Is There Any Point In Seeing A Gastro?

[heather806]

My primary doctor did my blood testing a few weeks ago, at my suggestion due to my friend's experience with going gluten-free, and I definitely have Celiac. (endomysial was positive, ttg-iga was a 90). He has said for me to see a gastro but I just don't see what the purpose would be. I've been gluten-free since they day I got called with the results.

Is a gastro doing to do anything other than tell me, "go gluten free" and "we'll do blood tests every x number of months to monitor your nutrients?" I could do my blood tests at my primary...it's convenient and they do it right there at the office, not at a labcorp with all the wackos waiting around.

I'm not sure I see the point in an endoscopy? Do you guys think it's helpful? I clearly have done a lot of damage due to being misdiagnosed for so many years. I have malabsoption problems, not the stomach pain etc.

I'm tired of seeing specialists for them to just confirm what I already know or to throw their hands up in the air and say "well, it's a mystery, take these mega-vitamins." Now that I have a diagnosis I am just not sure if they could tell me anything other than "stay gluten free." well, duh....

[nvsmom]

I imagine that I'll just be working with my family doctor (I was only diagnosed a week ago) on this unless I have something that he or I can't figure out. Like you, I've had this for decades without realizing it, and my ttg and EMA tests back up that there's plenty of damage done, so I'm not bothering with an endo since it doesn't help me and I have no doubt that it's celiac.

As long as you or your doctor educates yourselves on where problems/deficiencies would be, and take the tests and steps to remedy it, I can't see how a gastro would help. If you think your doctor isn't knowledgable in this area though, a gastro might be a good idea.

If things don't respond after being on the diet, then it's probably time to see a dietitian or gastro to find out if you are missing something else is wrong. KWIM?

[VydorScope]

My primary doctor did my blood testing a few weeks ago, at my suggestion due to my friend's experience with going gluten-free, and I definitely have Celiac. (endomysial was positive, ttg-iga was a 90). He has said for me to see a gastro but I just don't see what the purpose would be. I've been gluten-free since they day I got called with the results.

Is a gastro doing to do anything other than tell me, "go gluten free" and "we'll do blood tests every x number of months to monitor your nutrients?" I could do my blood tests at my primary...it's convenient and they do it right there at the office, not at a labcorp with all the wackos waiting around.

I'm not sure I see the point in an endoscopy? Do you guys think it's helpful? I clearly have done a lot of damage due to being misdiagnosed for so many years. I have malabsoption problems, not the stomach pain etc.

I'm tired of seeing specialists for them to just confirm what I already know or to throw their hands up in the air and say "well, it's a mystery, take these mega-vitamins." Now that I have a diagnosis I am just not sure if they could tell me anything other than "stay gluten free." well, duh....

I am not a doctor, and you need to take all medical advice carefully... however in my opinion if you are already gluten-free then and endoscope would be pointless, and if you primary doc has already given you the DX, then there is no need for a GI. I personally would just go gluten-free and not look back. Talk with your doc about it and see what he says though.

[Gemini]

My primary doctor did my blood testing a few weeks ago, at my suggestion due to my friend's experience with going gluten-free, and I definitely have Celiac. (endomysial was positive, ttg-iga was a 90). He has said for me to see a gastro but I just don't see what the purpose would be. I've been gluten-free since they day I got called with the results.

Is a gastro doing to do anything other than tell me, "go gluten free" and "we'll do blood tests every x number of months to monitor your nutrients?" I could do my blood tests at my primary...it's convenient and they do it right there at the office, not at a labcorp with all the wackos waiting around.

I'm not sure I see the point in an endoscopy? Do you guys think it's helpful? I clearly have done a lot of damage due to being misdiagnosed for so many years. I have malabsoption problems, not the stomach pain etc.

I'm tired of seeing specialists for them to just confirm what I already know or to throw their hands up in the air and say "well, it's a mystery, take these mega-vitamins." Now that I have a diagnosis I am just not sure if they could tell me anything other than "stay gluten free." well, duh....

Unless you want to be scoped from both ends, don't bother with a gastro. I have always found them to be the most aggravating doctors on the planet.

They cannot do anything, it seems, without scoping people and not everyone needs a scope. If you find you have on going problems after going gluten free for awhile, then it might be prudent to see one but I was like you......I got extremely ill and had symptoms for years and years. I figured it out, went for the blood work, and everything came back off the charts. I went gluten free and 7 years later, am doing great. No GI doctor involved and I prefer it that way. They screwed up on me for years so I don't trust them.

Congratulations on finding the problem!

[RonSchon]

Heather,

I fall in line with your logic. My GP that saw me for 15 years and I had a great relationship, he never suggested celiac disease even though I told him about oil in my stool, floating stool, leg cramps, severe and prolonged constipation, always feeling tired and always being hungry, and several others. I understand these symptoms can be indicative of other issues, but I would have expected him to do a test at least 10 years ago. 3 or 4 other doctors that I took my symptoms to all wanted me to "exercise more" and take more vitamins. The last doctor wanted me to see a Pulmonary spec for Sleep Apnea - I told him no symptoms relating to Apnea, nor have I ever thought I might have apnea.

Not a fan of the medical profession as a whole. I recognize it is loaded with good and caring people, but it is also loaded with those people who sat next to you in class and never did their work and skated by copying notes etc. Prime time television has dramatized and glamorized these people to be incredible, but they are just like everybody else - most are just squeezing by for the weekend. Sure, take a vitamin - you should hit the gym. Grrrrr... This makes me angry, but at least I have something to hold on to again.

[heather806]

Thanks, everyone! I wasn't sure if there was anything a gastro would do besides the obvious stuff. I think I will go back to my primary in 2 months to have my vitamins/nutrients tested again and go from there. I don't expect my intestines to bounce back too quickly and I'm not taking any iron right now so there's no risk of iron-overdose. The vitamin d, b-12 etc have a loooong way to go.

I am thrilled that I may never need iron-infusions again!!