Jump to content

  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):

    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

The Gluten Challenge

peeptoad

Recommended Posts

peeptoad Apprentice
peeptoad
Posted

Hello. I'm new and I'm trying to determine if I have a gluten sensitivity/intolerance/whatever since I've been having moderate GI issues for about 5 years now. I've been gluten-free for about a month now, and plan on going another month before I "challenge" myself. So far, so good I do feel better overall and many of my GI issues have been reduced dramatically.

Anyhow, in regards to the actual challenge does anyone know the proper method for going about this?

Is a single serving of bread/pasta/etc enough or should I eat gluten for a few days and then revert back to gluten-free? Or is everyone different? I just want to do things properly, so I'm not wasting my time.

Thanks...

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


Austin Guy Contributor
Austin Guy
Posted

I also felt really good after going gluten free, but now (100 days in) even the smallest amount of gluten just destroys me. I wouldn't eat a bread crumb for any amount of money.

PainfulSpaghetti Newbie
PainfulSpaghetti
Posted

Welcome Peeptoad! Once your body begins to heal from the damage the gluten causes, it can be very hard on your system to introduce gluten back into it. Be very careful with your challenge, and try a small portion. Such as 1 cookie, or cracker. NOT a whole sandwich as I did. That was a bad idea for me!

pain*in*my*gut Apprentice
pain*in*my*gut
Posted

Hello. I'm new and I'm trying to determine if I have a gluten sensitivity/intolerance/whatever since I've been having moderate GI issues for about 5 years now. I've been gluten-free for about a month now, and plan on going another month before I "challenge" myself. So far, so good I do feel better overall and many of my GI issues have been reduced dramatically.

Anyhow, in regards to the actual challenge does anyone know the proper method for going about this?

Is a single serving of bread/pasta/etc enough or should I eat gluten for a few days and then revert back to gluten-free? Or is everyone different? I just want to do things properly, so I'm not wasting my time.

Thanks...

Hi! It's not clear to me from your post if you are planning on self-diagnosis or getting actual testing done. If you are going to get the blood tests and/or biopsy, you will need to be eating gluten for at the minimum 6-8 weeks ahead of time (most docs prefer 3-4 months to avoid false negative test result).

There is no official amount of gluten you need to consume for a gluten challenge, but the equivalent of 3-4 slices of bread a day seems to be the recommended "dosage".

peeptoad Apprentice
peeptoad
Posted
  • Author

Thanks for the responses you guys.

Hi! It's not clear to me from your post if you are planning on self-diagnosis or getting actual testing done. If you are going to get the blood tests and/or biopsy, you will need to be eating gluten for at the minimum 6-8 weeks ahead of time (most docs prefer 3-4 months to avoid false negative test result).

There is no official amount of gluten you need to consume for a gluten challenge, but the equivalent of 3-4 slices of bread a day seems to be the recommended "dosage".

I was tested about two years ago when I originally went I went to my new (and current) doctor with GI complaints (chronic diarrhea, bloating, cramps, etc). She told me that I was negative for celiac and I was mailed some test results (I had many tests done for parasites, full blood chemistry, CBC, etc as well). The only test I can locate on my results that would have anything to do with celiac was a fecal test in which they looked for IgA. It was within the normal range, so I assume this means that I'm negative... however the GI issues continue to this day, and my GI doctor (not my primary care doctor who ordered the original test) has nothing else to offer, so I'm down to experimenting by myself.

But, anyway, on the challenge I guess I will try a small serving at first and see what happens over a few hours. Then maybe a bit more (like a full serving of food)? I did read on one site that for the challenge they recommended eating full servings of gluten at all 3 meals for an entire day. Just wanted to get some other opinions...

ravenwoodglass Mentor
ravenwoodglass
Posted

Gluten reactions can be delayed. When I did my doctor guided elimination and challenge I was told to eat the suspect food in as pure a form as possible three times a day for a week or until I reacted. I challenged with Cream of Wheat and triscuts. It was day 3 before I reacted and then I called the doctor and asked if I should keep going for the rest of the week. His reply 'Good heavens no!'.

peeptoad Apprentice
peeptoad
Posted
  • Author

Gluten reactions can be delayed. When I did my doctor guided elimination and challenge I was told to eat the suspect food in as pure a form as possible three times a day for a week or until I reacted. I challenged with Cream of Wheat and triscuts. It was day 3 before I reacted and then I called the doctor and asked if I should keep going for the rest of the week. His reply 'Good heavens no!'.

