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Hi,
I have a dr. apptmnt on the 5th of Dec. to see my gastro for my diagnosed MC. I will be having a blood test before my apptmnt. and I'm thinking it is to test for celiac. I could be wrong in that thinking, but that's my best guess. Otherwise I don't know why they'd have to draw blood. I started my GF diet today and am wondering if that will affect the blood test and if I should have waited to start the diet until after I saw the dr. I was just so excited to read everything here and maybe jumped the gun . . .or maybe not.
I really don't want to have to restart again. I had a marvelous day. Even thought I still had "episodes", I didn't feel so bloated and I felt full when I was done eating. My guts felt good and the cramps not as severe. I felt light today. I hope this isn't wishful thinking and it's real! If wishes could make it so . . . we'd all be on a different forum!
Any thoughts? Thanks ahead of time.
stop diet for test?
Moderators: Rosie, Stanz, Jean, CAMary, moremuscle, JFR, Dee, xet, Peggy, Matthew, Gabes-Apg, grannyh, Gloria, Mars, starfire, Polly, Joefnh
Hi Georgia,
The appointment is about 11 days away. Normally, if you are actually a celiac, you should still be producing enough antibodies to trigger a positive result on a TTG, (TissueTransGlutaminase), antibody test, and/or an AE, (Anti-Endomysial), antibody test, for several weeks after beginning the GF diet. If the test were a month or more away, I would say that beginning the diet today, would almost definitely affect the test outcome. Since it will be less than two weeks, though, the outcome shouldn't be significantly affected.
It sounds as though you're experiencing an unusually prompt response to the diet. If that's the case, and you continue to improve, that in itself is sufficient to prove gluten sensitivity.
Good luck with the diet.
Tex
The appointment is about 11 days away. Normally, if you are actually a celiac, you should still be producing enough antibodies to trigger a positive result on a TTG, (TissueTransGlutaminase), antibody test, and/or an AE, (Anti-Endomysial), antibody test, for several weeks after beginning the GF diet. If the test were a month or more away, I would say that beginning the diet today, would almost definitely affect the test outcome. Since it will be less than two weeks, though, the outcome shouldn't be significantly affected.
It sounds as though you're experiencing an unusually prompt response to the diet. If that's the case, and you continue to improve, that in itself is sufficient to prove gluten sensitivity.
Good luck with the diet.
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
Hi Georgia!
Good luck with the test. Just remember that it will most likely be negative for celiac but that you may still have significant gluten sensitivity. This is the fact that most GI docs are clueless about. That's why many of us here have gotten Dr. Fine's test for gluten antibodies in the STOOL. They can be found in the stool long before they ever get into the bloodstream. So if the blood test is negative, and your doc says you don't have celiac and therefore the GF diet can be stopped, just smile, go home, and continue eating GF. You will know more than your doc! Plus you will be on your way to health!
Love,
Polly
Good luck with the test. Just remember that it will most likely be negative for celiac but that you may still have significant gluten sensitivity. This is the fact that most GI docs are clueless about. That's why many of us here have gotten Dr. Fine's test for gluten antibodies in the STOOL. They can be found in the stool long before they ever get into the bloodstream. So if the blood test is negative, and your doc says you don't have celiac and therefore the GF diet can be stopped, just smile, go home, and continue eating GF. You will know more than your doc! Plus you will be on your way to health!
Love,
Polly
Blessed are they who can laugh at themselves, for they shall never cease to be amused.
Thanks Polly!!
I did go to Dr. Fines site and checked it out. I'll see what happens at the docs. Can't wait to see if he's a little more up to speed. Here's hoping!
I am reading Living Gluten Free for Dummies and Gluten Free Cooking for Dummies. This is a crash course for me. I read about the Paleo diet, too. That makes sense. Right now I'm just keeping it simple. I splurged on some Buckwheat cereal and fresh raspberries for my breakfasts this week. For lunches I'm packing lettuce, tomato, gluten free mayo, and mustard wrapped in turkey. Also adding in a side dish of squash. Quite good. I like not have to think when doing breakfast and lunch and that's easy enough for me to handle. When I get more savvy I can start getting creative. This is a great place to be inspired! I've read lots written by you, on this site, extra thanks!!
I did go to Dr. Fines site and checked it out. I'll see what happens at the docs. Can't wait to see if he's a little more up to speed. Here's hoping!
