Having Endoscopy In A Few Weeks

[Momma Bear]

Hello. I posted my intro and story already but to recap, I was diagnosed with celiac a couple of weeks ago after presumably having it since childhood (I am 32). My doctor said I had it based on anti gliadin and anti endomysial results (he said they were really elevated but I didn't see the results, so I have no idea what he gauges as 'really elevated'). He wants me to have an endoscopy to see if I have damage, take some biopsies, and evaluate my espophogus because of some reflux issues i have. I have been gluten free for at least four months prior to my diagnosis, but since the diagnosis, we have been super strict and removed it completely from our home and no longer eat out at all. My question is, do I need to go back on gluten for the biopsy? My doctor told me he wanted me on a whole foods diet and no eating out, as well as eliminate all personal care products with gluten (I possibly have DH on the back of my scalp), so without intentionally eating gluten, it's unlikely I will get any in my system. He didn't say anything about needing it in my system prior to the endoscopy. Any thoughts??

[eatmeat4good]

It sounds like you are already diagnosed.

And it sounds like your Dr. wants you to be eating strictly gluten free.

Both of these are good things.

Maybe he is just doing the endoscopy to be certain he isn't missing any cancer related to Celiac and to evaluate the level of damage to your intestine. These are good things.

You are not trying to produce damage in order to get diagnosed. It sounds like this is just to evaluate the damage that has already been done and to see if healing is taking place for you on the gluten free diet.

I wouldn't recommend eating gluten prior to this test unless your Dr. specifically tells you to. You are already diagnosed.

[ravenwoodglass]

It sounds like you are already diagnosed.

And it sounds like your Dr. wants you to be eating strictly gluten free.

Both of these are good things.

Maybe he is just doing the endoscopy to be certain he isn't missing any cancer related to Celiac and to evaluate the level of damage to your intestine. These are good things.

You are not trying to produce damage in order to get diagnosed. It sounds like this is just to evaluate the damage that has already been done and to see if healing is taking place for you on the gluten free diet.

I wouldn't recommend eating gluten prior to this test unless your Dr. specifically tells you to. You are already diagnosed.

I agree with this. You may want to talk to your doctor to be sure he considers you diagnosed. If he does then a challenge is not needed IMHO.

[tom]

Yup & yup.

My guess would be that he'd want to look for Barrett's Esophagus (reflux-related), hiatal(sp?) hernia, etc. W/ Barrett's, my Dr wanted a baseline for future comparison.

I'm not sure what it means, but he was particularly interested in some type of "goblet cells" being in unexpected places. Who knows, might be very useful info in years to come.

Sounds like you have a good Dr who wants to be thorough.

[IrishHeart]

I agree with everyone's thoughts. This doctor is doing all the right things by you. You already have a DX, he is being thorough, and if he does not want you resuming gluten, then he knows what he is doing. This makes it easier on you, avoiding a prolonged gluten challenge. IMHO

I am so glad you have someone so wise taking care of you.

[Momma Bear]

Thank you! I was kind of thinking along the lines of the responses given. I did not want to resume eating gluten and my doctor did not suggest this but I was curious as to why he would proceed with a scope despite him telling me that he is absolutely certain I have celiac (he did say I was one of the worst cases he has seen, though I am not sure what his experience is or what he meant by that, especially since I am a new patient to his office). I am going to keep up with the gluten free in the meantime and when I do have the scope, I will share what the gastroenterologist finds. Again, thank you!!! I am so grateful for this forum :-)