clover

Hm. Are you sure no other tests were run? Do you have a full copy of your chart? If not, now would be a good time to get one and look it over. Remember to ask for the archives, too. The copy fee is worth it! You can also call the labs that ran your tests and often they will have records of your tests from the last ten years or so.

Ok. Obviously that is not the correct test. I have a copy of all of my health records from that time but I will have to look again...

TBC...

What were your original numbers? I agree with mushroom that high numbers could indicate you are still getting gluten, especially on the DGP which is specific to celiac. High tTG numbers with a totally gluten-free diet could indicate other autoimmune issues like Type 1 Diabetes, Hashimoto

Hi!

Five years after being diagnosed with Celiac Disease, I finally got the follow-up tests to see how I am doing with the diet. Problem is, I had to go to my general physician and request the test, as I do not have health insurance. So, the only thing my general doctor can tell me is that I came back positive for Celiac Disease, which is not very helpful. What I want to know is if my results show that I am doing well on the diet. My results are:

Deamidated Gliadin Abs, IgA: 7 (units 0-19, negative 0-19, weak positive 20-30, moderate to strong positive >30 )

Deamidated Gliadin Abs, IgG: 45 High (units 0-19, negative 0-19, weak positive 20-30, moderate to strong positive >30 )

t-Transglutaminase (tTG) IgA: <2 (u/mL 0-3, negative 0-3, weak positive 4-10, positive >10)

t-Transglutaminase (tTG) IgG: <2 (u/mL 0-5, negative 0-5, weak positive 6-9, positive >9)

Endomysial Antibody IgA Negative

[These are LabCorp results]

I am most concerned about the Deamidated Gliadin test that came back "High". Can anyone help me read this?

THANKS FOR YOUR HELP!!!!!! xoxo

Thanks everyone. I appreciate the responses. What kinds of things do you make in a slow cooker? Stew? Maybe I should get one. And this week I did have some soy-- and just a little bit of dairy-- so I will try eliminating those things as well. Thanks, Kassandra. And what does PM mean? I just might take you up on that.

Hello.

I was diagnosed with celiac disease about a year and a half ago. While it was easy for me to eliminate gluten from the food I eat at home, its been too hard to avoid eating out, as Im in graduate school and REALLY busy. Lately, I've been feeling really frustrated and overwhlemed. I know Im busy, but no matter how much rest I get, its never enough. I cry all the time, I feel bloated, heavy, and Im always tired. I feel "normal" about 1/10 of the time. I dont have any more stomach pain and Im relatively regular. I dont eat out carelessly-- I always ask & pray that I can trust the gluten-free word. However, I have yet to truly learn when I have gluten in my body & I have these other symptoms all the time. I know that healing itself can be hard on the body. I've considered other allergies but I cant pinpoint anything. I dont really know whats going on. I've complained to the doctor about this a handful of times and even AFTER I was diagnosed with celiac, she still alwyas recommends the same thing to me: anti-depressants. I feel like I need to go back to the doctor but I dont know how to convince her that I'm not depressed. Does anyone have any suggestions? Maybe another doctor in Chicago? Thoughts on what it could be? Shared experience?

THANK YOU.

Some wines contain casein, the milk protein. I have reacted to red wine before because of casein.

WHAT? How do you know if it has casein in it?? News to me!

I've only been gluten-free for 3 months and in that time I have had pain similar to what you are describing. It is pretty much the first time I've ever felt that kind of pain & I have read somewhere that arthritic-like pain is a symptom of gluten in the system. Even if it is just another symptom, it's no fun & worries me too. I have spoken to a few people who recommend that I see an acupuncturist. Maybe you could give that a shot too. Acupunture is supposed to do worlds of good for those who have intestinal disorders/intolerances. Good Luck!

I too am just starting out and I have no idea where to begin. My stomach is very unsettled at the moment. Has anyone got any idea where I can begin and how I can begin to settle my stomach. Thanks Charmaine from Scotland.x

Welcome!

You should begin by eliminating all major sources of gluten from your diet-- the big ones: breads, cereals, pastas, beer, bottled sauces, and try not to eat out too often. Your stomach may take a few days-- but I've found that exercise (especially yoga), extra sleep, and sometimes tylenol can be of great help. Drinking lots of water, and trying to get rid of the dairy, fat, and spice in your diet can help too if the other things don't. I have been gluten free for only two months but the stomach upset is now much more rare & intermitent. Be patient but do try your best just to rid of the gluten and you will see effects almost immediately!

Be well.

