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Should I Get Tested

pinktulip

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pinktulip Apprentice
pinktulip
Posted

My dad was recently diagnosed, and I have a check up tomorrow with my gastro doctor to check up on my reflux. SHould I mention it?

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lonewolf Collaborator
lonewolf
Posted

YES! Absolutely. It's genetic, so it's very reasonable to ask to be tested - even if you weren't having any symptoms.

Welcome to the forum!

aikiducky Apprentice
aikiducky
Posted

Reflux could be a symptom of celiac, so I'd definitely mention it.

Pauliina

par18 Apprentice
par18
Posted

I take it you mean your father was diagnosed with Celiac? If so I think it would be ok to mention it to your doctor but if it were me I would just try the diet to see if it improves your reflux. I had reflux along with other symptoms and it disappeared along with the other symptoms. Unless it is for piece of mind an official diagnosis would only cost you money in terms of testing and insurance rates rising. Even if you have coverage it could increase with a positive diagnosis. I'm not sure sure all doctors or labs will view it this way. The advantage of this being genetic is that if a family member is diagnosed then other members can respond with the treatment option first if they develop Celiac type symptoms. Also if you try the diet and respond in a positve way you are doing a valuable service to your body and it will show it's appreciation! Good luck.

Tom

Guhlia Rising Star
Guhlia
Posted

1/20 first degree relatives of Celiacs also have Celiac. Acid reflux can definitely be a symptom and I believe it's one of the more common symptoms. Get tested, it could save you from a lot of hassles down the road.

pinktulip Apprentice
pinktulip
Posted
  • Author

I mentioned it and she said the only symptom is reflux. However this was just a gp. My mom thinks I should go back to my gastro. (with the relux under control with meds, I only go when needed, about once a year, and don't have to go until next Aug.) Until then my dad wants me to follow the diet his doctor told him to see if it clears up.

Would painful stomach cramping be a symptom? My dad had blood and direheaa, but I get really painful bowel movements.

par18 Apprentice
par18
Posted
I mentioned it and she said the only symptom is reflux. However this was just a gp. My mom thinks I should go back to my gastro. (with the relux under control with meds, I only go when needed, about once a year, and don't have to go until next Aug.) Until then my dad wants me to follow the diet his doctor told him to see if it clears up.

Would painful stomach cramping be a symptom? My dad had blood and direheaa, but I get really painful bowel movements.

Cramping is a symptom. When you say you mentioned it to her do you mean Celiac? What do you mean when you say "she said the only symptom is reflux"? Is she talking about you or the symptom reflux as pertains to Celiac. I'm sort of confused. That said I still agree with your father. Try the diet to see if it helps. If it does then maybe bowel movements will improve also.

Tom

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pinktulip Apprentice
pinktulip
Posted
  • Author
Cramping is a symptom. When you say you mentioned it to her do you mean Celiac? What do you mean when you say "she said the only symptom is reflux"? Is she talking about you or the symptom reflux as pertains to Celiac. I'm sort of confused. That said I still agree with your father. Try the diet to see if it helps. If it does then maybe bowel movements will improve also.

Tom

She said since the only symptom I have is reflux, but my mom and dad have decided to have the done on me. Dad told me to enjoy one last week eating what I want. He really this this answers a lot a problems that may have been misdiagnosed.

Can they tell with just the bloodtest or do I have to have other test?

par18 Apprentice
par18
Posted
She said since the only symptom I have is reflux, but my mom and dad have decided to have the done on me. Dad told me to enjoy one last week eating what I want. He really this this answers a lot a problems that may have been misdiagnosed.

Can they tell with just the bloodtest or do I have to have other test?

I don't know quite how to answer a question like that. Yes they "can" tell with specific results. Whether or not you get those results is something else. If you do test positive or negative then of course you could get more tests, and more tests and more tests. Believe me if you have the money and the the time they have all the tests you want. Or like I said before and your father indicated you can just try the diet "first". The diet is a "test " in itself and a very good one. Why did your dad say to enjoy one last week of eating what you want. Does this mean in a week you will be on the diet one way or the other?

Tom

pinktulip Apprentice
pinktulip
Posted
  • Author

No, I have a blood test today and he's pretty sure the results are going to come back positive.

aikiducky Apprentice
aikiducky
Posted

After you get the blood test results, I would try the diet for a while in any case, even if the tests are negative. Except if the doctor also wants to do a biopsy, in which case I'd try gluten free immediately after the biopsy!

And even if you decide to keep on eating gluteny foods, I would periodically do the blood test again (like every five years or so) because with a close relative with celiac, you do have a risk of developing it later in life.

The blood tests will only start showing positive once you have quite a lot of damage in your intestines, so it's possible to be negative now and positive sometime later in life.

Pauliina

pinktulip Apprentice
pinktulip
Posted
  • Author
I don't know quite how to answer a question like that. Yes they "can" tell with specific results. Whether or not you get those results is something else. If you do test positive or negative then of course you could get more tests, and more tests and more tests. Believe me if you have the money and the the time they have all the tests you want. Or like I said before and your father indicated you can just try the diet "first". The diet is a "test " in itself and a very good one. Why did your dad say to enjoy one last week of eating what you want. Does this mean in a week you will be on the diet one way or the other?

Tom

He does alot of the cooking.

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