Still unsure.....

[badastronaut]

Dear forum members,

I’m still trying to find out whether or not I actually have gluten sensitivity or not. Recent blood test showed a slightly elevated Bilirubine and Lipase but an abdominal ultrasound showed no problems with the liver or pancreas. My zinc and folic acid where both too low. When I eat gluten I get a lot of mucus with my stool and most of the times it’s quite thin. As soon as I take gluten away from my diet my stool becomes normal. I also have been quite anxious and little bit down for quite some time now and it seems to correlate with my gluten intake. The problem is that my colonoscopy showed no damage to my gut and my blood test for celiac always come back negative. Can you be gluten sensitive without damage to your villi? (I believe that’s what is normally seen in celiac disease).

Thanks for helping! I don’t seem to get anywhere with my doctor so I thought I’d give this forum another try.

 

[Scott Adams]

It sounds like you're navigating a challenging and frustrating situation, and it's understandable why you'd seek clarity. Based on what you’ve described, it’s possible to have gluten sensitivity without the hallmark villous atrophy seen in celiac disease. This condition is often referred to as non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS). Unlike celiac disease, NCGS does not cause the autoimmune damage to the small intestine that’s detectable through a biopsy, and it won’t show up on standard celiac blood tests. However, symptoms like gastrointestinal distress, changes in stool, and even mood issues, such as anxiety or feeling down, have been reported by others with gluten sensitivity.

Your experience with mucus in your stool, stool consistency changes, and mood correlation with gluten intake could be indicative of NCGS. The low levels of zinc and folic acid you mentioned might also hint at some malabsorption issues, even if the root cause isn't celiac disease. It’s worth noting that other conditions, like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or a sensitivity to FODMAPs (a group of fermentable sugars in many foods, including wheat), can sometimes mimic gluten sensitivity.

Since your symptoms seem to improve when you avoid gluten, it may be worth continuing a gluten-free diet to see if it helps you feel better overall. You might also consider working with a dietitian who specializes in gastrointestinal health to rule out other potential triggers and ensure your diet is balanced. If you’re still struggling to get answers from your doctor, seeking a second opinion from a gastroenterologist might also help you move forward. You're not alone in this, and I hope you can find some relief and clarity soon!