I wanted to ask my own question along the same lines as the original post.....Are the vitamins that important? I only ask because I have a horrible time digesting them. I always have had trouble for some reason, with vitamins. I try to eat a really healthy diet, lots of fruit and vegies. But, I notice most seem to take them. If they are really necessary, is there such a thing as a buffered vitamin or does any one have a recommendation?

Thanks,

Lollie

You can buy chewable multi-vitamins which are FAR easier to digest and will help you exponentially during those times when your immune system is at a low. Take only when you feel you need a boost.

hello everyone. Im not sure if I'm posting this in the right place, but I'll try anyway.

does anyone take chlorophyll, and if so, how/why does it help? my fiance is taking it (he's not gluten-free) and swears by it. he's constantly telling me to take it. Im not sure what to do. what are the benefits/side effects, if any, for people with celiac disease?

any info/insight?

thanks!!!

Hi! I have a friend who has chronic IBS and has tendonitis in her hand. When she gets stressed & her IBS is really bad, her hand swells up so much that she can't use it. THis can be problematic for someone who SEWS for a living!! SO-- when it's really bad she takes Chlorophyll so that she can alleviate the swelling & function somewhat normally at work. She said it doesn't upset her stomach & works just as well as Benedryl which makes her far too sleepy. I know IBS and celiac are different but if it doesn't cause her any irritation & it doesn't have any gluten in it, then it should be safe for you as well.

Good luck to you.

HI! I did have mild hypoglycemia pre- diagnosis and now, it feels like its going away (one month glluten-free)! The highs and lows are a LOT better. The food seems to sustain itself for longer & I dont have those crazy mood swings unless I have wheat in my system! Either way, my dietician said it is common to see improvement in hypoglycemic symptoms once you go gluten-free b/c your body starts to process its food correctly. But do be sure to eat enough protein with each meal to make it sustainable anyway!

Good luck to you.

I was thinking it might have been the creme brule too!! So that is true then, that most Celiac's also have a lactose intolerence?? I've felt like I was at times. But it's like sometimes I eat dairy and I'm fine, other times I'm not. Should I just skip the dairy for now as well??

Oh and the kissing thing. Ha ha, should I skip that too? J/k

I've heard that it's very hard on the intestines-- dairy, that is...NOT KISSING...and that if you find yrself sensitive AT ALL, you should try the dairy free thing for your first 3 months. THEN, reintroduce it...and see what happens. (We're like little science experiments, aren't we?)

I NEVER thought I was lactose intolerant. I LOVE me some cheese. Now, though, one month into the diet (with MANY mistakes) I think I have to give up dairy too. After every little bit, I get all funky. Boo.

I never thought of "starch stabilizers" in creme brulee, tho. Perhaps that IS it.

There is a chance the tea may have had gluten in it. Do you eat chinese food or consume caffeine often?

This is my first chinese food this month (since i've been diagnosed). I try not to go out at all, really. But lunchtime can be hard. And I do drink a cup of coffee a day in the morning, and sometimes some green tea with dinner (maybe once/twice a week) when I want to stay awake past 9pm. I assume as I feel better, that it will no longer be necessary to battle the nighttime fatigue with caffeine, tho.

Why do you ask?

Yes, perhaps CC. Thanks for your response!!

Buy a large box of tampons or pads, take out half, use the other half to cover the food. I guarantee they wont even touch it. Anything that implies an embarassing bodily function usually helps mask an offending item. While people should be over the whole menstruation thing-- they aren't.

I don't think anyone else mentioned this, but excuse the repetition if so. It could have been the creme brulee b/c of the dairy! Once your system starts to clean itself out & your body starts to heal, you may find other intolerances. DAIRY is a huge intolerance for many.

Also, there is that kissing thing. )

I just drank a small pot of (loose) jasmine tea with a veggie/chicken stirfry at an upscale chinese restaurant. They swore up and down that the food didn't contain gluten. They even prepared it with wheat-free tamari for me, but now I am in SO MUCH pain. I have responded badly to some peppermint tea in the past so I am wondering if its the tea. Do any of you have reactions to tea???

I've been a long-time customer of the little Logan Square cafe Lula's on Kedzie Blvd. in Chicago. Recently diagnosed with celiac, I went there for breakfast this past weekend w/my family...TWICE. The wait staff & chefs were sensitive, considerate, and had no qualms about making me a gluten-free meal whatsoever. I had chicken breast, a delicious salad, and an omlette to DIE for with yummy potatoes! Their food is so fresh & delicious AND it didn't make me sick.

Four stars!! Two thumbs UP!!! I love me some LULAs.

