2 Genes for Gluten Sensitivity

by Meredith
(Marlton, NJ)

I will try to keep this as short as possible. For the last year and a half, I have been dealing with multiple vitamin deficiencies, including Vitamin D, magnesium, iron and probably others.


My iron has not gone up despite taking iron pills for a year. That was when I knew I was in trouble. Both my boys have had symptoms that were alleviated by a gluten free diet so I knew that they were either gluten intolerant or had celiac. Both of their blood tests were negative but I didn't have them get the endoscopy. Back to me, I have never had any problems with my stomach or anything else for that matter so I never suspected it until my iron didn't go up.

I also knew that my kids got it from me or their father. So, I got the blood test and it was negative but my genetic test showed that I have 2 genes for gluten sensitivity but not celiac. This is my question. Can you have malabsorption from gluten sensitivity? I thought that your villi was only damaged if you had celiac. If that is not the case, what is the difference between celiac and gluten intolerance?

Comments for 2 Genes for Gluten Sensitivity

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You're making it too complex
by: Kerri Knox, RN- The Immune Queen!

Hi Meredith,

You are making this FAR FAR too complex. Gluten Sensitivity is when you improve by going off of gluten but you can't be diagnosed with Celiac Disease. That is IT. End of story.

So, why don't you go off of gluten and see if your iron level goes up. If it does, problem solved and you can say that you have Non Celiac Gluten Sensitivity, end of story. Done. Problem solved.


Kerri Knox, RN
PS: Get the Real Food Summit to get you on the path to eating the RIGHT way for good health. End the confusion about what to eat today!
Started Gluten Free Diet
by: Meredith

Kerri,

I have already started to go gluten free about a month ago. I know it takes time. I'm just trying to understand how this all works. I had an endoscopy which shows no intestinal damage yet I'm still not absorbing. I know that you still don't absorb if you have gluten intolerance. I'm just wondering if you know how that is possible if there is no damage to the villi.
They are not telling you everything
by: Kerri Knox, RN- The Immune Queen!

Hi Meredith,

Just because you don't have enough intestinal damage in order to be diagnosed with Celiac Disease does NOT mean that you don't have Villous Atrophy. I'm betting that your report does NOT say 'No Villous Damage', but something along the lines of 'Intestinal Mucosa Within Normal Limits' or something that has to do with 'normal' or 'within normal limits'.

What is 'within normal limits'? Please read my page on Diagnosing Gluten Sensitivity and I outline cases where they explain what 'normal' means and it does NOT in any way mean 'No Villous Damage'.

It's also possible that you have H Pylori Bacteria, severe candida or other bugs in your gut that is leading to malabsorption of nutrients.

But unfortunately, the reason that I have people go on a gluten free diet instead of getting 'diagnosed' is exactly because of cases like yours. You went through minor SURGERY (yes, endoscopy is a minor surgery) in order to find out exactly the same thing that you could have found out by going on a gluten free diet.

Gluten sensitivity vs Celiac Disease is not an entirely different process, it's just a matter of degree...


Kerri Knox, RN
Very Good Discussion of it
by: Kerri Knox, RN- The Immune Queen!

I just came across a VERY good study that addresses your question here: Subclinical Celiac Disease and Gluten Sensitivity.


Kerri Knox, RN
PS: Get the Real Food Summit to get you on the path to eating for health. End the confusion about what to eat today!

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