Question and Answers - Page 10

Q. Dear Roberta,

I actually have two questions.
1. Where can I find a dietitian that specializes in celiac disease in Pennsylvania?
2. My cousin has hypoparathyroid disease, does that coincide with celiac disease? All his family members have celiac disease.

A. Actually I work in Harrisburg PA and take referrals from area physicians to provide nutrition education on a gluten free diet for celiac disease. I will email you individually and hopefully will be able to either arrange for a consult to me or to someone else who is in your geographic area who specializes in nutrition for celiac disease.

To answer your second question, there is a correlation between thyroid disease and celiac disease, but not all people with celiac have thyroid problems and vice versa.

Roberta

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Q. Dear Roberta,

Hope you don't mind me emailing you - I live in the UK. Just been told have celiac disease and I am due to take a short holiday in Chicago.

Do you know whether I am able to obtain a list of restaurants etc or should I just let them know when I make a reservation and hope for the best?

I have a second question - noticed that a comment was made regarding makeup - should I be checking that this is gluten free too?

Many thanks - hope you can advise.

A. If you like Italian food there is a great restaurant in the Chicago area I would highly recommend. It is Da Luciano. The address is 8343 W. Grand Avenue, River Grove IL 60171 and the phone number is 708-453-1000. They have a web site also and it is www.dalucianos.com

I had some wonderful gluten free eggplant parmisiano with pasta there along with gluten free cream puffs for dessert!

Here's an article written by 2 Chicago radio personalities with celiac disease that should help you as well.

http://wgnradio.com/index.php?ption=com_content&task=view&id=3103&Itemid=249

As far as makeup is concerned, you probably want to check anything that might be ingested (ie lip balm or lipstick). The gluten molecule is too large to be absorbed through your skin so the only problem from a skin cream or lotion that contained gluten might be if it accidentally got on your mouth.

Roberta

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Q. Dear Roberta,

I live in the UK and have just tested positive for Coeliac on blood tests.

I have now been told I need to have a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis, and that I need to eat gluten until it has been done.

Why do I need to have a biopsy if my blood results are positive? And if it is because my positive reading could actually have been caused by other conditions than Coeliac, what are these?

Also, the waiting list for biopsies is pretty long over here (God bless the NHS). If I continue eating gluten for another six months or so, won't this cause a lot more damage? I am 31 and already underweight (BMI 17.3)

Thanks for your help!

A. The biopsy is considered the "gold standard" for diagnosis as there is a slight chance that the blood tests are not conclusive.

If you are willing to go on a gluten free diet for the rest of your life even though there is a chance you do not have celiac disease, that's your decision if you decide not to have a biopsy.

However, because staying on the diet is extremely difficult some people choose not to do this. Also, I believe that in the UK your purchases of gluten free foods are covered if you have a diagnosis of celiac disease? (I may be wrong on this). If that is the case, you might want to check to see what they require to verify that you do have the diagnosis.

Yes, if you do have celiac disease continuing to eat gluten will cause intestinal damage.

Roberta

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Q. Dear Roberta,

I am the Wellness nurse at a Retirement village. I have a resident who has been recently diagnosed with Wheat allergy and am looking for helpful information to give his wife.

If you can direct me to anything that I can print out and hand to them I would appreciate it very much.

Thank you

A. A person with a wheat allergy can follow a gluten free diet with the addition of rye, oats, and barley.
In the US the food labeling law states that all products manufactured and sold here that contain wheat must say so on the label.

My advice would be to avoid anything that is not labeled and try a gluten free diet with the above additions if desired.

I am attaching a quick start guide to the gluten free diet.

Roberta

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Q. Dear Roberta,

I have been a celiac for just over a year. I have been very careful about not eating any gluten, yet my blood test shows a reading of 49, whereas

it should be 0-15. I also have a liver disease PBC, any ideas?

Many thanks

A. If more than one blood test has indicated that you are producing the antibodies that are indicative of celiac disease you may not be totally eliminating gluten from your diet. Are you avoiding all wheat, barley, rye and possibly contaminated oats?

Make sure you are not eating anything with wheat starch or "food starch" in it as well as these can contain gluten.

Roberta

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Q. Dear Roberta,

I read all of the questions and comments from your readers and wish to make a comment. My husband has been afflicted with diverticulitis along with re-occurring pain in the lower right colon which I question may be Celiac Disease.

I have over the last few years mastered recipes for carrot-pineapple muffins, lemon muffins, blueberry muffins, gingersnap cookies, chocolate cookies, pancakes with molasses and chopped walnuts, roast beef with veggies, general chicken, etc. These recipes are made corn-free, milk-free and wheat-free.

We have incorporated the Blood Type Diet by Dr. d Adamo in which food choices are broken down by blood type as some people are naturally more acidic than others.

If you are Type 'O' blood and you eat corn then bloating is going to be a side effect. I noticed that many of the readers have common problems of weight loss difficulties.

I, myself, was born with a poor constitution. Through the last few years and much study I now have a decent handle on fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue and numerous other medical issues that modern medicine would be more than happy to subscribe a ton of pills for.

Have you ever investigated the BTD? It is a real lifesaver. www.dadamo.com is the site you may want to check out.

Thank you.

A. Thank you for your interest in our website. I do not believe there has been any evidence based research that supports the claims made by the Blood Type Diet. As far as I know it is not harmful to follow, so I would just caution people to check with their physician before starting such a regimen.

The gluten free diet not only eliminates wheat but also most oats, barley, and rye, so it is important for people to remember that wheat free recipes may not also be gluten free.

Roberta

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