I know about tests for gliadin and reticulin antibodies, but is there such a thing as a blood test for avenin? I was curious because I think I have my strongest reaction (headache, nausea, cramping) to eating oats.

None that I have heard of yet. Wish there was!

Hi Guy22od:

Oats are the only thing that I have a strong reaction too. I can eat bread products, (I have the subtle symptoms, ie. tiredness, brain fog, occasional body dumping etc.) But when I eat oats it is fast and immediate, it is as if I have just been poisoned. I ate oatmeas EVERY day for about three years, along with changing to whole wheat products and a whole "healthy diet." I continued to get sicker and sicker, neuropathy, stomach, blood sugar issues, etc. I was to the point that I could not get out of bed. After taking oats out of my diet and am starting to feel better. I am having my scope at the end of the month and CANNOT wait to go completely gluten free.

Good luck to you. (I often wondered if I am just not allergic to oats?)

Oats and barley were the big ones for me, but I noticed everything starting with oat problems. Even the Irish oatmeal gave me a severe reaction. I almost wonder if it is because of gluten AND oat fiber. Have either of you noticed barley giving the same immediate reaction as with oats?

No test yet. Some Celiacs do react to pure oats. However, it also could have been gluten contamination in your oats that caused the issue.

Hi Robbin, I barley and rye are not really a part of my diet so I cannot comment on them. I try to believe the cross contamination rational, but I can eat pure whole wheat flour, or things like shredded wheat and not have a reaction. But one bowl of oats and the whole stomach thing starts again and stays with me for days. At first I thought it was the fiber, but I take fiber everyday and have forever, so I thought it may be too much fiber so gave up the physillim (sp?) and oats would still make me ill. I put the fiber back in and gave up oats and my issue went away. I ate oatmeal one day a week ago after my Gastro appointment, thinking I would just add them back in until my scope at the end of the month. BAD IDEA! A VERY BAD IDEA. I am still suffering the affects.

So, I figure, it could be cross contamination in some, but some just really have a bad reaction to oats. I know without a doubt oats will not be a part of my gluten free life.