<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>>
 
Hello listmates -
 
Has anyone ever heard of a D-xylose test?  It was described as an
initial screening test for celiac disease.  I've never heard of it
and am biopsy confirmed celiac.
 
The reason I am asking is because my mom has suffered from life-long
constipation, has a hypo-thyroid, has always been anemic, and for as
long as I can remember has had very little energy.  No on has ever
been able to explain/solve her constipation problems and in the past
year they have become rather severe.  Since I have been reading the
numerous posts to this list from people who had constipation and were
diagnosed celiac, I suggested the idea to my mother.  She visited her
GI doctor yesterday and asked her about celiac disease and told her
about the people from this list that had constipation and were
diagnosed with celiac disease.  The doctor totally ridiculed the idea
and claimed she'd bet one month's salary that the celiac's with
constipation did not get the constipation until AFTER a gluten-free
diet!  My understanding from those of you with constipation was that
it was a symptom BEFORE diagnosis, correct? Anyway, the doctor said
if it would put my mom's mind to rest, she would schedule a D-xylose
test for her.  I have never heard of this test but mom said her GI
said that it was an initial screening test for celiac disease.
 
For those of you with the chronic constipation before diagnosis,
please respond to me privately about whether you had constipation
all your life and what your other symptoms, if any, were.  Also,
how long did it take for you to respond to a gluten free diet?  Has
your constipation completey disappeared once gf?  I had the classic
symptoms of celiac, so I don't know much about the constipation side.
 
By the way, if anyone knows of a good GI familiar with celiac disease
in eastern North Carolina, please let me know his/her name!
 
I look forward to hearing from you!
 
Lynn Pekmezian in Marietta, GA