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Colonscopy To Dx Celiac After 2 Years Gluten Free?

Shantess

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Shantess Newbie
Shantess
Posted

Hi there! new to the forums but not new to the world of gluten intolerance and Celiac. I saw at Natuorpath 2  years ago, did IgE food intolerance testing and an elimination diet. IgE test dx me with intolerance to gluten and eggs. The elimination diet confirms it. I can't tell you how much better I feel in so many unexpected ways,

 

Well, my family doc would like a more "legit" diagnosis. I told her I am very hesitant to start eating gluten again just to get a blood test. She told me that a colonoscopy can still dx Celiac even if I haven't eaten gluten in a while....is this correct??? I thought I had read other places that after 6 months, it's pretty much outta your system and the damage should be healed. Who's currect? TIA :)

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kareng Grand Master
kareng
Posted

First - a colonoscopy is not used to diagnoses Celiac. Second, if you have been gluten-free for 2 years, you should have no damage. You might want to get a new doctor or show them some info from The. Univ of Chicago Celiac center.

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nvsmom Community Regular
nvsmom
Posted

I think both doctors have it a bit wrong.  :(

 

IgE testing is for allergies but I don't believe that there is an allergy to gluten. People may be allergic to wheat or barley, but I have never heard of a gluten allergy.  Celiac disease is an autoimmune disease that is detected in the IgA or IgG immune responses. I have seen celiacs who have an IgA or IgG response to gluten as well as a IgE based wheat allergy... Could it have been a wheat allergy the naturopath discovered?  I am glad you found you feel better without gluten and eggs though.  :)

 

Your family doctor is way off on the info he gave you.  An endoscopic biopsy is the procedure often used to diagnose celiac disease. Not a colonoscopy... That's going in from the, err... other end. Celiac affects the small intestines and not the large one.

 

The endoscopic biopsy requires 2-4 weeks of a gluten challenge. If you have been gluten-free for 2 years, there should be no damage to be found. You are correct that after 6 months gluten-free, damage should be gone, or at least reduced by a fair bit.

 

If you do the blood tests, that will require a longer gluten challenge of 8-12 weeks. 

 

Good luck with the doctors.;)

Shantess Newbie
Shantess
Posted
  • Author

That's what I thought. Guess I'll have to print some info off for the doc ;) Thank you both for the help!

Cara in Boston Enthusiast
Cara in Boston
Posted

I would not even trust this doctor to do the endoscopy (NOT COLONOSCOPY) to diagnose you as she clearly does not know anything about Celiac.  Wrong test in the first place and you will not have any damage after being gluten free for 2 years.  After I was gluten free for two weeks, my doctor wanted me to eat gluten for 6 months before undergoing an endoscopy.  

 

Get a new doctor if possible.  Check with your local Celiac Support group for recommendations. 

Fenrir Community Regular
Fenrir
Posted

Colonoscopy is generally done in patients who are suspected celiacs for a couple of reasons:

#1- to rule out Crohn's or other colon diseases.

#2- There is a higher incidence of colon cancer in celiacs

 

Colonoscopy does not diagnose celiac, it only rules out other conditions. An upper endoscopy is what should be done to confirm it but if you've been gluten free for 2 years it will be negative.

Gemini Experienced
Gemini
Posted

Colonoscopy is generally done in patients who are suspected celiacs for a couple of reasons:

#1- to rule out Crohn's or other colon diseases.

#2- There is a higher incidence of colon cancer in celiacs

 

Colonoscopy does not diagnose celiac, it only rules out other conditions. An upper endoscopy is what should be done to confirm it but if you've been gluten free for 2 years it will be negative.

There is not a higher incidence of colon cancer in Celiacs. Maybe in people who don't know that have it and keep eating a gluten filled diet but for those who adhere to the diet and heal, the incidence of cancer is not elevated. There was a recent study done on it and I think it was posted here on c.com.......I'll have to have a look.

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  • 4 weeks later...
1desperateladysaved Proficient
1desperateladysaved
Posted

Will endoscopy always be negative in two years?  I still feel my body is in transition, feel some pain in the top of the small intestine.  I am also due for a colonoscopy and am wondering if they should do an endoscopy while they are at it.

 

Dee

kareng Grand Master
kareng
Posted

Will endoscopy always be negative in two years?  I still feel my body is in transition, feel some pain in the top of the small intestine.  I am also due for a colonoscopy and am wondering if they should do an endoscopy while they are at it.

 

Dee

If you are having some issues, I would tell the doctor that. I would insist on the doc looking at both ends - you will be there anyway. What's an extra 10 minutes? Maybe he will find something else - like an ulcer. Maybe he will find nothing. But at least you would know.

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