I am reading Living Gluten Free for Dummies and Gluten Free Cooking for Dummies. This is a crash course for me. I read about the Paleo diet, too. That makes sense. Right now I'm just keeping it simple. I splurged on some Buckwheat cereal and fresh raspberries for my breakfasts this week. For lunches I'm packing lettuce, tomato, gluten free mayo, and mustard wrapped in turkey. Also adding in a side dish of squash. Quite good. I like not have to think when doing breakfast and lunch and that's easy enough for me to handle. When I get more savvy I can start getting creative. This is a great place to be inspired! I've read lots written by you, on this site, extra thanks!!
SPRINKLES!
Georgia
Georgia
Georgia,
If you like cereal for breakfast, Rice Chex is now gluten-free, and it's a lot cheaper than the health food store cereals. I eat it for breakfast a couple of times each week.
Keep an eye on how you react to the lettuce - most of us get serious D from lettuce, until after our gut has plenty of time to heal.
Tex
If you like cereal for breakfast, Rice Chex is now gluten-free, and it's a lot cheaper than the health food store cereals. I eat it for breakfast a couple of times each week.
Keep an eye on how you react to the lettuce - most of us get serious D from lettuce, until after our gut has plenty of time to heal.
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
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kate_ce1995
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Hi Georgia,
Tip on the lettuce/turkey wraps...get a head or romaine lettuce and you can wrap the fixings in a lettuce leaf and then you are holding a non-greasy item to eat lunch! I do this from time to time.
I've also recently gotten brave and tried EnerG crackers and they are so normal it's wonderful. I can get them at Shaws and Hannaford's supermarkets up here in the northeast in the health food aisle. Although they are usually cracked in the box, they usually stay in large pieces so I use two as a sandwich to put meat and cheese between.
Sounds like you are getting the hang of things quickly and seeing results. Good for you!
Katy
Tip on the lettuce/turkey wraps...get a head or romaine lettuce and you can wrap the fixings in a lettuce leaf and then you are holding a non-greasy item to eat lunch! I do this from time to time.
I've also recently gotten brave and tried EnerG crackers and they are so normal it's wonderful. I can get them at Shaws and Hannaford's supermarkets up here in the northeast in the health food aisle. Although they are usually cracked in the box, they usually stay in large pieces so I use two as a sandwich to put meat and cheese between.
Sounds like you are getting the hang of things quickly and seeing results. Good for you!
Katy
Thanks, Katy and Tex. I'll remember about the lettuce, in both cases. I'll be on the lookout for the enerG crackers. We have two great health/organic food stores in the area, that I know of. One even makes their own bread. I'm really lucky. Our groceries stores, also have whole sections dedicated to health foods. I've not been to the health food stores yet . . that was this weekend's mission.
I have a challenge today. I'm attending a conference and will have to eat out. Not too mention they supply donuts! It will be my first test! Hope I've studied and am strong enough! Live and learn.
Thanks for the inspiration and tips! Much appreciated. Wishing you a healthy Thanksgiving.
I have a challenge today. I'm attending a conference and will have to eat out. Not too mention they supply donuts! It will be my first test! Hope I've studied and am strong enough! Live and learn.
Thanks for the inspiration and tips! Much appreciated. Wishing you a healthy Thanksgiving.
SPRINKLES!
Georgia
Georgia
I am impressed, Georgia, by your food choices! You are obviously a quick study! It sound as if you are eating mostly paleo, which is probably the quickest way to induce a remission. Have you checked out Elizabeth's blog yet? - some yummy "gourmet" caveman recipes:
www.cavemanfood.blogspot.com/search/label/recipe
How are the GF Dummy books? I haven't checked them out yet.
Let us know how you do today at the conference. It's always good practice going where there are "land mines"!
Love,
Polly
P.S. You are most welcome! I appreciate your "extra" thanks!
www.cavemanfood.blogspot.com/search/label/recipe
How are the GF Dummy books? I haven't checked them out yet.
Let us know how you do today at the conference. It's always good practice going where there are "land mines"!
Love,
Polly
P.S. You are most welcome! I appreciate your "extra" thanks!
Blessed are they who can laugh at themselves, for they shall never cease to be amused.
Polly,
I've got Elizabeth's blog book marked and am chomping at the bit to try that meatloaf! Like that idea of half potato and rutabaga mashed together, too!
