About to enter the Gluten Free World...

[newbie_jen]

Hi all, May be jumping the gun here but I've got an appointment with my GP this Monday (9th November) as I do believe I have a Gluten Intorelence (or similar)

I have been eradicating wheat, rye, barley, malt etc etc from my diet for 2 weeks now and I can see some inprovement in my symptoms like bloating.

As this is my first time I'm going to the GP with this... is there any questions I should be asking? What could I expect? Any advice would be appreciated Jen

[Galixie]

If you are going to be tested for celiac, you should continue to eat gluten (daily) so that you don't get a false negative test result.

[Regalbirdy]

Hi Jen,

As you have been trialling a gluten-free diet for only two weeks, you do need to temporarily start eating it again if you expect any kind of decent support from your GP.

I agree with Galixie, staying gluten-free will only mess up any test results and not give you the answers you're probably looking for right now.

Hopefully it won't be for too long - you will be able to go gluten free again once all the tests you may need have been done (this might potentially include some hospital tests as well if the blood test comes back as positive). The blood test looks for antibodies to gluten. To use a crude analogy; think of it as like the alcohol blood tests we know and understand - it's nigh on impossible to be over the limit if you're already stone cold sober!

I hope this helps.

[newbie_jen in reply to Regalbirdy]

Valid point Regalbirdy, I shall include some gluten in my diet for the next couple of days.

[Regalbirdy in reply to newbie_jen]

Hi Jen,

As someone else has already said, for the tests to be effective you must eat a gluten diet for AT LEAST six weeks prior to the blood test. This means eating it a minimum of once a day and very often more than that if you can.

If you do choose to go back onto gluten, then you MUST stay on it until the medical profession have completed ALL the tests you need.

My understanding is that overall, it's so much easier on your system to do it that way and the results of any follow-up tests will be considerably more reliable.

I was lucky, I didn't come off gluten until my hospital tests had all been completed, so had less of the side-effects. However, I won't lie - it still wasn't a particularly pleasant experience (mentally or physically) but it was a means to an end - because I got an answer and was formally diagnosed as a Coeliac three years ago now.

Of course, if the initial blood test came back negative then you would be completely free to do as you please...

Good luck

[Franjanu]

I would get all the blood tests, finger prick, and colonoscopy and endoscopies done. I'm sure that's what they will tell you to do anyway

[Pink_Bear]

I think it depends how important having a diagnosis is to you. I've never even discussed having given up gluten with my GP as he tends to think anything I do or suggest is a panacea! I'm quite happy being gluten free because I know the benefits it has brought me. If you can already see the difference you might want to consider whether you really want to have all the tests.

[Sandyevans]

Hi jen. I have a gluteen allergy I went on the fob diet I was on it for a week to two weeks I started feeling better right away all my swelling went down my mind is much clearer I lost 26 pounds in 4 months 16 of them in the first month. If your not feeling 90 persent better you could have other allergies such as dairy or high frotous corn syrup. Ask the gp if the fob diet is something that you should consider.

[health2015 in reply to Sandyevans]

Hi Sandyevans

Could you please let me know a bit more about the fob diet, I have gone gluten free in the last couple of weeks although I have not been diagnosed.

Mazamoomoo

[newbie_jen]

Thank you for all your replies, it's greatly appreciated ...

Will try to incorporate some gluten .. like a piece of toast etc for the next few days... hope it doesn't cause too much havoc with my tum.

[boo16 in reply to newbie_jen]

You will need more than one piece of toast if you are looking for the correct result and diagnosis of coeliac disease.. something more along the lines of at least 4 slices of bread a day, or the equivalent.

[Pilgrim2310]

You'd need to be on a gluten contain g diet for at least 6 weeks prior to any testing taking place. Trust me, you'll not want to be having an endoscopy more than once. Do it once and do it right. Either get tested properly or go with your hunch and just go gluten free.