Interpretation Of Lab Results; Repeat Biopsy

[Pat Podszus]

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

[ShayFL]

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]

why did you get tested in the first place?

[jerseyangel]

why did you get tested in the first place?

Yes, I was curious about that too.

[Pat Podszus]

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]

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]

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.

[Pat Podszus]

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.