Trial Gluten Free?

[JamTart]

All symptoms point to celiac, but I had negative bloodwork. Doc recommended one month gluten free to see if symptoms clear up, if so- then back on gluten for a few Weeks to wait for a biopsy. Any thoughts on this? I've read a lot of info saying not to go gluten free before a positive diagnosis. Losing weight by the day. Please see other posts for more detailed info. Thanks for any replies!

Doc also testing for lupus, RA, electro phosphoresus in the meantime. A high CRP value is my only abnormal bloodwork

so far.

[Mateto]

Well I'd say go for it, but not before you get a biopsy. I'd try and get a biopsy as soon as you can. THEN, go gluten-free and see if you feel better.

Now, you could go gluten-free first, then get a biopsy, but after being gluten-free for a month, I'd want to go back on gluten for 3 - 4 weeks before the biopsy. As you know, the biopsy will not be accurate if you're gluten free.

[JamTart]

Thanks for your reply. If I go gluten free first to see if symptoms get better, and then go back on gluten for 4 weeks prior to a biopsy do you know if the chances for a false negative are the same? Does going off gluten for this initial month make it more likely I'll have a false negative when I eventually get a biopsy?

[pricklypear1971]

Thanks for your reply. If I go gluten free first to see if symptoms get better, and then go back on gluten for 4 weeks prior to a biopsy do you know if the chances for a false negative are the same? Does going off gluten for this initial month make it more likely I'll have a false negative when I eventually get a biopsy?

It is recommended you eat a good dose of gluten for 2-3 months prior to testing.

Open Original Shared Link

Open Original Shared Link

Should I stop eating gluten before getting tested?

Antibody tests are only accurate when a patient is on a gluten-containing diet. Those concerned about celiac disease are strongly discouraged from starting a gluten-free diet without having had a firm diagnosis. Any change in the diet, even for as little as a month, can complicate the diagnostic process.

Open Original Shared Link