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

Endoscopy/Biopsy question - can they tell by sight?

Alibu

Recommended Posts

Alibu Explorer
Alibu
Posted

Hi, I have an endoscopy scheduled on Thursday to confirm celiac.  I have a positive tTG IGA test but negative EMA.  I know they'll take some biopsies and those will take 1-2 weeks to come back, but can they see the damage by sight too?   Is it also possible to see absolutely no damage, but then the biopsies come back showing damage?

I'm just going crazy over here not knowing, LOL. 

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


cyclinglady Grand Master
cyclinglady
Posted
28 minutes ago, Alibu said:

Hi, I have an endoscopy scheduled on Thursday to confirm celiac.  I have a positive tTG IGA test but negative EMA.  I know they'll take some biopsies and those will take 1-2 weeks to come back, but can they see the damage by sight too?   Is it also possible to see absolutely no damage, but then the biopsies come back showing damage?

I'm just going crazy over here not knowing, LOL. 

Sometimes the damage can be seen during the endoscopy, but often times it can not.  The damage is microscopic.  My biopsy revealed a Marsh Stage IIIB (moderate to severe patches) and yet my GI said that visually I looked fine.  Go figure!  

 

Alibu Explorer
Alibu
Posted
  • Author
2 minutes ago, cyclinglady said:

Sometimes the damage can be seen during the endoscopy, but often times it can not.  The damage is microscopic.  My biopsy revealed a Marsh Stage IIIB (moderate to severe patches) and yet my GI said that visually I looked fine.  Go figure!  

 

Oh wow!!  Ok, good to know, thank you!

GF-Cheetah Cub Contributor
GF-Cheetah Cub
Posted

"Is it also possible to see absolutely no damage, but then the biopsies come back showing damage?"

Yes.   This happened to my daughter.   After her endoscopy, the two doctor came to tell us that they did not see damage.   But two weeks later, the doctor called to tell us that her biopsies came back positive.   So, just sit tight and wait for the official biopsies result.

squirmingitch Veteran
squirmingitch
Posted

Ditto what they said. Doctors can rarely actually see the damage it's so microscopic in nature. You really have to wait for the pathology to come back. Once in a while docs will see general inflammation but they can't see the minute details of the villi.

RMJ Mentor
RMJ
Posted

My GI, who is a researcher at a university hospital, had a very good endoscope with enough magnification to see my blunted villi.  I believe there is also some technique involved.  But as others have said, things can be visually ok and still have damage seen under a microscope.

Victoria1234 Experienced
Victoria1234
Posted

But you can start the gluten-free diet now!

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


Archived

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

Go to topic listing

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Celiac.com:
    Join eNewsletter
    Donate
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):
    Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):



    Celiac.com Sponsors (A17-M):



  • Recent Activity

    1. yellowstone
      - yellowstone posted a topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      0

      Cold/flu or gluten poisoning?

      Cold/flu or gluten poisoning? Hello. I've had another similar episode. I find it very difficult to differentiate between the symptoms of a cold or flu and those caused by gluten poisoning. In fact, I don't know if my current worsening is due to having eaten something that disagreed with me or if the cold I have has caused my body, which is hypersensitive...
    2. Churro
      - Churro replied to Churro's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      17

      Celiac disease symptoms

      I'm no longer dealing with constipation. I got my liver test last month and it was in normal range. Two years ago I did have a vitamin D deficiency but I'm know taking vitamin D3 pills. Last month I got my vitamin D checked and it was in normal range. I don't believe I've had my choline checked. However, I do drink almond milk eat Greek yogurt on a daily...
    3. Wheatwacked
      - Wheatwacked replied to Churro's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      17

      Celiac disease symptoms

      Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity (NCGS) can be associated with low ferritin and iron deficiency. Once Celiac Disease (1% of the population affected) has been ruled out by tests the next step is to check for Non Celiac Gluten Sensitivity (10% of the population affected) by eliminating gluten for a trial period, then re-introduce Gluten Challange. Have...
    4. Churro
      - Churro replied to Churro's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      17

      Celiac disease symptoms

      Thanks for your input.
    5. trents
      - trents replied to Churro's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      17

      Celiac disease symptoms

      If you have hemorrhoids 1x weekly I don't see how you have time to heal from one episode before you experience another one, unless each one is a very minor event. Have you consulted a physician about your hemorrhoid issue? It's not normal to be having an episode every week unless it is really one episode that is not completely healing between weekly...
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):

  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      133,063
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    JTL1976
    Newest Member
    JTL1976
    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

    • yellowstone
      Cold/flu or gluten poisoning?

      By yellowstone · Posted

      Cold/flu or gluten poisoning? Hello. I've had another similar episode. I find it very difficult to differentiate between the symptoms of a cold or flu and those caused by gluten poisoning. In fact, I don't know if my current worsening is due to having eaten something that disagreed with me or if the cold I have has caused my body, which is hypersensitive, to produce symptoms similar to those of gluten poisoning.        
    • Churro
      Celiac disease symptoms

      By Churro · Posted

      I'm no longer dealing with constipation. I got my liver test last month and it was in normal range. Two years ago I did have a vitamin D deficiency but I'm know taking vitamin D3 pills. Last month I got my vitamin D checked and it was in normal range. I don't believe I've had my choline checked. However, I do drink almond milk eat Greek yogurt on a daily basis. 
    • Wheatwacked
      Celiac disease symptoms

      By Wheatwacked · Posted

      Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity (NCGS) can be associated with low ferritin and iron deficiency. Once Celiac Disease (1% of the population affected) has been ruled out by tests the next step is to check for Non Celiac Gluten Sensitivity (10% of the population affected) by eliminating gluten for a trial period, then re-introduce Gluten Challange. Have you been supplementing Iron? How are your liver enzymes? Low levels of ferritin indicate iron deficiency, while  59% transferrin saturation indicates high iron levels.  Possibly indicating Fatty Liver Disease.  Choline is crucial for liver health, and deficiency is a known trigger for Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver.  Some experts say that less than 10% eat the the Food and Nutrition Board established Adequate Intake that are based on the prevention of liver damage. Severe constipation and hemorrhoids may be linked to a bile or choline deficiency.  "Ninety-five percent of phospholipids (PLs) in bile is secreted as phosphatidylcholine or lecithin."  Fatty acid composition of phospholipids in bile in man   Deficiency of these bile salts causes the bile to get thick. Some people with Celiac Disease are misdiagnosed with Gall Bladder bile issues.  Removal of the gallbladder provides only temporary relief. Whether or not celiac disease or NCGS are your issues you need to look at your vitamin D blood level.   
    • Churro
      Celiac disease symptoms

      By Churro · Posted

      Thanks for your input. 
    • trents
      Celiac disease symptoms

      By trents · Posted

      If you have hemorrhoids 1x weekly I don't see how you have time to heal from one episode before you experience another one, unless each one is a very minor event. Have you consulted a physician about your hemorrhoid issue? It's not normal to be having an episode every week unless it is really one episode that is not completely healing between weekly flareups.
×
×
  • 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.