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

First Gi Doc Appt

Christine0125

By Christine0125
in Doctors

Recommended Posts

Christine0125 Contributor
Christine0125
Posted

I have my first GI doc appt on thursday after a positive blood test and referral from primary doc. What should I expect? I suspect he's going to want to do an endoscopy.

In online research I also found out that the hospital where my husband works (about 45 minutes away) has a celiac speciality clinic and they are involved in a lot of celiac research. Is it worth pursuing an appt with a specialist? I hate to take the time to go there if any doc will say the same thing "eat a strict gluten free diet and see us in 6 months."

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


Chuck1004 Apprentice
Chuck1004
Posted

Hi Christine,

Which specific blood tests did you have?

Christine0125 Contributor
Christine0125
Posted
  • Author

Hi Christine,

Which specific blood tests did you have?

I didn't make a copy of the lab order but I believe it was considered the full celiac panel. I know it was trans... something or other and antibody... I am going to ask for a copy of the results. When the nurse called me she indicated I was positive but didn't give me specific numbers.

Bubba's Mom Enthusiast
Bubba's Mom
Posted

I have my first GI doc appt on thursday after a positive blood test and referral from primary doc. What should I expect? I suspect he's going to want to do an endoscopy.

In online research I also found out that the hospital where my husband works (about 45 minutes away) has a celiac speciality clinic and they are involved in a lot of celiac research. Is it worth pursuing an appt with a specialist? I hate to take the time to go there if any doc will say the same thing "eat a strict gluten free diet and see us in 6 months."

Most GIs will want to do an endoscope. It lets them know the state of your small intestine, and can be used as a reference point in your healing. Several biopsies should be taken, not just one or two.

The biopsies are then sent to a lab to be viewed under a microscope. The lab person is the one who writes a report on the findings.

Whether you go to a specialist is a matter of personal preference? A competent GI should be able to take biopsy samples just fine though.

Chuck1004 Apprentice
Chuck1004
Posted

I recently had a positive blood test for Tissue Transglutaminase antibodies, which was reported on the test as TTG AB IGA, and my understanding is that virtually all Celiacs will have a positive hit on this particular test, but not all positive hits as necessarily Celiacs, as it can indicate other autoimmune issues. They will follow up with the endoscopy to confirm the finding and report back on the degree of damage.

In my case it was the GI doc who performed the test and later did the endoscopy, so I would imagine the GI specialist will schedule you for the endoscopy and do other followup bloodwork.

Christine0125 Contributor
Christine0125
Posted
  • Author

I had my appointment today and the doctor's first words after reviewing my lab results were "you definitely have celiac disease." I now have an endoscopy scheduled to make sure nothing else is going on, a DEXA scan and additional labs ordered (vitamins, iron recheck, and some others).

He gave me copies of my labs:

tTG-IgG Ab - 42

Endomysial IgA - positive

Endomysial Ab - 1:10

Iron - 40

Saturation 9%

I'm confident I'm on the right path to healing.

Chuck1004 Apprentice
Chuck1004
Posted

I had my appointment today and the doctor's first words after reviewing my lab results were "you definitely have celiac disease." I now have an endoscopy scheduled to make sure nothing else is going on, a DEXA scan and additional labs ordered (vitamins, iron recheck, and some others).

He gave me copies of my labs:

tTG-IgG Ab - 42

Endomysial IgA - positive

Endomysial Ab - 1:10

Iron - 40

Saturation 9%

I'm confident I'm on the right path to healing.

Your TTY levels are similar to mine. I believe the endomysial reading is the genetic test for Celiac Disease (I did not have that test) but at the very least is as clear cut and accurate as you can possibly get. Best of luck on your endoscopy (It is a snap) and let us know your results!

