No External Symptoms - Only Biposy - Anyone Else

[jumjum15]

Hi there,

My 3 year old recently had an intestinal polyp (GIANT one) removed, and in the months leading up to that procedure, they said his bloodwork showed 2 very mild markers for celiac. While having the polyp removed, they also biopsied his small intestine and his stomach and stuff. They said his small intestine was fine, but his duodenum had "changes consistent with celiac'. Has anyone ever heard of someone having absolutely NO external symptoms, but still having celiac?

My son is in the 90th for height, 75th for weight. Wonderful attitude, no serious trouble sleeping, no anemia, no malnourishment. No allergies, hives, breathing problems, etc etc etc.

So I'm basically hoping it's smemthing else. Any thoughts? Thanks. We start 6 months gluten free after the holidays.

-Ella and James.

[tarnalberry]

Actually, you may be surprised to find that this result is relatively common. As many as half of all celiacs have no outward symptoms, and wouldn't find out they had celiac until a sharp doctor picked up that they shouldn't be showing osteoporosis at 50, or anemia at whatever age, or stomach cancer given their environment. The body compensates as best it can with many, many things, and celiac is one of them, particularly in children. With two blood tests, and a biopsy, positive, you have a strong answer.

[pugluver31902]

I have absolutly NO symptoms at all of my celiac except for postive bloodwork and a positive biopsy. I have been on a gluten free diet for over a year and now my bloodwork is negative (which is supposed to happen if you are gluten free). So yeah, it definitly can happen. I requested a copy of my bloodwork and biopsy results bc I simply could not believe it. The doctors say there are more people with absolutly no symptoms that have celiac, than there are with people who have symptoms. Your son and I are lucky. Most people without symptoms don't find out they have celiac until they get something bad from the celiac like cancer.

[JoZoBanff]

I was just diagnosed with celiac disease before Christmas this year from a small intestine biopsy. When the doctor told me I nearly fell off my chair, would not have guessed...have no symptoms at all. Or none that I can pin point as being due to celiac, I guess time will tell. It's nice to know that there are others without any symptoms out there as well...

I have to say I find this forum extremely helpful, but I would think it would be harder to not have any symptoms. Reason being, you think a food item is gluten free, you asked and they say gluten free...but as I read on the blogs sometimes they are not. It seems trial and error and finding out in this kind of forum is the key. However, if you have no symptoms and you think you are consuming something that is gluten-free and it turns out it is truly not...how are you to know. You have no symptoms....so in turn is your body truly on the mend?

Just a thought...

[Rikki Tikki]

That is what happened to my brother, after I was diagnosed and then my mother was my brother went in to have the biopsy, his villi was gone and his bones had been affected, yet he had no other symptoms. It's good that you found out while he is young so the diet will be easier for him to follow. I would ask that the doctor test you, his father and any siblings.

[pugluver31902]

I have to say I find this forum extremely helpful, but I would think it would be harder to not have any symptoms. Reason being, you think a food item is gluten free, you asked and they say gluten free...but as I read on the blogs sometimes they are not. It seems trial and error and finding out in this kind of forum is the key. However, if you have no symptoms and you think you are consuming something that is gluten-free and it turns out it is truly not...how are you to know. You have no symptoms....so in turn is your body truly on the mend?

Just a thought...

Like I said in my previous post, I am asymptomatic and I often feel the same way. While I do feel blessed for not having to suffer years of symtoms, I often wonder the same thing, how will I know if Im getting glutened? Also, I sometimes wonder if I would have an easier time not wanting to cheat. I never do, but its tempting bc I know that even if I eat that "gluten" Im not going to feel sick. I just have to keep reminding myself that its not good for me even if I feel fine eating it!