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In 2001, I was diagnosed with Celiac. I was about to turn 60,
when the onset of angina sent me to a cardiologist. After
determining one of the arteries to my heart was nearly blocked, the
doctor inserted a stent to open the artery and put me on a statin to
lower the cholesterol. In a follow up visit, the doctor noted I
was losing weight and was anemic. She also was puzzled when the
blood test showed my HDL, the good cholesterol was down. I told
her I had an older sister diagnosed several years earlier with
Celiac. After a blood test, the doctor said that is most likely
what was causing my anemia and weight loss. For years my GP would
report after a physical that I had anemia but dismissed it saying I
should just take vitamins and exercise. Like most U.S. doctors,
he was not as familiar with Celiac. The anemia went away and I
gained weight once I got off of wheat.
I believe that if I had tested for Celiac early on in life or if I had asked for the test after my sister was diagnosed I would have perhaps put off my heart problem by changing my diet. That is not to say that my family history of heart disease, on my father’s side was not a factor as well. He died at age 50. My mother lived until age 86. How much of a role did Celiac play in my father’s early death? Both my parents emigrated from Ireland, one of the European countries that have a demonstrated prevalence for Celiac diagnoses. I believe my history makes a case for gluten impacting my digestive system and causing a nutrient deficiency that at the very least brought on the angina sooner. Earlier detection and the adoption of a wheat free diet, I believe would have slowed the progression of heart disease. I am a firm believer that not enough doctors test for Celiac and other allergies before prescribing medicine. I know I helped one person, who for years suffered various maladies until we discussed my disorder. Her life is now substantially improved. I want to help spread the word about testing for Celiac. Therefore I offer my experience to hopefully encourage others who may be suffering from a yet undiagnosed disorder to consider that their body may be sending a message about exposure to gluten or some other chemical. A simple test can perhaps identify the cause of your disorder or at least eliminate a possible cause. |
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