Thanks a lot ravenwoodglass. That's helpful, especially since you were working with your doctor on the elimination.

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


ravenwoodglass Mentor
ravenwoodglass
Posted

Thanks a lot ravenwoodglass. That's helpful, especially since you were working with your doctor on the elimination.

That doctor literally saved my life since I show a false negative on blood work. My GI wouldn't even consider celiac until I had seen the other doctor and once I was referred back to that GI he demanded another challenge that had very dire consequences. I hope you get some answers and some relief soon.

peeptoad Apprentice
peeptoad
Posted
  • Author

That doctor literally saved my life since I show a false negative on blood work. My GI wouldn't even consider celiac until I had seen the other doctor and once I was referred back to that GI he demanded another challenge that had very dire consequences. I hope you get some answers and some relief soon.

Thanks. I actually feel better already from being gluten free for a month.

Do you happen to know if the fecal antibody test is similar to the blood test in terms of accuracy? I think that's the only test I had done...

ravenwoodglass Mentor
ravenwoodglass
Posted

Thanks. I actually feel better already from being gluten free for a month.

Do you happen to know if the fecal antibody test is similar to the blood test in terms of accuracy? I think that's the only test I had done...

You mention that the fecal test was for fecal IGA. Do you know if your total IGA was done with any of your blood work? If you have low total IGA then that would throw off the fecal IGA.

The best test is how you feel off of gluten. If your feeling better and symptoms are resolving then you have your answer. If you do want to have testing redone then that would require going back to gluten for about 3 months.

peeptoad Apprentice
peeptoad
Posted
  • Author

You mention that the fecal test was for fecal IGA. Do you know if your total IGA was done with any of your blood work? If you have low total IGA then that would throw off the fecal IGA.

The best test is how you feel off of gluten. If your feeling better and symptoms are resolving then you have your answer. If you do want to have testing redone then that would require going back to gluten for about 3 months.

No, I don't know for sure if I had bloodwork done for IgA, but I don't recall seeing anything else that looked like an antibody test anywhere on my lab results. Will need to check again. Regardless, you're right, the best test is how I feel.

I did just discover that the digestive enzymes that I take once in awhile have wheat in them though, but I still have 5 weeks before I plan on challenging, so hopefully it's completely out of my system by then. I think I've taken the enzymes maybe two or three times in the last month. Drats.

  • 1 month later...
peeptoad Apprentice
peeptoad
Posted
  • Author

My "gluten challenge" officially started this morning. I just ate a poppy seed bagel with cream cheese and tomato. That's my favorite breakfast and I missed it over the last ten weeks. I'm going to keep eating gluten for about 7-14 days, or until I get a reaction, whichever comes first. I guess delayed reactions to gluten are common, and my reduction of symptoms when I went gluten-free happened gradually over about 2 weeks, not all at once.

Have to say I'm expecting a reaction. If I don't have one, then I'm not sure what to think...

If anyone has any advice, then fire away. Otherwise I'll just gluten myself 3x/day until something bad happens. :P

Takala Enthusiast
Takala
Posted
If anyone has any advice, then fire away.

Kinnickkinnick and Udi's makes gluten free bagels if you do react, but if you've contaminated your cream cheese with the regular ones, feed it to someone else ;)

peeptoad Apprentice
peeptoad
Posted
  • Author

So, I'm now on day 5 of my challenge and my GI symptoms seem to gradually be returning. Is this normal for a gluten challenge? (as opposed to a sudden reaction, even if delayed by a few days).

The only thing that has returned "suddenly" so far is the skin issue I was having on my legs. That started back up yesterday and has gotten worse since yesterday morning. So I know that's definitely because of gluten at least.

ravenwoodglass Mentor
ravenwoodglass
Posted

So, I'm now on day 5 of my challenge and my GI symptoms seem to gradually be returning. Is this normal for a gluten challenge? (as opposed to a sudden reaction, even if delayed by a few days).

