Jump to content
This site uses cookies. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. More Info... ×
  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.




  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):



    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):


  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

Ontario And Ohip


Flaykee

Recommended Posts

Flaykee Rookie

When I went to my new doctor about being tested for celiac disease, I was informed that OHIP doesn't cover the cost of the celiac panel blood work. I didn't care because as far as I was concerned, it was worth it. I tested positive. It's still worth the $125.00 it cost. ( Several years ago, when I first brought the idea of me having celiac disease up to my doctor, he said no because I wasn't wasting away. So I trusted this "diagnosis" and continued to have health issues until my health deteriorated drastically last year.)

HOWEVER, it got me thinking. Isn't it better for OHIP to cover this cost than to keep covering costs for related medical issues of those who remain undiagnosed? If I add up all the times I went to the doctor for gastrointestinal issues, severe unexplained body/joint pain, depression, general unwellness, body rashes, miscarriages (possibly related to celiac disease) over the years and the operation to remove my gallbladder , not to mention the prescriptions (sometimes paid by insurance companies if you're lucky to have a plan), it must be in the high hundreds if not thousands. And had I not been diagnosed, I would have continued to make medical trips for some of the prementioned and possibly new symptoms!

I believe that Ontario is the only province in Canada that doesn't cover the cost.

Just my rant for the day :rolleyes:


Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):



Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):



sora Community Regular

OHIP will cover the test if you have it done at a hospital blood clinic.

  • 3 weeks later...
whitepine Apprentice

I haven't been tested yet because of the cost of the blood work. I am pretty sure I am gluten intolerant or have celiac so I stopped eatting it completely last April. There are actually quite a few blood tests that OHIP doesn't cover because they take a lot of time and work in the lab. So I think this might be the reason why some aren't covered because if they allowed all of these long blood tests to be free it would likely cause problems in labratories and people would get behind.

It's silly yes, since I think gluten intolerance is more common than we think and the cost stopped me from getting the test, 125 dollars for a blood test or 125 dollars for food.

  • 3 weeks later...
K-Dawg Explorer

As far as I know, the poster who noted the nuance to ohip coverage is correct. My liver specialist shared the same info with me. I did not pay for my blood panel in ontario.

  • 1 month later...
Deaminated Marcus Apprentice

Well said Flaykee, 

 

I saw an idiot doctor back in the fall of 2010 after I felt better after I went gluten free.

She told me not to get tested because it's too expensive.

She could have sent me for a tTG at the hospital.

This year after reading on this forum, I went for the full panel at $125

but tested negative possibly because I was gluten free for so long and my low IgA.

 

I thought of the exact same thing.

OHIP would save a ton of money if they tested kids at say 5 or 6 years old or had the free Celiac panel

rather than having us see all kinds of specialists for a myriad of health problems.

janpell Apprentice

My doctor(s) wouldn't test me for Celiac because I don't have gastrointesintal issues but I had so many other things going on. "Food is not your issue" I believe I was told.  I quit gluten two years ago and my issues have cleared 90-95%. My son was tested at age two and his test was covered by OHIP.

Deaminated Marcus Apprentice

janpell, the gastro doctor I saw about 2 weeks ago said: "you don't fit the profile". :blink:

And the gastro symptoms are just IBS.   :wacko:

He must have gone to the same medical school as your doctor. ^_^


Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):



Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):



  • 1 month later...
MissyBB Explorer

Ugh....I am in Ontario too and was seriously thinking about going and getting tested. I hate our sick care system. Honestly, the province does NOTHING to support preventative medicine. All they do is play catch-up once you are already sick. I am so tired of our crappy health care. And, I agree, it would make more sense to offer the testing for no fee so celiacs can stay healthy, hence, saving the tax payer and the entire system money in the long run. The $125 for the test, if paid by OHIP, could save literally thousands and tens of thousands of dollars later when that celiac gets really sick. Ugh....makes me want to pull my hair out.

MissyBB Explorer

janpell, the gastro doctor I saw about 2 weeks ago said: "you don't fit the profile". :blink:

And the gastro symptoms are just IBS.   :wacko:

He must have gone to the same medical school as your doctor. ^_^

 This is because, contrary to popular belief, medical doctors do not take nutrition training while in school. And if you don't understand nutrition and what is IN foods then you can't possibly have a handle on what happens with regard to that particular food once it enters the body. 

 

"Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food"......wise words! 

Charmainee Newbie

In my opinion, I think it is true that the government wants to keep us sick.  Look around at all of your friends and family who are employed in the medical profession or field: doctors, nurses, labs, psw's, dietary, housekeeping, laundry, etc.  Without sickness, what job would you have?  For us to have jobs, the population must remain sick.  Even I am employed at a Senior's home.  If they had had proper care and support, a lot of them wouldn't be in there.

