When we were searching for answers
for the cause of Sarah’s anemia in 2003, she had the antibody blood tests done
for Celiac twice which were negative. The endoscopy report did not indicate Celiac
either, so we presumed and hoped that would never be an issue. But at her appointment with Dr. Poley 2 years
ago, after she mentioned her experience of fatigue and headaches after eating
wheat, he ordered a genetic test to rule out Celiac; he thought that a HLA-DNA
test would improve diagnostic accuracy. A cheek swab specimen was sent to Kimball
Genetic Lab in Colorado. http://www.kimballgenetics.com/about.html
. The results were positive for one of
the markers for Celiac disease. (DQA1- O5 allele) Dr. Poley also ordered a Vitamin D
level. The result was low at 17, which
can be associated with Celiac disease. So in addition to following a restricted
sugar diet, Sarah now follows a gluten-free one as well. Since I have been eating a gluten-free diet
for a number of years, it made the transition of finding the right foods a
little easier.
Due to the results of Sarah’s tests, I decided
to have the genetic test done and the results showed the same markers that she
has. Her brother, who started having problems with gluten, also has the
same marker.
Dr. Poley has noted from patients
when he was in practice and also from many research articles that Celiac
disease is one of the most under-diagnosed disorders in this country. There can
be false negatives with the antibody blood tests. Sometimes it can be missed by an endoscopy or
even by a biopsy.
I recently heard about an
experience from someone who has been corresponding with me about her daughter
who was recently diagnosed with ulcerative colitis. Her daughter was improving with the sucrose-restricted
diet and probiotics but when she started following a gluten-free diet, she
improved even more. They are currently awaiting further test results.
If the sucrose-restricted diet and
probiotics are helping you, but not totally restoring your health, you might
want to try a gluten-free diet as well and talk to your doctor about further
testing for Celiac disease.
The following is a list of symptoms
of Celiac Disease that might be of interest to you:
-Bloating, cramps, altered bowel habits,
indigestion, or persistent gastro-esophageal reflux.
-Abdominal pain (can be a very
prominent symptom)
-Fatigue
-Iron deficiency anemia
-Mouth ulcers
-Abnormal liver enzymes
-Autoimmune Thyroid disease
-Loss of hair (alopecia)
-Dry eyes and mouth
-Diabetes Type 1
-Gynecological problems (problems
with periods or infertility or miscarriages)
-Neurological problems
---headaches, difficulty concentrating, poor school work,
behavioral disorder, difficulty
with balance, depression, or forgetfulness
-Osteopenia or Osteoporosis
-Discolored enamel defects
I’ll add a recipe below
for gluten-free oatmeal bread or muffins.
Enjoy!
May you be blessed with good health!
Martha
Oatmeal Banana Bread or Muffins
1 ½ cup oats and 1 cup milk (soak
together while mixing the rest)
Mix together the following dry
ingredients.
1 ½ cup oat flour
½ tsp cinnamon
¼ tsp nutmeg½ tsp salt
2 tsp powder
1 tsp baking soda
¼ tsp xanthum gum
Mix together the following wet
ingredients and then mix with wet ingredients and also soaked oats.
1/8 to ¼ cup honey
1/3 cup oil
1 egg
2 mashed bananas or use 1 cup applesauce
Chopped nuts and coconut and
raisins may be added if desired.
Pour in loaf pan (bake for 1 hour)
or muffin pan (bake for 25 minutes) at 350 degrees.
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