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

Go Back To Eating Gluten For 5 Days Before Getting Tested? (Newb)

reardenstone

Recommended Posts

reardenstone Newbie
reardenstone
Posted

I am scheduled to see an allergist next Wednesday, but I don't know what to expect on the first visit.

I have toyed with being gluten free before, but finally started doing it two months ago. I think I definitely have had less of an allergy look on my face, cognition is better, and maybe less bloating and gas production. However, I'm not certain of the extent of my sensitivity so I am getting a test done.

Predicting that they would test right away, I decided to slowly get back on gluten for the next 5.5 days. I had a chicken nugget type meal at lunch and am now having some oatmeal granola with yogurt. Same results as before when I went off the wagon - about 10-15 minutes after ingestion I feel like I have taken a mild drug. Slight mix of sedative with chill like tingles, and caffeine type jitteriness. Can't explain it too well, but I feel foggy in the head and a little anxious at the same time.

Did I need to go off my diet for the test?

Will they begin the tests on the first visit? (I hope so)

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


beebs Enthusiast
beebs
Posted

Hi there,

Some of us test negative on the test even eating gluten ever day of our lives. I'm not really sure that 5.5 days is enough - I wouldn't be surprised if you tested negative even if you are celiac. When people do a gluten challenge after being gluten free to get tested they do 2 months of eating at least 4 slices of bread a day. It might be worth getting the test postponed and doing a proper challenge if you want a diagnosis.

reardenstone Newbie
reardenstone
Posted
  • Author

Hi there,

Some of us test negative on the test even eating gluten ever day of our lives. I'm not really sure that 5.5 days is enough - I wouldn't be surprised if you tested negative even if you are celiac. When people do a gluten challenge after being gluten free to get tested they do 2 months of eating at least 4 slices of bread a day. It might be worth getting the test postponed and doing a proper challenge if you want a diagnosis.

Can I go to I-Hop the night before for all-you-can-eat pancakes and then eating some toast and cereal in the morning? And eat nothing but gluten to up my gluten intake this weekend.

Honestly, I fell off the wagon a couple of times. I had a beer each night the last few nights, and real pizza around June 20. I had a "bite" of a biscuit last weekend (biscuits are hard to ignore if I see them and and smell them and see fresh steam rising). Considering these mess-ups and having a carnation mix (oops... didn't know it had hidden gluten) and period beers and whiskey, I may be okay to test. I still alleviated some symptoms returning to my diet, but I only qualify as 95-98% or so gluten free.

I got to where I don't miss it that much UNLESS a birthday cake comes along and maybe oatmeal and pizza (though the pizza place across the street can make personal/small pizzas gluten free for an extra $3)

As for the feeling, I can already see my scalp getting a little redder and more inflamed and I'm worried about losing more than I already have. It's interesting because the diet helped improve things.

So, I honestly don't want to delay the test and eat bread for two months. I might even just be a "sensitive" type or simply have a wheat allergy. But something is up and I would like to get to it sooner rather than later.

If the blood test is a wash, what other tests exist?

GlutenFreeManna Rising Star
GlutenFreeManna
Posted

I am scheduled to see an allergist next Wednesday, but I don't know what to expect on the first visit.

I have toyed with being gluten free before, but finally started doing it two months ago. I think I definitely have had less of an allergy look on my face, cognition is better, and maybe less bloating and gas production. However, I'm not certain of the extent of my sensitivity so I am getting a test done.

Predicting that they would test right away, I decided to slowly get back on gluten for the next 5.5 days. I had a chicken nugget type meal at lunch and am now having some oatmeal granola with yogurt. Same results as before when I went off the wagon - about 10-15 minutes after ingestion I feel like I have taken a mild drug. Slight mix of sedative with chill like tingles, and caffeine type jitteriness. Can't explain it too well, but I feel foggy in the head and a little anxious at the same time.

Did I need to go off my diet for the test?

Will they begin the tests on the first visit? (I hope so)

Are you only being tested for allergies or are you being tested for celiac disease? Celiac is not an allergy and typically allergists don't run the celiac panel. You need to see a gastroenerologist for that or in some cases your regular dr can order the test (may depend on your insurance). If you are being tested for allergy to wheat only then you don't need to be eating it to show up positive (at least for IgE). I showed up with a slightly positive wheat allergy after over a year of being gluten-free.

