Positive Bloodwork- Biopsy ?

[breann6]

I received results from bloodwork this past monday that i tested positive for Celiac through bloodwork, and would need a biopsy to confirm the results. i have had severe stomach issues for months and tried gluten free (on my own)for three days and didn't have near the issues i normally would have. Then my dr tells me to stop (after telling him)gluten free because they have to have the biopsy before going gluten free. the prob is the biopsy is nearly three weeks away unless my GI DR. can fit me in sooner. My question is, if the bloodwork "clearly" indicates Celiac- my Dr's quote, what are the odds the biopsy will reveal otherwise and why do i have to wait to go gluten-free until then...he said its mainly to confirm diagnoses and check damage and also i have to have follow up biopsy after GL for a period of time?? Sound normal? Sick of being sick and just want to feel better...ready to hit the diet...already made gluten free chocolate cake yesterday and it was YUMMY!! couldn't even tell it wasn't a 'normal' cake

thanks in advance!!

[jknnej]

Personally, I would do the biopsy. You should to check how much damage is there, and to confirm the diagnosis. It is an easy procedure, with no pain involved, and then you will know for certain.

Also, if God forbid something is wrong in your small intestine because of gluten, they can catch it NOW.

[CantEvenEatRice]

The biopsy is the "gold standard" for diagnosing Celiac. I have no idea why though, especially if you have positive bloodwork. I was sick for at least 10 years before a doctor ran the Celiac blood tests. Mine came back positive and I immediately started the diet and my life changed. I never did have the biopsy. I guess the biopsy is a personal decision. Doctors will encourage it, but you have to decide if you want to keep eating gluten waiting for the test. Also, there are risks involved with having the biopsy. Even if your biopsy is negative, you already know you feel better on the diet. Even if your bloodwork was negative, you know you feel better on the diet. The diet is all the proof you need. But you even have the bloodwork, so you know you have Celiac. I am not saying not to have the biopsy, but I really don't think you definitely have to have it to find your answer. Best of luck!

[breann6]

thanks so much. I'll go forth with the biopsy just to make sure i don't have anything major wrong. Hopefully i get it moved up and hope that i can atleast start gluten free this weekend- a week or two gluten free shouldn't skew the results of the biospy? Does the blood work definately mean i have Celiac? Is the blood work often wrong and thats why the biopsy is used to confirm?

thanks to you both for your quick responses!!

[LKelly8]

If your doctor says your bloodwork, ". . .clearly indicates celiac. . .", then you have celiac disease.

You're lucky, in a way. Many people don't get such a definitive answer from bloodwork.

The 'scope itself can rule out other illnesses (that you may have on top of the celiac) and it can check to see just how much damage there is to your small intestine. Some doctors like to do a follow up 'scope six months to a year gluten-free to see how well the intestine is healing.

Talk to your doctor about going gluten-free before the 'scope. He may not like that idea.

"...already made gluten free chocolate cake yesterday and it was YUMMY!!" Speaking of cake. I am anxiously awaiting the arrival of a gluten-free cake/brownie mix from amazon. I keep checking the front door to see if the UPS guy might be there.

[Guest nini]

My Dr. didn't have me do a biopsy because my bloodwork was so highly positive for Celiac. The more research I've done the more I'm convinced that the biopsy is an outdated and archaic method of dx'ing celiac. It can only confirm the dx, it can never ever rule it out. And, in my personal opinion it is cruel and unusual punishment to make someone continue to eat gluten once you know that is the problem, just to "confirm" the dx. Positive dietary response will confirm the dx AND if you start getting better, guess what, any damage done to your intestines is beginning to heal. IF after you've been gluten-free for say oh 6 months to a year and there has been ZERO improvement, then it's time to do a scope and see if something else is going on, keeping in mind that on average it takes someone 2 years to truly begin to heal from Celiac. My personal opinion is that the biopsy is too risky for too little information. But you have to make the choice that you are comfortable with.

[mamatide]

the prob is the biopsy is nearly three weeks away unless my GI DR. can fit me in sooner. thanks in advance!!

If it's only 3 weeks away I say wait and find out for certain. I had to wait 3 months just for bloodwork... consider yourself lucky it's so close.

Gluten free for life is a big commitment and somewhere down the road (if you go gluten-free before biopsy and biopsy shows questionable results as a result) you may start to wonder if you really do have Celiac, is it worth it to stay gluten-free...

I see this as an opportunity to assess whatever damage is already present and to start gluten-free with a clean slate.

But that's my opinion... I wonder how long it's going to be for me to be scheduled for a biopsy.

mamatide

[Guest nini]

I've heard way too many stories of the biopsies missing damage for too many years and then the person being told "oh you don't have celiac after all" then they keep eating gluten, keep getting sicker (this is all with positive blood test results) and eventually get a biopsy that comes back so highly positive and with so much damage and by this time the person has developed other related autoimmune disorders that require constant medication for.

[chgomom]

Mr doc who concentrates her practice on celiac disease and research, said een 6 weeks gluten free isn't enough to really skew a biopsy and challanges if you have highly positive blood work are more dangerous than they are beneficial.

[breann6]

Thanks for all of your replies!! I got a call this afternoon and will be seeing my gastro tomorrow afternoon instead of the orginal appt. I'll update tomorrow on what i find out...

thanks again!

B

[Mountaineer Josh]

I definitely suggest getting the biopsy. My bloodwork was 260 and they still did the biopsy to be sure. Fortunately or unfortunately for me, I'm pretty much asymptomatic so it was good to have the biopsy done to prove to me that something was truly amiss. My only symptoms over the years were some mild cramps and bloating.