Jump to content
This site uses cookies. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. More Info... ×

  • 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

Concerned

TeresaF
 Share

Recommended Posts

TeresaF Newbie
TeresaF
Posted

Hi, 

I am booked in for a colonoscopy and endoscopy later this month.

I visited my GP a few weeks ago because I have been battling to lose weight, she referred me to have some blood tests which showed I was anemic and my liver enzymes were elevated.

I was then told to complete a stool sample that came back positive for fecal occult blood.

I haven’t had the blood test for Celiac disease.

I have had issues in the past with indigestion and I can often get bloated after eating pasta at night but seem fine with bread.

I have been reading up online about Celiac and there seems to be a few symptoms that could be relevant. I went into early menopause at 38, suffer badly with allergies and histamines in certain foods (can’t drink wine). My memory is terrible, especially with figures lately and my hearing is getting bad. (I am 44 so shouldn’t really be age related yet).

I think I am just concerned about the positive occult blood test the most, hoping it isn’t something sinister.

I am eating gluten still in readiness for the endoscopy but I just wish it was sooner so that I could have some answers.

Anyway, thanks for reading. It is good to be able to discuss this as I am trying to not discuss it with my husband and kids too much so that they don’t get worried.

 

 

 

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


trents Grand Master
trents
Posted

Welcome to the forum, Teresa!

When the endoscopy is done, will the doctor also take biopsies to check for celiac disease? You don't actually say but I assume this to be the case since you mention you are purposely still eating gluten before the scoping.

TeresaF Newbie
TeresaF
Posted
  • Author
36 minutes ago, trents said:

Welcome to the forum, Teresa!

When the endoscopy is done, will the doctor also take biopsies to check for celiac disease? You don't actually say but I assume this to be the case since you mention you are purposely still eating gluten before the scoping.

Hi, yes she has mentioned she wants the endoscopy to check for Celiac so they will be taking samples.

Wheatwacked Veteran
Wheatwacked
Posted

Your mix of symptoms could definitely be Celiac. There was a study that people who use Acid reducers (PPI) and histomine blockers eventually are diagnosed with Celiac Disease, as opposed to those who are prescribed only one or the other.  While waiting for your gastro appointment any chance of getting your doctors to go ahead and get a Celiac Blood panel and vitamin D plasma test done? Low D is ubiquitous.

Anemia, B12 deficiency, gastritis, bloating, fecal occult, allergies, endometriosis and actually all of your symptoms, just some of the over 200 symptoms that have been linked to Celiac Disease. Liver enzymes could be low Choline  due to Celiac Disease caused malabsorption.

Scott Adams Grand Master
Scott Adams
Posted

If I were you I'd request the blood panel for celiac disease while you're waiting, as this would likely be needed anyway to make a diagnosis, and is usually done before an endoscopy for celiac disease. Here is more info:

 

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share
Go to topic listing
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):


  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      130,804
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    MadiKlumpner
    Newest Member
    MadiKlumpner
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.3k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):


  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • cristiana
      Struggling to get into a good pattern

      By cristiana · Posted

      Since I've been a member of this forum,  I've seen some people write that they have not been able to tolerate corn, and others nightshades - tomatoes, potatoes, eggplant, and peppers (including bell peppers, chili peppers, and paprika).    However, intolerances can be short term, just while you are healing.    So bear this in mind if you start dropping certain foods from your diet - you may well be able to eat them again once you are healed.
    • trents
      Anyone From South Africa

      By trents · Posted

      Welcome to the forum, @Izelle! Normally, the diagnosis of celiac disease involves two stages.  The first stage involves a simple blood test that looks for antibodies that are pretty specific to celiac disease. Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder that attacks the lining of the small bowel which produces antibodies that can be detected in the blood with tests specifically designed for this purpose. There are a number of these tests that can be run. Some are more specific for celiac disease and thus more reliable than others. The two most common antibody tests ordered by physicians when diagnosing celiac disease are the "total IGA" and the "tTG-IGA" test. At least these two should always be ordered. Here is a an article outlining the subject matter of celiac antibody tests:  If the tTG-IGA levels are 10x normal then it is becoming common practice in some countries to grant a celiac diagnosis on the bloodwork alone. The second stage involves an endoscopy with biopsy of the small bowel lining to look for the damage to the small bowel lining typically caused by celiac disease's inflammatory process over time. This is usually done in response to one or more positives from the blood antibody testing and constitutes confirmation of the antibody testing to eliminate the possibility of false positives. 
    • Izelle
      Anyone From South Africa

      By Izelle · Posted

      Hi there, Please can you tell me exactly how this disease is diagnosed? I am also from South Africa Regards Izelle
    • Waterdance
      Diagnosed gluten allergy but not Celiac

      By Waterdance · Posted

      Thank you for saying that. That doctor diagnosed me with IBS with no follow-up so the relationship is already concluded. If I pursue diagnosis further I'll request someone else. 
    • Rejoicephd
      Struggling to get into a good pattern

      By Rejoicephd · Posted

      Hey everyone. Thanks again for your suggestions. I wanted to give an update and ask for some follow-up suggestions from you all.  So I did go through all of my food items and stopped eating things that were “gluten free” and switched over to the “certified gluten free” ones (the ones with the g symbol). I also stayed away from restaurants except once and there I ordered something raw vegan and gluten free hoping for the best. I also stayed away from oats and soy and dairy. I've also been increasing my vitamin B complex. I've been doing this for about 12 days and while I know that's not that long, I'm still getting sick. Sometimes having diarrhea. Sometimes getting headaches and having necklaces. Sometimes waking up feeling horrible brain fog. I did go to my GI doc and they did a blood test and found my TtG-IgA was in the negative range (and a lower number than I'd had before). I also had normal levels of CRP. My stool showed no elevation of calprotectin and no pathogens. My GI doc said the symptoms could be related to a gluten exposure or to IBS. I'm keeping a food diary to see if I can narrow down whats going on. I know I have good days and bad days and Im trying to isolate what makes a good day versus a bad day. Generally so far it looks like if it eat something super cautious like raw vegetables that I chopped myself into a salad and almonds, im fine but if I eat something more complex including, say, chicken and rice (even if packaged and certified gluten free or made by me with gluten free ingredients), it may not go so well. I may end up with either a headache, neck tension, brain fog, and/or diarrhea that day or the morning after. Any other thoughts or suggestions? I am planning to start tracking my foods again but I wanted to do it in more detail this time (maybe down to the ingredient level) so are there any common ingredients that celiacs have issues with that you all know of that I should track? I've got dairy, oats, soy, eggs, corn, peas, lentils on my “watch list”. Other things I should add? I'm hoping if I track for another two weeks I can maybe pin down some sensitivities. Appreciate the help and tips. Thank you so much!!
×
×
  • Create New...