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RetroGirlChicago

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RetroGirlChicago Newbie

Trying not to make the post too long but want to give a quick background...I am 37 years old and live in the South Suburbs of Chicago. On May 5th I had an endo because I had been vomiting 2-3 times a week for about a year, have had reflux for many years, tried to brush it off. The gastro said I have a hiatial hernia and ulcers from the vomiting. Two weeks later the nurse called and said I needed to go for more blood tests because the biopsies came back positive for Celiac. I went for the tests and was told by the nurse 4 weeks ago that the blood tests were positive, to make a follow up appt and to "Look it up online." (The appt they gave me was 5 weeks from then.)

I have done a lot of research and haven't intentionally eaten anything with gluten since then. In my research, I found out that the University of Chicago Hospitals has a Celiac Disease Center and made an appointment with one of their doctors for August. When talking to one of my sisters about it, she said "Don't you think that's for people with more serious problems?'" Meaning, I guess that since I didn't have any of the "classic" symptoms that there's no point in going. Since I've been gluten-free, my joint problems that I've had for 4 years are gone and I haven't vomited. I feel like I will get no help or guidance from the gastro dr., he was 1 1/2 late for my 1st appt and 2 1/2 hrs late for the endo, I didn't even see him before the procedure. Also my mom is a nurse and can't believe that his nurse basically told me that I have a chronic disease and to look it up. The advice I need is what would you do? Would you keep the appt at the Celiac Disease Center? I honestly am surprised at how well I've taken the dx, I've been cooking 95% of my food at home and found a lot of stores in my area with gluten-free stuff. I just would like to know that what I'm doing is enough and that the info that I have is right. The dr and the center are in my insurance plan and with all the appts and procedures so far this year I've gone over my high deductible anyway. I wanted to see a nutritionist but there are none in my plan. What would you do?


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kareng Grand Master

I Would go to the appointment.

They have an email address on their site. Email and tell them this but make it really brief. Ask who you should see. Bring your positive blood work , procedure report & path report. They may want to change the focus of your appt if they know you are already diagnosed.

tictax707 Apprentice

On May 5th I had an endo because I had been vomiting 2-3 times a week for about a year, have had reflux for many years, tried to brush it off. The gastro said I have a hiatial hernia and ulcers from the vomiting.

When talking to one of my sisters about it, she said "Don't you think that's for people with more serious problems?'" Meaning, I guess that since I didn't have any of the "classic" symptoms that there's no point in going.

What would you do?

Vomiting 2-3 times a week for a year is a serious problem. I know it's a pain but I would probably keep the follow up as well. It's few hours gamble for some possibly useful info.

jemms Apprentice

Keep the appointment. I am in the Chicago West Suburbs and was thinking of going to U of C but my insurance is nil. I have emailed them and they are super helpful. Definitely take advantage of the center and keep us posted. Also, you need to be an advocate for yourself...try not to listen to naysayers who cloud what you know you need to do for your own health. Good Luck.

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    • Scott Adams
      If your tTg-IgA was 28 and positive is at 3, you are nearly 10x over the positive marker, so the most likely explanation by far would be celiac disease. I also do not understand why your doctor would not want to run the blood test, which is the normal first step in the diagnosis process.
    • xxnonamexx
      Is there a digestive enzyme that helps build a healthier gut? I see people taking them but not sure what really works
    • trents
      So the tTG-IGA at 28 is positive for celiac disease. There are some other medical conditions that can cause elevated tTG-IGA but this is unlikely. There are some people for whom the dairy protein casein can cause this but by far the most likely cause is celiac disease. Especially when your small bowel lining is "scalloped". Your Serum IGA 01 (aka, "total IGA") at 245 mg/dl is within normal range, indicating you are not IGA deficient. But I also think it would be wise to take your doctor's advice about the sucraid diet and avoiding dairy . . . at least until you experience healing and your gut has had a chance to heal, which can take around two years. After that, you can experiment with adding dairy back in and monitor symptoms. By the way, if you want the protein afforded by dairy but need to avoid casein, you can do so with whey protein powder. Whey is the other major protein in dairy.
    • jenniber
      hi, i want to say thank you to you and @trents   . after 2 phone calls to my GI, her office called me back to tell me that a blood test was “unnecessary” and that we should “follow the gold standard” and since my biopsy did not indicate celiac, to follow the no dairy and sucraid diet. i luckily have expendable income and made an appt for the labcorp blood test that day. i just got my results back and it indicates celiac disease i think 😭   im honestly happy bc now i KNOW and i can go gluten free. and i am SO MAD at this doctor for dismissing me for a simple blood test that wouldn’t have cost her anything !!!!!!!!!!! im sorry, im so emotional right now, i have been sick my whole life and never knew why, i feel so much better already   my results from labcorp:   Celiac Ab tTG TIgA w/Rflx Test Current Result and Flag Previous Result and Date Units Reference Interval t-Transglutaminase (tTG) IgA 01 28 High U/mL 0-3 Negative 0 - 3 Weak Positive 4 - 10 Positive >10 Tissue Transglutaminase (tTG) has been identified as the endomysial antigen. Studies have demonstrated that endomysial IgA antibodies have over 99% specificity for gluten sensitive enteropathy. Immunoglobulin A, Qn, Serum 01 245 mg/dL 87-352
    • JoJo0611
      Thank you this really helped. 
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