Should I Ask To Be Tested?

[Staciemich]

I was on this web site a couple of years ago when I was having a lot of stomach problems. After tests and an endoscopy, the doctor said that I had IBS.

My stomach has been better, but it seems to act up when I'm stressed or maybe when I eat certain foods.

I recently had some routine bloodwork done for a new doctor, and he told me that my liver enzymes are very elevated. One enzyme that should be in the 30s is in the 500s. He is suspecting Hepatitis, though I don't know where I would have gotten B or C, and I don't really have the symptoms of A. I've been very tired lately with some bloated stomach problems, but that's about it. I am waiting for the results of the Hep tests. If they come back negative, should I ask to be tested for Celiac? I have read that it can elevate liver enzymes and that smelly flactulance, stools and bloating are symptoms. I definitely have those, but I don't really have any other symptoms of celiac.

Thanks,

Stacie

[AndreaB]

I had elevated enzymes almost two years ago. ALT and AST. They went down last year. They also ran tests for me for hepatitis which came back negative. I had never heard of celiac at that time. I am gluten intolerant anyway. If you don't need an official diagnosis then go gluten free and see if you notice an improvement. From what I have read there are many false negatives with testing for celiac. My doctor that tested everything to try and find out about the enzymes just chalked it up to fatty liver and told me to have it checked in a year.

[lorka150]

A few months ago, my liver enzymes were all over 800 (and as you know, under 40 is normal). Gluten was sneaking into my diet (I thought I was gluten free). They tested me for everything. They teetered off around 150, but haven't budged, so I am getting a liver biopsy in two weeks. Perhaps that would help.

[jenvan]

Stacie-

An IBS diagnosis, GI issues and elevated liver enzymes are all commonly found in Celiacs...so I'd say it would definitely be worth getting tested. However, what tested did they initially run on you, did they do a biopsy with the endoscopy?

[ravenwoodglass]

I was on this web site a couple of years ago when I was having a lot of stomach problems. After tests and an endoscopy, the doctor said that I had IBS.

My stomach has been better, but it seems to act up when I'm stressed or maybe when I eat certain foods.

I recently had some routine bloodwork done for a new doctor, and he told me that my liver enzymes are very elevated. One enzyme that should be in the 30s is in the 500s. He is suspecting Hepatitis, though I don't know where I would have gotten B or C, and I don't really have the symptoms of A. I've been very tired lately with some bloated stomach problems, but that's about it. I am waiting for the results of the Hep tests. If they come back negative, should I ask to be tested for Celiac? I have read that it can elevate liver enzymes and that smelly flactulance, stools and bloating are symptoms. I definitely have those, but I don't really have any other symptoms of celiac.

Thanks,

Stacie

I believe everyone in the country from age 2 to the elderly should be tested. That said yes get tested but after they draw the blood go gluten free. Dietary response is one of the best diagnostic tools. Testing misses some of us and if your one of the lucky ones the delay can lead to a great deal of other problems.

[queenofhearts]

Elevated liver enzymes are what finally got me diagnosed!

My Gastro-Enterologist also told me that "hepatitis" simply means an unhealthy liver-- all the A's B's & so on are different illnesses that can harm the liver. The tests they run are for these known causes. The word "hepatitis" is about as specific as "headache." I'd never realized how many things that sound like clear, meaningful diagnoses are actually just a way to rephrase the problem so that it sounds professional! (IBS, for example!)

Definitely get tested-- even if you already know that gluten-free helps, it is good to have a specialist pinpoint the problem. Other folks take it more seriously, for one thing.

Good luck!

Leah

[Staciemich]

The doctor I had seemed to think that it was in my head...that kind of thing. He said he would do an endoscopy just in case, but he didn't take a biopsy. He just took a look. I also had a barium test of my lower intestine I think. Everything came back fine, so he told me that I had IBS and should look for psychiatric counseling to learn how to deal with it. Needless to say, I was not impressed with him at all.

I've had stomach problems since I was a child. I was lactose intolerant as a baby and had to drink soy milk. I was able to have milk products when I got older, but I now know that I have to be careful not to have too much. Once in a while a latte or cup of icecream will give me the runs and stomach aches, so I try to stay away from it by drinking soy lattes and lactose free milk.

My stomach tends to get very bloated and gassy often, but I haven't figured out if it is due to food or stress or both. I know that stress affects me physically, and I get very very gassy after certain foods...like foods with garlic or fruits and vegetables. An apple can really mess me up.

[chrissy]

i'd definitely ask to have the test done. i have a tendency to agree with ravenwoodglass about everyone getting tested. i think that celiac should just be a routine blood test that is done when other routine blood work is done.