I've just had my first "annual" blood... - Gluten Free Guerr...
I've just had my first "annual" blood test. I know they are looking for gluten antibodies but what else do they check for?
Generally they'll also check:
- your thyroid (as problems with this are closely linked to CD)
- your vitamin D (a vital vitamin for all health and bones)
- Calcium
- iron
- ferritin
- B12
My advice is ask them to go thru all the tests and scores. Then you can keep track of your improvement. Just saying 'they're fine' is a bit naff. Ask for the scores. Especially with Thyroid, Iron and Vit D the ranges can be wide and it's important to know if you're at the low end of normal.
If any of them are low then you need to have you bloods test more often...so you can make sure that your gettin the right supplements....and that they are improving..
My doctor does blood test every 12 weeks...and I'm off to see the proff at the hospital next week for a follow up to see how my gut is healing....
Janie
Hi Janie sounds like you are getting top notch treatment and follow up. Just out of interest are you in the UK? The notion that you get referred to hospital for a checkup on how your gut is healing is amazing I was told a year ago that there was no money in the pot for follow ups. You're really lucky.
I'm in widnes in Cheshire, when I moved house I changed clinics....my new clinic has 20 odd doctors all young on the ball...nhs funded so you get a full mot and service.....I have a young lady doctor who is brilliant....it only took 3 weeks for my follow up appointment to come through.
Janie
That is truly amazing Janie. Normally GPs fob off people to the Gastro and Gastro fob back to the Dr and so a great game of ping pong begins with people normally just having tests once a year. There seems to be some kind of stigma with Coeliac Disease amongst some Drs that it's all solved by a GF diet and that it's not a proper disease. Few fully understand the long term damage CD can do and the need to monitor and boost vits and minerals (which they consider a bit 'new age'). Such a shame. Make sure you praise your ones!
I get checked annually too, I had to ask specifically for a calcium and vit D check though. I think my haemoglobin is checked too to make sure there is no anaemia..
