Blood Test Strong Positive, Sister Has celiac disease - Should I Get Endoscopy?

[Colo-Chick]

My sister got diagnosed with Celiac Disease a few weeks ago (from blood test).

I decided to immediately get tested (due to symptoms), and the blood test showed a very strong positive for me.

Also, my ma lived her whole life with sores that look amazingly similar to the stores that a celiac gets... and my mom also had colon cancer. This makes me believe my ma had this also.

Given my sister's positive blood test, and my strong positive - should I even bother with the endoscopy?

Looks like the total cost is a little over 2,000 - and I'll wind up paying 20%

Seems like I know enough... seems like a waste of money and time to get this done. Plus I have to keep eating glutin until the test.

Anybody care to opine here?

Thanks

[Darn210]

My sister got diagnosed with Celiac Disease a few weeks ago (from blood test).

I decided to immediately get tested (due to symptoms), and the blood test showed a very strong positive for me.

Also, my ma lived her whole life with sores that look amazingly similar to the stores that a celiac gets... and my mom also had colon cancer. This makes me believe my ma had this also.

Given my sister's positive blood test, and my strong positive - should I even bother with the endoscopy?

Looks like the total cost is a little over 2,000 - and I'll wind up paying 20%

Seems like I know enough... seems like a waste of money and time to get this done. Plus I have to keep eating glutin until the test.

Anybody care to opine here?

Thanks

Are you convinced?? . . . It sounds like you are . . . If you don't need it to convince yourself to stick to the diet, then I personally would skip it. Something else to consider . . . do you need an official diagnosis for anything? I don't know how old you are, but schools/colleges may need an official diagnosis in order to make accomodations. Some docs will give an official diagnosis based on the blood test or the blood test and results of a trial diet. Also, some people don't want the official diagnosis as it may affect insurance later in life.

So . . . maybe I didn't really give an opinion, but just some more things to think about when you are making your decision . . .

[Skylark]

I agree. It depends on whether your doctor will diagnose if you need one on bloodwork/family history. If you're still in school there is some protection afforded by a celiac diagnosis. I was never tested at all. I was too busy in graduate school to want to make myself sick with a gluten challenge and I really don't regret it.

[Colo-Chick]

Yes, I'm convinced. I also have Hashimoto's, which is strongly correlated to celiac disease. And with sis' diagnosis, and mom's symptoms I know enough for me!

I don't need the diagnosis for accomodations, good question

And for insurance purposes, I'm fine with *no* official diagnosis (o;

If there were meds or something that I could get with a diagnosis, I'd get the diagnosis. At this point I'm not sure I need to get the official diagnosis for anything else...!

THanks!!

[ravenwoodglass]

Yes, I'm convinced. I also have Hashimoto's, which is strongly correlated to celiac disease. And with sis' diagnosis, and mom's symptoms I know enough for me!

I don't need the diagnosis for accomodations, good question

And for insurance purposes, I'm fine with *no* official diagnosis (o;

If there were meds or something that I could get with a diagnosis, I'd get the diagnosis. At this point I'm not sure I need to get the official diagnosis for anything else...!

THanks!!

With your strong positive blood tests and a family history it is possible your doctor will give an 'official' diagnosis after you have been on the diet and your symptoms resolve. Do ask the doctor to run a vitamin and mineral panel to make sure you are not deficient and a bone scan for osteoporosis would be a good idea.