The GF dummy books are great. They explain the paleo diet too. I'm learning so much. They are both written by a woman whose son was diagnosed early with CD. It talks about attitude an how you look at a diet vs. way of life. About food being just fuel. Asking myself what kind of fuel fits my body. I needed to hear that! I was so grieving bread, but you know what, bread with g is just not good fuel for me. I'm thinking the paleo diet might be a whole lot easier for me to do. Less thinking involved and for me that's a good thing. If man made it, I don't want it! I don't have to stress over that too much! LOL But then there go my Buckwheats!
Nary one spec of gluten crossed my lips at the conference! They had cookies, donuts, danishes, bars and lots of tasty treats, but I did very well. Then for lunch I ordered a salad. I think Tex is right, massive amounts of lettuce might not be a good choice for me right now. Live and learn. Thanks for asking.
Hoping this weekend to do lots of reading and poking around here. Hope you have a wonderful healthy Thanksgiving!
I've got Elizabeth's blog book marked and am chomping at the bit to try that meatloaf! Like that idea of half potato and rutabaga mashed together, too!
The GF dummy books are great. They explain the paleo diet too. I'm learning so much. They are both written by a woman whose son was diagnosed early with CD. It talks about attitude an how you look at a diet vs. way of life. About food being just fuel. Asking myself what kind of fuel fits my body. I needed to hear that! I was so grieving bread, but you know what, bread with g is just not good fuel for me. I'm thinking the paleo diet might be a whole lot easier for me to do. Less thinking involved and for me that's a good thing. If man made it, I don't want it! I don't have to stress over that too much! LOL But then there go my Buckwheats!
Nary one spec of gluten crossed my lips at the conference! They had cookies, donuts, danishes, bars and lots of tasty treats, but I did very well. Then for lunch I ordered a salad. I think Tex is right, massive amounts of lettuce might not be a good choice for me right now. Live and learn. Thanks for asking.
Hoping this weekend to do lots of reading and poking around here. Hope you have a wonderful healthy Thanksgiving!
SPRINKLES!
Georgia
Georgia
Welcome Georgia,
It sounds like you are determined to do what is necessary to conquer this disease. That will help you as you discover what foods work for you and which ones don't.
I'm not an expert on the Paleo diet, but I think that buckwheat cereal is OK. Buckwheat is not a grain, it's a fruit from the rhubarb family.
Also, other GF flours, such as amaranth, quinoa, sorghum, millet, montina, and teff are not grains, but seeds. Other GF flours such as tapioca and potato are root flours. Polly or Matthew can verify if these are acceptable on the Paleo diet.
You don't need to give up bread because you are gluten-free. If you look at Dee's kitchen, you'll find recipes that members have contributed. Also, there are many commercial breads, hamburger buns and even donuts that are available.
I usually bring my own lunch when I know that I have to eat away from home. It's rare that I'll be able to eat what is served. If not, then I have a backup.
Good luck and keep reading posts on this site. There is a tremendous amount of information here.
Gloria
It sounds like you are determined to do what is necessary to conquer this disease. That will help you as you discover what foods work for you and which ones don't.
I'm not an expert on the Paleo diet, but I think that buckwheat cereal is OK. Buckwheat is not a grain, it's a fruit from the rhubarb family.
Also, other GF flours, such as amaranth, quinoa, sorghum, millet, montina, and teff are not grains, but seeds. Other GF flours such as tapioca and potato are root flours. Polly or Matthew can verify if these are acceptable on the Paleo diet.
You don't need to give up bread because you are gluten-free. If you look at Dee's kitchen, you'll find recipes that members have contributed. Also, there are many commercial breads, hamburger buns and even donuts that are available.
I usually bring my own lunch when I know that I have to eat away from home. It's rare that I'll be able to eat what is served. If not, then I have a backup.
Good luck and keep reading posts on this site. There is a tremendous amount of information here.
Gloria
You never know what you can do until you have to do it.
Hi my neighbor to the south!
Thanks for the info on buckwheat and the flours. I need to keep a card with me listing all the okay flours, until this stuff sinks in. I also have to take time to get organized and get my kitchen up to speed. I think with careful planning this will be a piece of cake . . . GF cake, that is!
