Coeliac question

[LibbyR79]

I had a gastostrophy the other day due to reflux and anemia. The doctor, who I think was training , said he'd take a biopsy, but didn't. He also said at the end he couldn't see anything wrong. However, he requested a blood test, I looked it up and it's for coeliac disease. I'm wondering if suspecting that then why wouldn't he have taken a biopsy? Could it mean he spotted something after all? There was also a consultant in the room, maybe she spotted something. It's driving me a bit mad. I should get the blood test result soon, so I expect all will become clear. Just wondered if anyone had an ideas. Thanks.

The coeliac blood test can give false negatives though and, presumably, if your GP referred you for investigation to the cause of your anaemia they would have done that blood test anyway?
Did he say that he hadn’t taken a biopsy?
If you have reflux are you taking lansoprazole or something? Long term use can cause anaemia.

I hope you don’t have to wait too long for results and you get some answers soon.

After they found out I was anemic I didn't have any more blood tests. The doctor didn't say he hadn't taken a biopsy but the nurse did and she even double checked when I seemed surprised. Yes I take omeprazole, but only recently regularly as it didn't seem to help. I think my anemia is due to my periods, GP knew that too. I suppose he wanted to be sure. It's all a bit confusing. Thank you for replying.

It’s strange for GP to immediately refer to Gastro for anaemia if you do have heavy periods. I was given a prescription of ferrous fumerate and tranexamic acid before, finally, getting a referral to gynae.
I was on tranexamic acid and ferrous fumerate for nearly 15 years and my anaemia didn’t ever trigger a referral to gastro! Even now -post hysterectomy so no bleeding-the GP is still disinterested in why my iron dips so low.

I guess you just need to wait for the results and see if gastro follow up or discharge you back to GP. Maybe request a referral to gynae if they do.

I think the referral to gastro was more for my reflux that has been going on for years, but because I'm anemic that's being taken into account.
I'm on ferrous fumerate and tranexamic acid too, but only recently. It is all a bit confusing. Yes will just have to wait and see.

Historically you had to have a biopsy for a definitive diagnosis. I believe due to covid some areas allowed diagnosis by blood test alone if the levels were high enough. Not sure if they’re still doing that for adults, they are for under 18s.

Dd was diagnosed pre covid by a biopsy. Her consultant though said there and then before she even came round from sedation that she had it, he could see the damage to the villi. Maybe your doctors could see the villi weren’t damaged so didn’t think a biopsy was needed? But then why ask for a blood test? Very odd.

Btw, Dd was anemic and it was put down to heavy periods for years. But guess it was malabsorption.

You’re not hyper mobile are you?

Thanks for reply. Yes it's odd isn't it. I wonder if the doctor missed something at the time, that was maybe pointed out to him when I left the room. So then they decided to request blood test. When I was in the room he said he couldn't see anything wrong. However, the whole examination was difficult as I was being sick to start with and then gagging a lot. I'm not hypermobile as far as I know, but quite a few of the symptoms fit.

Still awaiting blood test results.. Dr tried to phone once, after I chased results, but I was working. Now I have been told I'll receive a letter with result. Does this sounds like it's likely to be negative. Just thinking they might try and phone more than once if positive? Grasping at straws a bit. Would appreciate any thoughts, thanks.

Have you had the letter @LibbyR79 ?
I hope you’ve had some answers by now.

Hi,
Yes I did eventually thank you. I tested negative for coeliac and am very grateful for that. Anemia almost certainly down to periods. However, I need further tests if levels don't improve. Thanks for message.

@QuebecBagnet

Historically you had to have a biopsy for a definitive diagnosis. I believe due to covid some areas allowed diagnosis by blood test alone if the levels were high enough. Not sure if they’re still doing that for adults, they are for under 18s.

Dd was diagnosed pre covid by a biopsy. Her consultant though said there and then before she even came round from sedation that she had it, he could see the damage to the villi. Maybe your doctors could see the villi weren’t damaged so didn’t think a biopsy was needed? But then why ask for a blood test? Very odd.

Btw, Dd was anemic and it was put down to heavy periods for years. But guess it was malabsorption.

Thanks for posting this. Our GP said that dd can’t possibly be coeliac because the blood text is ok. But dd reacts violently to gluten, including bleeding, so I am very interested to read that some doctors do biopsy. We weren’t offered anything other than a blood test and a shrug.

@QuebecBagnet

You’re not hyper mobile are you?

Ooooh, why do you ask that? My dd is incredibly hypermobile and paeds have just sent her for a slew if blood tests including coeliac. Her iron levels are actually ok, but vit D is very low.

@Neverreturntoathread she would have to be referred for the possibility of a biopsy.
A diagnosis of coeliac disease should always be made by either a paediatrician or a paediatric gastroenterologist
www.coeliac.org.uk/information-and-support/coeliac-disease/about-coeliac-disease/coeliac-disease-in-children/

@LibbyR79 glad you got the results, hope levels improve soon.

Must be worrying @CliveThighs for your dd to be having tests, I hope all turns out ok. I think Quebec was asking because A study found that those with celiac disease have a 49% increased risk of EDS than those without celiac disease. The opposite is true, too: people with EDS are more likely to have celiac disease than those without EDS
Re the low vitamin D. There isn’t enough uv in the U.K. between October-March, lots of the people in U.K. are vitamin D deficient
www.nhsggc.org.uk/media/253959/vitamin-d.pdf