I've been trying to find some places that my mother & I can eat at while she's in Chicago. She loves to eat out at all the fancy yummy breakfast spots, which puts me in a bit of a bind. I've found a few places for dinner, but breakfast seems to be more difficult. I've been calling the places I'd like to eat and saying "even trace amounts of gluten will make me ill. would i be able to have a gluten-free meal at your restaurant?" so far the places I've asked have quickly said NO or "we can't guarantee anything even if you order gluten-free" (THAT from the MOST celiac friendly place The Chicago Diner).

I'm really disappointed. I feel like maybe I'm going about this the wrong way.

Should I be LESS adament about the gluten and merely ask them to cook the eggs on tin foil? Should I ask ONLY when i am in person? Do I need to be more specific? Are there other ways to do this?

All tactics/suggestions would be appreciated. Thank you.

yup. thats exactly it. i was told to increase the amount of fiber in my diet, so that i can get closer to regularity (i am trying Heather's Acacia powder for IBS), and that with the gluten free diet & fiber, it should be okay soon.

Does anyone have any good suggestions for restaurants in Chicago that are celiac sensitive (aside from the Lettuce Entertain You restaurants)?

THANK YOU!!

THESE ARE ALL GREAT-- thank you thank you thank you.

Does anyone have any good suggestions for restaurants in Chicago that are celiac sensitive (aside from the Lettuce Entertain You restaurants)?

You aren't alone. I have yet to go to the doctor about it, but its gotten worse now that I've started my gluten free diet. Calling DR. today. If I learn anything, I'll let you know.

Welcome! Don't forget to eliminate possible sources of cross-contamination like your body/beauty products, soaps, etc. Also, don't use your old toaster, that's a HUGE risk for CC. It only takes a crumb to make you sick, literally. Good luck! Glad to hear you're starting to feel better already.

Hi. I actually just read in a Celiac book that contamination from soap & such is a fallacy. What is your experience? My shampoo, which is the ONLY shampoo that relieves me of this horrible scalp condition I have, has WHEAT all over the ingredients, so naturally I am concerned. Thanks for your input.

Hello.

I was just diagnosed with celiac disease two weeks ago after years of stomach problems, and other symptoms which I am only now learning ARE symptoms. I guess I thought that somehow I was experiencing stomach pain, fatigue, memory loss, weight loss, mild depression, and etc. ALL because I wasn't being good to myself. I tried to talk to therapists & doctors, all who kind of looked at me funny & did their best to try me out on diets & pills. I've believed that I was hypoglycemic, pre-diabetic, just plain anxious & paranoid, and that I had IBS, of course. I was prescribed all kinds of medicine for ulcers, gas, "motility", and finally I was given anti-depressants. Yick. After two weeks, I refused to take them any more, and seemingly as a little inconsequential thing, my GI decided to test me for celiac disease-- and to both of our surprise, I was positive. When I got the phone call, I was ecstatic! FINALLY. To feel validated about your symptoms. To know you aren't just severly dysfunctional, as I was starting to believe.

Now, I feel kind of strange--sometimes kind of sad & confused.

I feel like I have it good in comparison to many a disease, which seems like a strange attitude. And

sometimes I feel like I must have been misdiagnosed. I'm so used to 'ME' including these symptoms.

Last week, though, I had two really good days. They were fantastic, as I felt more awake and alive than I have in some 10 years. I felt like a child again. It was awesome & delightful.

This week, not as good. At the beginning of the week, I decided to make a nice big batch of food that both my boyfriend (who was just diagnosed with IBS {love in intenstinal problems I guess}) and myself could eat. To mask the fact that we have to be on these crazy diets, I decided on some FUN and SPICEY Indian Food (a recipe from an IBS cookbook)-- with a big teaspoon of asafoetida (or hing) in it.

All week I've been feeling that WAY that feel, "like paste" i like to say, and thinking maybe I WILL always feel this way. And then TODAY I had it in mind to research everything I had eaten and TAH-DAH, there it was-- ASAFOETIDA (Hing or Devils' Dung!!)-- which has gluten in it. WOW. So straight forward, this is. I ate something that makes me sick-- and there it is. I know I will get used to this, but WOW, I guess they really mean it when they say "when in doubt, leave it out".

ANYWAY-- I know you have probably all heard this kind of stuff before, but I just wanted to share, so THANK YOU for reading. I am very interested in staying tuned in, so I can save myself the trouble that comes in those hidden, small places. In just perusing-- ALREADY, I've learned that Gluten takes 3 mos to leave yr system. I didn't know. Thank you.