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How Do They Test?


blondebombshell

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blondebombshell Collaborator

do they do a simple blood test or do they do a colonoscopy? i am going to the doc next week and would like to know how they are going to 'test' me for celiacs.


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happygirl Collaborator

If you have an app't with a regular family doctor or GI---at your first appointment, they will probably do an exam, ask you questions, and potentially order bloodwork for Celiac.

The full Celiac blood panel includes:

Anti-gliadin antibodies (AGA) both IgA and IgG

Anti-endomysial antibodies (EMA) - IgA

Anti-tissue transglutaminase antibodies (tTG) - IgA

Total IgA level.

Depending on the doctor and your symptoms, the GI might suggest an endoscopy and/or colonoscopy to be performed at a later date. An endoscopy is used to diagnose Celiac via a biopsy of your small intestine. A colonoscopy does NOT test for Celiac; however, they may be looking to rule in/rule out other conditions.

blondebombshell Collaborator

ok, thanks....what is an endoscopy?

and btw - i am going to a GI

happygirl Collaborator

Endoscopy: Open Original Shared Link

Colonoscopy: Open Original Shared Link

blondebombshell Collaborator

thanks so much.

i really hope i dont have an endoscopy!!!!! i do not want something in my throat like that?!

happygirl Collaborator

They knock you out-you won't remember it. Its really not that bad.

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    • par18
      Thanks for the reply. 
    • Scott Adams
      What you’re describing is actually very common, and unfortunately the timing of the biopsy likely explains the confusion. Yes, it is absolutely possible for the small intestine to heal enough in three months on a strict gluten-free diet to produce a normal or near-normal biopsy, especially when damage was mild to begin with. In contrast, celiac antibodies can stay elevated for many months or even years after gluten removal, so persistently high antibody levels alongside the celiac genes and clear nutrient deficiencies strongly point to celiac disease, even if you don’t feel symptoms. Many people with celiac are asymptomatic but still develop iron and vitamin deficiencies and silent intestinal damage. The lack of immediate symptoms makes it harder emotionally, but it doesn’t mean gluten isn’t harming you. Most specialists would consider this a case of celiac disease with a false-negative biopsy due to early healing rather than “something else,” and staying consistently gluten-free is what protects you long-term—even when your body doesn’t protest right away.
    • Scott Adams
      Yes, I meant if you had celiac disease but went gluten-free before screening, your results would end up false-negative. As @trents mentioned, this can also happen when a total IGA test isn't done.
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