Capsule Endoscopy

[mammajamma]

My daughter's (9 years old) GI is sending her for a capsule endoscopy. She had the upper endoscopy 2 weeks ago and was negative, even though she had a positive blood test, lots of symptoms, and a family history (me and my mom). I should mention that I will put her on a gluten-free diet when this is over anyway... feelings? We were all surprised by her negative results (even the dr.) but he feels strongly that you shouldn't put a label on a child without data to back it up...

[ravenwoodglass]

With the combo of symptoms and a family history plus a postive blood test she is celiac. Most doctors do not want to diagnose us without us being at the end stages of the disease, total villi destruction. My feeling is that the capsule endo is not going to tell you anything you don't already know. Whether you want to spend the money on the test is really up to you. You say you will do the diet no matter what the results so I would personally just do the diet. How does your DD feel about it? If she is extremly interested in having the test or is she nervous about it? If she wants badly to have it done then I might consider it. Otherwise with your family history and a positive blood test I would just say thanks but no thanks.

The blood test, since it was postive is diagnostic. That combined with a family history and resolution of her problems on the diet should be enough 'data' for the doctor.

[nora-n]

I think the doctor is sending her for the pill cam (go and check for pill cam on the net....) to see if there is anything else going on. Just to be sure.

That way they can see all of the small bowel, and also seevilli damage that is patchy and where it is. Sometimes it is further down, With the upper gastro they can only see the duodenum.

I read on another forum how someone was finally diagnosed with the pill cam, it clearly showed celiac although earlier gastroscopies showed nothing.

nora