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PMR and Celiac Disease

Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) | Last Active: Oct 26 6:29pm | Replies (7)

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@robinrae

I was just recently diagnosed with PMR after a huge flare in September. In retrospect, it had been brewing in me for several months. I have been gluten free for 20 or so years due to allergic reactions to gluten. Wondering about the connection!

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Replies to "I was just recently diagnosed with PMR after a huge flare in September. In retrospect, it..."

It may be difficult for you to get a clear answer on whether or not you have Celiac. The blood test requires you to be eating the equivalent of 4 slices of gluten bread a day for at least 8 weeks before the test. If you are on immunosuppressive medication this can give a false negative on the test as well.
However the test for the gene HLA-DQ2 and HLA-DQ8 can tell you if you have the gene and if it is active. In Australia this test is partially funded under Medicare. The gold standard for diagnosis is gastroscopic biopsy of the small intestine but this can also yield inconclusive results if you have been on a GF diet for a while.