Medical
Let me begin by saying this web-site is directed to individuals who have already been diagnosed with
Celiac Disease!  If you are sick but have not been diagnosed, then visit a doctor now!  I truly
understand the frustrations of suffering and not knowing the cause.  I even went the route of self-
diagnosis and this failed.  If you’re not happy with your doctor then switch and see another one.  My
doctor went back to school to become a cardiologist.   So I needed to select a new doctor.  My new
(young genius) doctor,
Dr. Robert Bowen (Mecklenburg Medical Group, Inc.) diagnosed me on my
first visit to him! So please do not play doctor - Please do not give up trying to get at the root cause
of your symptoms -
Make an appointment to see a doctor today...  {click here!}

You can ask your doctor to test for celiac.  He or she will run a series of blood tests that check the
levels of IgA and IgG antigliadin antibodies (AGA), anti-endomysial antibodies (EMA), anti-tissue
transglutaminase antibodies (anti-tTG) as well as your total IgA level.  The results of these tests
may or may not suggest celiac disease.  The gold standard for diagnosis will then be an endoscopy,
where the doctor performs a small intestinal biopsy.  If the biopsy identifies abnormalities
(inflammation and villous atrophy) then the doctor may diagnose you with celiac!

Typical celiac symptoms include: abdomen pain, bloating, diarrhea, gas, nausea, vomiting and weight
loss.  Although these are typical symptoms, celiac can manifest itself with very unusual symptoms or
“atypical”  (e.g., weight gain, constipation) or no symptoms at all (silent celiac or asymptomatic).
Now, for those of you who have been diagnosed with celiac you probably already know from your
doctor that you go on
“The Gluten-Free Diet” {click here!}.  Your doctor will want to rerun the
blood tests after being on the diet for a while to ensure the antibodies are diminishing.  If you are a
celiac that had the typical symptoms then it will be easier for you to tell if you have had an
accidental exposure – you get sick!  Regardless, 100 % strict adherence is required – no gluten not
ever!  Research is underway to determine what amount can be ingested without causing a reaction.  
However, until this is completed,
don’t cheat!  As a celiac, you could have or may develop related
conditions or other complications!  Although, you might be blessed and have no complications at all!  
The important thing is to.....  

Visit your doctor regularly!   Need a Doctor?  
Folic Acid
Iron
Vitamin A
Vitamin D
Vitamin E
Vitamin K
Zinc
intestines and cause malabsorption problems. Some include:

Autoimmune Diseases (such as: type 1 diabetes, thyroiditis, etc.)
Anemia
Hypercalcemia
Lymphoma
Liver Disease
Ostopenia - Osteoporosis

Note: this is not a complete listing of possible complications!
Celiac Disease can cause the following nutrient deficiencies in your body:
Nutrient deficiencies and complications arising from malabsorption need to be managed by your doctor!  
health and any concerns alert your doctor in addition to your routine physicals!

Visit your Doctor and Dietitian regularly!  

Charlotte Area Doctors

Pat Fogarty, Dietitian
Columbia University
New York

10 Step Management Program
www.celiacdiseasecenter.columbia.edu

Nutritional Corner
www.celiacdiseasecenter.columbia.edu
There is no warranty on the information presented in this web-site.  Additionally, no liability is assumed by the webmaster, list owner, or any individual associated
with the Charlotte Celiac Connection Support Group.  All information, recommendations, dietary suggestions and links are provided soley for the purpose of
sharing information.  We do not represent data to be error free. Medical questions should be directed to your personal physician.  No personal endorsements are
implied.  The Charlotte Celiac Connection is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization serving the Charlotte, North Carolina area.
Copyright 2007 The Charlotte Celiac Connection.  All Rights Reserved.
[
site map ]  [ contact us ]
Get connected...
Charlotte, NC
Dr. Peter
Green's Book
~ click on
image above
Dr. Fasano's Book
~ click on image above