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

Dxed Celiac By Biopsy, Should I Bother With Bloodwork?

JodyM75

Recommended Posts

JodyM75 Apprentice
JodyM75
Posted

I have a 20+ year history of reflux due to a hiatal hernia, and I was recently diagnosed with gastroparesis (delayed stomach emptying).  Both are also symtoms of Celiac, so, before my EGD two weeks ago, I asked the doc to do a test for Celiac.  He wavered and caved in, and I'm glad I asked becuase the test came back positive.

 

I've never had bloodwork or any other tests for Celiac.  At this point, should I bother?  I have an appointment with my regular doc tomorrow, and I'm wondering if I should request any other tests.

 

Thanks,

 

Jody

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


cyclinglady Grand Master
cyclinglady
Posted

I would ask for the blood panel provided you are still consuming gluten. Villi can be damaged from other things (like milk) per the University of Chicago's celiac website. Research, print and hand it over to your doctor. I would hate to have to give up gluten for life if it was not causing damage.

kareng Grand Master
kareng
Posted

I think the blood work would be good for follow up purposes. You need to get it checked after about 6 months gluten-free & then every year. It may not be negative after 6 months , but you could see it going down and know you are on the right track.

JodyM75 Apprentice
JodyM75
Posted
  • Author

I did not know other things can cause villous atrophy.  I will discuss this tomorrow with my PCP and request bloodwork.  I started with the gluten-free bit yesterday.

 

Unlike many people on these boards, my symtpoms are not severe and, frankly, I don't know yet what symptoms this is actually causing.  If it is Celiac, I'm guessing my symptoms would become evident when I took it out of my diet and they disappeared.

 

The GI doctor said I tested positive for "mild celiac" and after researching it I take that to mean the villous damage was mild because you either have Celiac or you don't.  He wanted me to go on a gluten-free diet.  I've been researching like crazy since then! 

 

Jody

Celiacandme Apprentice
Celiacandme
Posted

I agree with Karen. Get the blood work so you know where your levels are now and they can be monitored. It's nice to see them come down after 3 and 6 months on the diet. Then for future blood work as well. I would also request that they check you for any vitamin deficiencies. Happens often with celiac disease and you may need to supplement with vitamins. Iron levels, Vitamin D, B-12, etc. Have them check so you know! Update us when you can!

JodyM75 Apprentice
JodyM75
Posted
  • Author

Thanks for all the input, I will push for the bloodwork when I see the doc today.  I was checked for vitamin deficiencies about 6 months ago and the only one was Vit D, everything else was normal.  I've been on PPIs for 15 years and read that they can cause deficiencies as well, but to my surprise all was pretty normal. 

JodyM75 Apprentice
JodyM75
Posted
  • Author

I have the bloodwork form and she also is requesting a food allergy panel.  I got the impression she didn't think the bloodwork was necessary if I got diagnosed by biopsy.  I'm feeling very unsure and a bit confused right now.  I really dislike trying to navigate through modern medicine....

 

What if the bloodwork doesn't match the biopsy results?  (See, the "What if"s are starting already...)

 

If the villi is being damaged by something else, how will I narrow that down? 

 

Does Celiac damage all the intestine or just the small intestine?

 

Jody

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


cyclinglady Grand Master
cyclinglady
Posted

I did not know other things can cause villous atrophy.  I will discuss this tomorrow with my PCP and request bloodwork.  I started with the gluten-free bit yesterday.

 

Unlike many people on these boards, my symtpoms are not severe and, frankly, I don't know yet what symptoms this is actually causing.  If it is Celiac, I'm guessing my symptoms would become evident when I took it out of my diet and they disappeared.

 

The GI doctor said I tested positive for "mild celiac" and after researching it I take that to mean the villous damage was mild because you either have Celiac or you don't.  He wanted me to go on a gluten-free diet.  I've been researching like crazy since then! 

