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Did You Do The 12 Wk Gluten Challenge

chrissyinnj

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chrissyinnj Apprentice
chrissyinnj
Posted

Has anyone gone back on gluten after being gluten-free, and actually have the bloodwork or biopsy come back positive? Also, how long did you eat the gluten for? Just wondering if it will actually make a difference on the tests.

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love2travel Mentor
love2travel
Posted

Has anyone gone back on gluten after being gluten-free, and actually have the bloodwork or biopsy come back positive? Also, how long did you eat the gluten for? Just wondering if it will actually make a difference on the tests.

I was gluten free for five months proir to my three month gluten challenge but I do not become obviously ill eating gluten so it was simple (and enjoyable!) for me. I ate gluten for 14 weeks and the biopsies were unfortunately positive. The amount of time gluten is ingested makes a HUGE difference on the tests. Several days/weeks after being gluten free will likely not show enough damage (it may be easier to miss). Keep in mind that in the US and Canada only 40% of biopsies are done correctly so there is a very high rate of false negatives. Make sure you request 8-11 biopsies, not the usual 3-5. That is, if you are doing the challenge! :)

chrissyinnj Apprentice
chrissyinnj
Posted
  • Author

Only one person? Does that mean everyone else was still negative, or that you didn't bother with adding the gluten back?

Thank you for your reply. I'm surprised that you have no gut symptoms but had villi damage. I was under the impression no gut symptoms means that your leaning toward gluten intolerance. My child has no gut symptoms. So your experience is saying he can still have the damage?

love2travel Mentor
love2travel
Posted

Only one person? Does that mean everyone else was still negative, or that you didn't bother with adding the gluten back?

Thank you for your reply. I'm surprised that you have no gut symptoms but had villi damage. I was under the impression no gut symptoms means that your leaning toward gluten intolerance. My child has no gut symptoms. So your experience is saying he can still have the damage?

There are others on this board who are in the same boat as me. Actually, according to many studies and celiac specialists about half of those diagnosed with celiac disease have no gut symptoms! My villi were flattened in all the biopsies. My doctors believe I likely have had it for many years according to the extent of the damage. My bloodwork was positive and both my family doctor and I were shocked (no anemia, thyroid problems, vitamin deficiencies). I thought there had to be a mistake (denial) until my biopsy results came back. It is actually more difficult (in ways) for those of us without obvious symptoms as we do not know whether we have been accidentally exposed to gluten or not. I am strict as can be possible but have no idea whether I have been glutened.

I really hope your child does not have damage but sadly it is definitely possible.

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