However, if you want to be tested for celiac disease you will have to go back to eating it for about 3 months in the amount of 3-4 slices of bread per day. Eating it for 5 days likely will not make a difference in testing. You need to be a ona full gluten diet for a long time for the antibodies to show up in your blood.

Skylark Collaborator
Skylark
Posted

If your celiac test comes back negative you will wonder whether it was because it's really negative, or becasue you were mostly gluten-free for a couple months before the test.

reardenstone Newbie
reardenstone
Posted
  • Author

To all:

I don't think I had full blown celiac. I never had severe problems like that. I'm more like the two adults profiled here:

Open Original Shared Link

I had/have bloating, more gas, more circles under eyes, and the brain fog thing. I think some inflammation cause other issues with histine effects and scalp and hair health degradation that I didn't really know was adding up over time and three and a half decades or so.

So I guess my abandonment to gluten was for naught if I am only doing the blood test.

GlutenFreeManna Rising Star
GlutenFreeManna
Posted

To all:

I don't think I had full blown celiac. I never had severe problems like that. I'm more like the two adults profiled here:

Open Original Shared Link

I had/have bloating, more gas, more circles under eyes, and the brain fog thing. I think some inflammation cause other issues with histine effects and scalp and hair health degradation that I didn't really know was adding up over time and three and a half decades or so.

So I guess my abandonment to gluten was for naught if I am only doing the blood test.

There are no blood tests for gluten sensitivity. There are only tests for celiac disease and those tests have a high rate of false negatives. Therefore the adults profiled there (as well as you) could possibilly have celiac and still test negative. The only test for gluten sensitivity is the test you have already done. You eliminated gluten and your symptoms went away. You get the symptoms back when you eat gluten. If going gluten free has helped you then you have your answer already. Whether you call yourself celiac or gluten intolerant/gluten sensitive is totally up to you. The requirements are the same no mater what you call it--a strict gluten-free diet for life. Both groups of people have to be just as careful and both conditions are serious.

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


beebs Enthusiast
beebs
Posted

And there lies the real pain with celiac. Some people have loads of symptoms, some have none. some have weird ones you'd never connect with food. Ahh the joys of gluten!

Archived

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

Go to topic listing

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Celiac.com:
    Join eNewsletter
    Donate
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):
    Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):



    Celiac.com Sponsors (A17-M):



  • Recent Activity

    1. Scott Adams
      - Scott Adams replied to xxnonamexx's topic in Gluten-Free Foods, Products, Shopping & Medications
      1

      FDA looking for input on Celiac Gluten sensitivity labeling PLEASE READ and submit your suggestions

      Thank you for sharing this — it’s really important. The FDA is actively seeking public input on improving gluten and ingredient labeling, which could directly impact how people with celiac disease and gluten sensitivity shop and stay safe. Clearer labeling would help reduce accidental gluten exposure and make it easier to identify hidden sources of gluten in ...
    2. Scott Adams
      - Scott Adams replied to lizzie42's topic in Post Diagnosis, Recovery & Treatment of Celiac Disease
      1

      Low iron and vitamin d

      A low tTG is great news, but it doesn’t always mean the small intestine has fully healed yet—iron and vitamin D absorption can lag behind for months or even years, especially in young children. Many kids need supplements for a period of time while the gut repairs itself, and that doesn’t necessarily mean it will be lifelong. Morning stomach pain is also ...
    3. Scott Adams
      - Scott Adams replied to xxnonamexx's topic in Gluten-Free Foods, Products, Shopping & Medications
      1

      Healthy Gluten Free Foods low sugar that you found?

