Jump to content
This site uses cookies. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. More Info... ×

  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):

    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Celiac.com!
    eNewsletter
    Donate

Endoscopy And Gluten Full Challenge

moosemalibu

Recommended Posts

moosemalibu Collaborator
moosemalibu
  • Author
Posted

I had my endoscopy procedure today. Obviously awaiting the histology on the 6 biopsies that were taken. However - he took pictures of the esophagus, stomach (cardia and antrum) which were normal. The second portion of the duodenum shows atrophic mucosa. I am back on the gluten free diet. I also had my blood drawn today for the genetic test. I'll let you all know how the post-procedure follow up appointment goes in 3 weeks. Seems pretty consistent with celiacs.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


BelleVie Enthusiast
BelleVie
Posted

My boyfriend tried to put a positive spin on it and said we can now have a proper goodbye to all my favorite meals and restaurants in this 3 week time. I guess that is one way to look at it. ;)

 

YES! I may or may not have made several rather expensive trips to the French bakery, where I, maybe, perhaps, possibly, may have eaten more chocolate croissants and pastries than anyone should be permitted to eat in one go. :) It hurt, it made me feel terrible, but man, it was a delicious farewell. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites
moosemalibu Collaborator
moosemalibu
  • Author
Posted

I was glad to say good bye and be done with the challenge 2 weeks in. I already feel 10x better since being gluten free for 3 days. Amazing.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
melissy01 Newbie
melissy01
Posted

I have been gluten free for almost a year and a half after having been diagnosed with intolerance based on a stool test as well as genetic testing which says I have the celiac gene and a gluten intolerance gene. Since stopping gluten any time I have ingested it accidentally or through cross contamination i had a violent reaction.

I too just returned from the GI doctor who suggested I eat gluten for the next three weeks so we can determine if I have celiac. But I wonder if it is worth it just to feel legit and get a diagnosis. I have come so far and I love gluten more than anything in this world. It is my version of crack cocaine and I will crave it and dream about donuts and what not. Life without gluten has been so much better and I wonder if I start up again if I will be able to function.

What is the benefit of saying I have celiac vs. gluten intolerance and is 3 weeks enough time to give me an actual celiac diagnosis and show damage? Thanks.

Melissa

Link to comment
Share on other sites
GFBea Newbie
GFBea
Posted

I just threw in the towel 2 days early on the gluten challenge because of pain and swelling in my legs - called the doctor to ask if I should stop and he said yes, and to get the blood test done today. 

 

Melissa my experience of eating gluten after a seven year break was that the cravings I used to experience came back full force and I found it very hard not to overdo it, even knowing how physically and mentally uncomfortable it was making me. Physically I think I will recover fast but psychologically I feel I was playing with fire. 

 

If I am considered for a gut biopsy after my blood results I will not be eating gluten again in advance of it - I can't go through that again. My body is very upset with me. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites
moosemalibu Collaborator
moosemalibu
  • Author
Posted

I have been gluten free for almost a year and a half after having been diagnosed with intolerance based on a stool test as well as genetic testing which says I have the celiac gene and a gluten intolerance gene. Since stopping gluten any time I have ingested it accidentally or through cross contamination i had a violent reaction.

I too just returned from the GI doctor who suggested I eat gluten for the next three weeks so we can determine if I have celiac. But I wonder if it is worth it just to feel legit and get a diagnosis. I have come so far and I love gluten more than anything in this world. It is my version of crack cocaine and I will crave it and dream about donuts and what not. Life without gluten has been so much better and I wonder if I start up again if I will be able to function.

What is the benefit of saying I have celiac vs. gluten intolerance and is 3 weeks enough time to give me an actual celiac diagnosis and show damage? Thanks.

Melissa

 

Melissa - it is a personal choice that everyone has to make for themselves. If you feel comfortable being gluten free without a diagnosis then by all means continue to eat gluten free. I personally wanted to see what shape my intestines were in because I was recently diagnosed in late August via blood test. I think it is a good idea to get a baseline for me. And since I have only been gluten free for a month or so it wasn't a huge hardship to do a trial.

 

Open Original Shared Link

 

My doctor recommended 3 weeks at 2 pieces of bread a day. I don't have my biopsy results yet but the gross changes he saw (mucosal atrophy) were enough to indicate there is a problem. Hope that helps. Good luck with whatever you choose.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Cara in Boston Enthusiast
Cara in Boston
Posted

My doctor (Celiac Center at BIDMC here in Boston) said 3-6 MONTHS for a gluten challenge.  It is different for everyone, some will show a measurable reaction before that, some won't.  If you get a negative result don't assume it is because you DON'T have celiac disease.

 

I gave up after 6 weeks and just decided to be gluten free.  

 

Cara

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


moosemalibu Collaborator
moosemalibu
  • Author
Posted

The think blood test and the biopsy are different for the length of time for gluten challenge. I had already had my blood drawn prior going gluten free and then had to re-challenge for the biopsy because my PCP told me to go gluten free after serology results. I think the standard for blood test is 3 months of gluten and for biopsy its 2 weeks.

