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Diagnosis: Eating gluten-free before biopsy?

Caine

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Caine Newbie
Caine
Posted

Hello,

I recently tested positive for Celiacs disease via the blood test  and currently have a biopsy scheduled in January. I have been having progressive stomach issues for the past year and I am currently at the point where eating anything hurts and cause massive stomach pain and other digestion issues. 

I already eat mostly Gluten Free because my wife has Celiacs, so when my blood test came back it was just above the normal high range (few points into the positive). Since I don't eat gluten that much at all already I can see how having a slightly above average result would still be accurate for a positive confirmation in a blood test (Since normally you would have way higher results when eating gluten all the time). 

Since my initial diagnosis I have stopped eating Gluten entirely and still have having stomach pain. While I believe the biopsy will still reveal useful information I am conflicted with the pre-eating instructions. 

My current issue is I have 3 doctors that all have told me different things about how to prepare for my biopsy.
1 - Has no idea about celiacs diagnoses and one day tells me to eat it and the next tells me to not. 
2 - Says I don't have to eat Gluten and my biopsy result will still be accurate. 
3 - Tells me that I need to eat lots of gluten for my biopsy to be accurate. 

What should I do so that I have an accurate test result but also not cause any more potential damage if I do infact have advanced Celiacs disease/stomach damage? Has anyone else been told conflicting information about eating gluten products before biopsy? 

 

Thanks in advance!

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squirmingitch Veteran
squirmingitch
Posted

People are constantly being told conflicting information about preparing for a biopsy and also constantly being told incorrect information about preparing for a biopsy.

Here is a link to the U of C Celiac Disease Center -- one of the top celiac research centers in the world.

Open Original Shared Link

You really need 6 biopsies because damage can easily be missed. The small intestine is the size of a tennis court when laid out flat so you can see how damage could be missed if not enough samples are taken.

As to you still having stomach pain -- it takes time to heal. It's not like flipping a light switch off & on. When you quit eating gluten. that's just the start of the healing process but don't expect it to happen overnight. 

Caine Newbie
Caine
Posted
  • Author
13 hours ago, squirmingitch said:

People are constantly being told conflicting information about preparing for a biopsy and also constantly being told incorrect information about preparing for a biopsy.

Here is a link to the U of C Celiac Disease Center -- one of the top celiac research centers in the world.

Open Original Shared Link

You really need 6 biopsies because damage can easily be missed. The small intestine is the size of a tennis court when laid out flat so you can see how damage could be missed if not enough samples are taken.

As to you still having stomach pain -- it takes time to heal. It's not like flipping a light switch off & on. When you quit eating gluten. that's just the start of the healing process but don't expect it to happen overnight. 

Thank you very much for the information and link. I will continue researching more and learning. 

squirmingitch Veteran
squirmingitch
Posted

You're welcome!

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