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

Is A Biopsy Strictly Necessary?

AudreyT

Recommended Posts

AudreyT Newbie
AudreyT
Posted

Hello. My name is Audrey and I am new to the board. I recently suffered a 25 day bout of diarrhea...and my Doc suspects Celiac Disease.

I am scheduling the intital blood test(s). But I wanted to know if a biopsy is really necessary. I am nervous about the procedure, and also just having concerns about finding the time, etc. However, my health comes first, and I want to do the right thing here.

Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thank you.

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


nikki-uk Enthusiast
nikki-uk
Posted

Getting the biopsy is a very personal thing.

There are many people on these boards that didn't - but they know through dietary response that when they eat gluten they feel ill.... and feel well off it.

There are however benefits to having the biopsy.

It can rule out any other 'nasties' the doc may be looking for.

Both my husband and son were diagnosed by biopsy.

It was our decision because it was irrefutable proof......I knew if there was an element of doubt it would make it harder to stick to being gluten-free for life.

Good Luck :)

Lisa Mentor
Lisa
Posted
Hello. My name is Audrey and I am new to the board. I recently suffered a 25 day bout of diarrhea...and my Doc suspects Celiac Disease.

I am scheduling the intital blood test(s). But I wanted to know if a biopsy is really necessary. I am nervous about the procedure, and also just having concerns about finding the time, etc. However, my health comes first, and I want to do the right thing here.

Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thank you.

Welcome Audrey:

Your blood test can confirm Celiac, but they are not 100% reliable. Make sure that your doctor runs the full Celiac Blood Screening test. If you do have a positive blood test, there is no need for further diagnostic testing for Celiac. The endoscopy exam and biopsy can also confirm Celiac Disease and look for the extent of villi damage in the small intestines. The endoscopy exam can also look for other issues. The biopsy can be hit or miss and also is not 100%. It is not a difficult exam and there is nothing to worry about regarding the procedure.

It is very important, that while you await your blood screening that you remain on gluten. DO NOT GO GLUTEN FREE. It may effect your results.

I hope this was helpful.

happygirl Collaborator
happygirl
Posted

The endoscopy won't only be looking for Celiac. It will be looking to rule/in out other diagnoses, as well.

wannaBAmama Newbie
wannaBAmama
Posted

I had an endoscopy w/ biopsies last month despite negative blood work- I did blood tests one week after a 2 week gluten-free trial and was fearing a false negative. I responded so well to my gluten-free trial in November I really wanted to know if I had villi damage. The results just came back (see my other post re: endoscopy results) but the biopsies determined no villi damage but a high white blood cell count - doctor suspects small intestine bacterial overgrowth (which if left untreated, patients also can see a great response to going gluten free since the bacteria is feeding off of the gluten) - or if it's not bacteria, then very early celiac. I am now on antibiotics (xifaxan) to see if it is a bacteria issue and 3 days in I am feeling really good (I have been gluten-free since 12/22 but the antibiotics made me get more energy in the AM- which was surprising), so it's posible I am not gluten intolerant after all. I will remain off gluten and will also take some probiotics for a month or two before attempting to challenge any gluten but I honestly had not expected this possibility (I thought I was for sure genetically gluten sensitive and was ready to be off of gluten forever). Now I'm just taking things a day at a time. Assuming I will be able to ingest gluten again I'll probably remain gluten-free but not fear accidental glutenations (they suck- I was out of commision for a day and a half after accidentally having a corn tortilla that touched a flour tortilla).

So for me I am glad I did the biopsy. I have been trying to undersatnd my other health issues (infertility) and really wanted to get as much information as possible and the biopsy was part of my quest for answers.

I've had a lot of procedures as part of my infertility and the endoscopy was one of the simplest for me - the worst part was the preparation prior to it (I did a colonoscopy at the same time and was on the liquid diet for a day plus all the laxatives) - I barely remember the procedure itself and had no pain/effects afterwards.

Gina

AudreyT Newbie
AudreyT
Posted
  • Author

Thanks to each of you for your responses.

Is there a type of blood test I should be asking for specifically? Or is there only one that needs to be done?

Lisa Mentor
Lisa
Posted
Thanks to each of you for your responses.

Is there a type of blood test I should be asking for specifically? Or is there only one that needs to be done?

