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Worth A Blood Test?

wifesurfeit

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wifesurfeit Newbie
wifesurfeit
Posted

Hi All!  This seems like a very helpful forum.

 

My husband underwent an endoscopy for something unrelated, but while in there, the GI took some other biopsies, including of the small intestine.  The pathologist indicated that the villi were damaged and increased intraepithelial lymphocytes, indicative of Celiac, and last week, the GI diagnosed him with celiac disease after reading the pathologist report (6 biopsies were taken, moderate to severe blunting, I don't have a Marsh score).  He has no symptoms of celiac disease, but he will be checking his nutrient levels and bone density with his GP.  He immediately went on a GFD while we figured out what this meant for us - as you can imagine, it was shocking.

 

In my reading, it seems that the usual path for diagnosis is the blood antibody test, followed by the endoscopy, followed by improvement on the GFD (symptoms and improvement in antibodies and villi).  Is it worth going backwards and doing the blood antibody test now to (1) confirm the diagnosis and (2) compare antibody levels later on?  It would involve going back on a regular diet for a few weeks, which I worry about slightly - how much damage could eating a non-GFD further cause?  And mentally, will it be difficult for him (yes, it will be)?  The GI seems pretty certain that it is celiac disease based on the pathology (the damaged villi combined with the IEL), but is willing to order the blood test.

 

Thanks for any thoughts!

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beth01 Enthusiast
beth01
Posted

I wouldn't do the tests. The pathology is positive, he has a diagnosis. How long has he been gluten free, a week? He could probably have them drawn now and not have to go back on gluten so you have them for comparison later, but it really isn't necessary.

SMRI Collaborator
SMRI
Posted

If he is having bloodwork done, might as well have the Celiac tests run as well.  It's a good baseline so he can see if he is improving down the road, especially if he really does not have any symptoms.  If he has been gluten-free for more than a couple weeks though, I don't know that it is worth going back on gluten to get an accurate reading.

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