jldanforth

Thanks gemini, I have an appt to see a gastroenterologist tomorrow. I have not been offically diagnosed as Celiac, my PCP tells me I am 'lactose intolerant' despite elevated IGg and Iga. I am going for a consult. Based on how this meeting goes I may be still be seeking for answers. I have been thinking about going to a naturopath, so this might be the alternative.

Thanks again for the help.

jl

Hi does anyone know of a doctor in central Massachusetts (around the Acton - Leominster area) that is good for evaluation of Celiac? One that takes his/her time and doesn't rush you out the door.

Thanks jl

Hi, I am relatively new to this board. I have been following a lot of the blogs with interest and mine contains some of the same questions. Here is the scenario:

I have had a history of 'IBS' for years, self-diagnosed although my MD did not disagree. This past year I have had episodes of severe abdominal bloating with such bad cramping I have to walk the floor until the bloating and pain subside. I am alternating between diarrhea and constipation, occasional nausea and not wanting to eat, optical migraines and I do have hypothyroid. I know too much rich dairy (1/2 & 1/2, ice cream) can sometimes trigger diarrhea, but not always. I am currently staying away from dairymost of the time, but not always.

My MD tested me last year for Celiac but told me since only 1 test was elevated i do not have it.

Antigliadin Antibody, IgG - 31 (High, the normal range 0-19 units)

Antigliadin Antibody, IgA - 14 (normal, the normal range 0-19 units)

Antigliadin Tranglutaminase Antibody, IgA - 4 (normal, the normal range 0-19 units)

I have tried thougout the year going dairy-free or gluten-free, but not for any extended period of time (most is 5 - 7 days).

I am still having the same symtoms, although some improvement based on eating better.

When I saw the MD this year he told me again he does not believe I have Celiac, just 'lactose intolerance' and have no dairy products or if I do just take a lactaid tab.

I got the results of this years lab results and they are now showing more abnormalities:

Antigliadin Antibody, IgG - 58 (High, the normal range 0-19 units)

Antigliadin Antibody, IgA - 34 (high, the normal range 0-19 units)

Antigliadin Tranglutaminase Antibody, IgA - 6 (normal, the normal range 0-19 units)

I had myself convinced the 1st years elevated IgG was due to having Hepatitis A as young child (this can cause elevated IgG) But after this years results I cannot blame that. I guess I don't want to accept the fact I could have celiac disease.

My question is, should I ignore his advice and go 'gluten-free' for a longer period of time? Also I thought it would make sense to go gluten and dairy free at the same time, then add back one at a time (e.g. gluten) to see if the symtoms return. Has anyone done this, does it make sense?

Sorry for the long post.

I am a new group member and have been reading this thread with a lot of interest. I have not officially been diagnosed as having Celiac disease, at least my MD has not told me I have it. Based on my history of IBS and significant problems with bloating he did order blood work.

Here are my results: Antigliadin Antibody, IgG - 31 (high); Antigliadin Antibody, IgA - 14 (within normal limits) and Tissue transglutaminase Antibody, IgA - 4 (within normal limits). His comment was that since all tests weren't positive he wasn't sure. He suggested I 'decrease the amount of wheat' I eat. This was late last summer. I am still trying to consistently (greater than 4-5 days) go gluten-free. I find going diary-free has definitely helped the IBS.

I would like to ask the members, based on their knowledge, if they think my blood test was indicative of Celiac.

I am working on the dietary attempt to verify that going gluten-free helps.

JL

IBS times many years

Hypothyroidism

Thanks to everyone for the comments, suggestions and support. I am learning, and will keep on with the gluten-free and dairy-free for now.

JL

Hi, I am new to this board and have a few questions. I have not been diagnosed as having Celiac disease. I have had a hx of IBS (mostly self-diagnosed) and since last fall, if not before, have had the additional problem of abd bloating. Sometimes at night it has been severe enough to keep me up and walking the floor with low abd pain, gas pains and severe bloating.

I tried a program I found on the web to discover if I was intolerant to any foods - it involved a detection diet. I had trouble following it for more than 8-9 days at a time. I did find that dairy products (especially w/high fat content) did worsen the IBS with diarrhea, however it did not help the bloating.

My MD ran a few blood tests and the IgG came back elevated, his suggestion was to 'decrease the amount of wheat' I eat.

I have since tried numerous times to eliminate gluten or eliminate dairy or am currently trying to eliminate both.

I am having an awful time sticking to this. I am hoping if I can follow it for a month or more it will give me a better idea if this is the cause of my GI problems. When I ate mostly fruits, veggies, brown rice and meats (again for about 5 days) the bloating was decreasing.

I have been tested for allergies to wheat and dairy and they were negative.

I don't know if I am doing the right thing by trying to discover if gluten and/or diary intolerance is the problem or if i should request additional testing or see a nutrionist or ???

Any thoughts or histories on how people found they were gluten inotlerant would be helpful and any suggestions for following a gluten-free diet for an extended period would also be appreciated.

Thanks