The only thing that has returned "suddenly" so far is the skin issue I was having on my legs. That started back up yesterday and has gotten worse since yesterday morning. So I know that's definitely because of gluten at least.

Yes it can be normal. Not everyone has a sudden return to full blown GI distess.

peeptoad Apprentice
peeptoad
Posted
  • Author

Yes it can be normal. Not everyone has a sudden return to full blown GI distess.

Thanks. That's actually encouraging to me (sounds weird I know). I was actually relived to see the skin problems return because now I know there is at least one determined cause for something going on in my body. I'm so tired of negative lab tests and being told there is nothing really wrong with me.

ravenwoodglass Mentor
ravenwoodglass
Posted

I'm so tired of negative lab tests and being told there is nothing really wrong with me.

You sure aren't alone there. :angry::(

I have DH and for me the DH used to show up before the tummy issues. For me it is a three day wait for a reaction but in my particular case the GI reaction is sudden and nasty.

Everyone's body is different though and for some the build up is more gradual. Do keep your doctor in the loop and maybe do a diary of food injestion, days, and symptoms as that can be helpful at times.

peeptoad Apprentice
peeptoad
Posted
  • Author

You sure aren't alone there. :angry::(

I have DH and for me the DH used to show up before the tummy issues. For me it is a three day wait for a reaction but in my particular case the GI reaction is sudden and nasty.

Everyone's body is different though and for some the build up is more gradual. Do keep your doctor in the loop and maybe do a diary of food injestion, days, and symptoms as that can be helpful at times.

I probably should keep my GI doctor in the loop... maybe will send him an email next week after I finish my challenge. I started a food diary yesterday, mainly just to keep track of what symptoms started up when and how severe (or mild) they are.

peeptoad Apprentice
peeptoad
Posted
  • Author

Well, the GI symptoms gradually returned over the past 7 days, and the past two mornings I was woken up by painful abdominal cramps. Also, oddly enough, I began to feel very depressed late last week (about 5 days into my glutening). Maybe this is a coincidence, but I see no reason to continue with the challenge. That's enough to convince me that I have some sort of issue with gluten. Back to the gluten-free sanctuary! ;)

peeptoad Apprentice
peeptoad
Posted
  • Author

Alright, last update:

By day 7 of my gluten challenge the following IBS symptoms returned:

abdominal cramping (painful, these woke me up both Saturday and Sunday morning)

feeling of incomplete evacuation

mild nausea

bloating

fatigue (even after sleeping 9 hours on Friday night)

heartburn, which I never get and I got it without eating/drinking anything acidic (like alcohol)

plus the "hives" that were on my legs are back (these are mild, not really a problem, but interesting that gluten seems to trigger them)

So, I'm going back gluten-free and if all of this stuff goes away again, then I have the answer to the cause of my IBS.

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):


  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      131,902
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    Patty6133
    Newest Member
    Patty6133
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.4k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):


  • Who's Online (See full list)

  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • trents
      New (possible) celiac diagnosis

