How Sure Is The Dx?

[kayavara]

Hello everyone here

I was told only last week,from my gastro doc that he is pretty sure that I have Celiac Disease.He based this on his findings after an endoscopy he performed a week ago.I did the special blood test required for the dx also.....but it had to be sent off to the Mayo Clinc and he hasn't recieved the results yet.He had me start the diet/lifestyle and plan for a followup scope in 3 months to see if there has been any healing.I've been tested for everything in the book for the last 4 months for bloating,stomach burning,backache and more....only to come up with nothing.My Doc thinks he has the answer now.My burning question is........can he be 100% sure without the blood tests results?

Thanks,

Kay

[Guest j_mommy]

In most medical communities the biopsy is the glod standard for testing. You can have neg blood tests but still have a positive biopsy. THere's really no refuting if you have a positive biopsy!

[motif]

but if you have positive blood test is it enough a s a proof?

I wouldn't do biopsy anyway.

[kayavara]

Thanks for your replies.........I'm reading nonstop about celiac disease and it does seem that the biopsy is the confirmation.I'll have to wait on the blood tests results I suppose...but after reading all weekend on this disease.....I really fit the profile with my bloating,stomach distention and burning.I'm starving all the time and feeling too full to eat.I have the autoimune skin rash as well. I started my diet the day I saw my gastro April 10 '08.How soon should I hope to see any results.....or is that strictly individual?

Thanks again

So glad to find this site!

[ravenwoodglass]

but if you have positive blood test is it enough a s a proof?

I wouldn't do biopsy anyway.

Positive yes, negative no.

[Tim-n-VA]

but if you have positive blood test is it enough a s a proof?

I wouldn't do biopsy anyway.

Enough proof for what is the question? If you want every doctor in the world to recognize the diagnosis, blood test isn't enough. If you want to know what to eat for the rest of your life, blood test is probably enough proof. If you have a non-supportive family and need to prove something to them, the answer might be different again.

I've seen another website that says other auto-immune diseases can cause false positives on the blood test but I've never seen any good statistics on how likely this is.