Negative Biopsy

[Cstrong]

Hi, I had a positive blood test IGA 44.8 and IGG 184.5, but my biopsy came back today as negative. During the procedure I had told the doctor I felt better since I hadn't been eating wheat, etc. and he said "You don't know that diet, there is no way you haven't eaten any wheat, it is in so many things...."

Anyway, he called today and said it came back negative and that I can eat wheat I feel so much better since I haven't been eating wheat. My symptoms were severe stomach pain (on a scale of 1-10, the pain was a 10+), and now I only get little twinges of pain now and then.

Any advice on whether or not I should try wheat again? Of course my head says no, but my heart says "some pasta sure would be good right about now"!

[GEF]

Hello & welcome, Cstrong!

Would it give you comfort to know that you're not alone in your plight? Through a lot of reading, I have come to the conclusion that positive blood tests in themselves are reason enough to at least attempt a total gluten-elimination diet. Your body is producing antibodies against gliadin it's not only your intestines that can show damage. I needed a lot of convincing, believe me... but, I've read so much about how not having full-blown celiac now, doesn't mean you won't develop it later.

You'll receive a lot of support here... also, it's a benefit to read back through previous posts when you have a chance.

Good luck!

Gretchen

[lovegrov]

Well if you like 10+ stomach pain, then, sure, go ahead and eat wheat.

Your blood tests alone put the chances of you haivng celiac disease at more than 95 percent. Add in the improvement in symptoms and you're near 100 percent.

richard

[Happycat]

Hi Cstrong,

This is an uphill battle all the way isn't it? If you feel better off wheat then don't give up. I think you should find another doctor who will listen. I called Dr. Peter Green's office and he agreed to look at my son's slides from his 7/26 biopsy along with his bloodwork. He is IgA deficient and 115 IgG. He has been suffering for 4 years. It is so sad that doctors are not very aware of celiac disease. I have told all the doctors I have taken him to all his symptoms along with his family history and still I was the one to bring up celiac. I do not look at doctors the same anymore.

Good luck and don't give up!

Lisa

[tarnalberry]

Grrr. I really hate it when doctors treat patients like they're stupid. There's no excuse. I say stick with what makes you feel better. You want another test? Have a wheat based sandwich. See how you feel. There's a test if you're not sure already!

[terri]

It's funny how doctors are so different. My blood tests were positive and I asked if he was going to do a biopsy. He said only if my symptoms did not go away. He also had told me the true test is how I felt on a gluten free diet as Celiac does not always show up in blood tests or biopsies. And he's an Internist, not even a GI doctor!

So, in my opinion, if your blood tests were positive and your pain went away, why go back to wheat? If it's pasta you want, try some Notta Pasta or Quinoa Pasta they're yummy! And you won't get a tummy ache!!!

Terri

[Mballerina]

If your Anitbodies (IgA's) are elevated, even though your biopsy is negative you should go on a gluten free diet as stringently as if you had full blown celiac disease. One cause may be that you are in the beginning stages of celiac disease and may not have sinificant damage yet. The other is that your body is obviously not assimilating wheat and you may simply have a wheat allergy not a gluten, you should have that checked.

Magdalena, ON, canada

[Guest ~wAvE WeT sAnD~]

Terri---

We need more Internists like yours in my area. I'm impressed that I've heard of one knowing what celiac disease is.