Results Of Biopsy?

[tamm+2]

For several years, I have suffered from different symptoms all of which suggest celiac. I've had severe unexplained anemia,abdominal pain, altering constipation & diarrhea, alopecia areata, type 2 diabetes, tingling in feet, depression, irritability, etc. I finally asked my primary physician for blood tests in which we discovered NO IgA levels. I consulted with a gastro specialist who did an Upper EgD on last week. On today, she stated, "based upon your test results, I'm not sure you outright have celiac but you should try the gluten-free diet for 3months and see what happens"! Needless to say, I was floored. I absolutely, 100% positive that I should began the diet ASAP but needed some reassurance from others. Here's the results from the pathologist...Please offer suggestions!

"Histologic sections show intraepithelial lymphocytosis, especially near the villous tips, with preservation of the villous architecture. This finding may be seen in a wide variety of conditions, particularly treated or clinically latent celiac sprue, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug use, and infection."

Again, please tell me your thoughts on whether or not this is celiac & should I start the diet?

Thanks!

[bluebonnet]

trying the diet will speak volumes to you as each day goes by. you have to be as strict as possible and watch cross contamination. you will start noticing changes in your health as time goes on if you are completely avoiding gluten. 3 months can make a big difference for many health issues so give it atleast that long. you will most likely start feeling changes waaay sooner than that. cross contamination can keep you from healing so be careful. there is not just 1 test out there that confirms celiac ... for so many, the dietary response is the confirmation. best wishes!

[mushroom]

For several years, I have suffered from different symptoms all of which suggest celiac. I've had severe unexplained anemia,abdominal pain, altering constipation & diarrhea, alopecia areata, type 2 diabetes, tingling in feet, depression, irritability, etc. I finally asked my primary physician for blood tests in which we discovered NO IgA levels. I consulted with a gastro specialist who did an Upper EgD on last week. On today, she stated, "based upon your test results, I'm not sure you outright have celiac but you should try the gluten-free diet for 3months and see what happens"! Needless to say, I was floored. I absolutely, 100% positive that I should began the diet ASAP but needed some reassurance from others. Here's the results from the pathologist...Please offer suggestions!

"Histologic sections show intraepithelial lymphocytosis, especially near the villous tips, with preservation of the villous architecture. This finding may be seen in a wide variety of conditions, particularly treated or clinically latent celiac sprue, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug use, and infection."

Again, please tell me your thoughts on whether or not this is celiac & should I start the diet?

Thanks!

I assume you mean, when you say NO Iga levels, that your total serum Iga was negative and therefore your are not making antibodies. Therefore the blood tests do not work for you.

Your pathology findings, as you found out were equivocal - could be early celiac, or something else. If you have not been taking NSAIDS, and have no known infection, then most likely the changes are due to celiac, This is a common early finding. Count yourself lucky that you are on to this early, and start on the diet ASAP. You will soon know...

However, it is not a smooth path from quitting gluten to feeling perfect, and you can expect hiccups along the way, so don't be discouraged by any setbacks, the hidden gluten, the cross-contamination; do not even by discouraged if another food intolerance shows up because it happens often to a lot of us. Just go do it. You are not going to get any better results than you have now. If you respond to the diet, your GI will probably diagnose you as celiac. Good luck!