XP: Celiac testing?

notthecheat

So I already posted on the food allergy board but just not sure who to ask or where to look for my question (am searching Google now, and will ask my PCP if I have to, but I never see my PCP, I see specialists regularly.) Any points in the right direction are appreciated!

My sister was diagnosed with celiac last week. Blood tests were highly suggestive, and biopsy confirmed. Her gastroenterologist recommends all immediate family members be tested due to its genetic tendencies. I have had a number of random symptoms over the years that have been chalked up to chronic fatigue syndrome, but could possibly be related to Celiac, and would like to be tested.

I am currently 31 weeks pregnant with my first child. My pregnancy/fetus has been complication free so far (aside from a slew of "common" pregnancy symptoms, I.e. nausea/vomiting, heartburn, etc). I didn't know if I should get the test now or wait? If I test now, would pregnancy have any effect on the accuracy of antibody testing or biopsy? I really would like to be tested before going gluten free. Thank you for your thoughts and opinions.

ScarlettV

I have no idea if they can biopsy you right now this far along and imagine they will probably say wait. Blood tests won't be 100%. I would say you can cut down the gluten (or cut it out) to see if you feel better, but this close to the end , I wouldn't worry about getting too hot and heavy into it until after baby - unless you're having severe symptoms.

For what it's worth my friend doesn't have celiacs, but her sister does. It could go either way.

Edit: also, I can't imagine pregnancy effecting the results of the biopsy. The biopsy is looking for damage to the lining of your intestines from the celiacs and pregnancy won't affect that as far as I understand. But you can always check with your doc.

tyedyeme12

I don't think you should change anything you're doing until after the baby, especially if it hasn't been affecting your pregnancy thus far. 

AGriffin620

I would wait until after the pregnancy. You should be tested, but IMO, I would wait. Also, don't cut out the gluten until after, as well, because they may run the other tests (non-biopsy), and not having any gluten in your system will affect the results of intolerance/allergies/sensitivities.

Amazing450

I have celiac, so does my son and it was actually brought on by pregnancy. I wasnt symptomatic until after I gave birth. If you aren't sick and you and the baby aren't affected continue eating gluten until after the baby is born. If you cut out gluten now it will affect the tests and you can get a false negative.

Just wanted to add that no one else in my family besides my son and I have celiac disease.

notthecheat

Thanks everyone. My inclination was to wait, but then I got the panic-stricken "what if I am harming my baby now when I could have done something about it??"

watercolor5

If you aren't having immediate symptoms, I wouldn't think they'd be thinking about a biopsy of anything anyway... I thought celiac could be diagnosed by the blood test alone- am I missing something?  I don't really see why you couldn't get the blood test while pregnant, but that's a question your OB would be able to answer too, if you aren't seeing your PCP for a while...

(I had celiac disease ruled out via blood test when I was getting my irritable bowel syndrome diagnosed, and the blood was all they needed...)

notthecheat

watercolor5 said:

If you aren't having immediate symptoms, I wouldn't think they'd be thinking about a biopsy of anything anyway... I thought celiac could be diagnosed by the blood test alone- am I missing something?  I don't really see why you couldn't get the blood test while pregnant, but that's a question your OB would be able to answer too, if you aren't seeing your PCP for a while...

(I had celiac disease ruled out via blood test when I was getting my irritable bowel syndrome diagnosed, and the blood was all they needed...)

It can be diagnosed via blood test but biopsy is the gold standard ( I think because it is more accurate?)

Amazing450

If you fail a blood test they do an endoscopy

kate14

As someone else said, it's just a blood test. If you aren't having symptoms than you probably don't have it. My sister has celiacs and was very sick for years until they figured it out with an accidental checked box on a blood test. Before I got pregnant, I got a lot of blood work done and asked them to check because of my sister. I didn't have symptoms and I don't have celiacs. I really don't think a biopsy would be necessary.

Chichigo

You can't cut out gluten prior to the biopsy and get accurate results.

mrsbamtastic

sventurarn said:

If you aren't having immediate symptoms, I wouldn't think they'd be thinking about a biopsy of anything anyway... I thought celiac could be diagnosed by the blood test alone- am I missing something?  I don't really see why you couldn't get the blood test while pregnant, but that's a question your OB would be able to answer too, if you aren't seeing your PCP for a while...

(I had celiac disease ruled out via blood test when I was getting my irritable bowel syndrome diagnosed, and the blood was all they needed...)

It can be diagnosed via blood test but biopsy is the gold standard ( I think because it is more accurate?)

The blood tests are not perfect and usually need to be confirmed with scope and biopsy. I don't think a GI would want to do any procedures on you right now, so why put yourself through the blood tests if you're not able to go through with getting the biopsy right now? If it were me, I wouldn't change my diet because as a PP said it can alter the results when you do get the test. If you're not having symptoms, deal with it after the pregnancy. JMO.