Jump to content
This site uses cookies. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. More Info... ×

  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):

    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

Brand New, Have A Question

sg325

Recommended Posts

sg325 Newbie
sg325
Posted

Hi everyone, I have been suffering with digestive problems for the past 3 yrs or so, had a baby and a gallbladder removal in between, so I have recently been able to receive testing from my GI doctor. After a colonoscopy and endoscopy, nothing was seen, but my doctor said my biopsy showed some flatten villi in the beginning of my small intestine. The pathology dept. said it was not celiac, but my doc is sending it to another hospital (he works for the state hospital dept.) and will see what they say, he suspects celiac.

We have no known history of celiac (just colon cancer, diverticulitis, Crohns, lactose intolerance, and I don't have any of these myself, as far as I know) in our family. My question is, after all of my research of villi problems, all I can find is celiac as the cause. Could it be something else?? If so, I haven't been able to find it on google, lol.

My next appt is in November, and my doctor said to go off gluten for a week sometime before then and see if it makes a difference.

My symptoms are abdominal pain, loose stools, nausea, and fatigue.

Anyway, thanks for reading and let me know what you think, I appreciate all theories and comments!

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


Lisa Mentor
Lisa
Posted
Hi everyone, I have been suffering with digestive problems for the past 3 yrs or so, had a baby and a gallbladder removal in between, so I have recently been able to receive testing from my GI doctor. After a colonoscopy and endoscopy, nothing was seen, but my doctor said my biopsy showed some flatten villi in the beginning of my small intestine. The pathology dept. said it was not celiac, but my doc is sending it to another hospital (he works for the state hospital dept.) and will see what they say, he suspects celiac.

We have no known history of celiac (just colon cancer, diverticulitis, Crohns, lactose intolerance, and I don't have any of these myself, as far as I know) in our family. My question is, after all of my research of villi problems, all I can find is celiac as the cause. Could it be something else?? If so, I haven't been able to find it on google, lol.

My next appt is in November, and my doctor said to go off gluten for a week sometime before then and see if it makes a difference.

My symptoms are abdominal pain, loose stools, nausea, and fatigue.

Anyway, thanks for reading and let me know what you think, I appreciate all theories and comments!

Welcome to the forum. Glad that you have found us.

Flattening of the villi is classic in a Celiac diagnosis. I don't see why you doctor has any doubt about this. Your other symptom also fit.

You will find no better source for Celiac than here. (I'll let other chime in - I'm burning the bacon :o )

nikki-uk Enthusiast
nikki-uk
Posted
Flattening of the villi is classic in a Celiac diagnosis. I don't see why you doctor has any doubt about this. Your other symptom also fit.

I'd have to agree with Lisa :)

Definition of celiac disease is villi flattening (or atrophy)

Did you have the blood panel for celiac disease as well??

The only other thing that causes villi damage is Open Original Shared Link...been to any tropical countries lately?

I'll let other chime in - I'm burning the bacon :o

Burnt bacon <_<

Lisa Mentor
Lisa
Posted
I'd have to agree with Lisa :)

Definition of celiac disease is villi flattening (or atrophy)

Did you have the blood panel for celiac disease as well??

The only other thing that causes villi damage is Open Original Shared Link...been to any tropical countries lately?

Burnt bacon <_<

Bacon saved and in the Quiche! BACK ON SUBJECT.

darkangel Rookie
darkangel
Posted

Crohn's disease also causes blunting of intestinal villi. All of your symptoms are also common with Crohn's.

sg325 Newbie
sg325
Posted
  • Author
Crohn's disease also causes blunting of intestinal villi. All of your symptoms are also common with Crohn's.

Thanks for your quick responses! My doctor did do the blood test for it at this last visit, and when I see him again, he will have those results and the results of his second pathology opinion. He said he suspects celiac, but the pathologist at our local hospital said it was not, so he will send it to another one and I will wait and see. I did not know that Crohns causes blunting of villi, but that disease certainly runs in our family. However, the colonoscopy showed no inflammation or damage, so I am stumped.

Will keep you posted as I find out more info, thanks again!!

happygirl Collaborator
happygirl
Posted

Make sure that your dr ran the full Celiac blood work:

Anti-gliadin antibodies (AGA) both IgA and IgG

Anti-endomysial antibodies (EMA) - IgA

Anti-tissue transglutaminase antibodies (tTG) - IgA

Total IgA level

Best of luck. I hope that you find some much-needed answers.

"Causes of villous atrophy apart from celiac disease

In children less than two years old, there are several causes that include cows milk allergy, soy allergy, eosinophillic gastroenteritis, and viral gastroenteritis. In adults, HIV enteropathy and tropical sprue are the most common causes of villous atrophy apart from celiac disease. Radiation may cause a similar picture as well as autoimmune enteropathy. Other food intolerances have been reported though are exceptionally rare; they include a single case report of fish and chicken intolerance [18]." from: Open Original Shared Link

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


darkangel Rookie
darkangel
Posted
I did not know that Crohns causes blunting of villi, but that disease certainly runs in our family. However, the colonoscopy showed no inflammation or damage, so I am stumped.

From the wikipedia definition of Crohn's:

Biopsies may also show chronic mucosal damage as evidenced by blunting of the intestinal villi, atypical branching of the crypts, and change in the tissue type (metaplasia).

Damage to intestinal villi in both UC and Crohn's is discussed at length in the book Breaking the Vicious Cycle.

You may also find this interesting:

The diagnosis of Crohn's disease can sometimes be challenging, and a number of tests are often required to assist the physician in making the diagnosis. Sometimes even with all the tests the Crohn's does not show itself. A colonoscopy has about a 70% chance of showing the disease and the rest of the tests go down in percentage. Disease in the small bowel can not be seen through some of the regular tests; for example, a colonoscopy can't get there.

