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Confused About Biopsy Today

Coconutmilk

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Coconutmilk Rookie
Coconutmilk
Posted

Hello everyone,

I went for my biopsy today (i am in the UK) and i was wondering if you could give me some advice because i am confused. I believe my specialist was checking with the camera for any reason for my symptoms but he told me before today he suspected celiacs and was interested in checking for it as my blood test was positive and my symptoms seemed to fit.

So after the biopsy today a nurse who didnt speak very good english sat me in a room and said the specilist says your test was normal and that he has taken some biopsies. This nurse didnt know he was testing for celiacs just that he was testing for my symptoms. I asked her what she meant by normal and if this meant i didnt have celiacs but i didnt understand her answer. Now im confused could the specialist have known just by looking that i didnt have celiacs or does he need the results of the biopsies which will be through in ten days? Did the nurse mean everything looked normal in regards to inflammation from crohns or tumours and not celiac ofrceliac as well?

I hope this makes sense but i guess what im asking is can you only diagnose celiacs from testing the biopsy or can the doctor already see on the camera during the biopsy?

Thanks for your time any comments would be really helpful.

Emma

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GottaSki Mentor
GottaSki
Posted

I know it's hard, but wait for the biopsy results and then speak to your doctor about both the results and what he saw. My GI showed me pics from the camera along with results from biopsy.

I would discount the nurse's "normal" comment and speak directly to your doctor.

Good news is you can go gluten-free after the biopsy has been taken, so you may find that you have a positive reaction from a dietary change that will help with the diagnosis.

Good Luck!

-Lisa

gf-soph Apprentice
gf-soph
Posted

It sounds like the nurse was commenting on what they could observe with the camera only. Celiac is diagnosed based on villous damage, which is microscopic - this is why they take biopsies. The fact that everything looked normal under the camera doesn't mean you don't have celiac, they were probably just reassuring you that they didn't find anything else.

I would wait for the results of the biopsies, and ask for copies of all tests. Even if you don't get a definite diagnosis, your positive blood work is enough to seriously consider a gluten free diet. You have found a great resource in the site.

Sophie

ang1e0251 Contributor
ang1e0251
Posted

Don't be discouraged, the PP's are right, you will need to wait for the biopsy interpretation for your results. celiac disease can't be seen with the naked eye but there are more terrible problems that can be seen and your dr apparantly couldn't see anything like that. Yes!!

Now get busy eating gluten-free and let us know how you are doing!

JillianLindsay Enthusiast
JillianLindsay
Posted

I agree! My GI himself told me the scope "looked" normal, but when the biopsies were evaluated he realized I actually do have celiac disease. As difficult as the waiting is, I also advise to completely disregard the nurse's comments and wait to see wait the biopsies show.

The good news (as ang mentioned) is that you can start the gluten-free now and hopefully start to feel better! :)

Good luck,

Jillian

nora-n Rookie
nora-n
Posted

check the web for such images, abnormal looking gut with celiac. But normally one just sees microscopic damage.

Coconutmilk Rookie
Coconutmilk
Posted
  • Author

Hello again,

Thank you all for your replies sorry i didnt get back earlier i'v just moved house and started back at uni. so been doing lots. All this information is very helpful thank you, im glad there is nothing abnormal to be seen as although i've always felt its celiac iv sometimes worried they could have missed other things too.

I start my gluten-free diet tomorrow (i decided to set a date to prepare myself) i have been researching what to look out for for quite a while so hopefully i can follow it strictly.

Thanks again....il be back to let you know the result and hope to use this site in the future as a good source of information.

Emma

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