Health · Advice & Questions · Oct 20

My partner has prepared gluten-free meals, but coeliac tests are still ahead. What do I say?

Health

My partner filled the freezer with gluten-free lunches and labelled them "start Monday." I had told him my GP was arranging tests for coeliac disease after ongoing bloating and bowel symptoms. He thought changing the food immediately was the useful part he could do.

I have not changed my diet yet. [NHS advice says gluten needs to remain in the diet during coeliac testing so results are accurate, and not to start a gluten-free diet before specialist confirmation](https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coeliac-disease/diagnosis/). I will ask the team for the instructions that apply to my testing and how to manage symptoms meanwhile.

He has spent time and money on the meals, and now says I am choosing paperwork over feeling better. I want to explain why I cannot treat a suspected condition as a confirmed diagnosis, without making his effort sound foolish.

How would you have that conversation while we wait for the testing plan?

Discussion

2 community replies

@JulesAfterDark

The meals came from a wish to relieve something that has been bothering you. Acknowledge the work, then explain that the investigation needs its own preparation. Thanking him does not commit you to starting the diet he chose.

@MorganSays

[NHS guidance warns that avoiding gluten can affect coeliac test accuracy](https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coeliac-disease/diagnosis/). Ask the clinical team what to do for your own test; do not use comments to choose a gluten amount or a challenge schedule.

My partner has prepared gluten-free meals, but coeliac tests are still ahead. What do I say?

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