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):

Flattened Villi

Jessica N.

Recommended Posts

Jessica N. Rookie
Jessica N.
Posted

I am trying to get my ducks in a row for my GI appt in a few weeks. (I have just switched to a new Dr.) I am curious if anyone knows what else could be a cause of flattened villi. The first test I has my transglutaminase AB, IGA was a 39 and the "normal" range is 0-19 so I was scheduled for a biopsy which showed flat villi, biopsies came back negative. The new doctor sent me for tests again and said my blood tests were slightly elevated (I don't know which levels, havent been back yet).

I am just curious about the causes of flattened villi besides celiac, and any suggestions of what types of question I should be asking the doc!

I appreciate any help!!

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


Skylark Collaborator
Skylark
Posted

I don't understand your statement "biopsy which showed flat villi, biopsies came back negative". How is flat villi negative?

The combination of transglutaminase antibodies and villous damage is the "gold standard" for diagnosing celiac. The other things that cause flat villi (giardia, radiation poisoning, tropical sprue) do not cause celiac antibodies.

Have you gone gluten-free now that you're done with the biopsy and blood tests?

Twinklestars Contributor
Twinklestars
Posted

I would think you should be positively diagnosed as celiac with those results. Maybe if your doctor isn't willing to diagnose you (no idea why not though) get copies of all test and lab reports and keep them as your proof. And go gluten free for sure!

Roda Rising Star
Roda
Posted

With a postitive blood work and flattened villi, that is classic celiac diagnosis. Maybe they meant the biopsy was negative for other things, like h pylori and cancer.

Jessica N. Rookie
Jessica N.
Posted
  • Author

I apologize...I meant to say my ENDOSCOPY showed flat villi, the biopsy came back negative. At my follow-up I asked why I was given a packet about celiac after my procedure, and the NP stated: The Dr thought with those two things it would have been celiac. I said well flattened villi are not normal, and she said not to dwell on it and suggested an elimination diet for lactose, fructose, and eventually gluten if I wanted.

Jessica N. Rookie
Jessica N.
Posted
  • Author

I was only told biopsy negative and not told "you have celiac." I plan to go gluten-free next week to see if that helps and have transferred doctors.

ravenwoodglass Mentor
ravenwoodglass
Posted

I apologize...I meant to say my ENDOSCOPY showed flat villi, the biopsy came back negative. At my follow-up I asked why I was given a packet about celiac after my procedure, and the NP stated: The Dr thought with those two things it would have been celiac. I said well flattened villi are not normal, and she said not to dwell on it and suggested an elimination diet for lactose, fructose, and eventually gluten if I wanted.

False negatives on biopsies are not uncommon for a variety of reasons including human error at the lab. If you doctor could see the damage then it seems a no-brainer to me. Do be strict with the diet and I bet your feeling much better soon.

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


Lisa Mentor
Lisa
Posted

There are a few other things that can cause villious atrophy, but Celiac Disease is the most common. Celiac symptoms and positive dietary response can also be diagnostic.

Jessica N. Rookie
Jessica N.
Posted
  • Author

Thanks for your support! I plan to start next monday so will be searching for recipes and checking out the gluten-free section in my grocery store...any suggestions?

Twinklestars Contributor
Twinklestars
Posted

Everyone here has been advising me to stick to a simple whole foods diet that consists of rice, vegetables, fruit and meat mostly. Try to avoid processed foods. I felt very unwell for the first few days and didn't want complicated foods at all. Hope it has you feeling better soon!

Jessica N. Rookie
Jessica N.
Posted
  • Author

Everyone here has been advising me to stick to a simple whole foods diet that consists of rice, vegetables, fruit and meat mostly. Try to avoid processed foods. I felt very unwell for the first few days and didn't want complicated foods at all. Hope it has you feeling better soon!

I'm trying to get situated for the grocery store now...planning out my meals and such so I know what I can have. How are you feeling now---How many days has it been?

Twinklestars Contributor
Twinklestars
Posted

It's been about 10 days for me now. I'm feeling good :) Well, apart from accidentally glutening myself a couple of times :rolleyes: I figure it can only get better, but yes, much happier that I'm feeling well!

Jessica N. Rookie
Jessica N.
Posted
  • Author

It's been about 10 days for me now. I'm feeling good :) Well, apart from accidentally glutening myself a couple of times :rolleyes: I figure it can only get better, but yes, much happier that I'm feeling well!

Awesome! I am trying to figure out if my allergy medications and acid reducer are gluten free!

