EUREKA!

So the results are in! I have an auto-immune problem called CELIAC DISEASE. It is basically an allergy to gluten.

I have been doing some research on the topic, since I now need to know as much about it as possible, and have learned a few things. First off, this is how it works. When I digest gluten, my body can't process it like other people and it kind of kills the villi inside my small intestine which ae responsible for absorbing nutrients from my food. When these villi aren't working properly, I don't get the vital things I need to stay in good health including vitamin D (which mine is super low) iron (which makes me constatly anemic) and everything it takes to sustain a pregnancy.

I am thrilled to have an answer, and not just that but one answer that covers each and everyone of my ailments. I honestly can't believe that it is such a simple thing. Yes, it is simple, on paper, but it is going to be a lot more difficult than it sounds. Gluten is in so many things that a person wouldn't believe it.

Another thing I have learned is that it is genetic. So for those of you (especially those related to me) who have GI issues, it is a good idea to get tested for it. Evidently, celiac disease can cause chrone's disease, type 1 diabetes, colon cancer in some untreated cases, and many other things.

I am going to have a hard time with switchng my diet over to gluten free, but I know I can. There are many things that I already love that are gluten free such as rice and potatoes. There are of course many foods that I will no longer be able to eat such as most breads, pastas, and many sneaky things like licorice, and many others. A gluten-free diet is very healthy so I'm sure I'll benefit from that, but it will take a LOT of effort. I even have to be careful of many pharmecuticals and cosmetics because a large portion of them contain gluten as binders.

From here I have to g to a Gastroenterologist. They may or may not do a biopsy on my small intestine to 100% confirm the diagnosis. According to the rhuematologist I saw yesterday my bloodwork indicated a highly positive result so it may not even be neccessary for the biopsy. So, we'll see what they say. In the mean time I hav to stick with my regular eating habbits so that if they choose to biopsy, then they have normal results instead of recovoring ones.

I am not always the best at describing things, so here are  few websites that may better explain things.

http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/celiac/

http://www.bing.com/health/article/mayo-117393/Celiac-disease?q=celiac+disease

http://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/celiac-disease/features/learning-to-live-with-celiac-disease

I know that ther will be many things that I am going to miss, especially pie, I love pie. I'm trying hard to look at thi whole thing as a new adventure. I get to try all kinds of new things and learn to find new favorite recipes. Wish me luck!