Wolverhampton Voluntary Support Coeliac Group

Friends Meeting House

8b Summerfield Road

Wolverhampton, WV1 4PR

 

The minutes for group meeting 10th May 2023  7pm.

1. Welcome by group leader Ian Jenkins

 

2. Report of cost of living with the cheapest gluten free bread being 7.2 times more expensive than the cheapest gluten containing bread.

 

3. How many are entitled to gluten free prescriptions.

 

4. Talk by Kathryn Robinson Wolverhampton Head of Dietetics

Clinics are still remote. Coeliac is a life long auto-immune condition, with common symptoms such as diarrhoea, reflux, abdominal and upper body aches. Coeliac disease can come with a skin condition called Dermatitis Herpetiformis which leaves small itchy blisters.

The villi in the small intestine is damaged by gluten which can cause malabsorption this can be healed through sticking to a gluten free diet.

Untreated coeliac can have ongoing symptoms such as, Oesteoperosis, neurological conditions, increased risk of bowel cancer & sub-fertility if undiagnosed.

The pandemic has changed diagnosis, a raised blood test can confirm coeliac. Genetic testing is not conclusive.

Treatment is life long  gluten avoidance, always check labels and avoid wheat, barley, rye. Avoid may contains and made in a factory that handles. Use clearly labelled gluten free oats and a seperate toaster, jams, spreads and fryers to avoid the cross contamination risk.

 

5. Refreshments

 

6. Questions for Kathryn Robinson

An annual coeliac review for your local GP is something that we need to ask them about. Which should include a blood test to check tTG levels (good for coeliacs is between 0-7)

No need to take extra supplements unless stated by your GP.  

 

7. Raffle 

 

Meeting closed at 9pm

 

Minutes taken by Kim Thompson