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Crohns? Elevated TTG-IGA, Villi damage

Phosis
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Phosis Explorer
Phosis
Posted

Okay so I just want to kind of go over this one more time...

Ill keep it short as I have spoken here before...digestive issues for a couple of years. TTG-IGA and EMA test early on in that process. TGA-IGA was a positive (not extraordinarily high) EMA was negative.

Did an endoscopy two months ago, showed "near total villous atrophy", elevated IEL, chronic gastritis. Clean colonoscopy. No lesions, no ulcers, etc. Results said "features in keeping with celiac disease".

So, that's well and good. I have been gluten free for two months. I have been on an Auto Immune Paleo diet for a month. I still plenty of digestive issues. I am on a PPI right now to cure the gastritis (biopsies negative for h. pylori) but I just need to know - and I am sure no one is going to be able to tell me definitively - is there a possibility that they could be mistaking celiac for Crohn's in this instance? I am confused about the idea that crohn's can also cause these things? And after two months gluten-free and still lots of GI issues, I am starting to get discouraged.

Thank you

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cyclinglady Grand Master
cyclinglady
Posted

You sound like me.  I have celiac disease, Hashimoto’s and Chronic Autoimmune Gastritis.  Did your GI determine the cause of your Gastritis?  Obviously, H. Pylori was ruled out.  

Even though repeat biopsies revealed a healed small intestine, I had Gastritis.  I was doing a good job on keeping my celiac disease in remission, but my Gastritis?  That was new.  I developed that after my last gluten exposure.  Because it is Autoimmune, it means I am not producing enough acid.  So a PPI is going to reduce my stomach acid even more making it difficult to absorb iron and B-12 which starts to be absorbed in the stomach.  It makes it harder to digest anything.  Often my food just stays in my stomach when my AIG is flaring.  So far, I am not deficient in anything.  I would question your PPI use unless you have Gastritis due to ulcers or something else.  There is also an antibodies test for autoimmune gastritis in case you were not biopsied for it.  

You are pretty new to the gluten-free/AIP diet, so I would guess that your Gastritis is due to celiac disease and that you need more time to heal.  Even though in theory, the small intestinal track can heal in just a few weeks, the reality is that the gluten-free diet has a steep learning curve.  Make sure those medications are gluten-free.  Most celiacs do have intolerances.  For example, garlic and onions are allowed on the AIP diet, but I must avoid it like the plague.  It triggers GI upset, body aches and Rosacea.  Have you identified your personal food intolerances by using a food journal?  

Work on celiac disease first.  Hopefully, your Gastritis is linked to celiac disease and will resolve.    Give the diet time.  Most member heal in a year or longer.  I would not worry about Crohn’s yet or maybe never!  Learn more about PPIs and make sure they are right for you.  So often doctors just prescribe “bandaids” to keep patients happy.  A quick fix, but there are always side effects so be informed.  Hang in there!  

GFinDC Veteran
GFinDC
Posted

Hi Phosis,

Celiac disease attacks the small intestine.  Crohn's can attack the entire digestive tract, but it seems the large intestine is often a target.

Two months is not enough time to heal from celiac disease damage.  It can take a year or longer in some cases.  The cleaner your diet is of gluten the sooner you will heal.   Even tiny bits of gluten can cause an immune reaction that may continue for weeks to months.

Have you cut out dairy and oats?  Dairy and oats are two common food problems for people new to the gluten-free diet.  Another problem people may have is eating a lot of carbs/sugar.  When our gut biome is disrupted by celiac damage, it can cause lots of gas and discomfort.  Gas can be quite painful in an injured gut.  Carbs and sugar feed bacteria that produce gas.

It can help to stick with whole foods for the first 6 months, and no eating out.

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