What to do/eat pre-coeliac blood test? And is it worth it? - PaleoHacks.com

What to do/eat pre-coeliac blood test? And is it worth it?

2012-08-14T19:53:50Z

Long-time lurker, finally signed up to ask something, as I couldn't find any similar questions!

I visited the doctor for a general health check-up, and after the subject of diet and eating habits arose, I told her that I feel bloated, get stomachaches, and am lethargic after eating anything with gluten. This is a self-diagnosis; I suspect I have an intolerance/sensitivity issue at most, nowhere near coeliac, thankfully. However, she ordered me a blood test, and asked me to start eating gluten at least a week before the test - I quote "a couple of slices of bread a day", so that it shows up in the test. Now, she mentioned that intolerance is unlikely to show up on the test, so I'm not sure whether I should go ahead with it. Cost isn't an issue (I'm in the UK, using the NHS), but it seems a waste of time and resources on both sides if the test won't show anything. My family is pressurising me to take it, as they do not follow a paleo lifestyle and tend to get very annoyed when I opt out of the grains and bread at mealtimes. But that's a story for another time.

Another factor to consider is that I am trying to get into ketosis (for weightloss), and anything with gluten also tends to be high-carb, so that would throw me off a little. I am already doing 16 hr IF 3+ times a week, intense calesthenics for 15 mins x 5 per week. (Any tips here would be welcome, too!)

However, should I go ahead with the blood test, what is the minimal amount of gluten I can get away with eating, and for how long?

Thanks!

Answer by Marie for What to do/eat pre-coeliac blood test? And is it worth it?

2012-08-14T20:13:37Z

I would forgo the blood test completely and get an intestinal biopsy. If you have celiac disease, the intestinal biopsy is definitive (blood test is not, many people have false results). I don't think you have to eat gluten at all if you get the biopsy, because if you have celiac disease, the damage will still be there. It takes about a year of zero gluten to heal.

If you have digestive problems with gluten that are not celiac disease, the blood test won't help you either.

Either way it sounds like gluten is not good for you. Knowing if you have celiac disease is important because it greatly restricts your dining options due to cross contamination. If you don't have celiac, you can be more at ease with eating stuff that simply doesn't contain gluten in the ingredients.

Answer by juju for What to do/eat pre-coeliac blood test? And is it worth it?

2012-08-14T20:25:29Z

Interesting article about celiac and non-celiac wheat sensitivity.

http://www.nature.com/ajg/journal/vaop/ncurrent/full/ajg2012236a.html

Biopsy will show the intestinal cellular damage but the changes seen in the small intestines in celiac disease are very similar to changes seen in SIBO, chronic malnutrition and hypersensitivity reactions. So, if your serological studies suggest celiac it is much easier to correlate the biopsy. Most bxs are reported with a comment that says "clinical correlation and serological studies may be further contributory"

So...if you want to do it right

get the serological tests and the bx.

If you don't care about the dx and you feel better not eating gluten...don't eat gluten.

Having said that celiac patients do have an increased incidence of T-cell lymphoma so you may want to know.

Answer by Coeliac VicTas Australia for What to do/eat pre-coeliac blood test? And is it worth it?

2012-08-14T23:45:29Z

To be get a good result, you need to eat 2-4 slices of bread per day for 4-6 weeks. This is the standard advice from medical advisers to Coeliac Australia who are leading researchers in the field. Agree with the response from juju, need blood test results and biopsy to correlate. Another thing to consider. Can you request the Coeliac gene test where you live? - it is not a firm diagnosis, but if you don't have a relevant gene, you can rule it out. Coeliac Victoria and Tasmania Inc. Australia

Answer by Moonablaze for What to do/eat pre-coeliac blood test? And is it worth it?

2012-08-15T01:54:57Z

I was gonna get the test and biposy. read that it was 2-4 servings a day for 4 weeks. I had been mostly gluten free for 3 months after discovering paleo. I did 3 servings my first day. I spent the entire night and most of the next day on the bathroom floor writhing in pain. I decided that was proof enough for me. 23andme DNA test later came back with 4/5 celiac genes present.

TL;DR: elimination chalenge may be enough/reintroduction may not be worth it.