Is it worth requesting a Coeliac test?

[secondtimelucky87]

Hi,

I'm late 30s and for as long as I can remember have always had a bit of a sensitive gut. I just put it down to being one of those things and sort of ignored it. I don't eat meat but otherwise follow a typical Mediterranean diet with veg, fish, eggs, legumes etc. I suffer from a lot of bloatedness interspersed with bouts of constipation or upset stomach. Never really know what triggers it. I also get mouth ulcers monthly. I currently have one on my tongue that's absolutely agony and switching to SLS free toothpaste, using corsadyl mouthwash and Anbesol makes no difference. I've got one child but have also suffered from (thus far unexplained despite many investigations) infertility on and off for 5+ years. I also have an extremely low ovarian reserve for my age - something I've read can be linked to Coeliac disease. I'm waiting to have a load of blood tests and another internal scan to look into why I've suddenly developed the most horrendous periods (extremely heavy and I'm in pain for a week leading up to them). It occurred to me though that with the gut issues, mouth ulcers and fertility struggles s it could be worth requesting a Coeliac test from the GP. Has anyone experienced similar? I'm curious as I know it's such a spectrum with some experiencing relatively mild symptoms like me. He was very good and not at all dismissive when I reported the period changes but not sure about this? I'm also not averse to just skipping straight to a private test (at a clinic, not at home) if I can find one that's not insane money. I'm based on London. Any experience or comments gratefully received as I am so fed up of these symptoms.

It’s a blood test. I’d ask for it.

It won’t do you any harm, and may help you figure out what’s going on.

My relative with a Coeliac mother asked his GP for the Coeliac blood test. He was thirty years old then and it was refused as he appeared to be healthy. He later changed GP and asked again. It was very reluctantly done. And it was a definite positive. He changed diet to gluten free and said he hadn't realised before that he had not previously felt completely well, always had slight stomach problems.
I think that you should request the blood test, l do hope it helps solve your problems

I would absolutely ask for the test. You have the symptoms and what harm can it do, it's only a blood test.

I have had all your symptoms and for many years too.

I have been checked for Coeliac disease several times via blood tests and a stomach lining biopsy, it always came back negative but I still have issues. I have recently found my IgA test was low which can be indicitive of coeliac so I am due another gastroscope.

It is definitely worth asking for a blood test and not sure if you already know but you must be consuming gluten products for at least 6 weeks prior to any testing so you don't get any false negatives.

If it comes back negative and you continue experiencing the gyane issues it may be worth consulting with a gynaecologist. Despite years of gynae issues I discovered, at the age of 50 that I have endometriosis and adenomyosis which could be contributing to my gut issues.

Thank you so much for sharing. This is really helpful to hear

Thank you so much for sharing. I'm so sorry it's taken so long to get that diagnosis. I can't imagine how tough that's been. It makes sense though as it's all linked isn't it. As part of my infertility investigations I did a uterine microbiome test and discovered I had absolutely no good bacteria in the womb. I'm repeating all my hormone bloods soon, as well as thyroid etc so I'm hoping there might be some info there. Once I have those results and (eventually) get an appointment for another scan I guess I'll find out if anything has changed to cause the pain and horrendous periods. I feel like there's definitely got to be something going on with my gut health but (I'm sure you've felt the same) I don't always find it easy to approach the GP about things that aren't routinely checked. Need to just do it though and stop telling myself I'm making a fuss!

If a parent or other immediate relative is diagnosed then it's recommended that you are tested, as there is a genetic component to it. And then you should be tested again if any possible symptoms emerge as it can start at any time. My GP didn't ask for any proof of the relatives diagnosis when I requested this test. Mine was negative, but GP was vocal that future testing was definitely possible.

I also suffer from a similar broad raft of seemingly unrelated symptoms and my (excellent) GP did a full bank of bloods. Get you iron checked if your periods are bad. My frequent ulcers have really eased off since I've been taking iron. Period changes in your late 30s may well be signalling the start of perimenopause though. I'm 39 and mine are just getting more and more erratic as time goes on now.

Yes, newrubylane, it was because his mother was diagnosed that he first asked for the test. GP was not good. His sister asked her (different) GP for the test and had it immediately. She was negative.
It had taken the mother about fifteen years of symptoms to get diagnosed, no one seems to have thought of Coeliac then. This was a few years ago, so probably everyone is more aware of it now.

Yes I'm having all of these (attached image) rechecked imminently. I'll be cycle day 6 so hopefully good for hormone check especially. My cycle isn't erratic yet and I can pinpoint the day I come on but with my AMH being so low and my mother experiencing peri symptoms from 41, it's not beyond the realms of possibility as I'm 38. 😢 I'm 9dpo now and this month haven't had any of those horrific cramps so now I'm very confused having had them leading up to period for 3 months in a row. Some variation to be expected though. I think I'll use the appointment after my bloods to bring up the coeliac test question. I've had low iron before as I don't eat meat (plenty of eggs, tofu, nuts and fish) but seem to have fixed that with a prescription of ferrous sulphate. The mouth ulcers really are grim. I'm glad yours have mostly stopped! Must be a relief!