but what are some names for the hidden gluten that I should look for?

Thanks for any help you can offer!

[Lisa]

Hello~

I am new to this forum. I found it while doing an internet search. I think I may have celiac/gluten intolerance (although at this point I am not sure there is a difference between the two).

I went to a functional medicine doctor and I gave her all of my symptoms and she thinks I am gluten intolerant. She did a saliva test and I am awaiting the results. My main symptoms are extreme fatigue, failing thyroid, muscle weakness, some gastro upset, loose stools (light colored too), etc.

While awaiting the test results, I decided to go gluten free. It has been 4 1/2 days now. The fatigue has lifted a little and gastro symptoms have went away. So my main questions are:

1) based on what I have said, I can assume this is the issue?

2) is there any sort of "gluten withdrawal" symptoms I should expect or be aware of ?

3) if this is what it is, how long before I start feeling well?

4) I know gluten is in all wheat products, but what are some names for the hidden gluten that I should look for?

Thanks for any help you can offer!

Welcome!

You should stay on a full gluten diet until all testing is finished.You may never know if you have a gluten allergy, a gluten intolerance or Celiac Disease. All require the same diet, but with Celiac Disease the autoimmune response can cause great damage to your system.

To answer your questions:

1. no, no assumption can be concluded - testing would be advised.

2. some people have claimed a withdrawal period.

3. the diet is not one that you can quickly claim...it takes time to master it.

it can be very complicated.

4. there is a listing of safe and unsafe ingredients listed on the home page here.

This site is full of wonderful information....talk a walk around and again, welcome.

PS - What's a functional medical doctor?

[mommy25]

Welcome!

You should stay on a full gluten diet until all testing is finished.You may never know if you have a gluten allergy, a gluten intolerance or Celiac Disease. All require the same diet, but with Celiac Disease the autoimmune response can cause great damage to your system.

To answer your questions:

1. no, no assumption can be concluded - testing would be advised.

2. some people have claimed a withdrawal period.

3. the diet is not one that you can quickly claim...it takes time to master it.

it can be very complicated.

4. there is a listing of safe and unsafe ingredients listed on the home page here.

This site is full of wonderful information....talk a walk around and again, welcome.

PS - What's a functional medical doctor?

Thank you, Lisa. Instead of trying to explain in my own words what a functional medicine doctor is, I will paste a definition:

What is Functional Medicine?

Functional medicine is an evolution in the practice of medicine that better addresses the healthcare needs of the 21st century. By shifting the traditional disease-centered focus of medical practice to a more patient-centered approach, functional medicine addresses the whole person, not just an isolated set of symptoms. Functional medicine practitioners spend time with their patients, listening to their histories and looking at the interactions among genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors that can influence long-term health and complex, chronic disease. In this way, functional medicine supports the unique expression of health and vitality for each individual.

So I have been to 4 doctors and no body has been able to help me. Nobody has even mentioned gluten-intolerance. After researching and reading about it, it totally makes sense. And since there is a chance that this is it, I decided to get it out of my diet and see if things improve - and I think they have. The only test she is doing for this is the saliva test which is much more accurate than stool and blood testing. I will no for sure in 1 week.

I know there is a learning curve involved in knowing what foods have gluten in them. But I am quite confident that I haven't had any gluten in 4 1/2 days. I can't believe how much better my tummy is and stools have changed.

I will check out the list you are speaking of on here. Thanks again.

[Lisa]

Thank you, Lisa. Instead of trying to explain in my own words what a functional medicine doctor is, I will paste a definition: What is Functional Medicine?

Functional medicine is an evolution in the practice of medicine that better addresses the healthcare needs of the 21st century. By shifting the traditional disease-centered focus of medical practice to a more patient-centered approach, functional medicine addresses the whole person, not just an isolated set of symptoms. Functional medicine practitioners spend time with their patients, listening to their histories and looking at the interactions among genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors that can influence long-term health and complex, chronic disease. In this way, functional medicine supports the unique expression of health and vitality for each individual.

So I have been to 4 doctors and no body has been able to help me. Nobody has even mentioned gluten-intolerance. After researching and reading about it, it totally makes sense. And since there is a chance that this is it, I decided to get it out of my diet and see if things improve - and I think they have. The only test she is doing for this is the saliva test which is much more accurate than stool and blood testing. I will no for sure in 1 week.

I know there is a learning curve involved in knowing what foods have gluten in them. But I am quite confident that I haven't had any gluten in 4 1/2 days. I can't believe how much better my tummy is and stools have changed.

I will check out the list you are speaking of on here. Thanks again.

Here is some information regarding testing: (In the US) The Saliva Test does not support accuracy/diagnosis regarding Celaic Disease.

Open Original Shared Link

[mommy25]

Here is some information regarding testing: (In the US) The Saliva Test does not support accuracy/diagnosis regarding Celaic Disease.

Open Original Shared Link

Thank you so much for the info. Unfortunately, I don't think they are yet up to date with the most recent testing available. And it doesn't surprise me if this is what main stream medical doctors use as a guide. The saliva test has just come out recently and is much more accurate. Too many tests performed through blood and stool came back negative and so people were misdiagnoised. Not everyone will test positive through these tests. I was shocked to learn that gluten intolerance/Celiac was the most misdiagnosed and under diagnosed condition.

Here is a good article to read: Open Original Shared Link

My goal is to find out if my body doesn't like gluten. Because whether it is gluten intolerance or all the way Celiac, the cure is to go gluten free.

Thanks again!