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Advice For Newly Diagnosed?

JennySchu

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JennySchu Newbie
JennySchu
Posted

I've been reading these forums for about a month, but this is my first post. I recently tested positive in the anti-gliadin antibodies and anti-tissue transglutaminase (I hope I got that right) and got my endoscopy 2 weeks ago. Just found out last week that the biopsies showed severe damage to the intestine and I was officially diagnosed with celiac.

I am meeting with my GI on Wednesday and I want to make sure I get the proper follow-up blood tests (and anything else necessary). My doctor is very hesistant to get tests that he feels are unnecessary and I have to fight on on everything, so I want to go in prepared with a list and explanations for everything I am requesting.

Any advice on what I need would be extremely helpful. Here's what I have so far - any comments would be great or let me know if any of this doesn't sound right. I want to get baselines and also find out what vitamins I'm deficient in.

Bloodwork:

iron

folic acid

calcium

vitamins A, D, E, K, and the B complex plus B-12

zinc

magnesium

I also want to check my thyroid because I've had issues with that in the past.

I am borderline anemic so not sure if I need anything else related to that.

Also, hoping to get a bone density scan and a lactose breath test.

Finally, I wasn't sure if I should request a full celiac blood panel since never had all the tests and thought it would be helpful for baseline comparisons down the line. Is that needed? I've still been eating gluten for this purpose...

Does this all seem crazy/like too much? Is there anything important I'm missing? My doctor is very unhelpful so I pretty much have to figure it out on my own.

Thanks in advance for any help!!! I'm feeling a little overwhelmed and just want to make sure I am doing what I need to do.

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MaryJones2 Enthusiast
MaryJones2
Posted

It sounds like you have most everything covered here! I certainly don't think it's too much and the baseline is so important. I'd definitely get the celiac panel if you're still eating gluten. It might be useful in the future.

There are a few specific tests related to iron and thyroid that might not be tested unless you specify. Most doctors only test your TSH for thyroid and you need T3 too. Also, for the iron you'll want the full iron stores (specifically ferritin). Hemoglobin is the only thing measured as a part of the CBC.

Welcome aboard!

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