Sillygirlme Asked: Celiacs only please! Do you need the blood test?
I have been feeling awful for about 6-8 years, only recently worsened so I went to my doc. He suggested I try a gluten-free diet for two months and see if that improves things. I have read about people having blood tests for Celiac Disease should I have that done? My doc says not necessary as there is a test but not 100% and really the diet would be the best indicator.
PS: I am having a miserable time really struggling with the diet as I loved carbs and am new to this whole eating at home and cooking. Already losing tons of weight by not eating much which isn’t a bad thing I am obese anyhow but the not eating is really becoming annoying as I am light headed and cranky a lot. Advice? Please tell me it gets easier or I’m going to tell my doc to hell with it I’m going to Panera Bread.
Answers:
Wabby Answered:
The blood test is quite accurate, but as long as you’ve been eating gluten for at least 6 weeks before the test. If you haven’t, the antibodies found in Celiac Disease won’t be present. If you have a positive blood test, you need then need to have a biopsy of the small intestine to confirm the diagnosis. But you can have a negative blood test and biopsy but still be severely intolerant to gluten. This is known as non-Celiac gluten intolerance.
So I guess what your doctor is saying, at the end of the day, you have the positive blood test & biopsy or not, if you feel better on a gluten free diet, there’s your proof. But you can’t say that you have Celiac Disease unless you’ve had these tests.
I was diagnosed 4 years ago, when I was 17. It was really hard for me. At first I just thought ‘if I pretend it’s not happening, it’ll go away’.. But then I realised it wouldn’t. After 6 months of being gluten free I began to feel slightly better. After 1 year I felt good. For the first 6 months I felt tired, headaches and dizzy too. It’s pretty normal.
I think you should stick with the diet. Don’t cheat.
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