Gastroscopy question

[mdoh1918]

What is the smallest amount of time I can eat gluten before gastroscopy? my letter says 8 weeks of gluten in every meal however I won't be able to do that without destroying myself and leaving myself unable to work. would 2 weeks have any affect or does it have to be this long?

Also how much gluten a day? for example could I get away with a pint of beer or example or a bowl of cereal ? or does it need to beore than this?

thanks everyone

[Rmichelle]

I was told at least 6 weeks and a slice of bread a day, opinions differ really but i was told that one gluten item would be fine but i surpose it depends on how sensitive you are but sorry you do have to eat gluten-you woyldnt want to go through it again, also a bloods confirmation is enough for some people especially if getting symptons from it, i had the endoscopy and biopsy but gp said he would be happy to go with bloods only if shows postive ttg antibodies. I chose to eat a donut instead of a slice of bread. It was yum but i did suffer. X😊

[Penel]

Unfortunately there is no definitive answer to this because everyone reacts differently.

6 weeks is usually given as the minimum length of time. The best advice is probably to start with a small amount of gluten and increase it slowly to try to minimise the problems it causes.

Good luck with deciding what to do, it’s not easy.

[pretender]

As we are not all the same it is best to try and suffer the eight weeks that are required, quantity unknown to me. Personally I was diagnosed aged six then following a capsule biopsy aged thirteen told I never had it so back onto normal food. Following chemical poisoning aged fifty seven it was re-diagnosed and confirmed aged sixty two. I stopped eating wheat products eight weeks prior to endoscopy but still got a positive result. Which says two things, 1. Some coeliacs can go into remission. 2. The cause could be a trauma situation.

I now have an acquired formaldehyde allergy aged fifty seven, when I was first diagnosed aged six formaldehyde was sprayed onto wheat to preserve it....could be the link?

[masefieldcrew]

Hi. I was told to eat gluten containing food and what would be ‘the equivalent of 3 slices of bread a day’ in the 6 weeks before the biopsy. I had already had a positive blood test. I ate a variety of things including pastry and pasta. I was so relieved to stop eating gluten straight after the biopsy and vowed to remain gluten free even if results were found to be not conclusive. A couple of weeks later I received the results saying that I was coeliac. Good luck I hope it goes well and enjoy the beer Jane

[Weeannie]

6wks is the standard her in the UK, with the recommendation of at least 2 slices of bread a day, which could be a sandwich or toast or something, but slightly more if possible. The more that’s put in the clearer the result will be. Good luck to you x

[Karen49]

Horrible situation to be in. Both my GP & Consultant have told me it’s not worth the unpleasantness of going back onto gluten and there’s nothing to gain by doing the biopsy. Maybe speak to your GP again.

[Rmichelle in reply to Karen49]

I agree my gp said the same to me that most gps will diagnose on blood work alone and symptons but i decided to still have the biopsy so i could get my free prescription, which is no longer available anyway!! Endoscopies will not be the gold standard confirmatiin in a few years.x😊

[Karen49 in reply to Rmichelle]

Yes prescriptions, my GP and Consultant were thinking along these lines now that they’re being phased out. Though I do hope another method of testing is found. Thanks for your comments, may help to reassure others.

[mdoh1918]

Thanks everyone for the replies and advice. I think I will call my gp again. I don't think I could possible go through being glutened for 6 weeks. It's a shame as I want to know if I have it as I have b12 and folic deficiency and celiac may be the cause. so would be good for peace of mind to know this. Buuuuut I just don't want to damage my gut any more I've made some much progress this year, to take any steps back would be gutting. I literally will pass out and get sick after a crumb of bread touches something I eat. I'm just too sensitive to eat 2 slices of bread a day.... would be horrific xx

[Rmichelle in reply to mdoh1918]

Some people think bloods are enough confirmation for them and the fact that gluten makes them ill-you have to go with how you feel. I would not eat gluten again.x

[Jacks]

Great replies here. Of course it all depends upon how long you've been gluten free. If you've been GF long enough to heal - then you need to eat it long enough to damage the healed gut again.

I'm not sure there is any benefit from knowing if you only want "words" rather than help with an unknown illness & it sounds as though you've solved the latter?

[mdoh1918 in reply to Jacks]

oh I see, that really makes sense with the gut healing thing. I've been gluten free for around a year. Well I wanted to know because I have b12 deficiency and wanted to know if celiac was causing it.... then it would hopefully mean that I dont have to be on injections for life you know. I'm in a bit of a grey area atm which is a pain

[patricia1040]

My daughter discontinued gluten the day after her blood work. Six weeks later her scope confirmed Celiac as she had enough damage in her villi even after 6 weeks being gf. Her gastrointestinal dr. advised her that she need not eat any further gluten to get a definitive answer. Dr. is well renowned in her field.

[mdoh1918 in reply to patricia1040]

that's interesting. perhaps I will be "lucky" in the way that the damage is still visible even though I'm gf. I hope something is visible