 

I support Alternative Practitioners, gain of personal knowledge and preventative 'medicine'.  Maybe one day our government will as well.   

kareng Grand Master

Just want to remind everyone that this is not a forum for political debate.

  • 3 months later...
Rucko Apprentice

So Ontarians, to get the test, does your doctor still have to order it?  Just wondering.  I have a brother in Ontario who hasn't been tested and really should.  

  • 2 weeks later...
Curious9 Newbie

Hello, 

For posters in Ontario who has the $125 celiac blood panel done, which tests did it include? 

Thanks!

  • 1 month later...
scrumdidlly Newbie

Hello, 

For posters in Ontario who has the $125 celiac blood panel done, which tests did it include? 

Thanks!

Here's a link to Life Lab's description of their celiac testing http://tests.lifelabs.com/Chemistry/C/CELIAC_DISEASE_TESTING.aspx?s=1

scrumdidlly Newbie

Here's a link to Life Lab's description of their celiac testing http://tests.lifelabs.com/Chemistry/C/CELIAC_DISEASE_TESTING.aspx?s=1

 

I should add that I have no affiliation with them. It's that lab my doctor sends me to (cause it's in her building) so they are the ones I've researched. It could be different at other labs and they don't mention pricing, just that it's not covered.

  • 3 years later...
Bec the Lemon Apprentice

Im shocked to hear it wasnt covered but it honestly explains a lot and Im truly enraged. My doctor watched me drop weight dramatically, she watch me suffer, sent me to the emergancy room more then once because I needed IV fluids or I physically couldnt leave on my own I was so dizzy/weak. And every time I asked her to test me for digestive issues I was brushed off and told it would blow over and I just had anxiety. I lost 30 pounds in less then 2 months (and to begin with I was never overweight, never have been in my entire life) so I didnt really have 30 pounds to lose. It was only on the 4th trip to the emergency room I was finally sent to rapid access (internal medicine) where they finally tested me. It didnt even occur to me that it wasnt covered because I wasnt told because my doctor wouldnt give me the option to consider. I cant believe in Canada of all places we dont cover something so vital. Its shameful. 

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Celiac.com:
    Donate

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):
    Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):





    Celiac.com Sponsors (A17-M):




  • Recent Activity

    1. - cristiana replied to Karen Chakerian's topic in Related Issues & Disorders
      4

      Getting rid of the belly bloat

    2. - badastronaut replied to badastronaut's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      3

      Still unsure.....

    3. - knitty kitty replied to badastronaut's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      3

      Still unsure.....

    4. - James47 posted a topic in Coping with Celiac Disease
      0

      Long term recovery

    5. - trents replied to TexasCeliacNewbie's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      1

      Just got Celiac blood test results back and they seem crazy high!


  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):



  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      127,561
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748

    Ken Masters
    Newest Member
    Ken Masters
    Joined

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):


  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121k
    • Total Posts
      70.3k

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):





  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):



