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Do You Have Pos Blood & Neg Biopsy?


GEF

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GEF Explorer

... and I'm assuming they expect you to throw the blood tests in the trash...

Gretchen

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A normal small bowel biopsy rules out celiac sprue, a true malabsorption state in which intestinal cells are visibly damaged, but it does not rule out gluten sensitivity. Although asymptomatic people with gluten sensitivity may have normal or near-normal biopsies, so also may people with symptomatic gluten sensitivity. This has been reported in the medical literature called "Gluten Sensitivity with minimal Enteropathy" or "Gluten-Sensitive Diarrhea without Celiac Disease". Even though such people's intestines appear normal under the microscope, up to one half already have nutrient malabsorption, a major contributor to osteoporosis and malnutrition, leading to the conclusion that microscopic analysis of intestinal biopsies is an insensitive way of assessing immunologic food sensitivity. However, because there is still a virtually universal reliance on small bowel biopsies to diagnose gluten intolerance, most asymptomatic or symptomatic gluten sensitive people are told they do not have a diagnosis of celiac sprue, and are given no recommendations to modify their diets.


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gf4life Enthusiast

Gretchen,

That is a great article, thanks for putting it here. It is exactly this reason why I like Dr. Fine's Enterolab tests. They pick up gluten sensitivity, where it is usually missed in the Celiac bloodtests and biopsy, yet still needs a gluten-free diet for optimum health.

Dwight Senne Rookie

Hmmmmm, that is a very interesting article. Seems to offer an explanation for all these negative biopsy results. He raises a good point in that even after a negative biopsy, it may be worthwhile to go on the diet to see if symptoms improve.

CarolynM Newbie

This is exactly where my daughter is right now! Positive antigliadin, negative biopsy but consistent symptoms that I tracked along with her diet and found the connection to wheat! That is why they did the blood tests; I almost feel like the doctor doesn't acknowledge the possibility that she is still at the least gluten-sensitive because it wasn't his "idea". He never mentioned there could be anything "in-between" - he basically told me either you have celiac disease or wheat is the greatest thing on earth for you. We got results from the biopsy a month ago; I wanted to believe the results but still see the correlation with wheat in her diet. We have just returned from a fun but messy and stinky vacation and are going gluten-free tomorrow - wish us luck! She is nearly 3 and loves wheat products.

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