 

Open Original Shared Link

Link to comment
Share on other sites
moosemalibu Collaborator
moosemalibu
  • Author
Posted

Biopsy results are in. My doctor called me today and said that I was definitely celiac. I didn't have completely 'flat" villi but they were damaged and also there was an increase in WBC. He said with the serology and the biopsy along with my resolution of symptoms on a gluten-free diet I am celiac. So nothing surprising but I am glad that I had it done. It was worth the knowledge of recognizing my glutening symptoms clearly and for the farewell to the old diet and lifestyle. I am over a week out gluten free and I feel so much better. Still getting headaches, still get tired easily and my brain is still kinda befuddled but every day is a better day. Psyllium husk has helped my diarrhea so much I cannot advocate it more.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
w8in4dave Community Regular
w8in4dave
Posted

Good for you for finding out what it is!! I know some just change thier diet and good for them!! I like to get a DX. Thank goodness you got yours!! Bless you!

Link to comment
Share on other sites
moosemalibu Collaborator
moosemalibu
  • Author
Posted

Good for you for finding out what it is!! I know some just change thier diet and good for them!! I like to get a DX. Thank goodness you got yours!! Bless you!

Thank you!! Yes I feel the same way. If its not someone else's plan that's fine with me but I wanted a diagnosis for my own peace of mind. :)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):


  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      121,094
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    Tracym
    Newest Member
    Tracym
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      120.3k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):


  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • trents
      Waiting for urgent referral.

      By trents · Posted

      Oh, okay. The lower case "b" in boots in your first post didn't lead me in the direction of a proper name. I thought maybe it was a specialty apothecary for people with pedal diseases or something.
    • Scott Adams
      50 YO Male Recently Diagnosed with Celiac Disease

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      In the Europe the new protocol for making a celiac disease diagnosis in children is if their tTg-IgA (tissue transglutaminase IgA) levels are 10 times or above the positive level for celiac disease. According to the latest research, if the blood test results are at certain high levels that range between 5-10 times the reference range for a positive celiac disease diagnosis, it may not be necessary to confirm the results using an endoscopy/biopsy: Blood Test Alone Can Diagnose Celiac Disease in Most Children and Adults TGA-IgA at or Above Five Times Normal Limit in Kids Indicates Celiac Disease in Nearly All Cases No More Biopsies to Diagnose Celiac Disease in Children! There are other things that may cause elevated tTg-IgA levels, but in general a reaction to gluten is the culprit:    
    • cristiana
      Waiting for urgent referral.

      By cristiana · Posted

      Hi @trents Just seen this - Boot's is a chain of pharmacies in the UK, originally founded in the 19th Century by a chap with the surname, Boot.  It's a household name here in the UK and if you say you are going to Boot's everyone knows you are off to the pharmacist! Cristiana
    • Denise I
      Celiac Dietician

      By Denise I · Posted

      I am looking to find a Celiac Dietician who is affiliated with the Celiac Disease Foundation who I can set up an appointment with.  Can you possibly give some guidance on this?  Thank you!
    • Posterboy
      14 year old with Celiac & EOE still suffering...

      By Posterboy · Posted

      Nacina, Knitty Kitty has given you good advice. But I would say/add find a Fat Soluble B-1 like Benfotiamine for best results.  The kind found in most Multivitamins have a very low absorption rate. This article shows how taking a Fat Soluble B-1 can effectively help absorption by 6x to7x times. https://www.naturalmedicinejournal.com/journal/thiamine-deficiency-and-diabetic-polyneuropathy quoting from the article.... "The group ingesting benfotiamine had maximum plasma thiamine levels that were 6.7 times higher than the group ingesting thiamine mononitrate.32" Also, frequency is much more important than amount when it comes to B-Vitamin. These are best taken with meals because they provide the fat for better absorption. You will know your B-Vitamin is working properly when your urine becomes bright yellow all the time. This may take two or three months to achieve this.......maybe even longer depending on how low he/you are. The Yellow color is from excess Riboflavin bypassing the Kidneys....... Don't stop them until when 2x a day with meals they start producing a bright yellow urine with in 2 or 3 hours after the ingesting the B-Complex...... You will be able to see the color of your urine change as the hours go by and bounce back up after you take them in the evening. When this happens quickly......you are now bypassing all the Riboflavin that is in the supplement. The body won't absorb more than it needs! This can be taken as a "proxy" for your other B-Vitamin levels (if taken a B-Complex) ...... at least at a quick and dirty level......this will only be so for the B-1 Thiamine levels if you are taking the Fat Soluble forms with the Magnesium as Knitty Kitty mentioned. Magnesium is a Co-Factor is a Co-factor for both Thiamine and Vitamin D and your sons levels won't improve unless he also takes Magnesium with his Thiamine and B-Complex. You will notice his energy levels really pick up.  His sleeping will improve and his muscle cramps will get better from the Magnesium! Here is nice blog post that can help you Thiamine and it's many benefits. I hope this is helpful but it is not medical advice God speed on your son's continued journey I used to be him. There is hope! 2 Tim 2:7 “Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things” this included. Posterboy by the grace of God,  
×
×
  • Create New...