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

Endoscopy/Biopsy question - can they tell by sight?


Alibu

Recommended Posts

Alibu Apprentice

Hi, I have an endoscopy scheduled on Thursday to confirm celiac.  I have a positive tTG IGA test but negative EMA.  I know they'll take some biopsies and those will take 1-2 weeks to come back, but can they see the damage by sight too?   Is it also possible to see absolutely no damage, but then the biopsies come back showing damage?

I'm just going crazy over here not knowing, LOL. 


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



Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):



cyclinglady Grand Master
28 minutes ago, Alibu said:

Hi, I have an endoscopy scheduled on Thursday to confirm celiac.  I have a positive tTG IGA test but negative EMA.  I know they'll take some biopsies and those will take 1-2 weeks to come back, but can they see the damage by sight too?   Is it also possible to see absolutely no damage, but then the biopsies come back showing damage?

I'm just going crazy over here not knowing, LOL. 

Sometimes the damage can be seen during the endoscopy, but often times it can not.  The damage is microscopic.  My biopsy revealed a Marsh Stage IIIB (moderate to severe patches) and yet my GI said that visually I looked fine.  Go figure!  

 

Alibu Apprentice
2 minutes ago, cyclinglady said:

Sometimes the damage can be seen during the endoscopy, but often times it can not.  The damage is microscopic.  My biopsy revealed a Marsh Stage IIIB (moderate to severe patches) and yet my GI said that visually I looked fine.  Go figure!  

 

Oh wow!!  Ok, good to know, thank you!

GF-Cheetah Cub Contributor

"Is it also possible to see absolutely no damage, but then the biopsies come back showing damage?"

Yes.   This happened to my daughter.   After her endoscopy, the two doctor came to tell us that they did not see damage.   But two weeks later, the doctor called to tell us that her biopsies came back positive.   So, just sit tight and wait for the official biopsies result.

squirmingitch Veteran

Ditto what they said. Doctors can rarely actually see the damage it's so microscopic in nature. You really have to wait for the pathology to come back. Once in a while docs will see general inflammation but they can't see the minute details of the villi.

RMJ Mentor

My GI, who is a researcher at a university hospital, had a very good endoscope with enough magnification to see my blunted villi.  I believe there is also some technique involved.  But as others have said, things can be visually ok and still have damage seen under a microscope.

Victoria1234 Experienced

But you can start the gluten-free diet now!


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
      128,226
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748

    MTW87
    Newest Member
    MTW87
    Joined

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):


  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.1k
    • Total Posts
      70.7k

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):





  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):



  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • Ryangf
      I haven’t had any noticeable reactions to salt so I will continue using it. I think I just freaked out when I realized this but it doesn’t cause me any discomfort- so thanks!
    • plumbago
      Ok, thanks. I'm so glad to hear you are in the hands of a dermatologist. I hope he/she has given you 1) a diagnosis; and 2) a plan of care with a couple of options so that you have buy-in and comfort with it. I have some ideas, but not having seen the abscesses or you in person, it doesn't really make sense for me to kind of ... speculate further. But your question was regarding gluten, and you've gotten a couple of other follow up questions and answers that are good, including the idea to keep a food diary. Let us know if we can help further or answer any other questions. I'm sorry you're going through this, it sounds very painful.
    • LookingForAnswers101
      @plumbago They appear as boils. They are big, like the size of a nickel--quarter, and they hurt when I touch them. I have gone to the same derm for them over and over and she thinks my body is colonized by a bacteria, but even after using hibiclens all over my body they come back.
    • Scott Adams
      Welcome to the gluten-free community! It’s great to have you here. While gluten sensitivity or celiac disease can indeed cause skin issues, such as dermatitis herpetiformis (a blistering rash), abscesses in areas like the lower buttocks or thighs are less commonly linked directly to gluten. However, chronic abscesses could be a sign of an underlying immune or inflammatory condition, which might be worth discussing with a healthcare professional. Some people with gluten-related disorders also experience secondary issues like bacterial overgrowth or immune dysregulation, which could potentially contribute to recurrent infections. It’s always a good idea to explore all possible causes, including gluten sensitivity, with your doctor. In the meantime, keeping a food and symptom diary might help identify any patterns. Wishing you the best on your health journey!
    • trents
      You say you have gluten sensitivity? Have you been officially diagnosed with celiac disease or do you refer to NCGS?
×
×
  • Create New...