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What Is Refractory Celiac Disease?

Refractory Celiac Disease is defined as one whose symptoms do not improve, even while on a Gluten Free diet. In order to be properly diagnosed as someone who has Refractory Celiac Disease, many questions must be answered:
  1. We must make sure that there is no other cause for this problem. There are many conditions that may mimic Refractory Celiac Disease.
  2. We must make sure that one is truly Gluten Free. Gluten is hidden in the most unlikely of places, including medication, envelopes, body wash, and make up, to name a few. If you eat out a lot, you run a risk of cross-contamination. 
If all of these theories have been debunked, then the only was to measure whether or not you have Refractory Celiac Disease, is with a biopsy. When compared to the original biopsy, doctors can determine whether or not there has been any improvement.
If doctors conclude that you do have Refractory Celiac Disease, it is important for doctors to check for complications, such as lymphocyctic Colitis, lymphoma, and pancreatic insufficiency.
If you have Celiac Disease, and your symptoms have not improved, make an appointment with your Primary Care Physician, or your GI doctor immediately. It is better to be safe than sorry, especially with the risk of the above complications. 

(photo courtesy of: http://www.dietforceliacdisease.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/For-Refractory-Celiac-Disease-249x300.jpg)

Sources:
http://www.celiac.com/articles/104/1/Refractory-Celiac-Disease/Page1.html

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