Endoscopy

[Moondanse]

Hi guys-

I had my biopsy today. The report says:

Nodularity and atrophy of the first part of the duodenum and second part of the duodenum compatible with duodentis, ? celiac sprue biopsy.

Otherwise normal egd to third part of duodenum

I'm not quite sure what that all means. But, the doctor said that between the scope today, the fact that I got sick after reintroducing gluten and the history of gastro issues, it's likely to be Celiac just a mild case. I guess that we'll see when the biopsy comes back.

[Lisa]

Welcome to the Club!

I am sure that you will learn more when the biopsy returns and you can sit and chat with your doctor.

I just wanted to add one thing. There is no "Mild Celiac". You either have it or you don't. And, by what you wrote, you have Celiac.

The "mild" is referred to the amount of damage done to you intestines. So consider yourself lucky that you were diagnosed without a great deal of damage. If you do well on the diet, you recovery time will be less than some.

I am sure that you find this as a relief. You can control your health by a diet change, rather than taking pills for the dreaded other ailments.

I am happy for you.

Lisa

[happygirl]

Moondanse:

I second what Lisa said. Definitely no "mild" Celiac....its like pregnancy: either you are or you aren't. Now, symptoms can vary and damage can vary (however, the damage is patchy, and could have been more severe in another place)...so in terms of that, yes, it could be "mild" or "severe." But Celiac is Celiac is Celiac. Welcome to the club

If they could see the atrophy, that is pretty impressive. A lot of times they can't, and it looks "normal"...then the biopsy comes back positive.

Laura

[Ursa Major]

I second (third? ) what the others said. If the damage is visible to the naked eye without a microscope, there must actually be considerable damage. I hope you won't wait for the 'official' results before going back to the gluten-free diet. The sooner you heal that damage the better.

Well, now at least you know. It is always better to know than having to guess at a problem.

[psawyer]

The description is a definitive diagnosis of celiac disease. If there is sufficient damage to the villi that it can be seen with the naked eye during the endoscopy, then there is no doubt. As others have said, mild can only refer to the amount of damage already sustained. Celiac does not have shades of gray--if you have it, you have it.

All that said, the disease can be managed by following a gluten-free diet at all times. This board, and the people here, are great resources to help you do that. Welcome aboard; you are among friends here.