Is it essential that all persons living gluten free be clinically tested for celiac disease? This question has received more attention than any other subject on this blog. It is time for me to share my thoughts.
This question is difficult for me for three reasons: (1) I have already been tested. When I consented to the test, I had no idea what celiac disease was. I suspect that my doctor had heard the term but it really had no real meaning for him. All we knew is that something was terribly wrong in my digestive tract. (2) Even after a decade of gluten free living, I still make mistakes often enough to be confident that the gluten free diet is right for me. (3) I make the majority of my income blogging about the gluten free life style but I have no academic or medical qualifications to do so. I’m afraid that someone may mistake what I have to say for “expert opinion” rather “one celiac’s personal point-of-view”.
After all those disclaimers, here are my thoughts: The gluten free diet is a zero tolerance diet. Our goal is total elimination of gluten from our lives. That distinction is very important. Perhaps this example will help — many people are trying to cut down on calories but understand that totally eliminate calories would be impossible and extremely dangerous.
Published 07/09/09
For some only the proof from being tested will help them stick to the diet. Others may not need that to be able to adhere to the diet. For those that have the “official” dx this means you now have a pre-existing condition-so it effects you as far as insurance or even trying to join the military service. I have the gold standard being that I have positive blood work and the endoscopy showing damage. This does help me stay with the diet because I didn’t have a lot of symptoms so it would be easy for me to cheat! I do hate the fact that I now have something on my medical record that is pre-existing-as long as I have continuous health coverage it shouldn’t be a problem for me.