Can Doctor See celiac disease Evidence During Egd?

[jrhhuff]

Hi. I had an EGD with biopsies done a week and a half ago. After the EGD the doctor said that I had gastritis, excessive stomach acid, and saw the possible beginnings of celiac disease. I was just wondering what he might be referring to. I called the doctor's office a couple of days ago and they said I tested positive for H. Pylori but they didn't see the biopsy results in my folder. She said the doctor keeps part of the chart at the hospital. I have had lots of crazy symptoms for quite a while. When the doctor mentioned celiac disease my DH looked up the symptoms and I have every single one except for the rash. It's been almost two weeks now and I would think he would call me if the results were positive. I have a follow up on the 30th. Would he wait until then to give me the results? To be quite honest I am going to be disappointed if the biopsy is negative. I am starting to worry that this is the case.

[Ursa Major]

Usually doctors won't call to give you any results, unless they consider it a case of life or death. And unfortunately, they very rarely consider celiac disease a case of life or death, even though they are wrong.

Yes, I believe your doctor is waiting to give you the results at your follow-up appointment. That is what doctors usually do (which is a bummer if your follow-up appointment is a long time away).

If you have H-pylori you will need to take antibiotics.

In the meantime, since you already had the testing done, what stops you from starting the gluten-free diet? No doctor can stop you from doing that, you can eat whatever you want without his permission.

That way you already know if the gluten-free diet will be helpful by the time you see your doctor.

Biopsies can be false negatives. If you have a positive response to the gluten-free diet, you have at the very least a gluten intolerance and should be gluten-free even with negative biopsy results.

But if your doctor says that you have damage that indicates celiac disease, you likely have it. Much of the time the damage isn't pronounced enough to be seen with the naked eye, and can be seen only under a microscope.

Excessive stomach acid and gastritis can also be caused by celiac disease (or really, by eating foods you are intolerant to).

[jrhhuff]

Thanks so much Ursa Major. You were very helpful. I feel better that maybe the doctor could be waiting for my appointment to give me the results. I think I will go ahead and try the gluten free diet regardless of my results. I have just started to research the condition which is what led me here. Thanks again!

[Ursa Major]

You are welcome. Please let us know how you do on the diet, and what your results are once you get in to see your doctor.