Doctors in the dark

[SchleppingForest]

Would you be happy having a gastroscopy from a NHS gastroenterologist who doesn't appear to understand the prerequisites for a Coeliac diagnosis?

(This isn't a question about diagnosing Coeliac disease - just more of a comment about the state of the NHS.)

I've had 5 years of symptoms during which I was told by GPs, who didn't know the prerequisites for a Coeliac blood test, that I had IBS. I'm so poorly now that I fear I'll never recover from the damage that's been done to my digestive system.

I've finally been referred to a NHS gastroenterologist who also doesn't appear to understand the prerequisites for a Coeliac diagnosis - when I told him (on a call) that I didn't think I've ever been tested properly for Coeliac he said a “normal" diet is what’s required before the blood test (no clarity on what "normal" means and no mention of the gluten-eating 6-week period prior to the test). He kept talking over me while I was trying to explain why I thought I wasn't tested properly (I'm only a woman after all and should stay quiet).

NICE and Coeliac UK clearly set out the need for substantial gluten consumption every day for 6 weeks before testing. Why aren’t doctors following these guidelines? I’m paying the price for not doing my own research and questioning qualified medical professionals.

Fwiw I spoke to a personal friend who is a gastroenterologist about the need to consume plenty of gluten before the test. He said there was no need to load, just a couple of crackers or a round of bread a day was enough but I know the amount is debated. So yeah, a 'normal' diet would be enough from his pov. I don't eat bread or pasta and he knew this.

I don't have a "normal" British diet.

He never asked me what I ate and didn't give me a chance to tell him why I thought I wasn't having enough gluten every day.