What do I have?

Hello

I had the blood test and they came back normal but my GP said it's not always reliable. It came on after a very stressful even when my dad took ill. That's why they blamed my anxiety abs ibs for so long. The GP said it won't be ibs as my stool test came back high for inflammation. I'm being referred to the gastro.

Can you become sensitive ot celiac if it doesn't run in your family??

Coeliac disease can strike anyone at any time, it doesn't depend on others in the family suffering from it.  I spent most of my life being able to eat anything put in front of me with no problems, but was diagnosed with coeliac disease when I was in my late 70s!  The diagnosis came after going through an endoscopy session for other reasons.  The apparent symptoms can vary from not particularly noticeable to quite extreme. I had previously been diagnosed with anaemia and prescribed iron tablets to deal with the problem.  I now understand that this is sometimes the only symptom of coeliac and now that I have been gluten-free for some time my iron levels are back to normal without medication.  The reason for going into this detail is to emphasise that the only positive way of diagnosing coeliac disease is through endoscopy tests, simply looking at symptoms is sometimes not sufficient.

Thank you for that info.

I think I'll have to have the endoscopy. Really do hate that procedure. I had low iron about 7 years ago and they had no idea why. Was on iron tablets for 5 years. When I came off the tablets it's stayed around 70. I have also had low b12 several times.

The last bloods I had before this started were all good but I spoke to the doc today and he's getting another one sorted. They haven't really wanted to give me tests as they have just blamed my anxiety and IBS. Least they will take me seriously now. Thanks for the reply. Think it will be a few weeks before I see the gastro

I'm still eating gluten. Not going to stop until I know what it is. Going to have more bloods soon. Its more the fatty stools and paler stools that concern me.

I notice you have had problems with low iron, that too can be Coeliac disease;  If your doctor has checked your pancreas, and all was well, it could be a food intolerance. Stools are more yellowish when the food goes through your digestive system too quickly, and your body doesn’t get what it needs from your food. It could still be Coeliac disease or a food intolerance. If it’s not Coeliac then I would definitely try the lowFODMAP diet. 

Please bear in mind that a blood test alone for Coeliac disease is not that reliable. You can get what is known as a false negative, so you would still need an endoscopy with biopsies to get a proper diagnosis. For more information on this, contact Coeliac UK, they will help and advise you (they actually advise doctors).

It was a blood test to check my pancreas. I've not had a scan. I don't have pains in the pancreas area.

Yes years ago when my iron first went down they offered me the endoscope but I refused as I'd had one years before for reflux and I hated it so didn't want it again. They never did know why my iron went low. I suffer with low b12 too on and off. They just diagnosed me with ibs when I've had bowel problems in the past. Never have I had diarrhoea like this and for so long.

Thank you for the advice. I have bloods on Monday to check my vitamins and blood count. I'm so washed out and drained. It's making me depressed as I can't control my bowels anymore and I worry about eating too much as I'll be on the loo the next morning.

My last blood test in December my ferritin was 70. Which is around the normal for me.

I'm having more bloods tomorrow to check again as the last bloods were before the diarrhoea.

Hope it goes well for you.

Hi, It could turn out to be Coeliac disease if Sarah hasn’t had an endoscopy already, but for this, you must be eating gluten for at least 6 weeks prior to the endoscopy otherwise the antibodies will not be present that show the Coeliac disease up (it’s an autoimmune disease). After having the test results back, then it’s safe to give up eating gluten and wheat if it’s confirmed. I don;t think it’s wise for anyone to give up eating gluten until all the tests have been done, otherwise it may get missed.

you are correct indeed as I have gone through it as well.  actually my biopsy from the endoscopy and one out of two blood tests (i wish i could remember the specific details) came back positive for gluten intolerance.  

i had not known then about the fact that one has to keep eating gluten until tested.  i did not suggest that anyone give up gluten prior to the endoscopy but rather only after.  i did suggest that if one continues to have digestive pain, bloating issues, even if one has received negative results, to give up gluten and see how it goes.  Coeliac disease is complex and there is a lot to learn on how to manage it.  It is good to seek professional nutritional advice or do research on exactly what is gluten and in what foods it will be found.  also one must not forget to follow a healthy life style; it's not easy.