It’s official official today. I have celiac disease.

Here’s my journey to diagnosis in a nut shell. It started off slow and just cascaded starting this past summer:

• Moved to a new state ~4.5 years ago and instantly got a weird rash (which has only gotten increasingly miserable). Assumed a local allergy.
• Didn’t test positive for any local allergens and none of the 4 doctors I saw recognized DH. In particular, the dermatologist literally left me in a puddle of tears. He was so rude about my dermatillomania.
• About a year ago, I stumbled upon Dermatitis Herpetiformis (DH) on Google and got suspicious.
• Ignorantly decided to go GF to test my theory (don’t, for the love of God, do this before you get tested). 80-90% of the rash cleared in about 6-8 months.
• While waiting for a new doctor’s appointment over the summer, I got like 12+ cavities filled and discovered an enamel pit on one of my front teeth. (I’ve never had a cavity before and I’m 28.)
• General annual blood work shows deficiency in vitamin D + elevated ALT and AST liver enzyme levels.
• Finally got an appointment with a new dermatologist, who agreed it was probably DH. First biopsy was inconclusive.
• Started my 6 week gluten challenge and obtained a ton of fun new symptoms, like severe head ache, stomach ache, bloating, gas. Plus my DH surged again, with a vengence. Absolutely **fucking miserable** time.
• Celiac blood panel shows ttg IgA and Deamidated Gliadin IgA both >250 u/ml (normal range is 0-3 u/ml).
• Two new skin biopsies come back positive/consistent with DH.
• Additional blood work shows iron deficiency.
• DEXA bone density scan (still don’t have those results).
• Gastroenterologist said my endoscopy results showed extreme damage to the small intestine. Villi are basically completely flat.

So here I am. Systematically going through my kitchen to get rid of gluten-y things. I’m so excited to have an answer and to FINALLY feel better over the next few years!! 🎉

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