Justscared

Panel came back negative (results below). I guess I am now going to take the gluten out for the truly gold standard. It is amazing how many people without Celiac swear they feel so much better when completely off gluten. This has been quite the roller coaster - thank you so much everyone for your support. I did learn a lot - now if only I could figure out...

Thanks everyone again. Just wanted to write an update - my GP ordered the panel, so I had blood drawn this morning after eating cake and other gluetened things all week-end. Now I will just be waiting ...it may take up to 2 weeks, but they said probably not that long. Keep praying my GI was right - as he did not even want to do the blood panels.

I meant "CELIACS-CELIACS". :-) As in not just "gluten sensitive". Those with flattened villi on the biopsy, positive blood tests, etc.

I have already contacted my GP via the health records system they have online but I will also call her to request the blood panel over the phone. Their office was closed today because of snow and bad driving conditions. So I will try to get those blood tests anyway, for peace of mind. This process seems so frustrating that I think a genetic test that could...

In that case, what would be the role of the blood tests? If they come out negative, I would still have to do the 6 months gluten-free trial, if I understand correctly. Then why have them at all? Shouldn't I just go ahead with the gluten-free diet? Let's just also take the scenario where someone has negative blood tests and negative biopsy but embarks...

I asked my GI and he said it was extremely little what he thought he saw during the endoscopy, so he biopsied it to make sure. The biopsy came back fine so for him the case is closed. If the blood panels also come back fine, can I conclude without the shadow of a doubt that I do not have either Celiac or NC-gluten sensitivity? I will ask my GP about...

I thought about it some more. Here are my worries now: The GP might not take me seriously, especially after the GI sent her the biopsy lab report where it clearly says "no evidence of Celiac Sprue". The insurance company will surely not want to pay for this blood panel after a Celiac dx was excluded with a biopsy. What kind of reason should I give...

Oh, gosh...duh! Thank you for reminding me. I guess I will just call my GP and ask her to do the panel. I hope she won't refuse. I was wondering if the 2 days of gluten-free I just had coupled with 2 more days I had two weeks ago could affect the results. Tomorrow I'll eat gluten again, not that I need much encouragement for that, as this is definitely...

I am thinking about asking my GP when I have the yearly physical in a few months. For now, I will stay gluten-free.

Thanks so much, everyone - this really helps. I will check both TJ and Costco for the pre-made options. As for making my own, what kind of flowers should I buy and from where? I know it is usually a mixture of corn, rice, potatoe and taopica flower with some xanthan gum in it. Am I correct? Where could I buy all these separate flowers at decent...

I would appreciate any tip for a really fine gluten-free flour that tastes and performs as close to wheat flower as possible. I am trying to rule out a possible gluten sensitivity by embarking on a 2 months gluten-free journey. MY GI recently ruled our Celiac with 1 biopsy of the small intestine he took during an endoscopy I had done for acid reflux....

Yes, this is what I plan on doing. Today was my first day completely gluten free. I did ask the dr. Whether I should get some blood tests anyway and he said no. So I will just have to try it with the elimination diet. After all, I still have some symptoms I've had for years, including muscle / bone pain all over my back, occasionally flairing cheilitis...

UPDATE, BACK FROM GI. Biopsy results indicate no celiac sprue or infectious microorganisms. Just grade A esophagitis in the lower part of the esophagus from a little reflux. Apparently though, the # of biopsies the dr. took of the small intestine was only 1. He also took 2 other biopsies of the middle lower esophagus - I got a copy of the lab report...

It makes sense. I just never thought that people would continue to rely on processed foods after such a diagnosis. A gl,ute-free boxed prodict may be gljuten-free but it's still a processed thing. The point is to increase your intake of whole foods cooked from scratch. You would think that this would be a wake-up call that would put people in the kitchen...

Well, basically I never understood whether "atrophic duodenum seen by dr. during endoscopy procedure" = "villous atrophy seen by the lab under the microscope". Yes, I will ask for clarification today, including pathology report from the lab itself, Celiac panel (regardless of results) and nutrient panel (regardless of results). Thank you again.