If you or someone you love has been recently diagnosed with coeliac disease, you could be eligible to receive gluten free foods on prescription. Simply select your country of residence, and, if you live in England, fill in your postcode to check if your area is prescribing.
Your country is prescribing gluten free foods*. Request your Glutafin Taster Box by clicking the button below to sign up.
* Please note: local policies are constantly updated, and issuing a prescription is at the discretion of your GP.
No one wants to be diagnosed with a lifelong health condition. However, getting formally diagnosed with coeliac disease is the first step towards making a real difference to your health, both now and in the future. In this article we’ll show you how getting diagnosed with coeliac disease can help you to:
Getting formally diagnosed with coeliac disease will help you to understand why you are experiencing symptoms. Such as diarrhoea, abdominal pain and nausea. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence recommends getting a test for coeliac disease if you have any of the following symptoms:
If you think you might have coeliac disease, you can check your symptoms here on the Glutafin website. In just three minutes you can find out whether you should get a test for coeliac disease and receive results that you can show to your GP.
As a result of the COVID-19 Pandemic, the diagnostic process for coeliac disease has changed. Previously, a blood test and endoscopy (a camera investigation of your small bowel) were required to obtain a diagnosis. However, new guidance means that if you’re under 55, and have particularly high levels of coeliac antibodies in your blood, you may be diagnosed by a blood test alone. However, people with particular symptoms and family history of other disease may still need to see a gastroenterologist for an endoscopy to confirm the diagnosis.
If your tests are positive, you’ll gain the knowledge you need to manage your symptoms. Helping you avoid long-term complications, such as anaemia and osteoporosis. If you’re diagnosed with coeliac disease, the only treatment is to follow a strict gluten-free diet. You need to be vigilant with this, as even a small amount of gluten exposure can make your symptoms reappear.
Following a formal diagnosis, your healthcare team will actively monitor your health. Through regular check-ups and blood tests, to ensure you stay well.
Once you’ve been diagnosed with coeliac disease, you’ll be referred to a specialist dietitian. Who will help you make the transition to a gluten-free diet. Most importantly, they’ll help you to identify and eliminate gluten in your diet. They’ll also work with you to ensure that you’re still eating a balanced diet with all the essential nutrients you need, as well as helping you to find alternatives to your favourite gluten-containing foods, such as pasta, pizza and bread.
As well as help from your local dietitian, you can also find lots of expert advice, tips and tasty recipes on the Glutafin website.
If you are diagnosed with coeliac disease, you may be entitled to receive some staple items on prescription, to help you manage your condition. What you are entitled to varies depending on where you live. But in many areas of England you will be able to access gluten-free bread, rolls and flour mixes on prescription. In Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, gluten-free prescriptions also cover pasta, pizza bases, crackers and cereal.
Gluten-free food on prescription can work out significantly cheaper than buying it at the supermarket, and you can reduce the cost further by applying for a prescription pre-payment certificate.
Despite the many benefits of being diagnosed with coeliac disease, many people still suffer in silence, not wanting to bother their busy GP. Coeliac UK estimate that diagnosis can take as long as ten years for some people due to the symptoms being so similar to other conditions such as IBS. Yet with modern blood tests and changes to diagnostic procedures, in many cases, it’s never been easier to get a formal diagnosis and start making a big difference to your health and wellbeing.
If you or someone you love has been recently diagnosed with coeliac disease, you could be eligible to receive gluten free foods on prescription. Simply select your country of residence, and, if you live in England, fill in your postcode to check if your area is prescribing.
Your country is prescribing gluten free foods*. Request your Glutafin Taster Box by clicking the button below to sign up.
* Please note: local policies are constantly updated, and issuing a prescription is at the discretion of your GP.
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