Congratulations. Based on your test results you may be Gluten Sensitive.
But what does that actually mean? And what are you supposed to do from here?
You may have a ton of questions and that’s why I created this quick resource for you to wrap your mind around it all. So let’s dive right in.
What is the Difference Between Gluten Sensitivity, Intolerance, and Celiac Disease?
The difference is very big and it may just surprise you. Watch the video below to learn more on this, and to learn more about a TRUE gluten free diets Vs. Traditional gluten free diets…
Celiac Disease is not the same thing as Gluten sensitivity
Contrary to popular belief, celiac disease and gluten sensitivity are not the same thing. Unfortunately, most doctors aren’t up to speed on this very important topic. Standard procedure in a medical office is to test for serum antibodies to gliadin (the gluten found in wheat), and a substance called anti-tissue transglutaminase. These tests have a tendency to yield incorrect results. Additionally, a small bowel biopsy is often recommended. This test has also been shown to be very flawed and leads to incorrect diagnosis. The use of these tests as a standard leads to confusion and can delay a proper diagnosis for years.
To add to an already flawed approach, most people with gluten sensitivity don’t have celiac disease, they have other diseases or symptoms. Therefore, running tests to look for celiac disease also leads to a misdiagnosis. Below is a list of some of the common symptoms and diseases associated with gluten:
- Asthma
- ADD/ADHD
- Autism
- Thyroid disease
- Rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune conditions that cause joint pain
- IBS (irritable bowel syndrome)
- Ulcerative Colitis
- Crohn’s Disease
- Migraine Headache
- Neuropathy
- Vertigo
- Schizophrenia
- Constipation, gas, bloating, and stomach pain
- Psoriasis
- Eczema
- Fatigue
- Hormone imbalance
- Infertility
- unexplained weight loss
- weight gain and obesity
Insist that your Doctor Investigate For Gluten Sensitivity
Because gluten sensitivity is different from celiac disease, you must insist that your doctor investigate more than what has been typical (i.e. celiac serum testing and biopsy). Ask him/her to perform HLA-DQ genotyping of both HLA-DQ a1 and b1 genes.
Ask that they look for all of the markers linked to gluten not just the HLA-DQ2 and DQ8 markers linked to celiac disease. It is important that your doctor knows the difference. Please share this resource with them in hopes that we can educate the world on this very important topic.
More information on gluten sensitivity and celiac disease here…
Know the Difference Between Traditional Gluten Free and TRUE Gluten Free
Once you have confirmed your diagnosis correctly, it is equally imperative to get educated properly. Research studies show that a large percentage of patients following a traditional gluten free diet don’t heal. The average celiac patient on a traditional gluten free diet will go on to develop 7 autoimmune diseases. My point is, following the traditional gluten free diet is not effective for re-establishing good health, where as a TRUE gluten free diet is. The video above explains in depth the differences.
Thankyou so much for all this information! I developed psoriasis a couple years ago… have been trying hard to eat a GF diet but learned a lot of areas I had wrong!! I listen to you often and thank you for helping all of us with gluten problems!!
Yes, I learned from your book that e.g. sorghum in Weetbix ( Australian) is -not – gluten free. so I stopped eating it for breakfast – replaced by a boiled egg etc. and started feeling better. Of course having Hashimoto’s and possibly Sjoegrens and had stomach problems like gastritis & duodenitis, Gerd & stupidly took ppi over 3 yrs now I know better thanks mainly to you. Keep it up – thanks.
I have MS hashimoto’s POTS small fiber neuropathy as well as abdominal spasm from neuropathy. I am an avid exerciser and for the most part eat very well. I had KBMO diagnostics testing which does IGG and complement factors. I came back negative for wheat and gluten but still want to remove gluten . However I was high for cocoa and cane sugar.
What direction do I head in with elimination
Of course, I’m not Dr Osborne, but ever since my mom died from Diabete II related issues, I’ve been on a quest for health. I too have Hashimoto’s. I eliminated wheat & sugar, & boy, did it turn things around for me! Stick to stevia and/or monkfruit (or monkfruit mixed with erithrytol) to help you get off sugar. Eat lots of different veggies & fruits, unless you have to watch out for nightshades. Dr Terry Wahls can teach you about overcoming MS, and Dr Isabella Wentz can teach you about Hashimoto’s if you want to look them up. I still have gas/bloating issues, so I’m going to cut out corn & oat gluten as well to see if it will take care of that. Blessings on your health endeavor!
I went gluten free for about 4 years. Was doing good and now the issues started again B
Hi Dr. Osborne. I have 4 or 5 on the list you have above. I had sample taken of my small bowel on a colonoscopy for gluten sensitivity that came back negative. When I eat bread or pasta I feel off, like my food doesn’t settle, but had gastric bypass so not sure if from that. I have been diagnosed with ibs, but my PA wonders if sibo or leaky gut. Thank you for the information and I am looking forward to your further emails as I would like to go gluten free to see if this helps my gut issues. It’s been a tough year so hadn’t really been paying much attention to my emails, my apology.
With a gastric bypass, you’re going to have to watch your levels of vitamins, minerals, & iron, many of which may be insufficient.
I went to a neurologist 2 months back for long-time headaches. They did labs and did a test to check Allergen Gluten IGG, which came back at a value of 5.8. I was told I have a non-celiac gluten sensitivity. I don’t see any other tests related to gluten, or that you mention in testing for gluten sensitivity. What type doctor do I need to see for further testing?
In the last 6 years, I have been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia, Sjogrens Syndrome, Hashimotos, and recently Migraines. Almost 20 years ago, I was diagnosed with Antiphospholipid Syndrome, IBS, AND GERDs. Am I understanding that if I have a gluten “sensitivity”, it could potentially be the cause of all these autoimmune issues I now suffer from? I am lost because I was told to cut out gluten. I looked online and thought I was doing good, but after your emails and information, there are many more gluten to be aware of even though most resources say they are gluten free (i.e. corn and oats).
If testing has shown that you have a gluten sensitivity, why are you looking to do more testing? just implement the things that Dr Osborne has shared – cutting out all grains – and see how your body responds! (give it some time though!) It might also help to get some of his supplements instead of paying for more testing.
Had gallbladder removed in 2019 and discovered that I also had non-alcoholic chronic pancreatitis. I also have diverticulitis. Trying to read between 2 different sheets of “can haves” and “can’t haves”….very confusing!
I finally learnt what gluten sensitivity is and that it is genetic, and leads to all these auto-immune conditions. Thank you! I have taken away wheat, corn, rye and substututed them with sorghum, buckwheat, teff and rice some years ago. I really like bread, but it seems I have to stop eating these “glutenfree grains as well”. What about nuts, sunflowerseeds and pumkinseeds? I have IBS, vitiligo and alopecia to some degree. It´s kind of a challenge to become healthy! Thank you for all the job you do to reach out with this fantastic information!
I have NP and she eats rice and oats and other grains. I was told all that is safe. Well it’s not! Not for me and since learning the True Gluten Free Diet I Am Feeling better and better! I lived on pain killers for many years and going Gluten Free this way I do not take even a aspirin. You do have the power to take back your Health and feel good in your body. It’s been two years for me and even a little gluten would set me off so I’ve changed my relationship with my food so I don’t slip up.
I was examined and it was confirmed that I have Celiac disease since august 2011. I also have rheumatoid arthritis, scoliosis, spinal stenosis, osteoporosis, compression fractures and recently had laminectomy fusion surgery on my spine with 2 pins and 4 screws put in my lower back.
Celiac is not fun but I do manage very well i believe