Wheat allergy/coeliac query

[hennipenni]

Which take away is better? Chinese or indian? Not a trick question but would like to treat ourselves to a take away, however DD looks most definatly like she has wheat/gluten allergy and just wondered. ( possibly has coaliacs- even our dentist agrees-just need to talk to GP AGAIN about testing!)

Hi Hennipenni

To answer your question Indian is definitely better. Most chinese food contains soy sauce (which contains wheat) and even if you manage to choose something without soy sauce IMO there is too big a risk with cross contamination. For cooking at home you can buy Tamari in the free from sections in supermarkets - just check it says gluten free. Most Indian restaurants should be OK for curries/plain rice but you still need to ask them. Poppadums should be gluten free but they are often fried in the same oil as puris etc. which would mean they are not gluten free.

However, this is all a bit academic if your DD has not been tested for coeliac disease. In order for blood tests (and subsequent endoscopy) to show signs of Coeliac your DD must be still consuming gluten. I know many GPs seem reluctant to test for CD - too many of them still think it is a rare condition - it's not. There is a test available now which you can do for yourself - can't remember the name - just google. I think it costs about £20 - but well worth it - if it is positive you can go to your GP with good ammunition. Or go back to GP and insist on test - but keep her on the gluten until this is done or she could well have a false negative result. Do any family members have it? Or any other auto immune conditions. Having Coeliac Disease is not that bad in the great scheme of things - but left undiagnosed - especially in a growing child can lead to long term complications.

Oh and it might be too late but if you can get hold of yesterdays Times there was a supplement in it about Coeliac Disease. It was very good.

Sorry, a bit long - it's a subject I could bore for Britain on.

Good luck

Thanks for the reply chopchop, curry it will be!

Re the testing thing, I am aware that DD will need to be consuming gluten/wheat before testing but as she has been pain/symptom free for the first time (for approx a month) since all the problems arose last April I am reluctant to put her through unnecesary (sp) pain until I have to.

Very intereste in the test tho' will google later, ta