Do I Have Celiac?

[JessieFree]

hello all I am a 23 year old female. For the last for years I've had a problem with belching I saw a gastro specialist about 4 years ago who told me nothing was wrong. I just figured it was in my head. i now have a 3 year old a year after he was born I dropped a lot of wait and stopped having a period. I was trying to lose the baby weight so I figured the excessive weight loss was due to my diet and exercise. But I was still eating alot, always hungry, and still losing wait. It's been 2 and a half years and I have yet to get a period my gynecologist told me I just needed to eat more and gain weight guess he though I was anorexic. Well neway bout 4 monts ago I started having excessive gas and bloating I figured I was eating to much or something but it never went away no matter what I took and my stomach that has always been flat is sticking out all the time sometimes I look like I'm pregnant. I get muscle cramps like I used to when I was a kid and tingling in my body. My gastro specialist said my biopspsy was positive for celiac but he still wants to do a blood test and even if thats negative he still wants me to do the gluten-free diet for 3 months with a dietitian and if I don't feel better run more tests. So do I have it or not? I've only been gluten-free for a few days now I think I feel better but I've thought that b4. Does this sound like a true match? Why can't he give me a yes or no answer I'm tired of tests

[CarlaB]

If you had a positive biopsy you definately have it. Go gluten-free completely and forever. Welcome!

[AndreaB]

If you have a positive biopsy you have celiac. There is no way around that one.

As far as other tests, it depends on what they are looking for. You don't need a celiac panel since the biopsy is the gold standard for diagnosis to most doctors.

Definately go gluten free and if symptoms don't improve (could be quickly or more slowly) then look into other things. It doesn't hurt to have bloodwork done for other tests, such as vitamin/mineral levels to make sure you aren't deficient in anything.

[JessieFree]

Thanx I don't understand why he couldn't just tell me "Yes you have it"

If you have a positive biopsy you have celiac. There is no way around that one.

As far as other tests, it depends on what they are looking for. You don't need a celiac panel since the biopsy is the gold standard for diagnosis to most doctors.

Definately go gluten free and if symptoms don't improve (could be quickly or more slowly) then look into other things. It doesn't hurt to have bloodwork done for other tests, such as vitamin/mineral levels to make sure you aren't deficient in anything.

[Lisa]

Jessie:

You do have an option of going gluten free immediately. If you do not see results, then you can do further testing. Your endoscopy and biopsy were positive, that is a confirmation of celiac.

Welcome to the Club.

[CarlaB]

Thanx I don't understand why he couldn't just tell me "Yes you have it"

Sometimes we forget medicine is a business .... or else, maybe he wanted to be thorough, though the biopsy is the gold standard, you can't get more thorough than that.

BTW, you will learn more here than from any dietician.