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


Bubba's Mom Enthusiast
Bubba's Mom
Posted

I had my appointment today and the doctor's first words after reviewing my lab results were "you definitely have celiac disease." I now have an endoscopy scheduled to make sure nothing else is going on, a DEXA scan and additional labs ordered (vitamins, iron recheck, and some others).

He gave me copies of my labs:

tTG-IgG Ab - 42

Endomysial IgA - positive

Endomysial Ab - 1:10

Iron - 40

Saturation 9%

I'm confident I'm on the right path to healing.

Looks like the GI is right up to date as to what follow-up should be done? Congrats on getting answers to your symptoms..and welcome to gluten-free!

Di2011 Enthusiast
Di2011
Posted

So nice to see a topic that includes positive interaction with medical profession! You are very lucky. Please let everyone on here know who and where you have been treated so that local people can access.

Di2011 Enthusiast
Di2011
Posted

BTW I checked with the moderators and we can name the 'good' medical helpers.

We should refrain from bagging and naming((not sure if this an Aussie term.. negative feedback)) bad ones.

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):


  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      127,365
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    Starving
    Newest Member
    Starving
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121k
    • Total Posts
      70.1k
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):


  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • breadbreadbaby
      Test Results

      By breadbreadbaby · Posted

      Just as a follow-up — I guess I’m wondering if I could have a false positive, despite how elevated it seems to be? My doctor said a biopsy doesn’t make sense considering the high result and the lack of GI symptoms but still unsure what I’ll do. 
    • breadbreadbaby
      Test Results

      By breadbreadbaby · Posted

      I have very (very very) newly been diagnosed with celiac and to be honest the diagnosis came out of nowhere. I’m trying to find information on the values and whether or not certain numbers mean a more severe case.  These are my numbers: IgA - .98 Tissue transglutaminase IgA Ab 45.4  Urate 129  Ferritin 126 (H)   I have no GI symptoms — what prompted testing is life-long extreme fatigue and sore joints (10+ hours a night plus 1-3+ hr naps) Thanks for your help! 
    • Sicilygirl
      Enegy level extremely low

      By Sicilygirl · Posted

      thank you Scott, what can I do to improve my appetite?
    • Sicilygirl
      Enegy level extremely low

      By Sicilygirl · Posted

      My iron is good I had it checked 3 times prior to being diagnosed with Celiac. My energy is better at night which is weird. I need it more during the day to function. This  has been hard to deal with emotionally, mentaly and pysically. Thank God that this website exists. Its helped me considerably since the doctor was of no help. Every body is different and I know that it will take me longer to heal I just have to stay positive and wait.  Also are you hungry ever?
    • Rogol72
      How to navigate living with dermatitis herpetiformis

      By Rogol72 · Posted

      We've got plenty Tiernan's over here across the Irish Sea! I think anything will irritate an open wound in the skin. My dermatologist suggested Aveno moisturiser and E45 Emollient shower cream when she thought it was Eczema. I'm sure they will help during a dermatitis herpetiformis outbreak, or be the least irritating. Rinsing off after exercise should give you some relief. Dapsone is an antibiotic and it does reduce the skin inflammation associated with dermatitis herpetiformis blisters as well as eliminating the itch. I don't think it affects the immune system like oral steroids though. My GP said it can affect the bone marrow ... I believe in terms of red blood cell production. It causes them to break apart prematurely. They measure the reticulocyte count (immature red blood cells) in your blood while on Dapsone to see it's effects. People with a G6PD deficiency are more susceptible to Dapsone side effects. Here's a leaflet from the British Association of Dermatologists explaining Dapsone in more detail ... https://www.skinhealthinfo.org.uk/condition/dapsone/ Your dermaotolgist would need to determine how long to be on Dapsone. I guess if the antibodies in the skin are reduced over time with a strict gluten-free diet, then the need for Dapsone is less likely when glutened. So, Knitty Kitty's advice on Niacin and all things dermatitis herpetiformis related is spot on.  Have you had the skin biopsy yet?
×
×
  • Create New...