Jump to content
  • 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.

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Celiac.com:
    Join eNewsletter
    Donate

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):
    Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):





    Celiac.com Sponsors (A17-M):




  • Recent Activity

    1. - lizzie42 posted a topic in Post Diagnosis, Recovery & Treatment of Celiac Disease
      0

      Low iron and vitamin d

    2. - Scott Adams replied to Atl222's topic in Post Diagnosis, Recovery & Treatment of Celiac Disease
      3

      Increased intraepithelial lymphocytes after 10 yrs gluten-free

    3. - xxnonamexx posted a topic in Post Diagnosis, Recovery & Treatment of Celiac Disease
      0

      FDA looking for input on Celiac Gluten sensitivity labeling PLEASE READ and submit your suggestions

    4. - cristiana replied to Atl222's topic in Post Diagnosis, Recovery & Treatment of Celiac Disease
      3

      Increased intraepithelial lymphocytes after 10 yrs gluten-free

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):
  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      133,208
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748

    Mike Maurillo
    Newest Member
    Mike Maurillo
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):
  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.6k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):
  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • lizzie42
      Hi, I posted before about my son's legs shaking after gluten. I did end up starting him on vit b and happily he actually started sleeping better and longer.  Back to my 4 year old. She had gone back to meltdowns, early wakes, and exhaustion. We tested everything again and her ferritin was lowish again (16) and vit d was low. After a couple weeks on supplements she is cheerful, sleeping better and looks better. The red rimmed eyes and dark circles are much better.   AND her Ttg was a 3!!!!!! So, we are crushing the gluten-free diet which is great. But WHY are her iron and vit d low if she's not getting any gluten????  She's on 30mg of iron per day and also a multivitamin and vit d supplement (per her dr). That helped her feel better quickly. But will she need supplements her whole life?? Or is there some other reason she's not absorbing iron? We eat very healthy with minimal processed food. Beef maybe 1x per week but plenty of other protein including eggs daily.  She also says her tummy hurts every single morning. That was before the iron (do not likely a side effect). Is that common with celiac? 
    • Scott Adams
      Celiac disease is the most likely cause, but here are articles about the other possible causes:    
    • xxnonamexx
      Please read: https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-takes-steps-improve-gluten-ingredient-disclosure-foods?fbclid=IwY2xjawPeXhJleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFzaDc3NWRaYzlJOFJ4R0Fic3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHrwuSsw8Be7VNGOrKKWFVbrjmf59SGht05nIALwnjQ0DoGkDDK1doRBDzeeX_aem_GZcRcbhisMTyFUp3YMUU9Q
    • cristiana
      Hi @Atl222 As @trents points out, there could be many reasons for this biopsy result.  I am interested to know, is your gastroenterologist concerned?  Also, are your blood tests showing steady improvement over the years? I remember when I had my last biopsy, several years after diagnosis, mine came back with with raised lymphocytes but no villous damage, too! In my own case, my consultant wasn't remotely concerned - in fact, he said I might still get this result even if all I ever did was eat nothing but rice and water.   My coeliac blood tests were still steadily improving, albeit slowly, which was reassuring.
    • trents
      Welcome to the celiac.com community, @Atl222! Yes, your increased lymphocytes could be in response to oats or it could possibly be cross contamination from gluten that is getting into your diet from some unexpected source but not enough to damage the villi. And I'm certain that increased lymphocytes can be caused by other things besides celiac disease or gluten/oats exposure. See attachment. But you might try eliminating oats to start with and possibly dairy for a few months and then seek another endoscopy/biopsy to see if there was a reduction in lymphocyte counts. 
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

NOTICE: This site places This site places cookies on your device (Cookie settings). on your device. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy.