To ask what the biopsies are looking for?

[mrbobthecat]

I know, I know this isn't the health topic but I've asked before (under a different name) and didn't get many replies.

I had a colonoscopy and gastroscopy which both looked normal. They took biopsies and doctor said that some things show up in biopsy that he can't see but I didn't ask what they are looking for. I blame the sedation!

I'm in my early twenties, so cancer is super unlikely, but what else will the biopsies be looking for? I am suffering from on-going diarrhoea and vomiting with weight loss and severe abdominal pain.

Thank you in advance.

Sorry I can't answer your query, I'm not medically qualified. The only advice I can offer is don't listen to any medical advice on AIBU in Mumnset. I've seen lots of legal advice (no doubt offered in good faith) which is way off target. There's no substitute from proper advice from someone who knows your circumstances. I'd suggest go back to see your GP for proper advice

Hi, depending on the symptoms you presented with, they could have been looking to confirm coeliac disease or inflammation. If they had seen something they were suspicious about they would have told you. Don't worry.

biopsy is the only certain way of diagnosing coeliac disease, as blood tests can give false results in some people. In that case they are looking for the absence or flattening of the tiny finger-like structures on the lining of the gut, through which food is absorbed. No fingers = poor absorption of nutrients etc and all the associated symptoms that go with that (inc D&V)

have you had blood test for CD?

OGD - coeliac disease, cancer (very very rare)

Colonoscopy - cancer (v unlikely at your age), inflammatory bowel disease like Crohns or UC. Pre cancerous lesions that might have been removed in their entirety.

Usual caveats that this advice is given without seeing your records etc so may be off the mark.

Hope all ok xx

You really need to ask, not speculate, google or ask for advice here. None of us will really have any idea about what the doctors are looking for. You must bear in mind that cancer can hit anyone of any age - it is not an old person's thing. But it is of course not necessarily cancer.

Ask a professional.

v unlikely anything cancerous

of course the OP should ask their doctor/consultant, but meanwhile they can't right now and only wanted to have an idea of what they could/might be looking for.

Best of luck OP, sounds like you have good medics who want to get to the cause of the problems. That's great.

Thank you for the replies and don't worry, I'm not taking any word here as gospel or medical knowledge! I'm just canvassing general opinion.

I will, of course, ask my consultant when I see him next time. In the mean time, I was just curious and nosy and impatient. I have been so ill, I was expecting them to find something, so I wondered if the biopsies might shed any light. It's been a frustrating process trying to find out what's wrong with me.

Agree that the biopsies will be looking for coeliac, crohns and ulcerative colitis. Possibly also evidence of something like Barrett's oesphagus/reflux with the gastroscopy.

My friend has crohns and has to have regular colonoscopies. Her symptoms were similar to yours at diagnosis too and my gut feeling (pardon the pun) as a hcp would lead me to that route. But again I don't know your full medical history so it's just speculation.

Thanks again for replies. :)

I have 2 close relatives with inflammatory bowel disease and they both had visible inflammation when they were scoped. They both have said that given the doctor didn't see anything, it's unlikely to be IBD which is good news.