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Blood work is a scary thing. I'm not sure why they call it 'routine' because it rarely feels like a normal part of my day. December 2017 I was given a requisition for routine blood work and nervous as I was, I never imagined the results I would get. Fast forward 3 weeks and I got a phone call that made me laugh out loud and drop my jaw all at once.
"Hi, I'm looking to speak with Hope? This is your doctor's office calling."
"Hi! This is she."
"I just have to let you know that we got your blood work results back. The normal levels in your blood should be 16 or below. Anything higher than that is considered a sign of Celiac Disease."
...long pause, then she scoffs/laughs/I can tell she's smirking through her words.
"Your levels are over 300."
*insert jaw drop and laugh out loud*
Celiac? Me? No way. Carbs are my FAVOURITE food group.
That was January 5, 2018. 7 months later, on July 3, I finally met with a Celiac specialist who gave me an endoscopy appointment for the next week. And there you have it. 7 months and 3 appointments later, I finally had a confirmed diagnosis.
I wish that was the end of the story, trust me, I really do. Unfortunately Celiac doesn't go away once the words are verbalized. Oh, if only it were that easy. Rather, the diagnosis is just the tip of the iceberg. Once you finally understand what's been making you sick for so many years, it's then that the real work begins. As I'm writing this I have officially been gluten free for 6 months and I wish I could say I notice a miraculous difference. While I DO feel incredibly better, I haven't yet achieved the results I was hoping.
There's no "quick fix" for Celiac Disease (at least not yet), instead it's a life-long commitment to a strict gluten free lifestyle. Ever read the ingredients in your makeup or toothpaste? Yeah, me neither. Until now. Celiac forces you to examine everything before it comes in contact with you. Lots of reading, research, and proactivity is involved to ensure you're not out of commision for a day or two.
There are LOTS of great infographics on Google and Pinterest about the symptoms and effects of Celiac Disease. If you've felt ill, experience abnormal joint pain, or a loss of enamel (lots of cavities!), I urge you to talk to your doctor and consider having blood work done. In the least you'll find out that you're in great health! I'm not a doctor and can't speak to anything other than what I've personally experienced, but I was so unsuspecting.. I wish I had thought to be tested sooner!