Have you just gotten the frightening diagnosis?
Has your doctor told you that you have celiac sprue or gluten intolerance or dermatitis herpetiformis (DH)?
Believe it or not, your new diagonsis has a good side to balance the bad news. You are probably feeling shocked, hurt, frightened, confused, unlucky and lonely... especially lonely. But you are not alone.
You are not alone
Go to a support meeting in your area. Other people have already gone through this. They have wisdom and advice they are happy to share. They will help you cope. You can find not only answers, but also encouragement.
What do all the diagnostic tests mean?
Until very recently, the medical community was largely uninformed about celiac disease and gluten intolerance. Even today, there is much ignorance. Go to a support meeting and consult with the real experts.
Available celiac diagnostic tests
- Blood - very easy and highly reliable
- Stool - very easy and highly reliable
- Endoscopy - invasive and less reliable
- Genetic/DNA - very easy, but inconclusive
- Elimination diet - free, but difficult. Highly reliable.
Help! What can I eat?
There is so much you can eat. Unprocessed, whole foods are easy to identify, but less convenient to prepare. Meats, fruits, vegetables are all fine.
Thanks to new labeling laws that are phasing in and take full effect in 2006, it is getting easier and easier to identify gluten-free foods. On the "Links" section of this site you can find links to food lists.
How do I explain gluten intolerance to my family and friends?
Explain that you have a serious food allergy. Unlike a severe peanut allergy, your body's reaction is slower and more insidious. Instead of anaphylaxis (severe itching/swelling/trouble breathing) your body launches an immune attack on your internal organs.
Instead of lasting only 15 minutes, gluten triggers an attack in your body that can last days or weeks. In addition to typical, unpleasant symptoms of discomfort and fatigue, gluten consumption will weaken your organs and metabolic performance. Compromise to your immune function will make you more susceptible to illness.
How to get tested for Celiac Disease?
Do you suspect you have gluten intolerance? Do you want to know how to get tested?
The best advice is to share your concerns and symptoms with your doctor and ask to be tested. You should be tested BEFORE starting a gluten-free diet because once you start a GF diet, test results may not be reliable. If your doctor refuses to test you, find a doctor that will.
In a perfect world everyone has affordable health treatment. If you or someone you know is worried about the cost of getting tested for celiac disease, you can visit Meridian Valley Lab in Kent, WA. Their tTG Gluten Sensitivity Test costs $139 and you don't need a doctor's referral to take it.
Also www.enterolab.com has mail-order stool and gene tests that are quite compelling.
Stephen Wangen N.D in Bothell www.foodallergysolutions.com can run a battery of tests and help you interpret them and manage your healthcare and diet.
Celiac disease is often accompanied by other complications. It is strongly advised that a trained healthcare provider help you manage diagnosis and treatment. The quickest way to good health is by collecting the advice of professional healthcare advisors to help inform your decisions.