Non-coeliac gluten intolerance

[glu]

I've been having stomach issues that have slowly ramped up this past year, and after doing a food diary it seems that eating a lot of gluten seems to be my main trigger. I've done an exclusion diet and have cut out gluten for the last week and it's made a big difference.

The thing is I feel embarrassed to be eating gluten-free when I don't have coeliac (I had a negative coeliac blood test a few months ago when I was eating gluten).

Does anyone else with gluten intolerance relate?

Non coeliac gluten intolerance exists but it's usually not the gluten that's the problem but the sugars in the gluten. It not eating something makes you feel better don't eat it. People don't need to know you are not coeliac

You may still have coeliac disease. It is very hard to diagnose accurately and the blood tests the GP offer are rubbish.

I was very unwell, cut out gluten, had a blood test from GP, it came back negative. Years later my child was diagnosed as coeliac via a more sophisticated blood test only available via hospitals and subsequent biopsy (to confirm the blood test). At his diagnosis, my child's consultant asked about family history, rolled his eyes when I said my GP had told me I wasn't coeliac, and said: "Based on your symptoms and the fact that it's hereditary, you have coeliac disease".

So there you go. Anyway, why be embarrassed?

That said, if you think you may have it, it's worth being strict: once my child was diagnosed, I decontaminated the house of all gluten (to reduce the risk of cross-contamination) and became very strict about my own diet. For the first time in 8 years, I finally feel well again. It has been transformative. (It's hard, though, and a bit shit at times as it can be restrictive.)

My sister is wheat intolerant (not quite the same as gluten intolerant) She doesn't seem to worry about cross contamination eating out but gets a dodgy stomach if she eats a gluten heavy meal like bread/pasta/pizza.

It's none of anyone's business why you avoid gluten. I have IBS and am intolerant to caffeine, gluten, milk, beef, seafood and anything heavily processed or greasy. None of it would seriously harm me if I ate it but would have very bad stomach cramps and feel awful so I avoid it all.

When I eat out I explain my dietary requirements and eat whatever is safe. They don't need to know whether its medical or a choice.

It's totally acceptable to have a gluten free diet out of preference rather than bring coeliac. Both my husband and my sister are gluten free by preference. Why would anyone care?

It's a thing that happens. DS had it between ages 13 and nearly 19, we avoided gluten rigorously. Then in his second term at uni he had a 'fuck it' moment, scoffed an entire bag of frozen Yorkshires and was absolutely fine. And has been since, it just resolved. We don't know everything about allergies and intolerances.

Gluten makes my arthritis flare up so I just avoid it but don’t exclude it. If I go out for a meal I’ll probably have a low gluten option. Most people aren’t interested and if anyone asks I just say I’ve found that there’s a link between eating foods with gluten and joint pain so if I can have something else I will.

Both gluten and dairy give me awful stomach discomfort, so I avoid both and I'm fine without them. Why would you feel embarrassed to give up a type of food that makes you ill? Gluten/wheat intolerance is getting more and more common actually.

I avoid gluten due to my autoimmune condition. I explain I want GF option but not to worry about cross contamination. My niece on the other hand is coeliac and if I order for her, then I’m really specific about that being for coeliac and she’s sensitive to cross contamination.

Yes. Mine started about five years ago. Small things here and there and then I couldn’t eat any without massive stomach problems. For the next few years I couldn’t eat any. But after a while I can eat small amounts. I keep it to twice a week.

Gluten/wheat intolerance definitely. Makes me feel very unwell, full range of digestive problems and aggravates arthritis. So I avoid it. People occasionally ask me about it but that's usually because they've had some digestive problems themselves and are considering GF. It's not a problem. It's your body. Do what you're comfortable with.

This is interesting. I am peri and have had stomach issues last 12 months. I cut out dairy and caffeine and it improved a lot but still had issues.

I have gone low carb and they seem to have resolved so I’m wondering if I cannot handle wheat / gluten as well.

between gluten, dairy and my daughters intolerances that will make eating out fun!