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Revisiting a previous CT scan...

AmericanaMama
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AmericanaMama Contributor
AmericanaMama
Posted

Long story short, I was gathering up medical records from the past year to make a type of "historic" overview of my celiac journey. There was something I sort of dismissed early on that I questioned recently. Because my journey started out with my back going out on me, I had a CT scan of the lumbar/sacrum region. On the radiologist's report it was mentioned there was calicification (plaque) in the abdominal aorta. I thought, "well, if it was worth mentioning, my pcp would've" or that it was probably negligible and part of aging. After thinking through things and knowing my curious mind, I looked up heart disease and celiac and there is a strong connection. I asked my doc about it and she wanted cholesterol level and probably a scan of the heart. I researched things further and asked for a particle size test (seems more fitting) and go from there. I will post my findings, etc. when they results come back. I had it all drawn Tuesday last week, and knowing how labs and most places can be before a major holiday, pffft...I won't hear for a bit, LOL.

My question is:  does anyone have a link to a study or an article on celiac involvement with other conditions? I know there are many sort of "autoimmune" (and that definition is ever expanding) diseases related (I have Sjogren's) out there, but anything I need to be aware of? I honestly had no clue how much celiac/inflammation/gut disbiosis affects the bod. I told my doc that I wasn't wanting to find disease at every turn, but realized that I had a situation that alerted me a bit.

Thanks!

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Scott Adams Grand Master
Scott Adams
Posted

I've found it's definitely best to ask questions and keep following up with doctors about your health, otherwise you can just slip through the cracks.

This section has the related disorder summaries we've done of various studies:
https://www.celiac.com/celiac-disease/celiac-disease-amp-related-diseases-and-disorders/

and this sub-section has those about heard disease:
https://www.celiac.com/celiac-disease/celiac-disease-amp-related-diseases-and-disorders/heart-failure-and-celiac-disease/

Scott Adams Grand Master
Scott Adams
Posted

PS - I think it goes without saying that it might be a good time to discuss the possible use of statins with your doctor, as they can slow down, and possibly decrease plaque in arteries.

AmericanaMama Contributor
AmericanaMama
Posted
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Ooh...dang. I hate the idea but would do it.

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