  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • cristiana
      Karen, welcome to the forum. Another thing to add:  Belly bloat can persist if you are lactose intolerant, a situation caused by coeliac disease or it can simply be a stand alone condition.  In the case of coeliac disease, it could be your damaged gut cannot break down lactose efficiently but, in time, once the gut heals, your lactose intolerance and bloating should improve.  You might also find it helpful to stay clear of certain high fibre foods for a while, perhaps keeping a food diary to see if any are causing you to bloat a lot or give you stomach pain.  Lentils and soya were an issue for me in the short term, while I was recovering.  Also, are you taking iron - that can really hurt your belly and in my case it added to the bloating. The other point I wanted to make is has your doctor looked into any other reasons for your belly bloat.? There are a number of other gastric conditions that can result in a bloated belly.  A blood test and an ultrasound to check for possible gynaecological issues could also be something to speak to your GP about. It took me a few months for my bloating to subside, but the journey which involved a few tests along the way to ensure nothing else was was worth it.   Cristiana
    • badastronaut
      Thanks very much for the in depth reply!!! I'll discuss it with my doctor next week!
    • knitty kitty
      Hello, @badastronaut, I reread your last post on your previous thread... "Had some new bloodworks and an echo done because I still have problems with my stomach. According to my latest bloodworks I'm still negative for celiac and still low on zinc (even after supplementing it for quite a long time), I'm low on folic acid now too and my bilirubin is quite high (2,5 and 0,6). My ALT is also slightly elevated. I have been doing a gluten free diet quite strict although I did eat some gluten in the previous weeks.  "Could my blood result be this way because of gluten sensitivity and me being not strict enough? My echo showed no problems with my liver or pancreas. My bile ducts were fine too (although I don't have a gallbladder anymore).  "What to do??? Could this be gluten related?"   Your bilirubin is high.  The liver breaks down bilirubin.  The liver needs Thiamine to break down bilirubin.  Without sufficient Thiamine, bilirubin is not broken down and escapes into the bloodstream. High levels of bilirubin suppress the immune system.  High levels of bilirubin suppress the production of white blood cells, including anti-gluten antibodies.  The suppression of your immune system by high bilirubin could be the explanation for false negative Celiac antibody testing.  Thiamine is needed for antibody production.  Thiamine deficiency can cause false negatives on Celiac antibody tests.  If you are not making a lot of antibodies, you won't have much damage to the small intestine.   Your ALT is high.  The liver produces ALT.  When the liver does not have sufficient Thiamine, the liver produces more ALT that escapes into the bloodstream.  Elevated ALT is seen in thiamine deficiency. Your Lipase is high.  Lipase is produced in the liver and pancreas.  More Lipase is released by both in thiamine deficiency. Your gallbladder has been removed.  Gallbladder dysfunction is common in thiamine deficiency. Your Zinc is low.  Zinc absorption is enhanced when Thiamine is present.  Zinc is not absorbed well in thiamine deficiency. Your Folate is low.  Celiac Disease causes malabsorption of all the essential nutrients we need for health, the eight B vitamins, including Thiamine, the four fat soluble vitamin, Vitamin C and minerals like Zinc and Magnesium.  Thiamine stores can be depleted in as little as three weeks or even as quickly as three days.  Thiamine deficiency symptoms can wax and wane depending on how much thiamine is consumed that day.   If a high carbohydrate is eaten regularly, additional Thiamine is needed (500 mg per 1000 calories). Anxiety and depression are symptoms of thiamine insufficiency.  The brain just thinking  uses as much thiamine as muscles do when running a marathon.   I have had thiamine deficiency symptoms like you are experiencing.  My doctors did not recognize the symptoms of thiamine deficiency.  They just prescribed pharmaceuticals to cover up the symptoms which only made things worse.  I had a lot of nutritional deficiencies.  I ended up getting a DNA test to check for known genes for Celiac.  I have two Celiac genes.   Have you had a DNA test for Celiac genes?   I took Benfotiamine, a form of thiamine that promotes intestinal healing, and a B Complex to correct my deficiencies.   High doses of thiamine need to be taken to correct deficiency.  Talk to your doctor about administering thiamine intravenously.  Thiamine is safe and nontoxic even in high doses.  Thiamine is easily excreted in urine if not needed.  Improvement of symptoms should be seen within a few hours to a few days.  No harm in trying.  Process of elimination, etc.   Talk to your doctor and nutritionist.  Testing for nutritional deficiencies should be done before taking vitamin supplements, otherwise the vitamin supplements already taken will be measured.   I hope this helps you on your journey. References: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8451766/ https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6662249/#:~:text=CONCLUSION%3A,in men than in women. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24923275/ https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6040496/ https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3772304/#:~:text=Based on the patient's history,were also no longer present. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10682628/#:~:text=Benfotiamine (Fig.,]%2C [62]].  
    • James47
      Hey everyone I hope all are well and having a good 2025 so far. I am 50 this year and I only got diagnosed with celiac in June 2023. I have followed my diet to the letter since and they said after so many years undiagnosed it would take a long time to recover. Although I feel I have lot more energy and health and wellbeing is a lot better I still have severe gluten belly even though I work out daily and have a physical job. Any advice or info of anything else I can do would be greatly appreciated 👍 👍 
    • trents
      Welcome to the forum, @TexasCeliacNewbie! The test results you posted strongly point to celiac disease. It is likely that your physician will want to perform an endoscopy with biopsy of the small bowel lining to confirm the results of the celiac antibody bloodwork results you just posted. It is important that you not cut back on gluten consumption until the endoscopy/biopsy is complete, assuming, that is, one is forthcoming.  Can you post the actual reference ranges used by the lab for the tests to determine positive/negative/normal/high/low? Scales used by these labs are different from one place to the other so the raw numbers don't mean much without the scale used by the lab. There aren't industry standards for this. By the way, you probably won't be able to edit the original post so please post the extra info in new post. May we ask about the cancer you mentioned? There are some things that can elevate the antibody test scores, at least mildly, besides celiac disease.
×
×
  • Create New...