Jump to content

  • 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

Interpretation Of Lab Results; Repeat Biopsy

Pat Podszus

Recommended Posts

Pat Podszus Newbie
Pat Podszus
Posted

Hi,

I am new to this forum. I diagnosed about 14 months ago with a biopsy and lab work. I did not have symptoms and still

do not have symptoms. I immediately went on a gluten free diet and have stayed the course. Here are my questions:

1. should I do a biopsy again to see if the damage to my intestine has improved?

2. exactly what do the lab results mean? I have lab work with gliadin AB IGA and IGG; reticulin IGG and IGA; TTG IGG

and IGA and endomysial AB and AB Titer?

After having done the diet for over a year I do not feel any different than I did before. I never had weight loss or

intestinal symptoms. I immediately went for a bone density test (I am 63) and it had improved since my last one. Many

of my friends have osteopena but I don't even have that. So, I just don't get it! There is a part of me that thinks that

I don't really have Celiac but because I had a biopsy I do take it seriously. Can biopsies be wrong?

Help!!

Pat

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


ShayFL Enthusiast
ShayFL
Posted

Pos blood and biopsy is the gold standard Dx.

You may not have nasty symptoms to deal with (be thankful), but what you are doing for yourself is preventing cancers and auto-immune diseases that are associated with Celiac.

You can expect to live well into your 80's or MORE without these extra cancers and diseases. :)

fedora Enthusiast
fedora
Posted

why did you get tested in the first place?

jerseyangel Proficient
jerseyangel
Posted
why did you get tested in the first place?

Yes, I was curious about that too.

Pat Podszus Newbie
Pat Podszus
Posted
  • Author
why did you get tested in the first place?

I got tested because I was having trouble swallowing ... I get a pain in my back and totally lock up. At that time I cannot even swallow saliva.

However, I mentioned this to my dr. and told her that it only happens occasionally... maybe once a month, maybe every 6 weeks. She tested

me for that and nothing was found to explain that problem. The dr. doing the test said that my intestine looked very bad so she did the biopsies

of my intestine and stomach.

jerseyangel Proficient
jerseyangel
Posted
I got tested because I was having trouble swallowing ... I get a pain in my back and totally lock up. At that time I cannot even swallow saliva.

However, I mentioned this to my dr. and told her that it only happens occasionally... maybe once a month, maybe every 6 weeks. She tested

me for that and nothing was found to explain that problem. The dr. doing the test said that my intestine looked very bad so she did the biopsies

of my intestine and stomach.

Wow--sharp doctor! I'm glad you got diagnosed before you began to get symptoms. :)

Ursa Major Collaborator
Ursa Major
Posted
I got tested because I was having trouble swallowing ... I get a pain in my back and totally lock up. At that time I cannot even swallow saliva.

However, I mentioned this to my dr. and told her that it only happens occasionally... maybe once a month, maybe every 6 weeks. She tested

me for that and nothing was found to explain that problem. The dr. doing the test said that my intestine looked very bad so she did the biopsies

of my intestine and stomach.

Have you had that problem since going gluten-free? If you haven't, then you did have symptoms. You know, only a minority of people with celiac disease have the 'classic' symptoms of diarrhea and weight loss, most of us have other symptoms. Including mental problems. I used to have a sore throat a lot and occasional problems with swallowing, too.

I agree, with the blood tests being positive (and your doctor even knew which ones to order, he knows what he is doing) and a positive biopsy, you really shouldn't question your diagnosis.

Before thinking about a repeat biopsy, why not have the blood tests again, to see if the numbers have gone down? If they have, your villi would likely have improved, too.

At your age it could take two to five years for complete healing, and your intestines may have permanent damage.

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


Pat Podszus Newbie
Pat Podszus
Posted
  • Author
Have you had that problem since going gluten-free? If you haven't, then you did have symptoms. You know, only a minority of people with celiac disease have the 'classic' symptoms of diarrhea and weight loss, most of us have other symptoms. Including mental problems. I used to have a sore throat a lot and occasional problems with swallowing, too.

