Staying On Gluten For Testing...

[TheIntern]

So I've decided to go get tested - it's something I feel I need to do. I feel it in my bones that I have if not celiac, then gluten intolerance, but it's stressful explaining to friends and family that I don't want to eat gluten because I think I'm intolerant. I would rather just have a clear answer.

However, I don't like the idea of staying on gluten through testing. I've been gluten-free for about 3 weeks now and it's made a world of difference. Is 3 weeks enough to mess with the tests? Should I go back to eating gluten and feeling like I constantly have the flu? It just makes me feel so sick that I can't bear to think of doing that...what do you guys think?

[GottaSki]

There are no tests for Non-Celiac Gluten Intolerance, so even if you had continued to eat gluten, you may not get a clear answer - other than gluten is causing you health problems. Additionally, both blood tests and biopsy can be falsely negative. The tests have their best chance to be accurate when you are consuming gluten. Yes, three weeks is enough to reduce the antibodies measured in the blood tests.

I understand wanting an official diagnosis. Only you can decide if it is worth becoming ill to obtain it. I can tell you it will be much more difficult to go back to eating gluten to obtain a diagnosis the longer you wait - so if you are going forward - you don't have to overdo - some celiac centers suggest one slice of bread for 12 weeks, others 6 weeks for accurate testing. That being said there is another way to tackle it, but it does NOT give the best chance for accurate testing:

Get the blood tests ordered today - full panel. If they come back positive, you have your answer. If they come back negative, you can decide if you want to continue with a gluten challenge to re-run blood &/or endoscopic biopsies.

Good Luck to you

[GottaSki]

PS...If you have your primary order blood tests, ask for nutrient testing as well. Another strong indicator of Celiac Disease is deficiencies in vitamins and minerals. My Celiac Doc recommends Bs, D, K, Iron, Ferritin, Copper and Zinc.

[TheIntern]

I mostly just want a full celiac test. I somehow got an appointment for Monday. Should I spend the next 5 days or so eating gluten? I'm just so worried that it will make me very ill...

[GottaSki]

I mostly just want a full celiac test. I somehow got an appointment for Monday. Should I spend the next 5 days or so eating gluten? I'm just so worried that it will make me very ill...

There really is no way for anyone to answer this for you. It is possible you may still have positive tests - there just isn't anyway to know what your tests might have been without removing gluten or if 5 days ingesting gluten will raise the antibody levels in your blood.

[TheIntern]

Okay...well, thanks for all your help!