 

Jody

I was "mildly" positive o my blood test but my biopsy via endoscopy revealed Marsh Stage IIIB, which is severe damage! My only symptom was anemia and since I had two anemias (one iron deficient and the other genetic) the iron deficiency anemia was attributed to men's traction. Stopped that and the doc noticed that I was still anemic. It has been a year since my dx, but I can be scoped to see if I my villi have improved. I am glad I had the biopsy.

cyclinglady Grand Master
cyclinglady
Posted

I have the bloodwork form and she also is requesting a food allergy panel.  I got the impression she didn't think the bloodwork was necessary if I got diagnosed by biopsy.  I'm feeling very unsure and a bit confused right now.  I really dislike trying to navigate through modern medicine....

 

What if the bloodwork doesn't match the biopsy results?  (See, the "What if"s are starting already...)

 

If the villi is being damaged by something else, how will I narrow that down? 

 

Does Celiac damage all the intestine or just the small intestine?

 

Jody

It damages just the small and things like milk can damage villi, but focus on one thing at a time. Mine did not match. My biopsy showed much more severe damage.

Scour the University of Chicago website for complete and accurate information about celiac disease.

Archived

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

Go to topic listing
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):


  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      132,520
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    Tara M.
    Newest Member
    Tara M.
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):



  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.5k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):

  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • cristiana
      Sainsbury's Free From White Sliced Bread - Now Egg Free - Completely Ruined It

      By cristiana · Posted

      More great tips, and a good excuse to shop at M&S and also buy more iced buns!   I wish we had an ASDA near us, as the few times we've been to one their gluten-free pasta range seemed very reasonably priced compared to other shops.  Thanks so much, @Russ H.
    • Russ H
      Shingles - Could It Be Related to Gluten/ Celiac

      By Russ H · Posted

      I hope you are on the mend soon. About 1 in 5 people who contracted chicken pox as a child go on to develop shingles in later life - it is not uncommon. There are 5 known members of the herpes virus family including chicken pox that commonly infect humans, and they all cause lifelong infections. The exact cause of viral reactivation as in the case of shingles or cold sores is not well understood, but stress, sunburn and radiotherapy treatment are known triggers. Some of the herpes viruses are implicated in triggering autoimmune diseases: Epstein-Barr virus is suspected of triggering multiple sclerosis and lupus, and there is a case where it is suspected of triggering coeliac disease. As to whether coeliac disease can increase the likelihood of viral reactivation, there have been several cohort studies including a large one in Sweden suggesting that coeliac disease is associated with a moderate increase in the likelihood of developing shingles in people over the age of 50. US 2024 - Increased Risk of Herpes Zoster Infection in Patients with Celiac Disease 50 Years Old and Older Sweden 2018 - Increased risk of herpes zoster in patients with coeliac disease - nationwide cohort study
    • Russ H
      Sainsbury's Free From White Sliced Bread - Now Egg Free - Completely Ruined It

      By Russ H · Posted

      BFree bread is fortified with vitamins and minerals as is ASDA own-brand gluten-free bread. All the M&S bread seems to be fortified also.
    • Flash1970
      Shingles - Could It Be Related to Gluten/ Celiac

      By Flash1970 · Posted

      You might try Heallix.  It's a silver solution with fulvic acid. I just put the solution on with a cotton ball.  It seemed to stop the nerve pain. Again,  not in your eyes or ears.   Go to heallix.com to read more about it and decide for yourself Also,  I do think nerve and celiac combined have a lot to do with your susceptibility to shingles breaking out. 
    • trents
      GI DX celiac despite neg serology and no biopsy

      By trents · Posted

      Celiac disease requires both genetic potential and a triggering stress event to activate the genes. Otherwise it remains dormant and only a potential problem. So having the genetic potential is not deterministic for celiac disease. Many more people have the genes than actually develop the disease. But if you don't have the genes, the symptoms are likely being caused by something else.
×
×
  • 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.