angelschick

Yup, sinkers are good.

Have you had any testing?

The only test the Doc ran was the EMA and it was negative. I was tired of fighting with Doctors and had so many things that pointed to celiac I figured trying the diet wasn't gonna kill me. I have Hashimotos, insanely LOW cholesterol, bloating, gas, belly pain, unpleasant BM's and joint pain. It has only been 5 days and I swear I feel different. I have had only two rough nights pain wise, no bloating, gas or belly pain and normal BM's. I am cautiously optimistic so far. I plan to get the genetic testing done soon even though I realize that in and of itself isn't a diagnosis - I assume if I have a positive response to the diet and the gene - I have my answer.

One of the main reasons I contemplated celiac as a possibility for me was the fact that despite a pretty high fat diet, my cholesterol is REALLY low and nobody seems to know why. This is gross but - when I had BM's - they ALWAYS floated, didn't matter if they were solid or not. I am on day 5 now gluten-free and I had a sinker today :-) I am wondering if this is a possible positive reinforcement? I seem to read that fatty stools will float. Anyone know??

Thanks!!

That does help Lisa - thanks!! I may just have to get that guide. This very much reminds me of when we started the Feingold diet 8 years ago. I was clueless in the store, now I can spot dyes and the like easily. But then it was the whole house so that was worse. Just me is much easier. A few kids are next if this works, which it seems to be already :-)

Thanks again,

I tried to find it at Kroger's (they have a nice health food section) with no luck. Is it with the flours or cornstarch?? LOL! I feel like a blind man shopping!

Thanks again,

Amy

I just started eating gluten-free, today is day 3 (and joint pain is already better YEAH!!). I have eaten VERY plain (meat, rice, potatoes, fruit and eggs) so far and I decided to venture out to find some goodies (besides tootsie rolls). I got the Pamela's baking mix and was hoping it makes good chocolate chip cookies. Should I try or is it better used for something else? I did learn today that gluten-free shopping takes FOREVER!!! I spent maybe 45 minutes and walked out with baking mix, sour cream, a can of soup and chocolate chip cookies :-(

Assuming it gets easier.....

Amy

I will try the potato starch maybe since it's going over potatoes :-) Is this found in a regular store or speciality? Thanksgiving is like RIGHT around the corner and I'm kinda freaking out about doing this gluten free!!

THANKS!

Amy

I always make my own gravy using turkey drippings - so what do I do this year? I usually use flour :-( I haven't played with any flours yet so I am not sure which ones would work.

THANKS

Amy

My FAVORITE recipe will be easy gluten-free :-) YEAH! I take the left-over meat (even dark which my family will not eat), gravy and add chopped spinach and tomatoes and serve over rice. YUMM!!!

Amy

So I just started eating gluten-free yesterday but I wondering how long it takes on the gluten-free diet to see changes in your levels? I have no official diagnosis but lots of symptoms including crazy low cholesterol levels despite eating like crap. So - I am trying to see how long it takes to see the levels change as far as cholesterol goes?

THANKS!

Amy

Thyroid wise I feel pretty good but I definitely feel better with my TSH below 1. I just went shopping and am plunging in to the gluten-free diet tomorrow AM. I had lasagna for dinner and man did I feel it. So - we shall see. My menu plan is so boring but budgetary reasons win over taste buds sometimes.

Thanks again for all the good advice and support!

Amy

My thyroid labs are not so good right now. I was forgetting my meds (3 grain of Armour daily) when the last test was taken. Here are my numbers -

10/20/08 (not taking meds daily, forgetting)

free T3 - 426 (230-420)

TSH - 3rd generation - 1.51 (.40-4.50)

Free T4 - 1 (.8-1.8)

7/24/08 (On meds but feeling way worse - joint pain mostly) than on 10/20/08)

TSH - .680 (.47-4.50)

Free T4 - 1 (.7-1.9)

Total T3 - 1.18 (.51-1.65)

T3RU - 243 (90-350)

When I was diagnosed Hashi (5/2/05)

Thyroid peroxid was >1300 (0-60)

Put on Synthroid

10/25/05

Thyroid peroxidase - 820 (<2)

Anti-throglobulin antibody 62 (<2)

Put on Armour

So it does not look like I was tested for Graves does it?

As far as my cholesterol goes - I have read how dangerous it can be and no Doctor seems worried - they tell me I am blessed. I hate to admit but I eat like crap lotsa fat in my diet. I do not exercise at all and am overweight by about 40 pounds.

THANKS!

Amy

THANKS!

"were you also checked for tissue transglutaminase and total IgA? If your IgA is too low you can have severe celiac disease and still get a negative blood test."

No. He said this one test was sufficient.

"You said your total cholesterol is 83. What is your HDL? 35 is the recommended lower limit, but 50 or higher is best for good health. Have you ever tried flax oil or fish oil for omega 3s? " My HDL is 32, LDL is 38. I have tried fish oil but it didn't make it go up. Doctors seem to think it's good my cholesterol is so low - I think it's nor normal, not given the way I eat.

"Angelschick, High Iron? " I should have clarified, I just meant anemia is not a problem for me. My hemoglobin is 14.6 (11.7-15.5), hematocrit 42.5 (35-45) It's always been like that, if my hemoglobin is below 12 or so I FEEL anemic.

"If you do have Hemochromatosis you can trace your ancestry back to the Vikings/Celtics.

Any Irish in your family? Any red heads?" I am adopted so no real clue on history but I am pale faced with redish hair.

Thanks!

Amy

I will try and keep this short. Since June I have been to multiple Doctors trying to figure out what is wrong with me, have spent so much money I cannot even type it and wasted so much time and energy - I am very sad. So - any help would be a welcome addition :-)

Symptoms -

Odd rash (NOT DH, non-itchy) red/pink on chin and also a malar rash - pale pink when im in the usn for just a minute or two

Gas and bloating, horrible cramps - often when eating after about 3 PM

PAINFUL BM's, often constipated or MILD D

Fatigue - lots of it

Joint pain no visible swelling ever- mostly back but hips, knees, hands and ankles

NO sex drive

DRY hair - like straw

NO stamina most days - slight activity will wear me out

Good days and bad days

Dizzy when I stand up at times

Vision seems to be deteriorating despite Docs saying my prescription isn't changing

Health history -

Diagnosed Hashimoto's about 5 years ago

Otherwise healthy

Labs -

LOW cholesterol (total is 83) for at least 6 years

Vit D fine

Iron high

Endomysial antibody negative

Lupus, RA antibodies negative

EVERYTHING seems to be fine as far as bloodwork goes

X-Rays of hand show NOTHING, low back MRI shows mild deterioration but not worthy of my pain

Any ideas? I am tired of Doctors. I am tired of spending 20% of every lab known to man only to have them say they don't know what's wrong with me. I am now unable to work due to fatigue and pain. I am toying with trying the gluten free diet, but don't want to have to end up doing a challenge test or something down the road.

Thanks in advance

Amy