How Do You Know If You Have Celiac Disease?

Diagnosing Celiac Disease can only be done with the help of a medical professional. I, for one, am a big proponent of self-discovery. With the exception of a true medical emergency, when faced with a new health condition, I believe we are best served by doing an in-depth analysis of the situation before consulting a doctor. What has changed in our environment, our lifestyle, our diet…? In my experience, this type of analysis has proven to be very effective, as in most cases I find that something has indeed changed or been introduced – and through trial and error I can usually address the situation on my own.

I was, therefore, very interested to read the below referenced article – and in particular, the following statement: “You should NOT begin the gluten-free diet before a diagnosis is made. Doing so will affect future testing for the disease.” Although much has been learned about this disease, there is much about it that is still a mystery. The list of symptoms is daunting, and the potential complications alarming. So do your analysis, make a detailed list of your symptoms (including when they began) – and visit your doctor! Together you can accurately identify your condition, and make a plan to address your particular situation. Here’s to your health!

“Celiac Disease – Sprue”, published in the New York Times Health Guide: health.nytimes.com/health/guides/disease/celiac-disease-sprue/overview.html?WT.z_gsac=1.