I Had My Endo Today,, Positve Blood But Was gluten-free Prior To Biopsy

[eeskew7282]

I had my biopsy for Celiac Disease today. The path won't be back for 10 days but the doctor said he saw two erosive areas in my stomach and biopsied but he tested for H plyloris. He also found alot of redness on the duodenum. He said he did not see indications on Celiac disease. I was only a strict gluten free diet for almost 4 weeks. Would it really show much if I have been compliant that long. My labs were high and with a position EMA. I was extremely sick when I was on gluten, so the MD left me off the gluten for the test. I still don't think MDs know enough about it because he said maybe we can do a trial of gluten later. I told him I would never touch it again. I thought the way I feel off the gluten and the positve antibodies and the high antigen will make the diagnosis???

[leadmeastray88]

At this point, I would wait and see what the biopsy says. The doctor can't always tell if you have Celiac until they look at the slides from the samples. I'm not sure if 4 weeks was long enough to affect the intestine...I would think it depends on how much damage you had in the first place. But you're right - your doc should never have told you to go gluten free beforehand. Now if the biopsy is negative, you may always wonder "if only"...

If I were you, I would take the positive blood tests into extreme consideration. Because you tested positive for all of them is very telling, in my opinion. It's like being pregnant...you either are Celiac or you're not, you can't be just a little bit Celiac. If you're positive across the board then you're Celiac IMHO.

It's your decision whether to do a gluten challenge for another biopsy in the future...but you may only make yourself sicker and still not get a diagnosis.

My advice would be just to go gluten free regardless of what the biopsy says. We have people here who have repeatedly tested negative on biopsies but their lives have improved dramatically on the diet. It's really up to you though!

Good luck!

[eeskew7282]

Yes I am staying gluten free. I feel like a different person without the gluten. He also said maybe one day you can be back on a regular diet, not a chance. I was diagnosed seronegative Rheumatoid arthritis 5 years ago. I think it was related to the Celiac disease because my RA is starting to improve. I think this was the cause of my poor health over the past 5 years

[Gemini]

I had my biopsy for Celiac Disease today. The path won't be back for 10 days but the doctor said he saw two erosive areas in my stomach and biopsied but he tested for H plyloris. He also found alot of redness on the duodenum. He said he did not see indications on Celiac disease. I was only a strict gluten free diet for almost 4 weeks. Would it really show much if I have been compliant that long. My labs were high and with a position EMA. I was extremely sick when I was on gluten, so the MD left me off the gluten for the test. I still don't think MDs know enough about it because he said maybe we can do a trial of gluten later. I told him I would never touch it again. I thought the way I feel off the gluten and the positve antibodies and the high antigen will make the diagnosis???

With positive blood work and a positive EMA, you have your diagnosis. The only reason to do an endo after positive blood work is to see what damage has been done. You cannot see indications of Celiac Disease with the naked eye, period. It has to be looked at microscopically. A doctor may see inflammation but to actually diagnose flattened villi, you need a microscope.

If the biopsy comes back negative, that could be for a number of reasons which do not mean you do not have celiac disease. However, there is absolutely no reason ever again, with what you have said in your post, to do a gluten challenge later on. You've also had a positive dietary response.

I hope you are feeling better soon!

[eeskew7282]

With positive blood work and a positive EMA, you have your diagnosis. The only reason to do an endo after positive blood work is to see what damage has been done. You cannot see indications of Celiac Disease with the naked eye, period. It has to be looked at microscopically. A doctor may see inflammation but to actually diagnose flattened villi, you need a microscope.

If the biopsy comes back negative, that could be for a number of reasons which do not mean you do not have celiac disease. However, there is absolutely no reason ever again, with what you have said in your post, to do a gluten challenge later on. You've also had a positive dietary response.

I hope you are feeling better soon!

Thanks so much for your advice. I agree, I am much bette now and not going to risk it.. Thanks,