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Questions For The Gi Specialist

Drama Queen

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Drama Queen Newbie
Drama Queen
Posted

I have most of the classic signs of celiac disease and have been dealing with the symptoms for about 4 years now. My family doc is puzzled and content to "treat" the symptoms, which isn't working, BTW. I do have some food allergies (corn, wheat, soy, milk, coconut, etc.), as well as inhalant allergies (ragweed, mold, dust, grass, etc.) for which I take injections, but I'm not being treated in any way for the food allergies.

I have had a colonoscopy (negative) already--per the family doctor. I am seeing the GI specialist that did the colonoscopy (actually, his assistant) next Monday to try to get to the bottom of all this.

I'm looking for advice on things that I should ask during the appointment...or things that I should bring up or mention. Are there specific tests that I should ask for or should I just let him do his job...just wondering if there's a fast & easy way to get to the end result without too much cost in co-pays.

Any advice you can offer would be appreciated.

Kim

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par18 Apprentice
par18
Posted
I have most of the classic signs of celiac disease and have been dealing with the symptoms for about 4 years now. My family doc is puzzled and content to "treat" the symptoms, which isn't working, BTW. I do have some food allergies (corn, wheat, soy, milk, coconut, etc.), as well as inhalant allergies (ragweed, mold, dust, grass, etc.) for which I take injections, but I'm not being treated in any way for the food allergies.

I have had a colonoscopy (negative) already--per the family doctor. I am seeing the GI specialist that did the colonoscopy (actually, his assistant) next Monday to try to get to the bottom of all this.

I'm looking for advice on things that I should ask during the appointment...or things that I should bring up or mention. Are there specific tests that I should ask for or should I just let him do his job...just wondering if there's a fast & easy way to get to the end result without too much cost in co-pays.

Any advice you can offer would be appreciated.

Kim

Kim,

First off even if you ask the GI questions do you think you would get any answers? I guess some might listen but who knows. As far as tests go if you think you may have Celiac symptoms then there is a panel of blood tests that can be run to check anti-body levels and also a gene test to see if you could ever develop it. The anti-body test results could vary based on what you have been eating or avoiding. Tlhe gene test is specific. You either have one of the genes or you don't. If you do have one of the genes and with symptoms I would suggest going on the diet and see what happens. A colonscopy is not a celiac test procedure. A endoscopy is the method of seeing the small intestine damage. Hope this helps.

Tom

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    • trents
      Conflicting results

      By trents · Posted

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      Conflicting results

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      Thank you, I do feel the likelihood is high which is why I am reluctant to do a colonoscopy as I feel we will find the answer. Whatever the endoscopy says though and even if it were to be negative he will be going gluten free as the positive EMA has to mean something with symptoms and one parent coeliac.  But there is a niggling doubt as I try and make the right choice… I just want him to get better and be happy again! 
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      As the article mentions: EMA-IgA (endomysial antibodies IgA) Blood Test for Celiac Disease: tTG-IgA (tissue transglutaminase IgA) Blood Test for Celiac Disease: So the likelihood is very high he has celiac disease, and even if the biopsy results turn out negative, I would still consider a gluten-free diet.
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      By Scott Adams · Posted

      PS - I forgot to mention, was he eating a lot of gluten daily for 6-8 weeks leading up to all blood tests? If not, this can cause lower than normal antibody results.
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