Jump to content

  • You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.


  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):
    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):

Possible Future Tests?

Molly-F

Recommended Posts

Molly-F Newbie
Molly-F
Posted

So last week, after about a year of symptoms including bowel irritation, nausea, vomiting, fatigue (which I now know is caused by iron dificiency), bloody stools, weakness, headaches, and dehydration (Geez, was it really that bad, then?), my doctor called me back with the results to my tests done a few weeks ago. I've done the generic stool samples and blood tests, and she's found low B12 and Iron levels as well as what she's about 95% sure is Celiac Disease, of course.

I still have to do some tests to confirm this. I took another blood test to check out my thiroid, since it's in my family history and it could be that. My doctor also had to make a referral to a "GI specialist" out of town. I plan on asking her after the long weekend but I have NO idea what a GI specialist is going to do to me. I have this fear of doctors since I'm never sick. I tried researching it but each result comes up with a different procedure. I don't know ah...which end they do it at (some say the mouth...but why not take the short cut? :lol: ) , and I'm not sure if it hurts, if I'm awake, or if I'm "drugged up", or asleep. Does anyone know? Thanks!

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


mushroom Proficient
mushroom
Posted

So last week, after about a year of symptoms including bowel irritation, nausea, vomiting, fatigue (which I now know is caused by iron dificiency), bloody stools, weakness, headaches, and dehydration (Geez, was it really that bad, then?), my doctor called me back with the results to my tests done a few weeks ago. I've done the generic stool samples and blood tests, and she's found low B12 and Iron levels as well as what she's about 95% sure is Celiac Disease, of course.

I still have to do some tests to confirm this. I took another blood test to check out my thiroid, since it's in my family history and it could be that. My doctor also had to make a referral to a "GI specialist" out of town. I plan on asking her after the long weekend but I have NO idea what a GI specialist is going to do to me. I have this fear of doctors since I'm never sick. I tried researching it but each result comes up with a different procedure. I don't know ah...which end they do it at (some say the mouth...but why not take the short cut? :lol: ) , and I'm not sure if it hurts, if I'm awake, or if I'm "drugged up", or asleep. Does anyone know? Thanks!

To confirm a celiac diagnosis the GI performs an endoscopy which inspects the small intestine to see if there is damage to the villi. This tube is inserted down the throat and through the stomach while you are under sedation (not anesthesia). You will not have any awareness of the procedure when you awaken. It is usually painless although some people do have a mild sore throat for a day or two. It is normally nothing to be at all concerned about, but you will need someone to drive you home. Make sure your GI takes enough samples, as the damage to your villi may be patchy and it is easy to miss on just a visual examination; at least 4-6 is recommended. Hopefully your GI will be celiac literate and know this.

There are over 30 feet of small intestine before you get to the colon, which is why they do not approach from "the other end" :D

Molly-F Newbie
Molly-F
Posted
  • Author

Hehe, thanks. I slept through biology last year... :unsure:

Damn anemia. <_<

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Celiac.com:
    Join eNewsletter
    Donate
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):
    Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):



    Celiac.com Sponsors (A17-M):



  • Recent Activity

    1. trents
      - trents replied to ThomasA55's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      5

      Iron loss and potential celiac.

      Yes, it does. And joint pain is another celiac symptom that is now well-recognized.
    2. ThomasA55
      - ThomasA55 replied to ThomasA55's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      5

      Iron loss and potential celiac.

      Does my iron loss sound like celiac to you?
    3. trents
      - trents replied to ThomasA55's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      5

      Iron loss and potential celiac.

      Being as how you are largely asymptomatic, I would certainly advise undertaking a gluten challenge in order to get formal testing for celiac disease. We have many forum participants who become violently ill when they undertake a gluten challenge and they therefore can't carry through with it. That doesn't seem to be the case with you. The reason I think it...
    4. ThomasA55
      - ThomasA55 replied to ThomasA55's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      5

      Iron loss and potential celiac.

    5. trents
      - trents replied to ThomasA55's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      5

      Iron loss and potential celiac.

      Welcome to the celiac.com community, @ThomasA55! Before I give my opinion on your question about whether or not you should undergo a gluten challenge, I would like to know how you react when you get a good dose of gluten? Are you largely asymptomatic or do you experience significant illness such as nausea and diarrhea? You mentioned intermittent joint...
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):

  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      134,086
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      10,442
    Joseph01
    Newest Member
    Joseph01
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.7k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):

  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • trents
      Iron loss and potential celiac.

      By trents · Posted

      Yes, it does. And joint pain is another celiac symptom that is now well-recognized. 
    • ThomasA55
      Iron loss and potential celiac.

      By ThomasA55 · Posted

      Does my iron loss sound like celiac to you?
    • trents
      Iron loss and potential celiac.

      By trents · Posted

      Being as how you are largely asymptomatic, I would certainly advise undertaking a gluten challenge in order to get formal testing for celiac disease. We have many forum participants who become violently ill when they undertake a gluten challenge and they therefore can't carry through with it. That doesn't seem to be the case with you. The reason I think it is important for you to get tested is that many or most people who don't have a formal diagnosis find it difficult to be consistent with the gluten-free diet. They find ways to rationalize that their symptoms are due to something other than celiac disease . . . especially when it becomes socially limiting.  The other factor here is by being inconsistent with the gluten free diet, assuming you do have celiac disease, you are likely causing slow, incremental damage to your gut, even though you are largely asymptomatic. It can take years for that damage to get to the point where it results in spinoff health problems. Concerning genetic testing, it can't be used for diagnosis, at least not definitively. Somewhere between 30 and 40% of the general population will have one or both of the two genes known to be associated with the development of active celiac disease. Yet, only about 1% of the general population will develop active celiac disease. But the genetic testing can be used as a rule out for celiac disease if you don't have either gene. But even so, that doesn't eliminate the possibility of having NCGS (Non Celiac Gluten Sensitivity).
    • ThomasA55
      Iron loss and potential celiac.

      By ThomasA55 · Posted

    • trents
      Iron loss and potential celiac.

      By trents · Posted

      Welcome to the celiac.com community, @ThomasA55! Before I give my opinion on your question about whether or not you should undergo a gluten challenge, I would like to know how you react when you get a good dose of gluten? Are you largely asymptomatic or do you experience significant illness such as nausea and diarrhea? You mentioned intermittent joint pain before you began experimenting with a low gluten diet. Anything else?
×
×
  • Create New...