      By trents · Posted

      Welcome to the forum, @Judy M! Yes, he definitely needs to continue eating gluten until the day of the endoscopy. Not sure why the GI doc advised otherwise but it was a bum steer.  Celiac disease has a genetic component but also an "epigenetic" component. Let me explain. There are two main genes that have been identified as providing the "potential" to develop "active" celiac disease. We know them as HLA-DQ 2.5 (aka, HLA-DQ 2) and HLA-DQ8. Without one or both of these genes it is highly unlikely that a person will develop celiac disease at some point in their life. About 40% of the general population carry one or both of these two genes but only about 1% of the population develops active celiac disease. Thus, possessing the genetic potential for celiac disease is far less than deterministic. Most who have the potential never develop the disease. In order for the potential to develop celiac disease to turn into active celiac disease, some triggering stress event or events must "turn on" the latent genes. This triggering stress event can be a viral infection, some other medical event, or even prolonged psychological/emotional trauma. This part of the equation is difficult to quantify but this is the epigenetic dimension of the disease. Epigenetics has to do with the influence that environmental factors and things not coded into the DNA itself have to do in "turning on" susceptible genes. And this is why celiac disease can develop at any stage of life. Celiac disease is an autoimmune condition (not a food allergy) that causes inflammation in the lining of the small bowel. The ingestion of gluten causes the body to attack the cells of this lining which, over time, damages and destroys them, impairing the body's ability to absorb nutrients since this is the part of the intestinal track responsible for nutrient absorption and also causing numerous other food sensitivities such as dairy/lactose intolerance. There is another gluten-related disorder known as NCGS (Non Celiac Gluten Sensitivity or just, "gluten sensitivity") that is not autoimmune in nature and which does not damage the small bowel lining. However, NCGS shares many of the same symptoms with celiac disease such as gas, bloating, and diarrhea. It is also much more common than celiac disease. There is no test for NCGS so, because they share common symptoms, celiac disease must first be ruled out through formal testing for celiac disease. This is where your husband is right now. It should also be said that some experts believe NCGS can transition into celiac disease. I hope this helps.
    • Judy M
      New (possible) celiac diagnosis

      By Judy M · Posted

      My husband has had lactose intolerance for his entire life (he's 68 yo).  So, he's used to gastro issues. But for the past year he's been experiencing bouts of diarrhea that last for hours.  He finally went to his gastroenterologist ... several blood tests ruled out other maladies, but his celiac results are suspect.  He is scheduled for an endoscopy and colonoscopy in 2 weeks.  He was told to eat "gluten free" until the tests!!!  I, and he know nothing about this "diet" much less how to navigate his in daily life!! The more I read, the more my head is spinning.  So I guess I have 2 questions.  First, I read on this website that prior to testing, eat gluten so as not to compromise the testing!  Is that true? His primary care doctor told him to eat gluten free prior to testing!  I'm so confused.  Second, I read that celiac disease is genetic or caused by other ways such as surgery.  No family history but Gall bladder removal 7 years ago, maybe?  But how in God's name does something like this crop up and now is so awful he can't go a day without worrying.  He still works in Manhattan and considers himself lucky if he gets there without incident!  Advice from those who know would be appreciated!!!!!!!!!!!!
    • Scott Adams
      Patiently Waiting to See Results

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      You've done an excellent job of meticulously tracking the rash's unpredictable behavior, from its symmetrical spread and stubborn scabbing to the potential triggers you've identified, like the asthma medication and dietary changes. It's particularly telling that the rash seems to flare with wheat consumption, even though your initial blood test was negative—as you've noted, being off wheat before a test can sometimes lead to a false negative, and your description of the other symptoms—joint pain, brain fog, stomach issues—is very compelling. The symmetry of the rash is a crucial detail that often points toward an internal cause, such as an autoimmune response or a systemic reaction, rather than just an external irritant like a plant or mites. I hope your doctor tomorrow takes the time to listen carefully to all of this evidence you've gathered and works with you to find some real answers and effective relief. Don't be discouraged if the rash fluctuates; your detailed history is the most valuable tool you have for getting an accurate diagnosis.
    • Scott Adams
      Gluten free beer ?

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      In this case the beer is excellent, but for those who are super sensitive it is likely better to go the full gluten-free beer route. Lakefront Brewery (another sponsor!) has good gluten-free beer made without any gluten ingredients.
    • trents
      Patiently Waiting to See Results

      By trents · Posted

      Welcome to the forum, @catsrlife! Celiac disease can be diagnosed without committing to a full-blown "gluten challenge" if you get a skin biopsy done during an active outbreak of dermatitis herpetiformis, assuming that is what is causing the rash. There is no other known cause for dermatitis herpetiformis so it is definitive for celiac disease. You would need to find a dermatologist who is familiar with doing the biopsy correctly, however. The samples need to be taken next to the pustules, not on them . . . a mistake many dermatologists make when biopsying for dermatitis herpetiformis. 
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

NOTICE: This site places This site places cookies on your device (Cookie settings). on your device. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy.