Do They Always Do A Biopsy During A Gastroscopy?

[smpalesh]

I have been told I am going for a gastroscopy and a colonscopy this coming Monday. My celiac blood test isn't even back yet but they are doing these tests to test for "unexplained anemia." My dr is not taking me seriously about the celiac testing as far as I can tell. Anyways I am wondering do they always do a biopsy during a gastroscopy or do I need to specifically ask the dr to do a celiac biopsy. I have already decided I am not going to do these tests if they are not doing a biopsy. It makes absolutely no sense to put me through such invasive tests and not do the biopsy at the same time while they are already in there. I have a call in to my dr but he hasn't phoned me back yet.

[mushroom]

You need to be very specific with the GI. You would be amazed how many endoscopies are done on patients with your symptoms where they just.... look.... don't even bother to take a sample or two, let alone test them for celiac. The doctor should take at least six biopsies specifically for celiac testing. You must insist on this or they will take one or two, and because the damage is not uniform they can miss it altogether because most of it can only be seen under a microscope. If it can be seen with the naked eye you are positive for sure!!!

Best wishes for Monday.

[smpalesh]

How can I make the dr order the biopsy? I am in Ontario so it is paid for by OHIP and I am worried the dr will say that they don't need to do a biopsy. I am not going under a procedure with risks if they aren't going to do the biopsy so I am trying to figure out how to get my dr to order it.

You need to be very specific with the GI. You would be amazed how many endoscopies are done on patients with your symptoms where they just.... look.... don't even bother to take a sample or two, let alone test them for celiac. The doctor should take at least six biopsies specifically for celiac testing. You must insist on this or they will take one or two, and because the damage is not uniform they can miss it altogether because most of it can only be seen under a microscope. If it can be seen with the naked eye you are positive for sure!!!

Best wishes for Monday.

[mushroom]

Check out this link (a medical editorial)

Open Original Shared Link

where they state:

We recommend that 4 to 6 biopsy specimens be taken from the descending duodenum because villous atrophy in celiac disease can be patchy and orientation of the specimens is variable.

Print this out and give it to him, along with the rest of the information at this link.

[smpalesh]

Sadly, I think I am going to have to cancel the procedures. I do want to have the biopsy (if I could have even gotten him to order it) but I am an abuse survivor and I have been up panicking all night. Unless they can put me under complete general anesthesia I can't do it. I know they do "conscious sedation" but I have had it before for a different procedure and I was still aware of what was going on the whole time, I just couldn't move or speak. Totally terrifying. Has anyone been successful getting these tests done under GA?