Jump to content
This site uses cookies. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. More Info... ×
  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.




  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):



    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):


  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

Should I Get A Biopsy To Be Sure?


Laudahwiz

Recommended Posts

Laudahwiz Newbie

I posted this in my other topic but I figured I'd post it here too because it's more relevant.

 

My doctor (who does mostly acupuncture and naturopathic medicine) diagnosed me with celiac two days ago after the results of a blood test came back. She seemed to think from the panel that I definitely had it. But I've done some research and I've read that these panels are more often used as tools to indicate that one may have celiac but not a basis for a definite diagnosis?

 

Thing is, to get a biopsy would be really expensive. But if I don't get one I might go the rest of me life thinking 'do I actually have this disease?' and it'll be like an itch I can't scratch.

 

Here are the test results: http://i885.photobucket.com/albums/ac54/cyndersbane/TestResults_zps7ff6804d.webp I'd really appreciate it if some of you that are more knowledgeable than me can take a look at it and tell me if you think a definite diagnosis can be made based on just this?


Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):



Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):



kareng Grand Master

That doesn't look like a regular Celiac blood panel to me.  Perhaps you would have better luck going to a doctor for your blood tests?

 

Open Original Shared Link

 

 

So, I guess my answer is "Yes.  Get a biopsy".

NoGlutenCooties Contributor

I wasn't able to access your bloodtest results but in my opinion, if you can afford it, a biopsy is always a good idea.  They won't just check for Celiac, while they're in there they will look for other ailments too.  It's good to know that it's Celiac, and only Celiac, and not something potentially more immediately serious.

IrishHeart Veteran

I'm sorry, but that's not a Celiac disease panel you had done, hon. (those tests do not diagnose celiac)

 

I do not think a gastroenterologist will just do a biopsy before doing a celiac panel first.

 

 
Gemini Experienced

I agree with Irish on this one.  That is not a celiac panel and actually, I am not sure what those tests are for. Do not base a Celiac diagnosis on that.

 

You need to have a full celiac panel and most MD's should know what that is. If after having the correct testing, and it comes out positive, then you have a diagnosis. You can opt on for a biopsy, if you choose but if you have a positive tTg and EMA on the Celiac panel, you have Celiac Disease and the biopsy won't be needed for a diagnosis.  Many people, including myself, had very positive panels and were extremely symptomatic so opted out of a biopsy. If, after healing, you are still having problems, you can always have the scope done to see if you have additional problems but many times, that is not needed. 

Laudahwiz Newbie

Ok, thanks so much for helping me out with this everyone. I guess I've been a little confused, and feeling really skeptical about this diagnosis now. I'm going to talk to my mom about getting a blood panel done by an MD doctor and see what comes of that.

NoGlutenCooties Contributor

Not sure if anyone has mentioned this already, but make sure you continue to eat gluten until after your bloodtest.  If you go gluten-free the test is useless.  Good luck!


Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):



Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):



Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.


  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):



  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      131,199
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748

    Stacy M
    Newest Member
    Stacy M
    Joined

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):


  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.4k
    • Total Posts
      1m

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):





  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):



  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • Fayeb23
      Thank you. These were the results TTG ABS NUMERICAL: > 250.0 U/mL [< 14.99]  Really don’t understand the results!
    • Scott Adams
      Clearly from what you've said the info on Dailymed is much more up to date than the other site, which hasn't been updated since 2017. The fact that some companies might be repackaging drugs does not mean the info on the ingredients is not correct.
    • RMJ
      To evaluate the TTG antibody result we’d need to know the normal range for that lab.  Labs don’t all use the same units.  However, based on any normal ranges that I’ve seen and the listed result being greater than a number rather than a specific number, I’d say yes, that is high! Higher than the range where the test can give a quantitative result. You got good advice not to change your diet yet.  If you went gluten free your intestines would start to heal, confusing any further testing,
    • Bev in Milw
      Scott is correct….Thank you for catching that!      Direct link for info  of fillers.    http://www.glutenfreedrugs.com/Excipients.htm Link is on 2nd page  of www.glutenfreedrugs.com   Site was started by a pharmacist (or 2) maybe 15-20 yrs ago with LAST updated in  2017.  This makes it’s Drug List so old that it’s no longer relevant. Companies & contacts, along with suppliers &  sources would need to be referenced, same amount effort  as starting with current data on DailyMed      That being said, Excipient List is still be relevant since major changes to product labeling occurred prior ’17.           List is the dictionary that sources the ‘foreign-to-us’ terms used on pharmaceutical labels, terms we need to rule out gluten.    Note on DailyMed INFO— When you look for a specific drug on DailyMed, notice that nearly all of companies (brands/labels) are flagged as a ‘Repackager’… This would seem to suggest the actual ‘pills’ are being mass produced by a limited number of wholesaler suppliers (esp for older meds out of  patent protection.).      If so, multiple repackager-get  bulk shipments  from same supplier will all  be selling identical meds —same formula/fillers. Others repackager-could be switching suppliers  frequently based on cost, or runs both gluten-free & non- items on same lines.  No way to know  without contacting company.     While some I know have  searched pharmacies chasing a specific brand, long-term  solution is to find (or teach) pharmacy staff who’s willing help.    When I got 1st Rx ~8 years ago, I went to Walgreens & said I needed gluten-free.  Walked  out when pharmacist said  ‘How am I supposed  to know…’  (ar least he as honest… ). Walmart pharmacists down the block were ‘No problem!’—Once, they wouldn’t release my Rx, still waiting on gluten-free status from a new supplier. Re: Timeliness of DailyMed info?   A serendipitous conversation with cousin in Mi was unexpectedly reassuring.  She works in office of Perrigo, major products of OTC meds (was 1st to add gluten-free labels).  I TOTALLY lucked out when I asked about her job: “TODAY I trained a new full-time employee to make entries to Daily Med.’  Task had grown to hours a day, time she needed for tasks that couldn’t be delegated….We can only hope majorities of companies are as  conscientious!   For the Newbies…. SOLE  purpose of  fillers (possible gluten) in meds is to  hold the active ingredients together in a doseable form.  Drugs  given by injection or as IV are always gluten-free!  (Sometimes drs can do antibiotics w/ one-time injection rather than 7-10 days of  pills .) Liquid meds (typically for kids)—still read labels, but  could be an a simpler option for some products…
    • Ginger38
      So I recently had allergy testing for IGE antibodies in response to foods. My test results came back positive to corn, white potatoes, egg whites. Tomatoes, almonds and peanuts to name a few.  I have had obvious reactions to a few of these - particularly tomatoes and corn- both GI issues. I don’t really understand all this allergy versus celiac stuff. If the food allergies are mild do I have to avoid these foods entirely? I don’t know what I will eat if I can’t  have corn based gluten free products 
×
×
  • Create New...