Biopsy Done Yesterday

[GlutenFreeAustinite]

So my GI doctor did an EGD on me yesterday, and he said that all of the slides looked normal (my esophagus and stomach weren't inflamed, and my duodenum wasn't visibly damaged), but that celiac is a microscopic diagnosis, so we're waiting for the results of the actual tissue biopsies. Will the fact that my duodenum isn't scalloped affect whether or not my villi are damaged?

[Bubba's Mom]

So my GI doctor did an EGD on me yesterday, and he said that all of the slides looked normal (my esophagus and stomach weren't inflamed, and my duodenum wasn't visibly damaged), but that celiac is a microscopic diagnosis, so we're waiting for the results of the actual tissue biopsies. Will the fact that my duodenum isn't scalloped affect whether or not my villi are damaged?

Duodenal scalloping is seen with severe villi damage. If you don't have it, it may mean that your damage isn't bad? It doesn't mean you don't have Celiac, or gluten intolerance. If your biopsies show no damage, that's good news! However, you could still be gluten intolerant, it just isn't causing an immune reaction. The treatment is the same...no gluten.

[GlutenFreeAustinite]

Yeah, my thought process is that I was gluten free for 18 months and only went on gluten again 2 1/2 months ago. So it probably isn't as "severe" as it would have been if I'd been eating it all my life. Plus I'm only 18, so there's hardly been time for long term damage. I thought I saw some odd mucosal patterns (also seen in celiac patients) but it could have been just the quality of the image. Not to mention, my GI doc said the diagnosis really depended on the villi biopsy, and I wouldn't be able to see damage. I think I am dealing with some sort of autoimmune disorder (just given medical history) and honestly, I would rather it be celiac because then I know what it is and how to treat it, instead of starting the long and frustrating diagnostic process all over again.

[mamacat]

My dr. didn't see visible damage on me either with an endoscopy but saw damage under the microscope which gave me the Celiac Dx. You never know until they see it up close- the devil is in the details.

[GlutenFreeAustinite]

Right...I'm concerned because I believe he only took one biopsy from my duodenum. Gah. I'm nervous. I'd hate for him to not diagnose me celiac because he biopsied the wrong patch of my intestines. But thanks for the feedback!