Jump to content
This site uses cookies. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. More Info... ×
  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    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):


  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Help Celiac.com:
    eNewsletter
    Donate

Really Stupid Question (Probably)


kdickinson

Recommended Posts

kdickinson Rookie

So I went to a general surgeon today to get an appointment set up for a colonoscopy that I'm due for, and I decided to ask him if he could do celiac testing. And he told me he could, but that he would do the biopsy first, and then if that was positive, do the blood test. Now maybe I've just been dislexic around these forums, but typically a doc would give cheap blood test first, and then do endoscopy if blood test was positive right? He told me it would actually cost more for a blood test than the biopsy would cost! Please give me some advice.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

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



Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):



chasbari Apprentice

Since you are already scheduled for the biopsy he probably just figured that he might as well check while he has you out. Really, if it's positive I am not sure of the necessity of the blood test other than for a baseline for comparison later on for compliance if you end up with celiac disease DX. Ye, it does appear to be reversed but I think it is because you are scheduled for the procedure already.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
kareng Grand Master

I think, since he is already there, the endo won't cost so much. You are already paying for everything for the colonoscopy. I would make sure he takes 6-8 biopsies or it will be a waste.

You may still want to get the blood work. The small intestine is very long (16-20ft). It is possible for 30% of it to be damaged and causing you trouble. Biopsies could miss the damaged spots.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
kdickinson Rookie

True.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
kdickinson Rookie

So here's an update. I've can get an appointment set up with an actual GI in the city(about hour and half away), but it would be on the same day I could get my endoscopy/colonoscopy done. Something just doest sit well with me going to a general surgeon. I've always liked going to specialists/people who actually study on what is being the problem. And the surgeon just seemed apprehensive and "snooty," and seemed to assume that I'm just a worry-wart looking for another dx. But at the same time I wanna get this over with. I'm so torn. And he's not offering a discount for doing both at same time.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
T.H. Community Regular

I've always liked going to specialists/people who actually study on what is being the problem. And the surgeon just seemed apprehensive and "snooty," and seemed to assume that I'm just a worry-wart looking for another dx.

I would go with your gut on this one, no pun intended. :) So far, all the doctors I've come across who think I'm a 'worry-wart' seem to think it because I don't want to follow all of THEIR advice without thinking for myself, you know? That's ego talking, not concern for their patient, and that's usually not a good sign. And for all of them, I found another doc, and lo and behold: I was right, and they were wrong. ;)

Really, though, there were problems that the doctors I got 'bad vibes' from had missed, because they didn't want to listen to me or my concerns and investigate further. And the new doctors listened, and checked, and found out what the real problem was. I have learned now that if I don't feel comfortable with the doctor, that's probably not a good sign.

And here's a couple bits of information to add to the pot: a recent survey study was done, world-wide, with GI docs - the experts who are supposed to know about this disease, yes? And even in THIS field, there is a heck of a lot of ignorance about the disease unless they are a GI doc AND they are a celiac expert. Over half the GI docs were incorrect on simple things like even what tests would diagnose this disease in certain situations.

If the specialty itself has so many people who don't have a clue about this disease, what are the odds that a person not even in this specialty can flub it? Just as a couple questions you can ask him - IS he doing an endoscopy? Did he say that specifically? We've all assumed he is, but I've met a gal whose doctor did a colonoscopy biopsy because he thought that would diagnose celiac disease. :blink: And how many biopsies was he thinking of taking? There should be...I believe it's 5 or 6, last I heard. You might want to check on that. Because there can often be patchy damage, just one biopsy is likely to miss villous atrophy, so a good doctor will take 3 at a minimum, and more is better.

...and actually, researchers did a really interesting study, oh, years back. They asked doctors which patients had the best outcomes with their diseases and problems, and not surprisingly, the doctors all said that the patients who followed their advice and did the treatments they were supposed to were the ones that fared best.

Then the researchers looked at the patients. And the docs were completely wrong. The patients that did the best were the ones that questioned, and argued, and got second opinions, and tried different treatments, and didn't do something until they, too, agreed it was the right thing to do.

Money issues or not - I'd go with the specialist, especially when you are not feeling comfortable with the current doctor.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

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


  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):



  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      120,464
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748

    Anthony Chirboga
    Newest Member
    Anthony Chirboga
    Joined

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):


  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      120.2k
    • Total Posts
      1m

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):





  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):



  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • knitty kitty
      Welcome to the forum, @LimpToeTheTimeless Bone growth plates close in the late teens to early twenties, so it's doubtful you'll grow much taller, but you may start to bulk up in muscle.  Remember to boost your absorption of vitamins and minerals needed to build muscle by eating a nutritionally dense diet and supplementing with essential vitamins and minerals, especially Thiamine B1, to counteract the malabsorption caused by Celiac Disease. Keep us posted on your progress! References: The effects of endurance training and thiamine supplementation on anti-fatigue during exercise https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4241913/ A functional evaluation of anti-fatigue and exercise performance improvement following vitamin B complex supplementation in healthy humans, a randomized double-blind trial https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10542023/
    • B1rdL0ver
    • shadycharacter
      Fermentation breaks down some of the gluten in wheat. Nowhere enough for a wheat dough to become gluten free, but the gluten may be significantly reduced. I think some pizzerias make the dough the day before and leave it overnight. The longer the microbes are acting on the flour, the better.
    • LimpToeTheTimeless
      I am M 21 and I diagnosed myself after a week of fasting and slowly reintroducing stuff in my diet except gluten, I had terrible eczema scars ,dandruff and brain fog, now I am free after 6 years of just pain, I am 6'2, will I grow taller? And since I am a gymnast will my muscles grow like quicker, cause before no matter how effort I put in I just couldn't. 
    • trents
      And the fact is, no two celiacs will necessarily respond the same to gluten exposure. Some are "silent" celiacs and don't experience obvious symptoms. But that doesn't mean no harm is being done to their gut. It just means it is subclinical. 
×
×
  • Create New...