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Inconclusive Blood Tests, Highly Suggestive Biopsy


PepperandDaisysMommy

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PepperandDaisysMommy Newbie

I am a 32 year old woman with no children. For about a year now, I have been suffering from digestive issues that have almost become normal to me. I regularly head straight to the bathroom after eating. I have battled with stomach cramping, bloating, diarrhea, hemhorroids, and mild acid reflux. I finally started seeing a GI specialist, who scheduled a colonoscopy and endoscopy. This was his first route because of my family history. My father suffers from severe acid reflux, my grandfather passed away from stomach cancer, and my aunt is a colon cancer survivor. After getting the biopsy results from my endoscopy, my dr. ordered 3 blood tests to check for Celiac. One test came back positive, one came back negative. The third was mildly positive. The biopsy was "highly suggestive" of Celiac. The dr. has ordered two more blood tests, but has said that he will probably give a formal diagnosis of Celiac at my next appt in January. Truthfully, I can't wait that long! Is it possible to be a Celiac with inconclusive blood tests and a positive biopsy?? This is all so new to me and any help would be appreciated.


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Ahorsesoul Enthusiast

You can have celiac disease or be gluten intolerant with all tests even showing negative results.

You can go gluten free at anytime. The sooner you do the sooner you will feel better.

Isn't it nice to know that it's not all in your head?!

Welcome to the gluten free world.

happygirl Collaborator

A positive biopsy is the gold standard for a Celiac diagnosis, so that is technically the "only" way to have a "true" confirmed case of Celiac. Many doctors are starting to diagnose on bloodwork alone. You don't have to have + bloodwork AND + biopsy to be diagnosed as a Celiac.

Continue to eat gluten until your next appointment so that you can finish any testing they request. However, if you are concerned about waiting until your next appointment, it may be worth it to call them and discuss your concerns - maybe they can get you in sooner, or run the bloodwork before your appointment.

ravenwoodglass Mentor

If you have had the biopsy and blood tests you are done with celiac testing. You can start the diet. Your body may give you the answer before you go back to the doctor.

nora-n Rookie

Yes, even the best blood tests will normally only be positive in about 80% of cases!!

That means that people have symptoms, and a positiv e biopsy, and still the blood tests will miss about 20%.

And what about partial celiac, where celiac is only patchy? The blood tests then are even more inconclusive.

(yes, the biopsy is the test that really counts)

nora

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    • trents
      I might suggest you consider buckwheat groats. https://www.amazon.com/Anthonys-Organic-Hulled-Buckwheat-Groats/dp/B0D15QDVW7/ref=sr_1_4_pp?crid=GOFG11A8ZUMU&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.bk-hCrXgLpHqKS8QJnfKJLKbKzm2BS9tIFv3P9HjJ5swL1-02C3V819UZ845_kAwnxTUM8Qa69hKl0DfHAucO827k_rh7ZclIOPtAA9KjvEEYtaeUV06FJQyCoi5dwcfXRt8dx3cJ6ctEn2VIPaaFd0nOye2TkASgSRtdtKgvXEEXknFVYURBjXen1Nc7EtAlJyJbU8EhB89ElCGFPRavEQkTFHv9V2Zh1EMAPRno7UajBpLCQ-1JfC5jKUyzfgsf7jN5L6yfZSgjhnwEbg6KKwWrKeghga8W_CAhEEw9N0.eDBrhYWsjgEFud6ZE03iun0-AEaGfNS1q4ILLjZz7Fs&dib_tag=se&keywords=buckwheat%2Bgroats&qid=1769980587&s=grocery&sprefix=buchwheat%2Bgroats%2Cgrocery%2C249&sr=1-4&th=1 Takes about 10 minutes to cook. Incidentally, I don't like quinoa either. Reminds me and smells to me like wet grass seed. When its not washed before cooking it makes me ill because of saponins in the seed coat. Yes, it can be difficult to get much dietary calcium without dairy. But in many cases, it's not the amount of calcium in the diet that is the problem but the poor uptake of it. And too much calcium supplementation can interfere with the absorption of vitamins and minerals in general because it raises gut pH.
    • Scott Adams
      What you’re describing really does not read like typical IBS-D. The dramatic, rapid normalization of stool frequency and form after removing wheat, along with improved tolerance of legumes and plant foods, is a classic pattern seen in gluten-driven disease rather than functional IBS. IBS usually worsens with fiber and beans, not improves. The fact that you carry HLA-DQ2.2 means celiac disease is absolutely possible, even if it’s less common than DQ2.5, and many people with DQ2.2 present later and are under-diagnosed. Your hesitation to reintroduce gluten is completely understandable — quality of life matters — and many people in your position choose to remain strictly gluten-free and treat it as medically necessary even without formal biopsy confirmation. If and when you’re ready, a physician can help you weigh options like limited gluten challenge, serology history, or documentation as “probable celiac.” What’s clear is that this wasn’t just random IBS — you identified the trigger, and your body has been very consistent in its response.
    • Scott Adams
      Here are some results from a search: Top Liquid Multivitamin Picks for Celiac Needs MaryRuth's Liquid Morning Multivitamin Essentials+ – Excellent daily choice with a broad vitamin/mineral profile, easy to absorb, gluten-free, vegan, and great overall value. MaryRuth's Liquid Morning Multivitamin – Classic, well-reviewed gluten-free liquid multivitamin with essential nutrients in a readily absorbable form. MaryRuth's Morning Multivitamin w/ Hair Growth – Adds beauty-supporting ingredients (biotin, B vitamins), also gluten-free and easy to take. New Chapter Liquid Multivitamin and New Chapter Liquid Multivitamin Orange Mango – Fermented liquid form with extra nutrients and good tolerability if you prefer a whole-food-based formula. Nature's Plus Source Of Life Gold Liquid – Premium option with a broad spectrum of vitamins and plant-based nutrients. Floradix Epresat Adult Liquid Multivitamin – Highly rated gluten-free German-made liquid, good choice if taste and natural ingredients matter. NOW Foods Liquid Multi Tropical Orange – Budget-friendly liquid multivitamin with solid nutrient coverage.
    • catnapt
      oh that's interesting... it's hard to say for sure but it has *seemed* like oats might be causing me some vague issues in the past few months. It's odd that I never really connect specific symptoms to foods, it's more of an all over feeling of unwellness after  eating them.  If it happens a few times after eating the same foods- I cut back or avoid them. for this reason I avoid dairy and eggs.  So far this has worked well for me.  oh, I have some of Bob's Red Mill Mighty Tasty Hot cereal and I love it! it's hard to find but I will be looking for more.  for the next few weeks I'm going to be concentrating on whole fresh fruits and veggies and beans and nuts and seeds. I'll have to find out if grains are truly necessary in our diet. I buy brown rice pasta but only eat that maybe once a month at most. Never liked quinoa. And all the other exotic sounding grains seem to be time consuming to prepare. Something to look at later. I love beans and to me they provide the heft and calories that make me feel full for a lot longer than a big bowl of broccoli or other veggies. I can't even tolerate the plant milks right now.  I have reached out to the endo for guidance regarding calcium intake - she wants me to consume 1000mgs from food daily and I'm not able to get to more than 600mgs right now.  not supposed to use a supplement until after my next round of testing for hyperparathyroidism.   thanks again- you seem to know quite a bit about celiac.  
    • trents
      Welcome to the celiac.com community, @SilkieFairy! You could also have NCGS (Non Celiac Gluten Sensitivity) as opposed to celiac disease. They share many of the same symptoms, especially the GI ones. There is no test for NCGS. Celiac disease must first be ruled out.
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