No wheat or Dairy

[KnottedYet]

Plain ol' cancker sores are a big problem, and you can also get "bald spots" on the tongue.

Celiac causes the villi on the small intestine to flatten out (go smooth) and the same thing can happen to the surface of the tongue.

[TryingisDying]

Im wheat/flours/sugar free......My asthma totally changed for the better without the wheat.

[TrekTheKaty]

I also advise consulting a Dr. HOWEVER, you can get a false negative on the blood test--in other words, it's not definitive. I hadn't eaten wheat in 90 days when I went in for the blood test. With a negative result, he couldn't refer me to a specialist.

But like everyone said, it can't hurt. I knew within 48 hours that I felt better.

[KnottedYet]

Yup. And if you haven't been eating wheat your antibody test will be negative no matter what, like you found.

You need to be "fighting" the gluten protein for you body to be producing the antibodies. When my GI doc was talking about having me do an antibody or small intestine biopsy test, he wanted me to eat 6 slices of bread a day for 2 weeks to get the antibodies up to steam and detectable before the blood draw.

I said, "No, I'll die." And I was only being a little hyperbolic.

Since that earlier post of mine two years ago, the gold standard for celiac/gluten intolerance has changed. Now there are other blood markers that are turning out to be more reliable indicators, and the dietary change and symptom results are being trusted more. Quite a few researchers are doubting the idea that the small intestine biopsy is the definitive test. Insurance companies are lagging behind, but isn't that always the way it is?

Anyone who thinks they may have celiac should really do a lot of research before going for the various tests, including the genetic tests. (find out if your insurance pays for them, for one thing!)

[moonfroggy]

there are lots of people who don't have celiacs but are sensitive to gluten or wheat. i haven't been tested for celiacs but i know that when i avoid gluten all the terrible pain and various problems i used to have go away. so i figure i have something that makes me sensitive and i am better off without gluten.

i would get tested though if it was easier for me to do so with my insurance. anything with doctors requires more than an hour in the car and i avoid cars as much as i can.