Will gastric biopsies tell me if I have Celiac?

[FurballsMom]

I had an endoscopy on Wednesday.  The GI told me that he did take a couple of biopsies in the stomach in a couple of areas of concern.  Now, my understanding is it is the small intestine that the biopsies should be taken from.  I don't know if he even went as far as the small intestine, even though I had asked about this prior to the test.  I suspect he didn't.  I am waiting for the test results, as I was told it could take as long as a week and a half to get the test results back.  Is it possible for a gastric biopsy to show whether this is Celiac?  I've been trying to research online and have found some information that suggests that if they find H-pylori that this could still be Celiac.  

[CalGal]

If the biopsies were gastric, then no, they will not show whether or not you're celiac.

[ZeeIn]

I have been trying to find out the same thing and just had an Endoscopy, but she forgot to check for Celiac.  I was H--pylori negative, but she sent me for a blood test to verify.  I read somewhere that the blood test is just as good as a biopsy..  


Good Luck!!

[FurballsMom]

Yes, it's true that blood tests will confirm H-pylori.  That actually wasn't why I had the endoscopy.  I have GERD and experience some concerning symptoms, like swallowing issues that led the GI to decide that it was time to do the endoscopy, especially since this test hasn't been done before now.  I'm still waiting for the test results to come back.  They probably won't come back 'til the end of the week.

[ZeeIn]

Good Luck.  Sounds like you have a good Gastro enterologists who will be able to confirm whatever it is.  Keep us posted.  

Thanks

[2flyrc]

They biopsy must be of the small intestine and the blood work is nearly worthless as it returns false negatives. Been there and done that. Endoscopy of the SI is the best way. When I had it done at UVA, they had the results within minutes. Good Luck.
Wes

[FurballsMom]

I had been under the impression that the GI was going to go into the SI when he did the endoscopy, but after the test was finished, I got the distinct impression that he didn't go as far as the SI.  I wish he would've done so while I was out, because I almost couldn't tolerate the medications that they used.  I'm surprised I didn't vomit, but that's probably because I haven't been able to eat much of anything for a really long time, so I didn't have a lot on my stomach.  I can't go through the procedure again unless the doctor tells me it's absolutely necessary.  I think I'll have to make sure I ask him for Zofran the next time, so the nausea won't be as bad as it was this last time.  

They used the same opiate that they used on my last colonoscopy.  I did better after that procedure than I did with the endoscopy.  So, anyway, I thought I would feel about the same as I did after the colonoscopy, but this time I felt worse.  I almost wish I would've thrown up, because I might have started to feel a little better sooner.

I'm still waiting for the test results to come back from the gastric biopsies, so I'll know what is causing all the symptoms that led to the need for the test in the first place.  

I sure wish the doctor would've gone ahead and scoped the small intestine while he was already doing the endoscopy.  It was my understanding that he was going to, but I don't think he did.

[jman1969]

http://stanford.wellsphere.com/celiac-disease-article/is-there-another-test-i-can-do-for-celiac-or-gluten-and-dairy-allergy/515726


(good information)