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

What Happens At A Follow-up Visit?

Hummingbird4

By Hummingbird4
in Doctors

Recommended Posts

Hummingbird4 Explorer
Hummingbird4
Posted

I was diagnosed celiac at the end of June, at which point my GI doc referred me to a dietician and said I should come back to see him in a month. I put off my follow-up appointment until August 20th because I didn't start the gluten-free diet until a few days ago, due to a planned European vacation and no symptoms.

I did meet with a dietician last week and frankly, I seemed to know more about gluten-free eating than she did. She mostly specializes in diabetes education.

What is this follow-up GI visit for exactly? Just to see how I'm doing and if I have any questions?

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


Ursa Major Collaborator
Ursa Major
Posted
What is this follow-up GI visit for exactly? Just to see how I'm doing and if I have any questions?

To help pay for the GI doctor's new yacht. :blink::ph34r:

Seriously, at this point, the visit would likely be as useless as that visit to the dietician.

Have you noticed any positive changes since starting the gluten-free diet?

Hummingbird4 Explorer
Hummingbird4
Posted
  • Author

That's kind of what I was getting at. I'd rather not spend the time and a $20 copay if it's not necessary. I wasn't having symptoms, so I haven't noticed any positive dietary changes at this time. I don't know what I could possibly discuss with the doc that I can't just discuss with you wonderful people! :D And since you're living with it, you probably know more than he does! (no offense to him)

kbtoyssni Contributor
kbtoyssni
Posted

Some people like to do a followup visit to test their antibody levels. This can show how compliant you're being with the diet, especially when you don't have symptoms to "remind" you when you mess up! But I wouldn't do that for a year or so. Unless you're still having symptoms or want to ask a lot of questions, I don't see the need for a follow up.

WW340 Rookie
WW340
Posted

It really depends on the doctor. My GI did lots of blood testing right after my endoscopy. He found I had B-12 deficiency and is treating that. He also requested my bone density scan at my second visit, which showed I had severe osteoporosis.

I see him every 6 mos with routine labs to watch for various problems and deficiencies. It is also an opportunity to ask questions. Sometimes I have questions, and sometimes I don't. I keep a good relationship with my doctor so that I can call him when I have problems.

Recently I had shingles for the 2nd time in 4 mos. I called my GI about it and he spent a lot of time with me on the phone. He also called out some medicine to help me with the pain. Personally, I like having him available.

He also discussed the seriousness of the diagnosis with my husband on our second visit, so I have no problems keeping a gluten free kitchen.

jerseyangel Proficient
jerseyangel
Posted

After diagnosis, I had to go back in 2 months and again 6 months later. Both of those visits consisted of him asking me how my bowels were (his exact words) and telling me to keep doing what I was doing. :blink:

I switched GI's the next year, and at the 2 year mark, he did bloodwork to test for antibodies.

mamabear Explorer
mamabear
Posted

As WW340 said, it depends on the doctor and what you need. We celiacs are not all alike. A smart doc will check mineral and vitamin levels and replace as indicated from the beginning. And then retest for successful results. She/he will also check bone density for baseline results. Antibody levels(if your body can generate them) should be followed in ~6 months. Not just for dietary compliance , but to also assess the need to keep looking for longterm complications of celiac disease(GI lymphoma being the most elusive and worrisome).

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


mirabella Apprentice
mirabella
Posted

URSA MAJOR is probably correct with the yacht!!

Hummingbird4 Explorer
Hummingbird4
Posted
  • Author

I'm thinking that a followup visit in 6 months is probably a better idea. Surely my antibody levels haven't changed much in 3 weeks of being gluten free. I wasn't anemic to begin with (hemoglobin was 12), and I did not have any iron studies or chemistry panels done.

  • 2 weeks later...
Meleficent Rookie
Meleficent
Posted

I am so glad you asked this question! My GI was next to useless, like you the dietician was useless, and now I am swimming alone. I wonder if I need to have a bone density test or have my vitamin/mineral levels checked. But, I have been running into insurance issues as well, so I do not know what to do. I am almost 3 months into my diagnosis with some days better than others......

Thanks for asking and getting some thought out there for me to ponder!

