Is It Ok To Be On gluten-free Diet Before Biopsy In 3 Weeks?

[Jen Z]

Confused based on what I am reading. Do I need to have gluten in my system for the biopsy? I did for the blood work which came back positive. I've been gluten-free for 3 days now and already feeling an improvement. My husband has a colonoscopy scheduled for this week and mine is in 3 weeks. I can switch out for his appt and load on gluten if need be but I can't go back on gluten for 3 weeks. My dr does the EGD and colonscopy so it's easy to switch appts. I am due for my 5 yr scope as a result of acid reflux so I'm getting a biopsy as additional confirmation of celiac and (lucky me) getting the colonoscopy to check for IBD.

I really don't want to go through all of this. I am slow to recover after anesthesia and usually end up sick for a day or two as a result.

[kareng]

Confused based on what I am reading. Do I need to have gluten in my system for the biopsy? I did for the blood work which came back positive. I've been gluten-free for 3 days now and already feeling an improvement. My husband has a colonoscopy scheduled for this week and mine is in 3 weeks. I can switch out for his appt and load on gluten if need be but I can't go back on gluten for 3 weeks. My dr does the EGD and colonscopy so it's easy to switch appts. I am due for my 5 yr scope as a result of acid reflux so I'm getting a biopsy as additional confirmation of celiac and (lucky me) getting the colonoscopy to check for IBD.

I really don't want to go through all of this. I am slow to recover after anesthesia and usually end up sick for a day or two as a result.

No. In 3 weeks gluten-free, lots of stuff can heal. You should really stay on a full gluten diet for 3 months before any tests. Switch for the close one. Make sure he takes many biopsy sample of the small intestine.

[IrishHeart]

Poor babe---blood positive and DH..and still need to have the biopsy. Why on earth do doctors insist on doing this to people? Ya, ya--the "gold standard" blah blah blah... geesh.

My vote? Load up on the gluten, kiddo and get it over with this week! Make sure he takes enough samples from various spots.

I have trouble with all these kinds of tests, too--but it will be over soon and you can resume your gluten-free diet and start healing!

Best wishes!

[Jen Z]

I am really back and forth about doing further testing. I haven't been biopsied yet for the DH but I have had the most insanely itchy rash off and on for the past year that flares and disappears and then reappears in the exact same spot. Sometimes it gets little fluid filled spots that look like fire ant bites. Another doctor gave me 2 different meds for it and neither have made it go away completely. I can see the writing on the wall for this one.

I am willing to suffer through another endo because I am worried about barretts esophagus due to my reflux problem. My husbands first wife died unexpectedly very quickly from stomach cancer so we are a little sensitive to cancer issues. We both need peace of mind. I would put this off until next year but I think it's best to just get it over with.

[IrishHeart]

I am really back and forth about doing further testing. I haven't been biopsied yet for the DH but I have had the most insanely itchy rash off and on for the past year that flares and disappears and then reappears in the exact same spot. Sometimes it gets little fluid filled spots that look like fire ant bites. Another doctor gave me 2 different meds for it and neither have made it go away completely. I can see the writing on the wall for this one.

I am willing to suffer through another endo because I am worried about barretts esophagus due to my reflux problem. My husbands first wife died unexpectedly very quickly from stomach cancer so we are a little sensitive to cancer issues. We both need peace of mind. I would put this off until next year but I think it's best to just get it over with.

You cannot put it off, Jen. You'd have to resume eating gluteny foods for months for that test to be valid.

Just do it now and be done with it.

They can biopsy the DH, too...look under the DH section and see how that works.

[Skylark]

You will always be second-guessing a negative biopsy. Go back on gluten.