What Exactly Is A Gi Doctor For?

[azmom3]

I've been trying to find a recommended GI doctor, but now am wondering if we really need one. What exactly do they do? Just the biopsy or can they help me any other way? Our allergy/asthma doctor told us to find one to rerun bloodwork and get a biopsy to confirm our son's celiac (positive blood). If we choose to use Enterolab (?) or some other source, should we still see a GI doc anyways?

[bklynceliac]

yes, you should. It's important to make certain the problem is "just" Celiac and not anything on top of that. Endoscopy/Colonoscopy/Blood tests & a GI can help you with that. If you're not getting the info you want after that, then perhaps consider Enterolab. Enterolab has great word of mouth on this site, but I don't think they should be used as a substitute to a GI. Also a GI can be covered by your insurance while Enterolab almost certainly won't be.

[Guest nini]

a GI can be useful IF you are going for an official dx and can actually manage to get a dx that way. My daughter's GI was next to useless though. He dismissed me completely and told me there was no way that she had Celiac even though I had already tested positive for it, and that her problems were "just" IBS... so, keeping in mind that there are good Dr.s and bad Dr.s, make your decision wisely. I haven't had any use for a GI after my dx. As long as I stay completely gluten-free I don't have any GI issues that I would need a GI dr. for. My daughter doesn't need one either, oh and she improved tremendously since going on the gluten-free diet.

[azmom3]

Thank you both for your insight on this.

It's very confusing when you keep hearing different things you should be doing. It's kind of like a lot of MD's and chiropractors (not all, as I happen to have both that recommend each other when they see fit). they both feel so strongly that their way is the right way and the only way and the other's doing you harm. I feel like I've gotten so much conflicting information and I just wan to be sure I'm doing the "right" thing....I guess that's whatever feels "right" to me after getting educated??? My dr. never mentioned any option other than a biopsy, but then there are plenty of people here who say it's not worth the risks, etc. Hopefully, I can make up my mind soon to do what's best for my son. Thanks again for your views on this. Each little bit I get gets me closer to making a decision on what to do next.

[Rikki Tikki]

I agree with nini. I personally found that other than for diagnosis mine was pretty incompetent. He told me that I would soon know more than he did about the disease, although he had recently given a talk to other doctors about it! weird

[bklynceliac]

Just to clarify, I agree that a crummy GI is not really worth the trouble. But if you work hard to find a good one you'll get something out of it. Celiac presents with symptoms similar to several other diseases/issues (part of the reason why it's so hard to diagnose conventionally), and it's really important to rule all those out. Even with positive blood tests.