The renowned Mayo Clinic in the US is now officially checking IBS sufferers for genetic gluten sensitivity. At last, some official steps being taken to diagnose those who slip through the gluten net. Regrettably, they are only checking for the coeliac genes DQ2 and DQ8 where they should be checking for the other gluten sensitivity genes, especially DQ1 and DQ3, but it is a step in the right direction.
I maintain that if I had been checked for coeliac disease back in my early 20s when I was diagnosed with IBS, I would have tested positive and saved myself years of illness and would not now be sensitive to so many foods. It does make me mad to think of it.
On genetic testing, I came up with both coeliac and non-coeliac genes so was at higher risk of both coeliac disease and NCGS (non-coeliac gluten sensitivity). I imagine that with the gluten sensitivity, I suffered the consequent upregulation of zonulin, which causes a particularly leaky gut, hence the multiple food intolerance, malabsorption and inability to maintain useful nutrient levels, especially of iron, magnesium and calcium.
Hindsight is a wonderful thing, isn’t it?! I am just glad I know about it now and can test every IBS person who crosses my path from now on and prevent that slow but unavoidable march to ever-increasing allergy and intolerance.
See here for more on gluten genetic testing and see a sample report here.