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Gastro Dr.


sdore

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sdore Enthusiast

I was diagnosed by my family doctor. He just told me to go on the gluten-free diet.

Should I seek a GI doctor too or just stick with my family dr.?


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KaitiUSA Enthusiast

Did he do tests on you? If so which ones?

A family doctor can diagnose you.

sdore Enthusiast

He did a blood test. See, I had my gall bladder out December 2003. I still remained sick when eating. So finally a year later after complaining he did the following: (This is what I know)

A upper GI

A blood test to see if I have some bad bacteria somewhere

And a blood test to see if I cannot tolerate gluten

I week later he said I cannot tolerate gluten. I asked if I needed a biopsy because what I have read states you should. He said that the blood test I took stated I was (I think) a 17 and the borderline for celiac disease is 11. So I was way over thus not needing a biopsy, but he said he would order one for me if I wanted one.

Does this make any sense? Should I ask what the names of these tests were?

celiac3270 Collaborator

The bloodtest would probably be a TtG IgA, but you can ask to make sure. In that case, a 17 would be definite.

KaitiUSA Enthusiast

Yeah ask to make sure what test it was.

I only had a blood test done because mine was high as well. I did not bother with a biopsy

  • 2 weeks later...
Rikki Tikki Explorer

I agree. I don't think the biopsy is necessary. I am not sure why they even do it if the numbers are positive. the only think I can think of is that they make more money? I hope that's not the case, it's just a thought.

Carriefaith Enthusiast
the only think I can think of is that they make more money? I hope that's not the case, it's just a thought.

The gluten-free diet is a big change for some people and I guess the biopsy just confirms the diagnosis so that people don't question their diagnosis. Some people need the intestinal proof!


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sdore Enthusiast

Should I stick with my family Dr. or see a specialist?

Carriefaith Enthusiast

I was referred to a GI specialist by my family doctor. My GI doc did the blood test and the biopsy. To my knowledge, the only thing that the GI specialist can do that the family doctor can't do is a biopsy. If you want a biopsy go to a GI specialist.

ianm Apprentice

It's a good sign that your family doctor even has a clue about celiac and gluten-free diets, most doctors don't. Let us know more about what your doctor has to say and we'll be able to tell if he is any good. We've been to so many and some of us have good ones. Unfortunatley I happened to have found all of the idiot ones. Keep reading this website and you will learn probably more than you ever wanted to know.

sdore Enthusiast

My doctor is good (I think).

He more or less told me to stay away from gluten and that possiblty after a year I could have some once in awhile.

He also told me to get the book Glutenfree Living by Betty Haggman.

Rikki Tikki Explorer

Oh sidore

You can't eat gluten even after a year. If anything it will make you more sick because your body is not used to it.

I am glad we have each other or statements like that will just make people sick :(

ianm Apprentice

Well thats one wrong answer from your doctor :angry: . If you are gluten intolerant that means NO gluten ever again :( . I'm hoping by once in a while he means an accidental ingestion of gluten which is unfortunatley unavoidable.

sdore Enthusiast

me too. I will let you know whan I see him again this month.

celiac3270 Collaborator

Oh no! You can never eat gluten again. After one year, your intestines will be healed--and so if you ate gluten, you'd knock yourself back to square one very quickly.

celiac3270 Collaborator

Whoops...I opened this thread about 20 min. ago and walked away so I didn't see the other replies come in--looked like I posted a little late ;)

sdore Enthusiast

thanks for the support!

I myself don't ever want to eat gluten again due to the fact that I have by accident and have gotten very ill.

KaitiUSA Enthusiast

Definitely no gluten again. The doctor needs to be informed a bit about celiac disease because your doctor doesn't seem to have a clue. As celiac3270 said, your intestines will be healed but eating gluten will set you back to square one quickly. The more you are off of gluten the more you become sensitive to it as well.Your body will not like it if you try to put gluten back in it.

It's good you are noticing the reaction you have to gluten. Good luck if you have any questions just ask :D

celiac3270 Collaborator
thanks for the support!

I myself don't ever want to eat gluten again due to the fact that I have by accident and have gotten very ill.

Good! :) Very few regular drs. will know a lot about celiac disease, so trust your knowledge over what he says.....or verify what he says with a message board or GI...

  • 2 weeks later...
mommy2james Newbie

My son who is 9 now was diagnosed in Oct of 2004 by his diabetic doctor and then we had the biopsy per his wishes.Yes James is celiac and hasjuvenile diabetic.We are still learning and we see 3 doc's,his tummy doc his diabetic doc and his pediatrician who has no idea about diabetes nor celiac so I welcome all the other doctors input.

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    • trents
      Not necessarily. The "Gluten Free" label means not more than 20ppm of gluten in the product which is often not enough for super sensitive celiacs. You would need to be looking for "Certified Gluten Free" (GFCO endorsed) which means no more than 10ppm of gluten. Having said that, "Gluten Free" doesn't mean that there will necessarily be more gluten than "Certified Gluten" in any given batch run. It just means there could be. 
    • trents
      I think it is wise to seek a second opinion from a GI doc and to go on a gluten free diet in the meantime. The GI doc may look at all the evidence, including the biopsy report, and conclude you don't need anything else to reach a dx of celiac disease and so, there would be no need for a gluten challenge. But if the GI doc does want to do more testing, you can worry about the gluten challenge at that time. But between now and the time of the appointment, if your symptoms improve on a gluten free diet, that is more evidence. Just keep in mind that if a gluten challenge is called for, the bare minimum challenge length is two weeks of the daily consumption of at least 10g of gluten, which is about the amount found in 4-6 slices of wheat bread. But, I would count on giving it four weeks to be sure.
    • Paulaannefthimiou
      Are Bobresmill gluten free oats ok for sensitive celiacs?
    • jenniber
      thank you both for the insights. i agree, im going to back off on dairy and try sucraid. thanks for the tip about protein powder, i will look for whey protein powder/drinks!   i don’t understand why my doctor refused to order it either. so i’ve decided i’m not going to her again, and i’m going to get a second opinion with a GI recommended to me by someone with celiac. unfortunately my first appointment isn’t until February 17th. do you think i should go gluten free now or wait until after i meet with the new doctor? i’m torn about what i should do, i dont know if she is going to want to repeat the endoscopy, and i know ill have to be eating gluten to have a positive biopsy. i could always do the gluten challenge on the other hand if she does want to repeat the biopsy.    thanks again, i appreciate the support here. i’ve learned a lot from these boards. i dont know anyone in real life with celiac.
    • trents
      Let me suggest an adjustment to your terminology. "Celiac disease" and "gluten intolerance" are the same. The other gluten disorder you refer to is NCGS (Non Celiac Gluten Sensitivity) which is often referred to as being "gluten sensitive". Having said that, the reality is there is still much inconsistency in how people use these terms. Since celiac disease does damage to the small bowel lining it often results in nutritional deficiencies such as anemia. NCGS does not damage the small bowel lining so your history of anemia may suggest you have celiac disease as opposed to NCGS. But either way, a gluten-free diet is in order. NCGS can cause bodily damage in other ways, particularly to neurological systems.
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