-
Welcome to Celiac.com!
You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.
-
Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):
-
Get Celiac.com Updates:Support Celiac.com!
-
Celiac.com - Celiac Disease & Gluten-Free Diet Support Since 1995
My Long Journey to Celiac Disease Diagnosis
Like many people, I spent a lot of years, a lot of dollars, and endured many tests and misdiagnoses, before doctors finally discovered that I had celiac disease (also known as coeliac disease or celiac sprue), and needed to eliminate gluten and all gluten-containing ingredients from my diet. Gluten is a protein found in the three main gluten-containing grains: wheat, rye, and barley; and is often hidden in processed foods, and things like soy sauce and beer.
Celiac disease is NOT an Allergy
It's important to know that celiac disease is an autoimmune disease, not a wheat allergy. It's also different from non-celiac gluten sensitivity, gluten intolerance, or sensitivity to gluten.
Gluten-Free Diet
To treat my celiac disease I had to go on a gluten-free diet for life. That meant learning to read food labels to avoid gluten ingredients, and eating a diet of mostly naturally gluten-free foods like meats, fruits, nuts, vegetables, and packaged foods only if they are certified gluten-free or labeled gluten-free, for example gluten-free breads made using gluten-free grains.
My Celiac Disease Symptoms, Diagnosis and Recovery
My symptoms included weight loss, long-term diarrhea, bloating, and abdominal pain (especially in my middle-right section while sleeping. Once I began and maintained a gluten-free diet, those symptoms slowly disappeared....[READ MORE about my long and winding road to a celiac disease diagnosis and recovery.]
Breaking Celiac Disease News & Info:
-
Get Celiac.com Updates:Support Celiac.com:
-
Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):
Celiac.com Sponsors (A17-M):
-
Recent Activity
-
- trents replied to Sarah Marie's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms7
Positive bloodwork, negative biopsy
With your strong family history of celiac disease, you need to get your kids regularly tested. Two recent large studies, one done by the Mayo Clinic involving well over 300 people, pegged the incidence of celiac disease in first degree relatives of those with celiac disease at over 40%. This was proven by biopsy. Many or most of them were of the "silent"... -
- Sarah Marie replied to Sarah Marie's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms7
Positive bloodwork, negative biopsy
The main factor we’d like a conclusive diagnosis for is to know how strict we need to be for cross contamination. It’s one thing to be gluten free but it’s a whole other level of carefulness if celiac. We also have 3 kids in the house who still eat gluten. I appreciate your insight with all of this! Thank you! -
- Janet Denis replied to Janet Denis's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms5
Test results
Thanks. I think so too. I just got the biopsy results a few days ago so have just started my gluten-free journey. Hoping to feel better soon! -
- trents replied to Janet Denis's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms5
Test results
So they did a DGP-IGA, a DGP-IGG and a tTG-IGA. One thing they should have done in addition to those was the total IGA to make sure you weren't low in that one and so getting suppressed scores on your tTG-IGA. However, the endoscopy with biopsy is considered the gold standard for celiac diagnosis so if it was positive and in view of your strong family... -
- trents replied to Sarah Marie's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms7
Positive bloodwork, negative biopsy
Actually, Sarah Marie, I think you have your answer for all practical purposes. The bloodwork is positive and symptoms disappear upon cessation of gluten consumption. Is there a particular reason you need an official diagnosis?
-