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Genetic Testing A Must?

mamamonkey

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mamamonkey Rookie
mamamonkey
Posted

Hi everyone! I am new here. So, here's the back story. I had diarrhea, pain after eating, fatigue, and abdominal bloating for 4 years after the birth of my son. I had my gallbladder removed when he was 10 weeks old due to gallstones from pregnancy; so, I chalked all my GI symptoms up to no gallbladder.

Fast forward to this past May 2012. I decided to try going gluten free in a last ditch attempt to get off of Topamax that I had to take for migraines. Within 2 days of going gluten free, my GI symptoms significantly improved. After a month, I had dropped a pant size in bloat. I was able to get off of Topamax. (I know, I know, I should have gotten tested then)

In December, I had some additional issues that ended me up seeing GI. She then decided that I could possibly have celiac since all of my symptoms dramatically improved with cutting gluten. Serology was negative (I wasn't eating gluten). EGD showed mild inflammation, possibly suggestive of partially treated celiac (I ate gluten daily the week before my test).

So, now, I would like to have the genetic testing done. Since it requires prior authorization from my insurance, the GI is now saying that with my symptoms, symptom resolution off gluten, and the biopsy results that I don't need the genetic testing.

My question is, how hard should I push for this? I mean, is it worth changing docs over?

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kareng Grand Master
kareng
Posted

This was just posted on the University of Chicago Celiac center's Facebook page:

"True or false? Genetic screening is the best way to know for sure if someone has celiac disease."

"The University of Chicago Celiac Disease Center Answer: False. Genetics are often times not even included in the diagnostic process. 30% of the U.S. has the genes for celiac disease, but <5% have it become active. In addition, if the genes aren't present then celiac can all but be ruled out as the cause of symptoms.

Like · Reply · 6 · 6 hours ago"

mamamonkey Rookie
mamamonkey
Posted
  • Author

Thank you Karen. :)

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    • JudyLou
      Seeking advice on potential gluten challenge

      By JudyLou · Posted

      Thanks so much! 
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      Seeking advice on potential gluten challenge

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      I have osteopenia and have cracked three vertebrae.  Niacin is connected to osteoporosis! Do talk to your nutritionist and doctor about supplementing with B vitamins.  Blood tests don't reveal the amount of vitamins stored inside cells.  The blood is a transportation system and can reflect vitamins absorbed from food eaten in the previous twenty-four to forty-eight hours.  Those "normal limits" are based on minimum amounts required to prevent disease, not levels for optimal health.   Keep us posted on your progress.   B Vitamins: Functions and Uses in Medicine https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9662251/ Association of dietary niacin intake with osteoporosis in the postmenopausal women in the US: NHANES 2007–2018 https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11835798/ Clinical trial: B vitamins improve health in patients with coeliac disease living on a gluten-free diet https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19154566/   Nutritional Imbalances in Adult Celiac Patients Following a Gluten-Free Diet https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8398893/ Nutritional Consequences of Celiac Disease and Gluten-Free Diet https://www.mdpi.com/2036-7422/15/4/61 Simplifying the B Complex: How Vitamins B6 and B9 Modulate One Carbon Metabolism in Cancer and Beyond https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9609401/
    • JudyLou
      Seeking advice on potential gluten challenge

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      Thank you so much for the clarification! Yes to these questions: Have you consulted dietician?  Have you been checked for nutritional deficiencies?  Osteoporosis? Thyroid? Anemia?  Do you take any supplements, or vitamins? I’m within healthy range for nutritional tests, thyroid and am not anemic. I do have osteopenia. I don’t take any medications, and the dietician was actually a nutritionist (not sure if that is the same thing) recommended by my physician at the time to better understand gluten free eating.    I almost wish the gluten exposure had triggered something, so at least I’d know what’s going on. So confusing!    Many thanks! 
    • knitty kitty
      Seeking advice on potential gluten challenge

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    • trents
      Have I got coeliac disease

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      And I agree with Wheatwacked. When a physician tells you that you can't have celiac disease because you're not losing weight, you can be certain that doctor is operating on a dated understanding of celiac disease. I assume you are in the UK by the way you spelled "coeliac". So, I'm not sure what your options are when it comes to healthcare, but I might suggest you look for another physician who is more up to date in this area and is willing to work with you to get an accurate diagnosis. If, in fact, you do not have celiac disease but you know that gluten causes you problems, you might have NCGS (Non Celiac Gluten Sensitivity). There is no test available yet for NCGS. Celiac must first be ruled out. Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder that damages the lining of the small bowel. NCGS we is not autoimmune and we know less about it's true nature. But we do know it is considerably more common than celiac disease.
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