72 Hr Fecal Fat Test

[Bella2]

Hi, I joined this form to start educating myself on Celiac Disease. I went to a Gastroenterologist because I've had Diarrhea for almost eight months now. And I can't take much more..and after describing my symptoms he thinks I might have Celiac Disease. So he made me do a Fecal fat Test and that came back Abnormal. So, he then made me do a 72 hour fecal fat...and I am now waiting for results. However, from what I've been reasding they do a blood test to see if you have celiac. Sigh, anyone know why he gave me fecal fat..instead..and that not going to tell him if I have celiac. Sound like I'll need a blood test and more likely a biopsy... Doesn't chronic D sound like Celiac...I dunno...I'm 37..can I get celiac at this age. I thought I had an ucler or a parasite..but the doesn't think so..and I feeling annoyed..these two tests have taken three months and I just want to get on with this... Anyone elses doctors this slow. I have a lot of questions, sorry.

Much Thanks

Bella2

[psawyer]

Welcome!

I was in my forties when my symptoms escalated to the point of being debilitating. The official diagnosis, via biopsy, came at 46. So, no, you are not too old, not by a long shot.

The medical profession as a whole is woefully unaware of celiac disease.

[Lisa]

The traditional method of diagnosis is the blood test and/or an endoscopy exam. Surely, as a GI he would know this.

The following are the celiac specific blood tests:

Anti-Gliadin (AGA) IgA

Anti-Gliadin (AGA) IgG

Anti-Endomysial (EMA) IgA

Anti-Tissue Transglutaminase (tTG) IgA

Deamidated Gliadin Peptide (DGP) IgA and IgG

Total Serum IgA

Welcome! As you're finding, there is lots of great information here.

[Bella2]

Thanks for the reply.... Darn, I was hoping I was too old, no such luck... I don't get it..one day your fine and next your Celiac or possibly Celiac. I thinking the GI with probably tell me this test is abnorma, duh..and then maybe I'll get a blood test. I like to change my diet now but I guess, I can't or I can't get a correct diagnoses.

Can the GI give me anything to help with this Chronic D? Immodiam doesn't work.... He also have me cholestrol medicine because I had my gallbladder removed due to sludge 5 years ago and he thought might be a bile salt problems but the cholestrol medince does nothing for me. So, I don't think its from lack of gallbladder now.

I'm glad they have a place like this if I find out I have celiac...I'll have to change my whole life and that probably going to be a bit stressfull.

[Bubba's Mom]

Hi, I joined this form to start educating myself on Celiac Disease. I went to a Gastroenterologist because I've had Diarrhea for almost eight months now. And I can't take much more..and after describing my symptoms he thinks I might have Celiac Disease. So he made me do a Fecal fat Test and that came back Abnormal. So, he then made me do a 72 hour fecal fat...and I am now waiting for results. However, from what I've been reasding they do a blood test to see if you have celiac. Sigh, anyone know why he gave me fecal fat..instead..and that not going to tell him if I have celiac. Sound like I'll need a blood test and more likely a biopsy... Doesn't chronic D sound like Celiac...I dunno...I'm 37..can I get celiac at this age. I thought I had an ucler or a parasite..but the doesn't think so..and I feeling annoyed..these two tests have taken three months and I just want to get on with this... Anyone elses doctors this slow. I have a lot of questions, sorry.

Much Thanks

Bella2

It seems like the GI is focusing on the stool samples because he's thinking the bile dripping into your system is causing the D?

The fact that you've had gallbladder problems in the past points to Celiac IMO?

Here's an article.

https://www.celiac.com/articles/119/1/Gall-Bladder-Disease-and-Celiac-Disease---By-Ronald-Hoggan/Page1.html

I hope your Dr. stops fooling around and tests you for the more obvious Cliac disease as a cause for your problems.

You can get Celiac disease/gluten intolerance at any age.

I was DXed at the age of 54, although I had quite a few years of symptoms before that.

After your testing is done, give gluten-free a try for a couple of months no matter what the results are. About 20-30% of us have negative blood tests. It's worth trying gluten-free to see if your symptoms improve.