Endoscopy - How Many Tissue Samples Needed?

[trying4faith]

Hi all,

I have been told your blood work shows elevated gliadin, you may have a wheat allergy, but don't appear to be celiac disease.

Then three months later, your bloodwork is normal (after 2.5 weeks gluten-free) so you don't have celiac (all 5 titers done).

And -

Your endoscopy was inconclusive. Gastritis, elevated leukocytes, and possible early onset of celiac disease. The doctor only removed three samples of the duodenum. I've read more are required.

Since I've been gluten-free for two months now (everything eaten is either fresh or labeled gluten-free) and am still having the same symptoms intermittently, maybe it isn't celiac disease?

Can someone tell me two things:

1. Can being off gluten for 2.5 weeks throw off the blood test?

2. How many tissue samples are required for an accurate test? Any medically documented literature out there to back that up?

Thanks.

[Carriefaith]

Since I've been gluten-free for two months now (everything eaten is either fresh or labeled gluten-free) and am still having the same symptoms intermittently, maybe it isn't celiac disease?

I am kind of confused from your post... So you had an inconclusive biopsy and a + blood test?

If you are still having symptoms, you may need more time to heal... Some people need 1-2 years to feel better! and I'm in that category!

1. Can being off gluten for 2.5 weeks throw off the blood test?

2. How many tissue samples are required for an accurate test? Any medically documented literature out there to back that up?

Being off gluten may give a false-negative result on a blood test. The blood tests look at the antibodies in your blood that are produced from injesting gluten, so essentially... if you're not eating gluten, those antibodies won't be there.

I'm not a doctor and haven't seen medical literature but I think that more biopsys would give the doctor a better chance of finding celiac since the damage can be patchy. I think 3-5 would be good enough... but no less than that.

[cy7878]

6 pieces is usually what is recommended in looking for celiac disease.