I agree, with the blood tests being positive (and your doctor even knew which ones to order, he knows what he is doing) and a positive biopsy, you really shouldn't question your diagnosis.

Before thinking about a repeat biopsy, why not have the blood tests again, to see if the numbers have gone down? If they have, your villi would likely have improved, too.

At your age it could take two to five years for complete healing, and your intestines may have permanent damage.

Thank you for your response. No, my occasional swallowing problem still happens. In fact, my esophogus was stretched (even though the dr. said it

didn't really look like it needed it) and that didn't help. It could just be a case of acid reflux that gets extreme. I don't usually have heartburn though.

Archived

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

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


  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      131,914
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    ChrisMary
    Newest Member
    ChrisMary
    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

    • klmgarland
      Help I’m cross contaminating myself,

      By klmgarland · Posted

      So I should not eat my gluten free bread?  I will try the vitamins.  Thank you all so very much for your ideas and understanding.  I'm feeling better today and have gathered back my composure!
    • knitty kitty
      Taking Probiotics but Still Getting Sick After Gluten – Advice?

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      Some people prefer eating gluten before bed, then sleeping through the worst symptoms at night.  You might want to try that and see if that makes any difference.   Several slices of toast for breakfast sounds okay.  Just try to work up to the Ten grams of gluten.  Cookies might only have a half of a gram of gluten.  The weight of the whole cookie is not the same as the amount of gluten in it.  So do try to eat bread things with big bubbles, like cinnamon rolls.   Yeah, I'm familiar with the "death warmed over" feeling.  I hope you get the genetic test results quickly.  I despise how we have to make ourselves sick to get a diagnosis.  Hang in there, sweetie, the tribe is supporting you.  
    • Clear2me
      Gluten free nuts

      By Clear2me · Posted

      Thank you, a little expensive but glad to have this source. 
    • Xravith
      Taking Probiotics but Still Getting Sick After Gluten – Advice?

      By Xravith · Posted

      @knitty kitty  Thank you very much for the advice. I did the exam this morning, my doctor actually suggested me to take something called "Celiac duo test" in which I first do the genetic test and if it's positive, then I'll have to do the antigen blood test. I have to attend 1 month until my results are ready, so I have some weeks to increase the amount of gluten I eat daily. It will be hard because my health is not the best right now, but I also did a blood test to cheek my nutritional deficiencies. The results will arrive on Tuesday, so I can ask my doctor what should I do to control my symptoms and blood levels during this month. For now I'm resting and paying attention to what I eat— at least I don’t look like a vampire who just woke up, like I did yesterday. I'm still scared because is the first time I've felt this sick, but this is the right moment to turn things around for the better.  I realized that if I eat gluten at lunch I cannot finish the day properly, I become severely tired and sometimes my stomach hurts a lot - let's not talk about the bloating that starts later. Do you think is it ok to eat gluten just in the morning, like some cookies and slices of bread for breakfast? 
    • knitty kitty
      Help I’m cross contaminating myself,

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      I suffer from Dermatitis Herpetiformis, too.  Like @Rogol72, I had to cut out all gluten-free processed foods, dairy, oats, and eggs before my skin cleared up.  I followed the Autoimmune Protocol Diet. I also supplement with the eight essential B vitamins.  (Meat and liver are great sources of B vitamins.)  Low levels of certain B vitamins ( B12, Thiamine, Pyridoxine, and Niacin) can affect the nerves, resulting in itching and tingling.  Niacin especially helps with the itching and healing the blisters.  Tallow Balm helps with the healing, too.  Zinc and Vitamin A also help with skin health.   I've gotten such good results with Niacin and the other vitamins mentioned that I've never had to go on Dapsone.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

NOTICE: This site places This site places cookies on your device (Cookie settings). on your device. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy.