After seven years on a strict gluten-free diet, yesterday afternoon I sat down with a gastroenterologist to begin the process of determining whether, in fact, I have celiac disease. This means that for the next 12 weeks I’ll undertake a gluten challenge in preparation for a small inteAfter seven years on a strict gluten-free diet, yesterday afternoon I met a gastroenterologist to begin the process of determining whether, in fact, I have celiac disease. This means that for the next 12 weeks I’ll undertake a gluten challenge in preparation for a small intestine endoscopy and biopsy in July to look for damage indicative of the disease.

Since I don’t have trouble tolerating the diet and I’ve had good results from it, people would be justified in asking, “Why bother?” Even the gastroenterologist, without arguing for or against this procedure, wanted to know my answer to that question. It’s important to know and here are my reasons.stine endoscopy and biopsy in July to look for damage indicative of the disease.

Since I don’t have trouble tolerating the diet and I’ve had good results from it, people would be justified in asking, “Why bother?” Even the gastroenterologist, without arguing for or against this procedure, wanted to know my answer to that question. It’s important to know and here are my reasons.