Hives and Time of Year?

[pnwmom]

53. Something to keep in mind . . .

keep eating wheat and other foods that contain gluten while you wait. Otherwise the tests won't be valid.

Also, the most-recommended blood test only tests for Celiac disease, which causes a specific kind of damage to the upper intestine. The older tests for anti-gliadin antibodies will also pick up other forms of gluten sensitivity. You should ask for the "full panel," not just the Celiac-specific test. I was positive on 2 of the three tests, so my doctor told me to try the diet anyway -- and a few days later I was so much better, and the bleeding I'd been having for months disappeared completely.

Also, if you have a positive Celiac test, some doctors want to confirm it with an endoscopic biopsy. A positive biopsy will certainly confirm it. But a negative biopsy from the upper intestine doesn't rule out other gluten sensitivity problems -- like damage to the lower intestine, which is what I had. Unfortunately, there is no simple test for that. Sometimes the only way to find out is to go on the diet -- scrupulously -- and see what happens.

It's a good sign that your doctor mentioned this. He's probably very aware and will give you good advice.