Celiac-disease Testing

[dbuhl79]

I'm new here, and unsure of I have celiac disease, but the symptoms seem to be matching up. After 3 months of various digestive issues, and a handful of doctor appointments with no success. After a day of nothing but bagels (thinking plain mundane food) I've gone gluten free for roughly over a week. Although, not strictly as I have been learning after the fact what has gluten and what doesn't by trial and error. However, my symptoms have GREATLY improved and I have felt almost normal again. This leads me to request a celiac testing by my physician. My question is, must I be consuming gluten for this test to be accurate?

These are my following symptoms,

abdominal cramping (more localization on left side)

diarrhea (and or constipation)

naseau

fatigue

cold sensitivity (possibliy anemia)

Does anyone else suffer from this and even after a bowel movement at times feel worse?

[lovegrov]

You must go back to eating gluten for the tests to be accurate. You haven't been gluten-free enough for long enough to skew it yet, but you need to start eating it again. Fatigue is THE most common symptom of celiac disease.

richard

[tarnalberry]

Yes, you MUST be consuming a fairly decent amount (about the equivalent of three slices of bread a day) of gluten for a while before getting tested.

[dbuhl79]

Richard,

Thanks so much for the reply! I really hate to skew it if I can convince them to test me. Ahh, nice big wheat bagels, and a nap heading my way!

Thanks,

Dana

[Guest barbara3675]

If you get inconclusive results after being on/off gluten and are not sure, you need to think about testing via Enterolab in Texas. I got a negative blood test while eating gluten from the doctor's office and tested positive for gluten and casein intolerance while not on gluten from Enterolab. The test is done in your home by you, sent overnight to them and and I got my results in less than two weeks via email. I am very happy with the professional treatment and trust them completely. I bought the complete kit which included gene testing which was revealing as now we know where my granddaughter who has full blown celiac disease for five years now, got it.

Barbara

[celiacfreeman]

If you have private insurance it will go up if your diagnosed. I would use

the unoffical entrolab (spelling) rather than the doctor blood test.

Ps you sound like a classic celiac to me.

[dbuhl79]

Celiacfreeman, Thanks for the information. Luckily my group health insurance through work is pretty good and paid fully within the company. I'll keep that in mind when I switch insurances in the future.

Now here's an odd question for all those diagnosied "celiacs" out there. Does an odor change in your bowel movements arise? I've noticed now being back on wheat (and mind you that's a joy when it hits my system!). But it tends to smell similar to copper almost. Does anyone else notice this?

Thanks for all of the wonderful information and support, this is a great forum!

[dbuhl79]

Well, to keep everyone posted, I saw my PCP today. She is scheduling me an appointment with a GI specialist, to confirm that I need a sigmoidoscopy(sp). I'm so sick of appointments!! But at least I may finally get some answers. And luckily this hospital has a specialist in Celiac Disease, and I should get to see them for this consult.

Back on gluten, and feeling tired. Not too much cramping or diahrrea, maybe I am wrong?

Well wish me luck everyone, and thanks for the informative posts.