Flattened Mucosa In The Duodenum?

[BellaBella]

Hi all!

Had an endoscopy AND colonoscopy done yesterday to check for celiac, Crohns and/or microscopic colitis. No Crohn's found (yeah!) and I'm awaiting the formal pathology report for the other 2. But, on the test report that the doctor sent home with me she noted that she found "flattened mucosa in the duodenum, suspicious for celiac," and she also sent home a very brief synopsis of Celiac Disease which leads me to believe I'm on my way to a formal diagnosis.

The wait for the report is killing me, this whole process has been wait...wait...wait. I'm ready for some answers!

My question is, however, are there other things that can cause "flattened mucosa in the duodenum?" Or do some people just have flattened mucosa? Does the fact that it's actually visible to her mean anything as far as how damaged the mucosa might be?

Thanks in advance for any responses!

[Lisa]

Hi all!

Had an endoscopy AND colonoscopy done yesterday to check for celiac, Crohns and/or microscopic colitis. No Crohn's found (yeah!) and I'm awaiting the formal pathology report for the other 2. But, on the test report that the doctor sent home with me she noted that she found "flattened mucosa in the duodenum, suspicious for celiac," and she also sent home a very brief synopsis of Celiac Disease which leads me to believe I'm on my way to a formal diagnosis.

The wait for the report is killing me, this whole process has been wait...wait...wait. I'm ready for some answers!

My question is, however, are there other things that can cause "flattened mucosa in the duodenum?" Or do some people just have flattened mucosa? Does the fact that it's actually visible to her mean anything as far as how damaged the mucosa might be?

Thanks in advance for any responses!

Hello and Welcome!

Yes there are other things that can atrophy the villi, but with associated clinical history, often times it points to a gluten intolerance, with Celiac on the high end of the spectrum.

As with my endoscopy, when it's visible, there is considerable damage.

I would suggest you research the gluten free diet, while awaiting your test result.

This is a great resource for that!

[Roda]

I have a coworker and her husband has celiac. He was diagnosed in his 60's. Here is how it all came about. He went in for an EGD because he was having some problems. The GI thought visibally something was wrong with the mucosa in the duodenum so they took some biopsies. The pathology report said villous atrophy consistent with celiac disease. He then went on to have the blood work done and his was through the roof positive. He is doing much better now. When his wife and I were talking she actually said she felt bad for all the years he suffered and noone ever thought about his problems being related to gluten. She said as long as she has know/been married to him(30 some years) he has always had severe debiliting diarrhea. He missed out or wouldn't go to functions because of it. He is a retired truck driver and had to keep something in the truck for emergencies. The medical professionals IMHO really did him some injustice.

[BellaBella]

It's kinda funny because I'm actually hoping for a celiac diagnosis now.... It sure would explain lots of symptoms I've had for years.

My concern is that they will come back and say that despite the look of the duodenum the pathology report shows negative for celiac. Then what does that mean?

No sense getting too worked up about it until I hear back from the GI, I guess.

[BellaBella]

Oh... One other thing, the GI said celiac isn't usually associated with pain but that seems contradictory to lots of stuff I've read. Abdominal pain is probably my number one symptom and has been for 15+ years.

[mushroom]

Your Gi is wrong, sorry - abdominal pain is a very common celiac symptom.

[ravenwoodglass]

If they haven't done a celiac panel on you call the doc and request it. If you have already had the panel done then go ahead and go gluten free. Labs can misread the biopsies and there are other reasons why you might have a false negative on both the blood test and biopsy so the diet trial is needed no matter what the results. Some of us get a lot of relief pretty quick so you may notice a difference even before you go back to the doctor. There can be ups and downs at first and some of us go through a withdrawl so if you are a bit moodier when you start the diet know that is normal. Ask any questions you need to and I hope you are feeling better soon.