      A lot of gluten-free packaged foods do rely on extra sugar, starches, or sodium to replace texture and flavor, so focusing on simpler options makes sense. Many people do better with naturally gluten-free proteins like eggs, plain yogurt, nuts, seeds, hummus, beans, and minimally processed protein bars with lower added sugar and higher fiber. Pairing those...
    4. Scott Adams
      - Scott Adams replied to lizzie42's topic in Traveling with Celiac Disease
      1

      Trip to Anaheim/Disney

      This article is a few of years old, but my still be helpful.
    5. trents
      - trents commented on Scott Adams's article in Winter 2026 Issue
      14

      Can You Really Trust Gluten-Free Menus? What Every Celiac Needs to Know Before Eating Out

      This is likely dependent on the sensitivity of the individual celiac.
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):

  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      133,242
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    Maya Baum
    Newest Member
    Maya Baum
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.6k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):

  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • Scott Adams
      FDA looking for input on Celiac Gluten sensitivity labeling PLEASE READ and submit your suggestions

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      Thank you for sharing this — it’s really important. The FDA is actively seeking public input on improving gluten and ingredient labeling, which could directly impact how people with celiac disease and gluten sensitivity shop and stay safe. Clearer labeling would help reduce accidental gluten exposure and make it easier to identify hidden sources of gluten in foods. I encourage everyone here who is affected by celiac or gluten sensitivity to read the announcement and submit their own suggestions — real lived experience matters and can influence policy changes that benefit the whole community.
    • Scott Adams
      Low iron and vitamin d

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      A low tTG is great news, but it doesn’t always mean the small intestine has fully healed yet—iron and vitamin D absorption can lag behind for months or even years, especially in young children. Many kids need supplements for a period of time while the gut repairs itself, and that doesn’t necessarily mean it will be lifelong. Morning stomach pain is also commonly reported in celiac kids and can be related to slow healing, reflux, motility, or even low iron itself. It sounds like the supplements are clearly helping, which is reassuring, and ongoing monitoring with her doctor can help determine when (or if) doses can be reduced as absorption improves. The most common nutrient deficiencies associated with celiac disease that may lead to testing for the condition include iron, vitamin D, folate (vitamin B9), vitamin B12, calcium, zinc, and magnesium.  Unfortunately many doctors, including my own doctor at the time, don't do extensive follow up testing for a broad range of nutrient deficiencies, nor recommend that those just diagnosed with celiac disease take a broad spectrum vitamin/mineral supplement, which would greatly benefit most, if not all, newly diagnosed celiacs. This article has more info:    
    • Scott Adams
      Healthy Gluten Free Foods low sugar that you found?

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      A lot of gluten-free packaged foods do rely on extra sugar, starches, or sodium to replace texture and flavor, so focusing on simpler options makes sense. Many people do better with naturally gluten-free proteins like eggs, plain yogurt, nuts, seeds, hummus, beans, and minimally processed protein bars with lower added sugar and higher fiber. Pairing those with whole foods can help you feel more “normal” without triggering symptoms. Subscription boxes can be hit or miss, so checking labels carefully and using them as an occasional supplement—rather than a staple—often works best.
    • Scott Adams
      Trip to Anaheim/Disney

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      This article is a few of years old, but my still be helpful.  
    • knitty kitty
      Accuracy of testing concerns

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      Welcome to the forum, @McKinleyWY, For a genetic test, you don't have to eat gluten, but this will only show if you have the genes necessary for the development of Celiac disease.  It will not show if you have active Celiac disease.   Eating gluten stimulates the production of antibodies against gluten which mistakenly attack our own bodies.  The antibodies are produced in the small intestines.  Three grams of gluten are enough to make you feel sick and ramp up anti-gluten antibody production and inflammation for two years afterwards.  However, TEN grams of gluten or more per day for two weeks is required to stimulate anti-gluten antibodies' production enough so that the anti-gluten antibodies move out of the intestines and into the bloodstream where they can be measured in blood tests.  This level of anti-gluten antibodies also causes measurable damage to the lining of the intestines as seen on biopsy samples taken during an endoscopy (the "gold standard" of Celiac diagnosis).   Since you have been experimenting with whole wheat bread in the past year or so, possibly getting cross contaminated in a mixed household, and your immune system is still so sensitized to gluten consumption, you may want to go ahead with the gluten challenge.   It can take two years absolutely gluten free for the immune system to quit reacting to gluten exposure.   Avoiding gluten most if the time, but then experimenting with whole wheat bread is a great way to keep your body in a state of inflammation and illness.  A diagnosis would help you stop playing Russian roulette with your and your children's health.      
×
×
  • 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.