I'm another one who follows a GF diet. I've been on one for 16 months now. I too had the bloodwork done, twice, and both times it came back strong postives on the IGG and the IGA but negative on the TTg, the one most sensitive for celiac disease. I also had a test for the celiac gene which also came back negative as did the endoscopy. So, I don't think I have celiac.
My first GI doc insisted that I should continue to eat gluten because he said that people can have positive results and that this happens. He believed that my problem was IBS. My second GI doc who received the same blood results told me the complete opposite advice. He told me that I may be Latent Celiac and that I should not be eating gluten! UGH!!! So I was/am very confused as to what I have to do. It would be so great not to have to be on the GF diet. I would love to eat all Heather's breads and I don't know how to adapt them to a GF recipe, although Kandee assures me it's possible.
Anyhow, I bounced all this off of Kandee as well and she believes that I should avoid gluten because two of my tests did come back postive, just as she advised you.
I agree with what Kandee said about gaining weight being on the GF diet. I was very malnourished before going GF. Since going GF, and NOT eating desserts or cookies that are GF safe even, I have gained over 20 pounds on the GF diet. Now while I needed to gain at first, I am worried that it will not stop!!! GF foods tend to be higher in fat because the rice flour needs more fat to bake and taste properly. At least that's what Bette Hageman says (the GF cookbook guru)!
I do like the kinniKinnick bread the best. Kandee is right. I recommend the white type of that brand only though as the brown rice sandwich bread contains whole flax seeds and seeds may cause a problem for you. Whole foods and Wild Oats do not carry this brand (they carry Food for Life GF bread as does Trader Joes and it is much cheaper, but it contains fruit juice concentrate which makes me leery, but Kandee thinks it's still safe). Oh, the white rice brand of Food For Life doesn't contain the juice concentrates. If you want KinniKinnick, which is the best hands down! (the only GF bread that tastes okay when not toasted, Toasting GF bread always makes it better tasting in many people's opinion) you can get it at most special small HFS. I've been to 4 HFS and all of them carry this brand because there is such a high demand for it because it tastes the best. Believe me, I've tried many that tasted like cardboard!
Oh, before I went GF I too was chronic D, going 6 to 7 times a day, popping immodiums, etc. Since going GF, I am battling constipation. Traded one for the other!
If you do decide to eat GF, Wild Oats, Whole Foods, and Trader Joes all have take home guides that lists their GF foods by category. It's easier than reading lists of ingredients, especially in the beginning when you aren't sure if a particular ingredient is gluten. It is goes by many names. For instance, if a product says Natural Flavoring, it could contain gluten You can also do a google search for Brand name GF products that you can buy in a regular grocery store. I know Hellmans mayo is GF, for example.
If your doctor does want to do an endoscopy on you, DO NOT start eating GF until after the endoscopy as this will contaminate the results and may give a false negative. Since you had a negative TTG it sounds like you don't have celiac, but just a gluten intolerance. The endoscopy only confirms Celiac, not gluten intolerance.
Okay, I probably gave you info that you weren't even asking for but please feel free to email me if you want or post again. My email address is in my profile.
I was very confused and frustrated that my test results came back "inconclusive", not all positive and not all negative. It will always keep me wondering if I need to eat GF or if I'm doing all this GF restricting for nothing. Do you feel the same way?
Are you going to eat GF? Do you think you need to because of how your tests came back? I'm anxious to hear your thoughts on this, as your test results were similar to mine, except that mine were both High positive.
-------------------- ~ Beth
Constipation, pain prodominent,cramps, spasms and bloat!
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