Twinklestars Contributor
Twinklestars
Posted

It's amazing the things gluten can be in! Before finding this forum I would never have thought of gluten in medication, or teabags for that matter! :huh: You can always speak to a pharmacist I guess or email the manufacturer to find out about meds.

Archived

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

Go to topic listing
  • 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

    • Aretaeus Cappadocia
      Edy's and Dreyer's ice cream

      By Aretaeus Cappadocia · Posted

      Sigh. I posted this yesterday based on the Safeway website. I went back again today to their website to double check. On the page where they are selling Vanilla Bean flavor, it has a distinct Certified Gluten Free label. Other flavors on the Safeway website didn't have the gluten-free statement. Today I went into the store. None of the flavors I looked at, including Vanilla Bean, have a Gluten Free statement. Is it safe? Who knows. The ingredients are either safe or nearly safe (some have "natural flavor"). There are warnings about "contains milk and soy" but not about wheat - this implies they are safe, but again, who knows. On the other hand, every flavor I checked of their Slow Churn line of ice creams has wheat as an ingredient. 100% not safe.
    • knitty kitty
      Edy's and Dreyer's ice cream

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      Do keep in mind that many of the newly diagnosed have lactose intolerance.  This is because the villi lining the intestinal tract are damaged, and can no longer make the enzyme lactAse which breaks down the milk sugar lactOse.  When the villi grow back (six months to two years), they can again produce the enzyme lactAse, and lactose intolerance is resolved.  However, some people (both those with and without Celiac Disease) are genetically programmed to stop producing lactase as they age.   Do be aware that many processed foods, including ice cream, use Microbial Transglutaminase, a food additive commonly called "meat glue," used to enhance texture and flavor.  This microbial transglutaminase has the same immunogenicity as tissue transglutaminase which the body produces in response to gluten in people with Celiac Disease.  Tissue Transglutaminase (tTg IgA) is measured to diagnose Celiac Disease in blood tests.  Microbial Transglutaminase acts the same as Tissue Transglutaminase, causing increased intestinal permeability and inflammation.   New findings show that microbial transglutaminase may be able to trigger Celiac Disease and other autoimmune and neurodegenerative diseases.   Microbial Transglutaminase is not required to be listed on ingredients labels as it's considered a processing aid, not an ingredient in the U.S.  Microbial Transglutaminase has been GRAS for many years, but that GRAS standing is being questioned more and more as the immunogenicity of microbial transglutaminase is being discovered. Interesting Reading:  Microbial Transglutaminase Is a Very Frequently Used Food Additive and Is a Potential Inducer of Autoimmune/Neurodegenerative Diseases https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8537092/
    • Aretaeus Cappadocia
      Edy's and Dreyer's ice cream

      By Aretaeus Cappadocia · Posted

      There is a 10 year old post in this forum on Edy's and Dreyer's ice cream. The information is somewhat outdated and the thread is closed to further comment, so here is a new one. Edy's And Dreyer's Grand Vanilla Bean Ice Cream - 1.5 Quart is labeled "Gluten Free". This is a different answer than years gone by. I don't know the answer for any other flavor at this moment. On 1 May, 2026, Edy's website says: "As a general rule, the gluten in Edy's and Dreyer's® frozen dessert products is present only in the added bakery products, such as cookies, cake or brownies. We always label the eight major food allergens on our package by their common name. We recommend to always check the label for the most current information before purchasing and/or consuming a product. The exception to this rule is our Slow Churned French Silk frozen dairy dessert, which contains gluten in the natural flavors." https://www.icecream.com/us/en/brands/edys-and-dreyers/faq It seems that Edy's and Dreyer's are more celiac-friendly than they were 10 years ago. Once I found enough information to make today's buying decision, I stopped researching.
    • Aretaeus Cappadocia
      EDG 3 years ago fine, now it shows focal villous blunting,

      By Aretaeus Cappadocia · Posted

      probably not your situation @Mimiof2, but allow me to add one more to @trents list of celiac-mimics: "olmesartan-induced sprue-like enteropathy"  
    • knitty kitty
      Terrible Neurological Symptoms

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      My dad had an Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm.  Fortunately, it was discovered during an exam.  The doctor could feel my dad's heart beating in his stomach/abdomen.  The aneurysm burst when the doctor first touched it in surgery.  Since he was already hooked up to the bypass machine, my dad survived ten more years.  Close call! Triple A's can press on the nerves in the spinal cord causing leg pain.  I'm wondering if bowing the head might have increased the pressure on an aneurysm and then the nerves.   https://gulfcoastsurgeons.com/understanding-abdominal-aortic-aneurysm-symptoms-and-causes/ Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Presenting as a Claudication https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4040638/
×
×
  • Create New...