What's Your Opinion?

[Aimers6]

Hi Everyone!!

Ok - I need some Celiac-veteran opinions...

All about me in a nutshell...

I'm 29 (female), I have two kids, 3 total pregnancies (1 ended in miscarriage), no family history of Celiac (yet), I have diabetes (either Type II or MODY2), Hashimoto's, IBS, chronic canker sores for years and years, as a kid I had stomache problems all the time (lower GI, upper GI, colonoscopy) - never found anything, I'm tired all the time (barely enough energy to bathe the kids), I'm deficient in Vitamin D and Calicium, my 6 year-old daughter has some antibodies for Celiac (plus, she's diabetic, but not Type I - she's only 4% for her age in weight), my mom has scheduled an endoscopy for herself later this month, I have a family history of autoimmune issues (we're a nightmare), my maternal aunt has Crohn's, my maternal grandmother had small bowel problems (had some removed for whatever reason in the 1960's) and she had osteoporosis, all of my other maternal aunts have had some sort of thyroid problem, my joints have bothered me for years but I attributed it to my periods, I just had a Celiac serum panel completed and everything came back negative with exception to IgG which was 482 (normal 81-463). My doctor didn't seem too concerned because diabetes can make that go up. Also, my DHEA sulfate came back at 303 (maybe PCOS?).

Here's my question....

Should I push to see a gastroenterologist and have an endoscopy to rule out Celiacs (or confirm it) or.....

Thanks for your help!!

Aimers

[mushroom]

The evidence and the family history certainly point in the direction of celiac. Don't forget that there are many false negatives on the blood tests (and even, sorry to say, on the biopsy). However, and I am no expert, I believe an elevated IgG is indicative of celiac. Perhaps the fact that it was not so wildly out of range, along with the other negatives, influenced your doctor's decision and opinion. I think, if I were you, I would ask to have an endoscopy done based on your family history, while you are still eating gluten and then go gluten free. Your other option is to stop eating gluten and see how you feel Trouble is, once we start feeling better we could not imagine going back on gluten, usually, so there goes your chance for diagnosis. Or you could do a two-week trial off gluten and if results are encouraging resume eating gluten and ask to be either tested or diagnosed, based on your positive response to the diet.

I guess it all depends on how strong your need is for a medical diagnosis. I am pretty certain that you will feel much improved without gluten. Good luck whatever you decide to do.

[Aimers6]

Forgot to mention that I've always had a problem with anemia (and trust me - I love red meat) and my arms fall asleep every single night.

[Aimers6]

The evidence and the family history certainly point in the direction of celiac. Don't forget that there are many false negatives on the blood tests (and even, sorry to say, on the biopsy). However, and I am no expert, I believe an elevated IgG is indicative of celiac. Perhaps the fact that it was not so wildly out of range, along with the other negatives, influenced your doctor's decision and opinion. I think, if I were you, I would ask to have an endoscopy done based on your family history, while you are still eating gluten and then go gluten free. Your other option is to stop eating gluten and see how you feel Trouble is, once we start feeling better we could not imagine going back on gluten, usually, so there goes your chance for diagnosis. Or you could do a two-week trial off gluten and if results are encouraging resume eating gluten and ask to be either tested or diagnosed, based on your positive response to the diet.

I guess it all depends on how strong your need is for a medical diagnosis. I am pretty certain that you will feel much improved without gluten. Good luck whatever you decide to do.

Thanks Mushroom!!! :-)

[Bethinjapan]

My hands and arms go to sleep horribly at night too! During the day as well, but worse at night. It's so annoying! I have a lot of the other problems too, and am in the process of getting officially diagnosed. I know gluten is my problem, but I also know myself and know that I will be much more successful in this endeavor having heard it from a doctor, crazy as that is ! If you're anything like me, I would request the endoscopy, but not everyone's like me, and so many people here have been completely successful with their self diagnosis!... and who knows, I may end up in that boat as well even after going through all the tests!! Blessings to you, and I hope you find a solution soon!

Beth