Dr's Advice Feels Fishy

[Abthiede]

Hello! I finally made it to a GI doc in my area. Based on my weak positive blood test results and symptoms, he does suspect celiac but prescribed an upper GI series and told me to eliminate gluten (which I have already). After reviewing the results he will order an endoscopy. Based on the knowledge I've gained from reading these posts, I asked him if eliminating gluten now would ensure a negative result on the endoscopy, but he said I wouldn't heal that fast. Can that be right? Additionally, I also have a mild dairy allergy and he "prescribed" Activia yogurt for probiotics. I asked if it was okay to eat yogurt with a dairy allergy and he said it's been processed enough it wouldn't bother me. Any one with a dairy allergy find Acitiva problematic?

[Rucko]

Hello. Do you know how long until you get the endoscopy? 

[Abthiede]

Hello. Do you know how long until you get the endoscopy?

Thanks for your response, Rucko. It depends on the results of the upper GI series, which I haven't yet scheduled. I haven't read anything on any celiac sites that mentions an upper GI series as a viable test for celiac so I'm a bit mired in doubt. I'm not sure the exposure to radiation, the dye milkshake, etc. are all worth it, especially if once I get an endoscopy my villi have already healed from eliminating gluten (provided they're damaged in the first place). This disease is such a psychological mind trick. I know I feel better without gluten, so it makes sense to avoid it. But somehow the diagnosis means so much. The only *real* reason I can think of pursuing a diagnosis is for the sake of my daughters who may end up in the same boat, and to make my husband stop rolling his eyes when I turn down pizza and beer.

[GottaSki]

You should not remove gluten before all celiac testing is complete - which includes endoscopy.

 

How long have you been gluten-free?

 

Do you know if you had a complete celiac antibody panel?  Any nutrient testing?

 

An endoscopy is usually the next step after positive (even weak) antibody test.

[cyclinglady]

Here's some information about testing at UC San Diego's Celiac Center:

 

Open Original Shared Link

 

It mentions that you must be eating gluten until ALL diagnostic tests are completed!  My doctor told me to continue to eat gluten after my "weak" positive blood test until my biospy/endoscopy seven weeks later (which showed moderate to severe damage -- Marsh Stage IIIB).     

 

I've been allergic to whey and casein (milk proteins) for years.  I can not eat yogurt from a cow!  But, if you have a lactose intolerance (milk sugar) which many celiac disease patients often have due to villi damage,  you may be able to tolerate yogurt as the lactose is broken down.  If you're allergic, take a non-dairy/milk probiotic.  There are many of these supplements available.  

 

Why the upper GI series?  Does he suspect something else?  It won't confirm celiac disease.  

 

Good Luck.  Keep researching and be informed!