Doctor Doesn't Know What He's Talking About?

[emi-220]

I was diagnosed about 4 months ago with celiac disease and was the first one in my family diagnosed so my parents were told to get tested also, even though they don't appear to have symptoms (although i know it's possible they still have it and are asymptomatic) . Both my mom and dad tried calling their doctors to see if insurance would pay, but they were told insurance wouldn't pay because it was just a "screening" since they didn't have symptoms. Then yesterday, my dad went for a physical and the doctor pretty much refused to test him, saying, and I quote, "if you're asymptomatic, then what difference does it make. There's no reason to stop eating gluten because there's no effect." My dad then inquired about the damage to the intestine and long term effects such as cancers, but the doctor replied that that you wouldn't get the intestinal cancer if you're asymptomatic.

Everything I've read and heard makes me think this doctor is completely mistaken, but I just wanted to make sure before I tell my dad to change doctors! It is so frusterating when people don't understand, especially if they're a doctor and should know about this stuff! So is there any truth to what he said or should we run as fast as possible in the other direction? I really want my family members to get tested but so far there doesn't seem to be much hope.

[Lisa]

Your parents doctor is very ill informed and there are many here that will attest to that.

[Jestgar]

I agree with MommaGoose, but there's another point to consider.

My parent's doctor wouldn't test them also because they are asymptomatic. After I thought about it for a while I realized that even if they tested positive the likelihood that they'd stick to the gluten-free diet was very minimal anyway, so it was a moot point.

They could always try gluten-free, or even gluten-lite, to see if it changes how they feel. It's possible they have symptoms that they don't realize are symptoms (I went almost my whole life not knowing that your tummy wasn't supposed to hurt after eating).

If the diet convinces them they need to be tested, they could either brow-beat the current doc, or start looking for a new one.

[tarnalberry]

Look up the NIH consensus paper from the celiac disease conference last year. It specifically notes that damage is still done in asymptomatic celiacs.

[mamabear]

I was diagnosed about 4 months ago with celiac disease and was the first one in my family diagnosed so my parents were told to get tested also, even though they don't appear to have symptoms (although i know it's possible they still have it and are asymptomatic) . Both my mom and dad tried calling their doctors to see if insurance would pay, but they were told insurance wouldn't pay because it was just a "screening" since they didn't have symptoms. Then yesterday, my dad went for a physical and the doctor pretty much refused to test him, saying, and I quote, "if you're asymptomatic, then what difference does it make. There's no reason to stop eating gluten because there's no effect." My dad then inquired about the damage to the intestine and long term effects such as cancers, but the doctor replied that that you wouldn't get the intestinal cancer if you're asymptomatic.

Everything I've read and heard makes me think this doctor is completely mistaken, but I just wanted to make sure before I tell my dad to change doctors! It is so frusterating when people don't understand, especially if they're a doctor and should know about this stuff! So is there any truth to what he said or should we run as fast as possible in the other direction? I really want my family members to get tested but so far there doesn't seem to be much hope.

Yes, he is sadly mistaken. Asymptomatic celiac disease accounts for nearly 50% of new diagnoses according to recent studies. What you don't know CAN hurt you. I would suggest finding a celiac-competent doctor through your local celiac societies. First degree relatives have a 10-16% chance of being celiac.....so all your parents,siblings and any children should be tested at some point . It helps if a physician understands the related symptoms and conditions in order to prod the insurance companies to cover the tests.

[jennysoul]

I was diagnosed about 4 months ago with celiac disease and was the first one in my family diagnosed so my parents were told to get tested also, even though they don't appear to have symptoms (although i know it's possible they still have it and are asymptomatic) . Both my mom and dad tried calling their doctors to see if insurance would pay, but they were told insurance wouldn't pay because it was just a "screening" since they didn't have symptoms. Then yesterday, my dad went for a physical and the doctor pretty much refused to test him, saying, and I quote, "if you're asymptomatic, then what difference does it make. There's no reason to stop eating gluten because there's no effect." My dad then inquired about the damage to the intestine and long term effects such as cancers, but the doctor replied that that you wouldn't get the intestinal cancer if you're asymptomatic.

Everything I've read and heard makes me think this doctor is completely mistaken, but I just wanted to make sure before I tell my dad to change doctors! It is so frusterating when people don't understand, especially if they're a doctor and should know about this stuff! So is there any truth to what he said or should we run as fast as possible in the other direction? I really want my family members to get tested but so far there doesn't seem to be much hope.

[jennysoul]

Hi Emi, Im from Australia, i so hear what you're saying ive been gluten free for 2 years and have found it tough to get any DR hear that understands celiac enough to help me in anyway,

its realy hard to help youre own family when no one will listen to you, ive got atxia problems, i believe due to the years of undiagnosed celiacs, and its taken its toll on my mental health.

i'm so at wits end,

the medical proffession is so far behind in this matter here that i'm left to help myself, convincing them to do tests has been a nightmare to say the least, they say stupid stuff like OH but you'd have the runs not constipation if you had celiacs. i'm so distressed at the moment as i now see my daughter and other family members showing health problems, but no one will listen to me due to no confirnation of celiac. so i'm off for an MRI next week, to see what damage has been done to my brain,due to malabsorbtion of B12.

i hope you get some results soon for you and youre family. take care.

jenny

[NoGluGirl]

I was diagnosed about 4 months ago with celiac disease and was the first one in my family diagnosed so my parents were told to get tested also, even though they don't appear to have symptoms (although i know it's possible they still have it and are asymptomatic) . Both my mom and dad tried calling their doctors to see if insurance would pay, but they were told insurance wouldn't pay because it was just a "screening" since they didn't have symptoms. Then yesterday, my dad went for a physical and the doctor pretty much refused to test him, saying, and I quote, "if you're asymptomatic, then what difference does it make. There's no reason to stop eating gluten because there's no effect." My dad then inquired about the damage to the intestine and long term effects such as cancers, but the doctor replied that that you wouldn't get the intestinal cancer if you're asymptomatic.

Everything I've read and heard makes me think this doctor is completely mistaken, but I just wanted to make sure before I tell my dad to change doctors! It is so frusterating when people don't understand, especially if they're a doctor and should know about this stuff! So is there any truth to what he said or should we run as fast as possible in the other direction? I really want my family members to get tested but so far there doesn't seem to be much hope.

Dear Emi 220,

Tell your parents to ditch Dr. Dipstick. It is for their own good. This disease is serious. Just because the disease is latent and and not showing symptoms does not mean it is not causing damage. These geniuses we call doctors often have a God complex. They need to get with it. If they were the ones at risk, their attitude would change, I assure you.

Sincerely,

NoGluGirl