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Blood result! - Should I have my biopsy done tomorrow? HELP

VeggieGirl

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VeggieGirl Apprentice
VeggieGirl
Posted

I've been eating gluten for 4 weeks now, as recommended by my doctor, to test for Celiac. Today I got 'some' of my blood test results back, although not all... I have my biopsy test scheduled for tomorrow morning, but I don't know if I should go through with it or not if the other results are not back by morning (which would show a clear positive or negative)... The results I got so far have a few alarming numbers...

My platelets are marked as High, being 484 x10^9/L but what I found more confusing was that my ESR is a Low 5mm (with average rate being 10 - 14)... 

My Ferritin (Serum) is 36 ng/mL which I think is low(?)

I'm no doctor, and I know that the best thing to do is ask a doctor, but I'm quite sure that if I go for my biopsy appointment tomorrow my specialist would insist on me taking it, even if the other results are not back by then. I'm sure it's not a pleasant experience and would like to avoid going through with it unless it is necessary. 

Also, I took my blood test after eating gluten for only 3 weeks (since that was a week ago), and if my blood tests result as negative, I'm thinking about trying to keep eating gluten for another 4 weeks and test again then... if that comes positive, I'll then want to have the biopsy test done.

What do you make of the above numbers? Any connections with celiac? Or with something else? 

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cyclinglady Grand Master
cyclinglady
Posted

The tests you provided can not provide any information pertaining to celiac disease.  You must be consuming gluten daily for 8 to 12 weeks in order for any of the celiac blood tests to work.  Only 2 to 4 weeks for the intestinal biopsy.  But both, yes, both are needed for a celiac diagnosis because many other things can cause intetinal villi damage.  Why isn't your doctor following the standard algorithm for diagnosis.  Does he even suspect celiac disease?  

Got to head to school.  More later!  

VeggieGirl Apprentice
VeggieGirl
Posted
  • Author
7 minutes ago, cyclinglady said:

The tests you provided can not provide any information pertaining to celiac disease.  You must be consuming gluten daily for 8 to 12 weeks in order for any of the celiac blood tests to work.  Only 2 to 4 weeks for the intestinal biopsy.  But both, yes, both are needed for a celiac diagnosis because many other things can cause intetinal villi damage.  Why isn't your doctor following the standard algorithm for diagnosis.  Does he even suspect celiac disease?  

Got to head to school.  More later!  

The doctor suspected celiac specifically, and he said 3-4 weeks would be enough... I understand that there are multiple recommendations varying from 3 weeks to 3 months but from what I've read I think 4 weeks will most probably not be enough for a positive result in the case that I am celiac. 

cyclinglady Grand Master
cyclinglady
Posted
8 minutes ago, VeggieGirl said:

The doctor suspected celiac specifically, and he said 3-4 weeks would be enough... I understand that there are multiple recommendations varying from 3 weeks to 3 months but from what I've read I think 4 weeks will most probably not be enough for a positive result in the case that I am celiac. 

It is enough for the endoscopy, but not for the blood panel.  It could be worth trying for the blood test, but there is a greater chance of it being negative.  I assume you have been gluten-free for a while.  I admire that you were able to do the gluten challenge!  (I guess I should have pulled up your previous posts, but I was busy getting my kid to school.)

VeggieGirl Apprentice
VeggieGirl
Posted
  • Author
1 minute ago, cyclinglady said:

It is enough for the endoscopy, but not for the blood panel.  It could be worth trying for the blood test, but there is a greater chance of it being negative.  I assume you have been gluten-free for a while.  I admire that you were able to do the gluten challenge!  (I guess I should have pulled up your previous posts, but I was busy getting my kid to school.)

No worries!!! 

Yes I've been completely gluten free for over a year now, except when I get glutened from restaurants etc. My 'traces symptoms' have always been major bloating and lots of bathroom breaks but now during my gluten challenge so far I've had some super crazy symptoms... varying from loose stools to severe constipation, bloating 24/7, shortness of breath, rash, joint pains, mood swings, brain fog, headaches and some sharp pains similar to brain freeze but worse... the list goes on, but I'm determined to have a definite result! 

ravenwoodglass Mentor
ravenwoodglass
Posted
4 hours ago, VeggieGirl said:



 I'm sure it's not a pleasant experience and would like to avoid going through with it unless it is necessary. 

 

The procedure is a breeze. You will go in, be sedated and go to sleep for a short nap and then it's over. Some people will have a bit of a sore throat but not everyone does. For me the hardest part of the endo was not being able to drink coffee when I got up.

You seem to have been back on gluten for long enough to have the test but as CLady said there is a good chance your blood work may be negative. In your case you may want to continue eating gluten after the biopsy at least until you get your blood results. If they are negative consider going a bit longer and getting them redone.

VeggieGirl Apprentice
VeggieGirl
Posted
  • Author
4 minutes ago, ravenwoodglass said:

The procedure is a breeze. You will go in, be sedated and go to sleep for a short nap and then it's over. Some people will have a bit of a sore throat but not everyone does. For me the hardest part of the endo was not being able to drink coffee when I got up.

You seem to have been back on gluten for long enough to have the test but as CLady said there is a good chance your blood work may be negative. In your case you may want to continue eating gluten after the biopsy at least until you get your blood results. If they are negative consider going a bit longer and getting them redone.

Oh i hope so!! I'm really anxious about the procedure as I've never done it before. I've been through operations but never an endoscopy and the thought of it is really scaring me! Thank you for giving me some courage! 

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