Blue Shorts
Greetings fellow Celiac MTB'r
I had an endoscopy performed in 1995, a biopsy of the "villi" concluded a positive result for the celiac-spru condition.
Yes, there is a current blood test available that unfortunately is only only 90% conclusive.
An endoscopy is the ONLY 100% conclusive procedure available to those that suspect the disease.
The only other option is to go on a total gluten free diet, (a test period) and see if conditions improve.
Celiac-spru is an often mis-understood disease and is usually mis-diagnosed.
Celiac-spru is an intolerance to gluten. Gluten is a protein found in wheat, rye, barley, and oats.
Those that have the disease, and ingest gluten, will find that the protein gluten will deform, retard, and in severe conditions destroy the "villi" in the small intestine. "Villi" are small hair like/finger like projections that cover the lining of the small intestine.
"Villi" are regenerative, and can re-grow with the removal of gluten from the diet.
(gittin' off my medical dissertation soap-box)
Yes, those with "celiac-spru" have this disease for life, as it stands now the only cure for "celiac-spru" is to go on a 100% gluten free diet.
However, through my research there are "levels" of celiac and many different triggers, stress being one, and others.
Therefore different "celiac-spru" patients will have different levels of tolerance/intolerance to gluten.
Here in Memphis in 1995, I helped to establish a "Celiac-Spru" support group, as we share recipes, relay information on gluten free products, continue to research this disease, as well as promote physician understanding and proper diagnosis of those suspected with "celiac".
If anyone with this disease will contact me, I will be happy to share information, and support my fellow "Celiac-Spru" MTB'rs.
Live Long,...Ride Hard
Ol' DirtDawg