Another Question....i Am Confused A Little...

[Gen]

I am pretty sure I have DH. So sure I am not so keen on a gluten challenge so I can get a biopsy done. I will be getting a celiac panel done next week. That being said if I do have DH but no GI symptoms so far, does that mean villi damage wouldn't show up in a scope? I have only been gluten-free for about 3 or 4 weeks....

I know there are "silent" celiacs and DH's with no other symptoms. Does that mean it isn't yet doing damage to the villi?

[ravenwoodglass]

I had DH for well over 20 years before the gut stuff showed up. For me the damage done to my brain, bones and joints as well as the damage to my heart and other organs from the inflammation were well established by the time D became a daily occurance. Villi damage was really the least of my issues when you get down to it in the sense that at least the villi healed fully. My brain most likely never will. If you have DH waiting until the villi are damaged before you start the diet could have serious consequences.

Also if you have been gluten-free for 3 weeks you would need to do a challenge to have any chance of either a postive blood or biopsy.

If the rash is active you can get a dermatological biopsy to look for DH. Or if you are starting to heal and the thought of restarting the rash is horrifing to you I would just stick with the diet, make an appointment with a derm and ask if they can get you in quickly when the rash breaks out again. Most of us have a few slipups in the beginning and that would be the time to go.