Will The Doctor Insist On A Biopsy?

[NoName33]

My husband was diagnosed with Celiacs Disease in February. My 6 year old daughter has no symptoms, however, I asked her pediatrician to test just to put my mind at ease. Unfortunately her results came back positive, they were:

Tissue Transglutamin IgA - 121 (>20 is positive)

Deam Gliadin Pep Abs - 31 (>20 is positive)

She has an appointment with the ped. GI next month. My question is - based on your experience will the doctor pressure me to do a biopsy?

[nvsmom]

It really depends on the doctor...I was never biopsied either. Her numbers are quite high, and we know it is genetically linked so with her dad having it, I on't see a need. She has celiac. ((Hugs)) to you mom. That's great you had her checked, you have probably saved her many complications and health problems that could have arisen had she continued as an untreated celiac. Yay Mom!

Best wishes.

[tom]

...

She has an appointment with the ped. GI next month. My question is - based on your experience will the doctor pressure me to do a biopsy?

Not sure I understand the 'pressure me' part. It's a pretty easy procedure that 6 yr olds can handle just fine.

Are you thinking of a downside that I'm missing?

[shadowicewolf]

Because generally they have to knock a patient out when they do that test.

[ravenwoodglass]

The choice to biopsy or not is really up to you. If your ped will give her the diagnosis she will need for schools to take her need to be gluten free seriously then if you are reluctant to endo her you could choose to forgo it. Talk to your ped about your concerns. If you are going to choose to do the endo do be sure to keep her on gluten until that test is done and make sure that the GI is celiac savvy and will take enough biopsies. Damage can be patchy especially in children.

[NoName33]

Not sure I understand the 'pressure me' part. It's a pretty easy procedure that 6 yr olds can handle just fine.

Are you thinking of a downside that I'm missing?

Sorry, I should have explained better. *I* think it is unnecessary based on the fact that her Dad has it and her blood test results. Also, she is a very high anxiety kid and will probably not handle it well.

[NoName33]

The choice to biopsy or not is really up to you. If your ped will give her the diagnosis she will need for schools to take her need to be gluten free seriously then if you are reluctant to endo her you could choose to forgo it. Talk to your ped about your concerns. If you are going to choose to do the endo do be sure to keep her on gluten until that test is done and make sure that the GI is celiac savvy and will take enough biopsies. Damage can be patchy especially in children.

I am very lucky in regards to her school - it is a small private school and they are familiar with the disease already based on my conversation with her teacher (there are staff members with it). They do not have a lunch program, you have to supply a lunch every day. And the tables are cleaned every day right before they eat lunch. They do not allow treats to celebrate birthdays either.

[frieze]

I am very lucky in regards to her school - it is a small private school and they are familiar with the disease already based on my conversation with her teacher (there are staff members with it). They do not have a lunch program, you have to supply a lunch every day. And the tables are cleaned every day right before they eat lunch. They do not allow treats to celebrate birthdays either.

there is always college to look forward to, even a public HS, or bigger private school.

There may be issues of accomadation.