Small Bowel - Gi Says Yes, But Can't Confirm

[Rose519]

After going through years of wondering what was wrong with me, and sorting things off of my "to eat" list one by one, this summer I got so sick and started losing so much weight (and hair) that my regular GP couldn't ignore the situation any longer. I was losing 5 lbs. a week.

Prior to having tests, I had started keeping a strict food diary of everything I put in my mouth. It was very easy to pinpoint then what the problem was ..... wheat products. No question. My husband and I then remembered that I have been having problems eating certain meals for quite some time, and we just hadn't been able to figure it out before. I was sent for an endoscopy with biopsies, colonoscopy with biopsies, and then upper GI.

The gastroenterologist said the tests were clear, but because I had such extreme symptoms and because the tests prior indicated blood and there was definitely still a problem, and because of the food diary I had been keeping and I had already started to eliminate wheat products from my diet at the point the tests were run, he said the damage from the Celiac Sprue had to be in my small bowel where he couldn't get to run the biopsies. I had another doctor that I talked with agree with his statement.

I am continuing on with this gluten-free diet, however it is strange to me that it could not be detected. Has anyone else ever had this experience?

[ravenwoodglass]

After going through years of wondering what was wrong with me, and sorting things off of my "to eat" list one by one, this summer I got so sick and started losing so much weight (and hair) that my regular GP couldn't ignore the situation any longer.  I was losing 5 lbs. a week.

Prior to having tests, I had started keeping a strict food diary of everything I put in my mouth.  It was very easy to pinpoint then what the problem was ..... wheat products.  No question.  My husband and I then remembered that I have been having problems eating certain meals for quite some time, and we just hadn't been able to figure it out before.  I was sent for an endoscopy with biopsies, colonoscopy with biopsies, and then upper GI. 

The gastroenterologist said the tests were clear, but because I had such extreme symptoms and because the tests prior indicated blood and there was definitely still a problem, and because of the food diary I had been keeping and I had already started to eliminate wheat products from my diet at the point the tests were run, he said the damage from the Celiac Sprue had to be in my small bowel where he couldn't get to run the biopsies.  I had another doctor that I talked with agree with his statement.

I am continuing on with this gluten-free diet, however it is strange to me that it could not be detected.  Has anyone else ever had this experience?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Perhaps what he was trying to say is that if you have been gluten-free for awhile your tests will show up negative. I am glad to hear you are continuing with the diet, it is a life saver in so many ways.