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Why Get A Biopsy?

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elye Community Regular
elye
Posted

We also had a rare experience with a very with-it GP. My dad has had celiac symptoms for years, and he recently had inconclusive blood test results. When he questioned his family doc about having a biopsy, the doc said, "your intestinal tract is twenty-two feet long. Chances are excellent that tiny samples taken from it, even if there are many, will not show damage. There's just too much there to get a full picture". And he proceeded to recommend the gluten-free diet as a diagnostic. Why aren't there more of them like that? :)

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Guest nini
Guest nini
Posted

Vincent, I LOVE your explanation! That's brilliant!

My personal opinion is that the biopsy is too risky, when you can simply TRY the gluten-free diet and see if it helps. You don't have to commit to it permanently if it doesn't help you, but give it a good effort, at least six months. It does NOT have to be expensive, in fact the way I do the diet for me and my daughter, our grocery bill is actually cheaper. I buy very few of the specialty products, but the ones I do buy, I portion them out and freeze things so that they last a lot longer.

Ok, so the biopsy can only confirm IF positive. The diet doesn't have to be expensive, you don't have to commit to it permanently IF IT DOESN'T HELP. But if it does help, you've saved yourself from a costly and potentially risky surgical procedure. You don't need a Dr.s permission to go gluten-free. If you do not have a diagnosis of Celiac on your permanent record, you won't have to worry about being denied health insurance because of a pre existing condition (and before anyone says "oh that doesn't happen, IT HAPPENED TO ME.) Don't trust me. Trust yourself.

Helena Contributor
Helena
Posted

I'm dealing with this very question right now, and I've found the conversation in this thread to be very helpful. Thanks :D

jukie Rookie
jukie
Posted

The positive labs were enough for me, but I have a family history of colon, stomach, and intestinal cancer (coincidence...I think not). Anyway, because of the family history and years of chronic illness, I went ahead with the endoscopy/colonoscopy for my own peace of mind. In the meantime, I'm having my 4 year old tested with Enterolab and will NOT allow an endoscopy for him regardless of the results.

  • 2 weeks later...
KaitiUSA Enthusiast
KaitiUSA
Posted

I don't recommend biopsies because they can rule celiac in but not out. The only reason to get a biopsy would be possibly to see how much if any damage has occured so far into it.

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      Welcome to the celiac.com community @EssexMum! First, let me correct some misinformation you have been given. Except in the case of what is known as "refractory" celiac disease, which is very rare, it is not true that the "fingers" will not grow back once a consistently gluten free diet is adopted. Celiac disease is an autoimmune condition whereby the ingestion of gluten triggers an inflammatory process that damages the millions of tiny finger-like projections that make up the lining of the small bowel. We call this the "villous lining". Over time, continued ingestion of gluten on a regular basis results in the wearing down of these fingers which greatly reduces the surface area of this very important membrane. It is where essentially all the nutrition from what we eat is absorbed. So, losing this surface area results in inefficiency in nutrient absorption and often to medical problems related to nutrient deficiencies. Again, if a gluten-free diet is consistently observed, the villous lining of the small bowel should rebound. "We was informed that her body absorbs the gluten rather then rejecting it and that is why she doesn't react to the gluten straight away, it will be a build up and then the pains start. " That sounds like unscientific BS to me. But it does sound like your stepdaughter may have a type of celiac disease we know as "silent" celiac disease, meaning, she is asymptomatic or at least the symptoms are not intense enough to usually notice. She is not completely asymptomatic, however, because you stated was experiencing tummy aches off and on. Cristiana gives some good suggestions about ordering "safe" food for your stepdaughter from restaurant menus in Europe. You must realize that as the step parent who only has her part of the time you have no real control over how cooperative her other set of parents are with regard to your stepdaughter's needs to eat gluten free. It sounds like they don't really understand the seriousness of the matter. This is very common in family settings where other members are ignorant about celiac disease and the damage it can do to body systems. So, they don't take it seriously. The best you can do is make suggestions. Perhaps print out some info about celiac disease from the Internet to send them. Being inconsistent with the gluten free diet keeps the inflammation smoldering and delays or inhibits healing of the villous lining. 
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