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):


  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      131,085
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    NoriTori
    Newest Member
    NoriTori
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.4k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):


  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • Jmartes71
      Reportable Disease

      By Jmartes71 · Posted

      I am actively dealing with a ray of issues, my skin, eyes and digestive even though not eating wheat.Menopuase has activated so much right now, considering its getting worse with my health. I have learned so much thanks to this website.I wasn't properly told of my celiac disease which was confirmed by colonoscopy and endoscopy in 1994 the same year I gave birth to my first son, my tolerance level was horrible. After being diagnosed and staying away from wheat continued problems. My chiropractor at the time in 2007 had my blood work sent off and turns out I have more food allergies. I told my primary of my celiac disease in 2000 and continued to see that doctor up until May if this year 2025 considering my celiac disease was ignored, disregarded and what Im currently going through and been through. I assumed my celiac disease was " registered " at the time in 1994 just as pregnancy and other ailments are reported. I was shocked to learn that its not a mandated reportable disease not documented by the state from hospitals which I for one think it should be considering all the medical gaslighting im dealing with which is causing depression. Im told not worry about other, well I am and its NOT right.It needs to be documented so others don't suffer and go through this nightmare. Im seriously ready to go down to the mayors office and make some noise. Thoughts?
    • Wheatwacked
      Recurring flu like symptoms after being precribed immune system stimulating drug

      By Wheatwacked · Posted

      With all the bloodwork, have they checked your vitamin D?  What is it?  Celiac Disease causes malabsorption, so vitamin deficiencies are common.  Doctors rarely mention this. B1 Gastrointestinal beriberi, a severe thiamine deficiency, is characterized by symptoms including anorexia (loss of appetite), abdominal discomfort and pain, nausea, and vomiting. Other potential symptoms like abdominal fullness, indigestion, and constipation can also occur. These gastrointestinal issues may resist standard treatments, signaling a need to consider thiamine deficiency.  It is commonly believed that thiamine deficiency is not an issue in the western cultures, so rarely address by doctors. Doses of thiamine above 100 mg several times a day will quickly show improvement.  Borderline deficiency will come and go depending on what your eat.  Carbs use it up faster, so for example if you eat a lot of carbs today, tomorrow you may have symptoms.  Thiamine (Benfothiamine is a synthetic fat soluable thiamine) is water soluable, we only store maybe a weeks worth, and there is no upper limit on how much you consume.  Excess is stored or peed away.   For them it isn't a oroblem.  LOL.  They just say some people are like that and see the next patient.  
    • sillyac58
      Recurring flu like symptoms after being precribed immune system stimulating drug

      By sillyac58 · Posted

      I used the cream for 4 days as prescribed 3 years ago. While I cannot be sure it triggered these problems, the timing is very suspicious. Yes, the oats are gluten free, and while I knew some celiacs have a problem with oats, I only just thought to eliminate them.  I just read about corn on this website, which I do eat plenty of. I do eat dairy, and would be so terrible sad to give it up, but..... Thank you for the diary suggestions. I'll start one today. Thanks for responding!
    • trents
      Recurring flu like symptoms after being precribed immune system stimulating drug

      By trents · Posted

      Welcome to the forum, @sillyac58! Are you still using this topical medication for this precancerous spot on your lip? If not, are you saying you used it for a limited time and believe it triggered additional ongoing immune system reactions with unpleasant symptoms? I'm not clear on this. Are the oats you use certified gluten free? You may know this already, but even if they are certified gluten free, the oat protein avenin is similar enough to gluten to cause reactions in some celiacs. The development of other food intolerances is also common in the celiac community. Common offenders in addition to oats are dairy, eggs corn and soy. Dairy and oats are the most common, however. You might do well to keep a food diary and check for patterns.
    • sillyac58
      Recurring flu like symptoms after being precribed immune system stimulating drug

      By sillyac58 · Posted

      I was diagnosed about 10 yrs ago with Celiac by presenting with dermatitis herpetiformis rash. I had no stomach or intestinal discomfort, but of course showed intestinal damage. The dermatitis herpetiformis eventually went away and I've been religiously gluten free ever since. About 3 years ago I was given a topical drug by a dermatologist for pre cancerous spot on my lip. The drug is called Imiquimod/Aldara, and works by stimulating your immune system. ? The package insert and many releable online sources warn to use caution using this drug if one has an auto immune disease, I hace since found out. One of the side effects is flu like symtoms, which I had at the 10 day mark as warned. But these symptoms have been recurring regularly ever since. Low grade nausea (no vomiting), extreme fatique (sleeping in daytime) and often a migraine headache on day one or two. The bouts last around 5 days or more, usually the nausea being the persistent symptom. My dermatologist, and another I went to for second opinion say this isn't a problem. I have been ill about a third of my life ever since. I have had extensive bloodwork, been to numerous specialists, but cannot figure out what is making me sick. I have become neurotic about gluten at home, using separate cutting boards, pans, sponges, dish towels, etc. I rarely eat out, and usually only because I am traveling. I have begun taking my own food to peoples homes for dinners etc. The only thing I haven't done, until now, is to eliminated oats, which I eat fairly regularly, and are known to sometimes be a trigger. And I have to say, in my defense, that it took me a very long time to suspect gluten because my only original symtom was rash/dermatitis herpetiformis. So I didn't associate the nausea/headache/fatique with gluten for a long time. Nor did any one of the many doctors I saw suspect it. I finally had a couple of dermatitis herpetiformis spots (and severe migraine) when traveling and probably eating cross contaminated food. I've never been on one of these sights but I am desperate. I'm praying it's as simple as eliminating oats. But I am angry that I was given this drug that I truly believe set this off to begin with. Anyone?
×
×
  • Create New...