Endoscopy Without Blood Tests?

[MChase]

Went to my first GI appointment today. He has scheduled a colonoscopy and an endoscopy. He said that the endoscopy is the gold standard for diagnosing Celiac. He said he is going to order my blood tests from the hospital to see what they tested for.i asked the nurse if I need to make a follow up appointment. She said he would discuss that after the procedures.

Will there always be damage present if one has Celiac? Is it normal to forgo blood tests and do an endoscopy? Do I needto request blood tests if the endoscopy shows no damage? He said he was doing an endoscopy, but the nurse wrote down EGD, are they the same thing?

Thanks in advance.

[IrishHeart]

EGD stands for esophagogastroduodenoscopy. Read about it, so you know what it entails. It is a small flexible camera that goes examines the lining of your esophagus, down through your stomach and into the first portion of your small intestine. It is not painful and you will be sedated, so you will not feel a thing.

 

The endoscopy with biopsy  is still considered the 'gold standard" for diagnosing celiac.

But, if he just does the endo but no biopsy, he is not going to be able to diagnose you with celiac disease.

(yes, doctors sometimes fail to do this part --or do it properly--and then say "no celiac")

 

I do not know why the doctor did not order the celiac panel first ---unless it was already done?

[GottaSki]

It sounds like he is ordering blood tests on the same day as the procedures. Perhaps call his office before the procedure to make sure this is happening. Not all GIs have experience and/or training in celiac disease.

I think we have given you the list included in a full celiac panel, but if not let us know.

Yes, EGD is an endoscopy. Do make sure the doctor is planning to take 4-6 samples of the small intestine.

As long as blood is done the day of the "double-ender" you can remove all gluten as soon as the procedure is complete.

Hang in there

[MChase]

  On 10/3/2013 at 9:03 PM, IrishHeart said:

EGD stands for esophagogastroduodenoscopy. Read about it, so you know what it entails. It is a small flexible camera that goes examines the lining of your esophagus, down through your stomach and into the first portion of your small intestine. It is not painful and you will be sedated, so you will not feel a thing.

 

The endoscopy with biopsy  is still considered the 'gold standard" for diagnosing celiac.

But, if he just does the endo but no biopsy, he is not going to be able to diagnose you with celiac disease.

(yes, doctors sometimes fail to do this part --or do it properly--and then say "no celiac")

 

I do not know why the doctor did not order the celiac panel first ---unless it was already done?

He did mention foing biopsies. He also mention removing any polyps during the Colonoscopy.

He asked what blood tests the ER took and I had no idea. He said he would order them. My primary Dr did not order any blood tests but sent me directly to the GI Dr.

[MChase]

  On 10/3/2013 at 9:10 PM, GottaSki said:

It sounds like he is ordering blood tests on the same day as the procedures. Perhaps call his office before the procedure to make sure this is happening. Not all GIs have experience and/or training in celiac disease.

I think we have given you the list included in a full celiac panel, but if not let us know.

Yes, EGD is an endoscopy. Do make sure the doctor is planning to take 4-6 samples of the small intestine.

As long as blood is done the day of the "double-ender" you can remove all gluten as soon as the procedure is complete.

Hang in there

He did mention biopsies. If he doesn't do blood tests, should I request them (and which ones). I have not seen a list of celiac panel. Can you have positive blood yets and negative biopsies?

Thanks everyone for all the help.

[powerofpositivethinking]

here's a list of tests you should request:

 

DGP iga/igg

ttg iga/igg

EMA

Total iga serum-this is a control test to make sure you make enough iga to validate the other testing

check out page 12 in this report for testing information:

Open Original Shared Link

 

When do you get your procedures done? I hope soon, so you can start feeling better!!

[MChase]

  On 10/3/2013 at 11:49 PM, powerofpositivethinking said:

here's a list of tests you should request:

 

DGP iga/igg

ttg iga/igg

EMA

Total iga serum-this is a control test to make sure you make enough iga to validate the other testing

check out page 12 in this report for testing information:

Open Original Shared Link

 

When do you get your procedures done? I hope soon, so you can start feeling better!!

Procedures in 13 days.. If I wanted a Monday, I would have to wait longer. Early morning appt Yay!! Thank goodness for a bathroom attached to my bedroom and hulu plus on my tablet!

In the meantime, he prescribed Librax and Prilosec. Is that normal? I didn't pick up the Librax because it was expensive. I am going to call tomorrow to see if he can prescribe something else. I was reading online and see it is an anti-anxiety drug. I was on anti depressant/anxiety drugs for over 2 years and can't stand the side effects. I quit taking them a few months ago. The pharmacist said that the Librax makes you drowsy (Dr prescibed 3x a day) and I shouldn't drive. She also said it causes really bad dry eyes and dry mouth. How am I supposed to function if I can't drive or anything.

[GottaSki]

  On 10/3/2013 at 11:33 PM, MChase said:

He did mention biopsies. If he doesn't do blood tests, should I request them (and which ones). I have not seen a list of celiac panel. Can you have positive blood yets and negative biopsies?

Thanks everyone for all the help.

 

Yes, it is possible to have positive blood, negative biopsy

OR negative blood, positive biopsy

OR both positive.

 

Complete Celiac Antibody Tests:

 

Total Serum IgA

tTG - both IgA and IgG

EMA - IgA

DGP - both Iga and IgG

 

Additionally, you should have the following nutrient testing as Celiac Disease prevents absorption of nutrients:

 

B6, B12, D, K, Iron, Ferritin, Copper and Zinc

 

If you haven't had them recently...add CBC (Complete Blood Count) and CMP (Complete Metabolic Panel).

 

In my opinion it does not sound like your GI has much experience diagnosing or treating Celiac Disease, so do make sure you learn all you can and follow up to make sure all the proper tests are done.  This would include blood work and asking specifically about number of biopsies (4-6) of the small intestine -- not just that they are planning to do them.  

 

Also, request written or electronic copies of ALL medical tests - for the endo/colonoscopy you need to ask for both procedural and pathology reports - a doctor verbally giving you the all clear is not enough.