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
      132,144
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    Jenny0384
    Newest Member
    Jenny0384
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.5k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):


  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • Jmartes71
      Related issues

      By Jmartes71 · Posted

      Its been a complete nightmare dealing with all these health issues one thing after another and being told many different things.I am looking for a new primary care physician considering when I told my past doctor of 25 years I was diagnosed before any foods eliminated from my diet and now this year at age 54 no longer able to push considering Im always exhausted, leg pain , stomach,skin and eye issues,high blood pressure to name a few all worsen because I was a  school bus driver and few years until my immune system went to hell and was fired because of it.Im still struggling now, Im sibo positive and been told im not celiac and that I am.I have a hernia and dealing with menopause. Its exhausting and is causing depression because of non medical help. Today I saw another gastrointestinalist and he said everything im feeling doesn't add up to celiac disease since my ITg levels are normal so celiac disease is under control and it's something else. I for got I had Barrett's esophagus diagnosed in 2007 because recent doctors down played it just like my celiac disease. Im currently looking for a pcp in my area because it is affecting me personally and professionally. Im told since celiac looks under control it's IBS and I need to see a therapist to control it. Gastrointestinalist around here think only food consumption and if ITG looks normal its bit celiac disease it's something else. Is this right? This is what im being told. I want medical help but told its IBS.Im feel lost by " medical team "
    • trents
      Headaches / Migraines and Hypoglycaemia

      By trents · Posted

      My migraines generally have their onset during the early morning hours as well. Presently, I am under siege with them, having headaches all but two days so far this month. I have looked at all the things reported to be common triggers (foods, sleep patterns, weather patterns, stress, etc.). Every time I think I start to see a pattern it proves not to pan out in the long run. I'm not sure it's any one thing but may, instead, be a combination of things that coalesce at certain times. It's very frustrating. The medication (sumatriptan or "Imatrix") is effective and is the only thing that will quell the pain. NSAIDs, Tylenol, even hydrocodone doesn't touch it. But they only give you 9 does of sumatriptan a month. And it doesn't help that medical science doesn't really know what causes migraines. They know some things about it but the root cause is still a mystery.
    • Scott Adams
      Tamale ingredients

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      These are labeled gluten-free: https://www.amazon.com/Corn-Husks-Tamales-Authentic-Flavorful/dp/B01MDSHUTM/
    • Wheatwacked
      GI DX celiac despite neg serology and no biopsy

      By Wheatwacked · Posted

      Just a gluten free diet is not enough.  Now you have to identify and replenish your malnutrition.  Celiac disease is co-morbid with malabsorption syndrome.  Low vitamin D, Low Thiamine caused Gastointeston Beriberi, low choline, low iodine are common the general population, and in newly diagnosed Celiacs in the western culture its is more likely.  It takes time to heal and you need to focus on vitamins and minerals.  Gluten free foods are not fortified like regular processed foods.  
    • Sarah Grace
      Headaches / Migraines and Hypoglycaemia

      By Sarah Grace · Posted

      Dear Kitty Since March I have been following your recommendations regarding vitamins to assist with various issues that I have been experiencing.  To recap, I am aged 68 and was late diagnosed with Celiac about 12 years ago.  I had been experiencing terrible early morning headaches which I had self diagnosed as hypoglycaemia.  I also mentioned that I had issues with insomnia, vertigo and brain fog.   It's now one year since I started on the Benfotiamine 600 mg/day.  I am still experiencing the hypoglycaemia and it's not really possible to say for sure whether the Benfotiamine is helpful.  In March this year, I added B-Complex Thiamine Hydrochloride and Magnesium L-Threonate on a daily basis, and I am now confident to report that the insomnia and vertigo and brain fog have all improved!!  So, very many thanks for your very helpful advice. I am now less confident that the early morning headaches are caused by hypoglycaemia, as even foods with a zero a GI rating (cheese, nuts, etc) can cause really server headaches, which sometimes require migraine medication in order to get rid off.  If you are able to suggest any other treatment I would definitely give it a try, as these headaches are a terrible burden.  Doctors in the UK have very limited knowledge concerning dietary issues, and I do not know how to get reliable advice from them. Best regards,
×
×
  • 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.