These are some or all of the tests your doctor may order:

IgG Antigliadin

IgA Antigliadin

tTG Antigliadin

IgG Tissue Translutaminase

IgA Tissue Transglutaminase

Total IgA

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


AudreyT Newbie
AudreyT
Posted
  • Author

Thank you so much. Now I can be sure that I am getting the right tests. Thanks again!

happygirl Collaborator
happygirl
Posted

The tests that you want run are: Open Original Shared Link

Anti-gliadin antibodies (AGA) both IgA and IgG

Anti-endomysial antibodies (EMA) - IgA

Anti-tissue transglutaminase antibodies (tTG) - IgA

Total IgA level.

If you are IgA deficient, they will often run the tTG IgG.

JennyC Enthusiast
JennyC
Posted
These are some or all of the tests your doctor may order:

IgC Antigliadin

IgA Antigliadin

tTG Antigliadin

IgC Tissue Translutaminase

IgA Tissue Transglutaminase

Total IgA

You mean:

IgG Antigliadin

IgA Antigliadin

tTG Antigliadin

IgG Tissue Translutaminase

IgA Tissue Transglutaminase

Total IgA

:)

Lisa Mentor
Lisa
Posted
You mean:

IgG Antigliadin

IgA Antigliadin

tTG Antigliadin

IgG Tissue Translutaminase

IgA Tissue Transglutaminase

Total IgA

:)

Oooops, I'll go back and change it. Thank you ladies.

d4rp Newbie
d4rp
Posted
These are some or all of the tests your doctor may order:

IgG Antigliadin

IgA Antigliadin

tTG Antigliadin

IgG Tissue Translutaminase

IgA Tissue Transglutaminase

Total IgA

`

Hi,

Do you need to be still eating gluten to have these tests show a proper DX?

Lisa Mentor
Lisa
Posted
`

Hi,

Do you need to be still eating gluten to have these tests show a proper DX?

Yes, it's recommended to eat the equivalent of 3-4 slices of bread for at least two months.

grommet Newbie
grommet
Posted
I had an endoscopy w/ biopsies last month despite negative blood work- I did blood tests one week after a 2 week gluten-free trial and was fearing a false negative. I responded so well to my gluten-free trial in November I really wanted to know if I had villi damage. The results just came back (see my other post re: endoscopy results) but the biopsies determined no villi damage but a high white blood cell count - doctor suspects small intestine bacterial overgrowth (which if left untreated, patients also can see a great response to going gluten free since the bacteria is feeding off of the gluten) - or if it's not bacteria, then very early celiac.

You may want to have a look at this Open Original Shared Link.

It's a link to a write up on SIBO and a few messages from a UK based Coeliac forum.

Best Wishes in you endeavour to find out what is causing your problems.

Archived

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

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


  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      131,374
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    RenaRL
    Newest Member
    RenaRL
    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

    • Zuma888
      Gluten challenge and Hashimoto's Thyroiditis

      By Zuma888 · Posted

      I didn't ask a doctor about this actually. I did ask several doctors a long time ago and they told me gluten has nothing to do with hashimoto's. One of them told me to do a gluten challenge to test for celiac, but at the time I was in graduate school so couldn't afford to be even more ill than I was. If you have the symptoms, I really don't advise you to do a gluten challenge. It messed me up mentally and physically for months. At the same time, I benefitted from doing the challenge in the sense that it convinced me that all my symptoms were truly from gluten - even stuff like insomnia! So now I am terrified to eat gluten, whereas before I would have a little once in a while and not notice anything dramatic. 
    • Winnie-Ther-Pooh
      Gluten challenge and Hashimoto's Thyroiditis

      By Winnie-Ther-Pooh · Posted

      I am in a similar situation where I can't feasibly do a gluten challenge but have all the symptoms and I have 2 celiac genes. I'm curious if your doctor advised you to eat as if you had a diagnosis or if they were more dismissive about it. 
    • Zuma888
      Gluten challenge and Hashimoto's Thyroiditis

      By Zuma888 · Posted

      Negative, although I had most of the symptoms of celiac disease. I now eat as if I had a diagnosis.
    • Winnie-Ther-Pooh
      Gluten challenge and Hashimoto's Thyroiditis

      By Winnie-Ther-Pooh · Posted

      What were the results of the test?
    • Scott Adams
      Natural remedies

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      While it's always important to approach internal use of essential oils with caution and ideally under the guidance of a qualified professional, your experience highlights the potential of complementary approaches when traditional medicine falls short. Many in the community are also interested in the intersection of natural wellness and gluten-free living, particularly for managing systemic inflammation and its various symptoms, so sharing your story is valuable. Your observation that it may also be helping with bloating is fascinating, as that could point to an overall reduction in inflammation. Thank you for sharing what is working for you!
×
×
  • Create New...