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Coeliac - Sourdough

17 replies

PoesieAndPeaches · 04/08/2026 13:48

I finally worked out myself in March (after 18 months, 2 GP appointments and 1 dermatology appointment) that my intensely itchy skin was actually a condition called Dermatitis Herpetiformis. Which means I am Coeliac.

I am 100% better now since altering my diet to GF, mostly at the moment lactose-free, low iodine and no oats.

A few people have suggested that I might be able to eat sourdough. Can anyone advise on this? Do you eat it if you are Coeliac?

Thank you!

OP posts:
Mammut · 04/08/2026 13:54

Normal sour dough contains gluten as it’s made with wheat flour.

Monstershark · 04/08/2026 13:55

Don't eat normal sourdough it's got gluten in it. You can get gluten free sourdough .
edit to say I am coeliac and I don't listen to other people's often very wrong ideas about what is safe to eat . For example , I've been told to scrape the batter off deep fried items! No thanks I don't want to be vomiting 6 hours later

PoesieAndPeaches · 04/08/2026 13:56

Thank you!

OP posts:
RampantIvy · 04/08/2026 13:56

If it is made with GF flour you can, but if it is made with normal flour then it contains gluten.

RecyclingSal · 04/08/2026 13:58

Hi OP, have you had a blood test to check you are DEFINITELY coeliac, and not just gluten intolerant? My DC are coeliac; one diagnosed by blood test (TTGA levels >45) and the other via OGD.

PoesieAndPeaches · 04/08/2026 15:25

RecyclingSal · 04/08/2026 13:58

Hi OP, have you had a blood test to check you are DEFINITELY coeliac, and not just gluten intolerant? My DC are coeliac; one diagnosed by blood test (TTGA levels >45) and the other via OGD.

No, it is not necessary and would be negative now, anyway.

I told my Derm that I know that to get a positive result, I would need to eat gluten again and I absolutely will not do it. I was very unwell before discovering it was DH; my skin was incredibly sore and painful for 18 months. It was Hell. If you have DH, you are Coeliac.

The evidence and the link is clear and Derm and GP all agreed with this.

OP posts:
hahabahbag · 04/08/2026 15:31

Without the test you could be gluten intolerant or other conditions. I can tolerate sourdough and the more expensive wholewheat but not cheap commercial bread, it’s the Chorleywood baking process apparently and common. Cutting gluten if you don’t need to means you are eating more processed foods and that may not be what your problem was

PoesieAndPeaches · 04/08/2026 15:33

hahabahbag · 04/08/2026 15:31

Without the test you could be gluten intolerant or other conditions. I can tolerate sourdough and the more expensive wholewheat but not cheap commercial bread, it’s the Chorleywood baking process apparently and common. Cutting gluten if you don’t need to means you are eating more processed foods and that may not be what your problem was

My diet since March is actually far healthier than it was before. I have had to look at a lot of different food items that I didn't previously.

OP posts:
NeverDropYourMooncup · 04/08/2026 15:35

That gives you a handy list of people to categorise as 'Fucking Idiots', then.

It'll be useful when dealing with people on the internet as well.

Ohwhatfuckeryitistoride · 04/08/2026 16:51

hahabahbag · 04/08/2026 15:31

Without the test you could be gluten intolerant or other conditions. I can tolerate sourdough and the more expensive wholewheat but not cheap commercial bread, it’s the Chorleywood baking process apparently and common. Cutting gluten if you don’t need to means you are eating more processed foods and that may not be what your problem was

Derailing slightly-has there ever been a study looking at coeliac diagnosis and the increased use of the Chorleywood process?
The more I read about Coeliac disease, the more I am told that even if it doesn't trigger a reaction, it does affect you as its an auto immune disease.

ShetlandishMum · 04/08/2026 16:55

PoesieAndPeaches · 04/08/2026 13:48

I finally worked out myself in March (after 18 months, 2 GP appointments and 1 dermatology appointment) that my intensely itchy skin was actually a condition called Dermatitis Herpetiformis. Which means I am Coeliac.

I am 100% better now since altering my diet to GF, mostly at the moment lactose-free, low iodine and no oats.

A few people have suggested that I might be able to eat sourdough. Can anyone advise on this? Do you eat it if you are Coeliac?

Thank you!

No! You can't eat sordough if you are coeliac.

MabelAnderson · 04/08/2026 16:55

People who know nothing about coeliac disease, and think it’s an intolerance, seem to often suggest this. It may help some people who find modern bread hard to digest, that is nothing at all like having coeliac disease.
No you can’t eat anything containing any level of gluten if you have coeliac. Even if you have no discernible reaction your gut will be damaged.

Redflagsabounded · 04/08/2026 16:58

hahabahbag · 04/08/2026 15:31

Without the test you could be gluten intolerant or other conditions. I can tolerate sourdough and the more expensive wholewheat but not cheap commercial bread, it’s the Chorleywood baking process apparently and common. Cutting gluten if you don’t need to means you are eating more processed foods and that may not be what your problem was

It doesn't mean you have to eat more processed foods?

PoesieAndPeaches · 04/08/2026 16:58

MabelAnderson · 04/08/2026 16:55

People who know nothing about coeliac disease, and think it’s an intolerance, seem to often suggest this. It may help some people who find modern bread hard to digest, that is nothing at all like having coeliac disease.
No you can’t eat anything containing any level of gluten if you have coeliac. Even if you have no discernible reaction your gut will be damaged.

My main, most severe symptom was insane itching (rather than gastro although I had that too, eventually).

I know within half a hour is I have accidentally consumed something gluten-containing because this Hellish itch starts.

It's a learning curve and I am getting there now.

Thank you.

OP posts:
mamakoukla · 04/08/2026 17:01

Hard no; made from wheat flour and contains gluten - unless it specifies that it is gluten free.

Right up there with people who are on a yeast-free diet insisting that sourdough doesn’t use yeast. Typically uses a starter which is a live culture of yeast.

It’s good that you have figured out ways to help yourself to stay healthy

PoesieAndPeaches · 04/08/2026 17:02

Redflagsabounded · 04/08/2026 16:58

It doesn't mean you have to eat more processed foods?

I actually eat far fewer processed foods, now. Loads more fresh fruit and veg and far fewer pies, croissants, chocolate etc..

OP posts:
WeeDote · 04/08/2026 17:11

Some people with gluten intolerance can tolerate normal sourdough, but if you have Coeliacs then you shouldn't even try it as it can still cause you damage even without getting symptoms from it

On a side note, Australia have developed a test for Coeliacs that involves adding a gluten protein to a blood sample in a lab, so we're hopefully not far off testing for it without the need to eat gluten for weeks beforehand

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