Jump to content
This site uses cookies. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. More Info... ×
  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.




  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):



    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):


  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

What to look for in a GI Doc?


EasterLily

Recommended Posts

EasterLily Explorer

Hello everyone. I have an appointment with my GI on May 10. I was just wondering what I should be looking for in a good GI to help treat the gluten sensitivity. This way I can decide after the appointment if I want to continue seeing him or look elsewhere. I am already seriously considering changing my regular physician after 32 years. He joined a much larger organization and my quality of care has definitely changed. Especially since starting this diet.

Thank you.


Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):



Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):



cyclinglady Grand Master

Since your first GI never tested you for celiac disease and might not have taken biopsies during your endoscopy,  I would suggest finding a GI who has diagnosed or works with celiac patients.  Often doctor directories list biographies on each physician.  Look for one who specializes  celiac disease.  Call and ask staff before wasting time and money in an appointment.  Consider asking a local celiac group for a reference.  

Good luck!  

  • 4 weeks later...
Scuff Apprentice

I haven't seen mine yet, but I got a recommendation from a friend who's son has celiac. When I called the large practice, the scheduler recommended seeing another dr who specializes in celiac. Perhaps ask around?

Victoria1234 Experienced
2 hours ago, Scuff said:

I haven't seen mine yet, but I got a recommendation from a friend who's son has celiac. When I called the large practice, the scheduler recommended seeing another dr who specializes in celiac. Perhaps ask around?

Sorry, pls specify whether the scheduler was recommending to see someone inside the practice who is different from your original choice, or someone outside the practice?

if it's someone inside who was not recommended, ask your friend if your friend if th know anything about them.

did  you ask why you can't see your first choice?

Scuff Apprentice
3 minutes ago, Victoria1234 said:

Sorry, pls specify whether the scheduler was recommending to see someone inside the practice who is different from your original choice, or someone outside the practice?

if it's someone inside who was not recommended, ask your friend if your friend if th know anything about them.

did  you ask why you can't see your first choice?

My friend's son sees a pediatric GI. She recommended a dr that others liked, but she doesn't have personal experience with him. When I called, the scheduler asked my reasons for the visit and I told her that I suspected celiacs. She recommended seeing another dr in the office that specialized in celiac. After a 2 week headache with getting the referral, I was very pleased to be listened to and felt she was very helpful. My friend says that U of M is great for celiac (and anothere thread here seems to agree.) I've yet to see her, though- appointment's the end of June. I'm hopeful. 

Victoria1234 Experienced

Sounds great then!

by the way, are you still on gluten?

Scuff Apprentice

Yes. Went back on it a few weeks ago. I did mess all that up, doing Whole30 for March and April. Thought it was my gallbladder or an ulcer. I am glad I get to keep my organs! ;)  But, oops. I'll be on it 7 weeks by the time my appointment rolls around. 


Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):



Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):



Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.


  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):



  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      127,712
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748

    drwayneb
    Newest Member
    drwayneb
    Joined

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):


  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121k
    • Total Posts
      70.4k

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):





  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):



  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • RMJ
      I’d say celiac is likely.  Please continue to eat plenty of gluten until your endoscopy to be sure that any gluten-related damage can be seen.  Plus it gives you one last chance to enjoy your favorite gluten-containing foods. I hope the endoscopy/biopsies give you a definitive answer. 
    • TexasCeliacNewbie
      I do also have the bloating, gas, constipation, hair loss, an auto-splenectomy that no one can see any reason for and some elevated liver enzymes that don't seem to have a cause, I also have joint pain and some spinal compression fractures that have no explanation.  I am only 42 so haven't had a bone density test yet.  My calcium was normal, but my D was a little low.  They haven't checked for any other vitamin deficiencies yet.  My blood test for an autoimmue disorder was quite high but my Thyroid was all normal.
    • TexasCeliacNewbie
      Hi, I have been having a lot of back pain and gut issues for 8 weeks or so.  I saw the GI on Monday and my results just came in from the lab.  Some of these number are high and off the little chart from the lab.  I am reading this correctly that I most likely have Celiac, right???  It would explain a lot of things for me.  She does have me scheduled for a colonoscopy and endoscopy in  2 weeks to do the biopsy.  I posted this prior, but forgot to put the range assuming they were all the same.  Someone advised me to repost with the ranges for some insight in the meantime. Immunoglobulin A, Qn, Serum 140 (normal) - Normal is 87-352 Deamidated Gliadin Abs, IgA 256 (High) - Moderate to strong positive at or above 30 Deamidated Gliadin Abs, IgG 65 (High) - Moderate to strong positive at or above 30 t-Transglutaminase (tTG) IgA 31 (High) - Moderate to strong positive above 10 t-Transglutaminase (tTG) IgG 10 (High) - Positive is at or above 10
    • trents
      Usually, the blood testing is done first and the endoscopy/biopsy follows for confirmation if there are positive antibody test scores. Historically, the endoscopy with biopsy has been considered to be the gold standard for diagnosing celiac disease. If the tTG-IGA scores are very high (5x-10x normal), some doctors will forego the endoscpoy/biopsy and grant a celiac disease diagnosis without it. So, if you are starting with the endoscopy/biopsy that may be all you need to arrive at a diagnosis. Another possibility would be for the GI doc to do a blood draw for antibody testing on the same day you come in for the endoscopy/biopsy.
    • AuntieAutoimmune
      Thanks,Scott. Yes, I had already seen those 
×
×
  • Create New...