Hummingbird4 Explorer
Hummingbird4
Posted
  • Author

I did end up helping my doc buy his yacht ;) . Went to the followup appointment yesterday and didn't get much out of it. Well, I did get a copy of my lab & pathology reports, so that was useful.

He encouraged me to stick with foods specifically labeled as gluten-free to avoid CC from the manufacturing process, but when I asked him how careful I need to be when eating in a glutenous environment (other people's homes, restaurants, etc.), he said I should be fine so long as I eat gluten-free. In other words, not to worry too much about stray crumbs. :unsure:

He wants me to have follow-up bloodwork in a few months, when I feel healed. Otherwise, there's no reason to go back unless things change.

Archived

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

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


  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      131,602
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    Victor bowden
    Newest Member
    Victor bowden
    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

    • Wheatwacked
      Potential celiac need advice

      By Wheatwacked · Posted

      Yes.  Now, if you hit your finger with a hammer once, wouldn't you do your best not to do it again?  You have identified a direct connection between gluten and pain.  Gluten is your hammer.  Now you have to decide if you need a medical diagnosis.  Some countries have aid benefits tgat you can get if you have the diagnosis, but you must continue eating a gluten-normal diet while pursuing the diagnosis. Otherwise the only reason to continue eating gluten is social. There are over 200 symptoms that could be a result of celiac disease.. Celiac Disease and Non Celiac Gluten Sensitivity  both cause multiple vitamin and mineral deficiency.  Dealing with that should help your recovery, even while eating gluten.  Phosphatidyl Choline supplements can help your gut if digesting fats is a problem,  Consider that any medications you take could be causing some of the symptoms, aside from gluten.        
    • trents
      Potential celiac need advice

      By trents · Posted

      Welcome to the forum, @Ben98! If you have been consciously or unconsciously avoiding gluten because of the discomfort it produces then it is likely that your blood antibody testing for celiac disease has been rendered invalid. Valid testing requires regular consumption of generous amounts of gluten. The other strong possibility is that you have NCGS (Non Celiac Gluten Sensitivity) which shares many of the same symptoms with celiac disease but does not have the autoimmune component and thus does not damage the small bowel lining. It is 10x mor common than celiac disease. There is currently no test for NCGS. Celiac disease must first be ruled out. Some experts in the field believe it can be a precursor to the development of celiac disease. Having one or both of the primary genes for developing celiac disease does not imply that you will develop active celiac disease. It simply establishes the potential for it. About 40% of the population has the genetic potential but only about 1% develop active celiac disease. 
    • Ben98
      Potential celiac need advice

      By Ben98 · Posted

      TTG blood test and total IGA tested on many occasions which have always remained normal, upper GI pain under my ribs since 2022. I had an endoscopy in 2023 which showed moderate gastritis. no biopsy’s were taken unfortunately. genetic test was positive for HLADQ2. extreme bloating after eating gluten, it’ll feel like I’ve got bricks in my stomach so uncomfortably full. the pain is like a dull ache under the upper left almost like a stitch feeling after a long walk. I am just wanting some advice has anyone here experienced gastritis with a gluten issue before? thank you  
    • Wheatwacked
      Unusual bright yellow but odourless discharge

      By Wheatwacked · Posted

      "Conclusions: The urinary iodine level was significantly lower in women with postmenopausal osteoporosis, and iodine replacement may be important in preventing osteoporosis"  Body iodine status in women with postmenopausal osteoporosis Low iodine can cause thyroid problems, but Iodine deficiency will not show up in thyroid tests.  Iodine is important for healing, its job is to kill off defective and aging cells (Apoptosis). Skin, brain fog, nails, muscle tone all inproved when I started taking 600 mcg (RDA 150 - 1000 mcg) of Liquid Iodine drops. Some with dermatitis herpetiformis, Iodine exacerbates the rash.  I started at 1 drop (50 mcg) and worked up to 12 drops, but I don't have dermatitis herpetiformis.
    • cristiana
      How long does it take to gain weight?

      By cristiana · Posted

      That's great news, you can do this.  Let us know how things go and don't hesitate to ask if you have any more questions. Cristiana 😊
×
×
  • 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.