I know that technically my Buckwheat flakes are not on the Paleo diet, because they are processed and man made them. There are other ingredients in there, too. They seem to be working for me right now.
Thanks for responding with the inspiration and great info. This place is just so wonderful. So glad I found you all.
Thanks for the info on buckwheat and the flours. I need to keep a card with me listing all the okay flours, until this stuff sinks in. I also have to take time to get organized and get my kitchen up to speed. I think with careful planning this will be a piece of cake . . . GF cake, that is!
I know that technically my Buckwheat flakes are not on the Paleo diet, because they are processed and man made them. There are other ingredients in there, too. They seem to be working for me right now.
Thanks for responding with the inspiration and great info. This place is just so wonderful. So glad I found you all.
Georgia,
I would resume making yourself sick with gluten since the test is so close, just in case you are one of the few people who actually has a positive blood test for the more classical celiac diagnosis.
I know how you feel though, after three days, you couldn't pay me a million bucks (at the time) to restart that stuff for that testing, but at least if you can stand it a little while longer, you'll know for sure.
I was just lucky to have Enterolab's results to help me along, and they are so much more sensitive than the blood tests, but they still have very infrequent false negatives, but it's gotta happen to somebody, right? Ha!
I've even heard of a rare person who's had a positive blood test while having negative stool tests which really surprised me. I think their rate may run something like 5 percent false negatives, but you'd have to ask someone at their lab to check me on that.
If you were to include all of the non-traditional celiacs (MC types) who are "off the radar" with the traditional testing, even the best labs would have a MUCH higher false negative rate than Enterolab's. It's just something that we have to deal with with medical testing, even though they get more and more refined all the time.
I just think that once you get on the diet for more than a little while, it's just a good idea to stay on it if it's obviously fixing the problem. You wouldn't want to be put back on it at the insistance of your GI after being off it a long time -- that could really be a problem! I don't see how just a few more days would matter, but then you know how you feel.
By the way, this represents a big change in my thinking since I first started along this wonderful gf path. The more documentation you have that the problem is there, the less likely you are to rationalize cheating here and there at some point down the line when you've forgotten how badly this stuff affects your life when it's active.
Best wishes whatever you chose to do.
Yours, Luce
I would resume making yourself sick with gluten since the test is so close, just in case you are one of the few people who actually has a positive blood test for the more classical celiac diagnosis.
I know how you feel though, after three days, you couldn't pay me a million bucks (at the time) to restart that stuff for that testing, but at least if you can stand it a little while longer, you'll know for sure.
I was just lucky to have Enterolab's results to help me along, and they are so much more sensitive than the blood tests, but they still have very infrequent false negatives, but it's gotta happen to somebody, right? Ha!
I've even heard of a rare person who's had a positive blood test while having negative stool tests which really surprised me. I think their rate may run something like 5 percent false negatives, but you'd have to ask someone at their lab to check me on that.
If you were to include all of the non-traditional celiacs (MC types) who are "off the radar" with the traditional testing, even the best labs would have a MUCH higher false negative rate than Enterolab's. It's just something that we have to deal with with medical testing, even though they get more and more refined all the time.
I just think that once you get on the diet for more than a little while, it's just a good idea to stay on it if it's obviously fixing the problem. You wouldn't want to be put back on it at the insistance of your GI after being off it a long time -- that could really be a problem! I don't see how just a few more days would matter, but then you know how you feel.
By the way, this represents a big change in my thinking since I first started along this wonderful gf path. The more documentation you have that the problem is there, the less likely you are to rationalize cheating here and there at some point down the line when you've forgotten how badly this stuff affects your life when it's active.
Best wishes whatever you chose to do.
Yours, Luce
Thanks, Luce and Shirley for the inspiration.
Couldn't resist my mom's rolls and dressing . . . I paid for it! I think I'm still paying. So hit me over the head with a frying pan! I get it, Gluten makes me sick!
Got to the health food store and stocked up on GF staples for baking. Gathered some good recipes here! Hope everyone is enjoying the weekend.
Couldn't resist my mom's rolls and dressing . . . I paid for it! I think I'm still paying. So hit me over the head with a frying pan! I get it, Gluten makes me sick!
Got to the health food store and stocked up on GF staples for baking. Gathered some good recipes here! Hope everyone is enjoying the weekend.
SPRINKLES!
Georgia
Georgia