Carrie...

[peanut]

Hi ! Thanks for the welcome ! Your question about how I was diagnosed with LC & Celiac - well, I was first dx'd with LC, then because of all the other problems I was having - mainly malabsorption of iron, etc., my pcp wanted me to have the upper scope to test for Celiac. Anyway, the nurse practitioner at my medical group has Celiac, so that is why they are so aware of it - thank goodness for her ! (otherwise I would have thought I was losing my mind !!)

I have been gluten free for over a year now, it is not bad at all once you get the hang of it and once you realize how much better you feel !

And, I do belong to some Celiac sites, but I always relied on the original MC board more than those - they are good sources for new gluten free stuff though!

I am just so glad to be here with all you guys !

Carla

[Carrie]

Hi Peanuts. Thanks for sharing your diagnosis info. It sounds like you have a really excellent PCP and got a reasonably fast diagnosis. My first GI misdiagnosed IBS and suggested a psychiatrist. But instead I got a second opinion and was diagnosed with LC.

Your post made me remember that I don't think I ever was tested for malabsorption. Do they check that with blood or stool tests? My D is in remission so I'm not particularly motivated at the moment to have stool tests. But I probably should. What do you think?

Love, Carrie

[peanut]

I think there are some pretty specific tests for like carb malapsorption, etc., as for myself, my main issues were b-12 malabsorption (pernicious anemia), and iron & calcium malapsorption - my pcp does a CBC every three months to see where we are with the iron & calcium, and I also get a b-12 shot every month, since I have pernicious anemia - that means I lack a substance called intrinsic factor that is needed to break down and absorb b-12.

Anyhoo, the reason I ended up being tested for Celiac as well was because even though I am on iron supplements, my serum iron level keeps falling - at last check it was 11 when it should be at least 50 -150 - and I just had my follow up on Monday & am waiting on call from the doc to see if it has risen any yet. (Before I was dx'd, I had gotten so anemic that I had to have a blood transfusion - yikes !)

I hope I answered at least some of your questions - I tend to start talking about one thing and then end up veering off on another subject !

Love,
Carla

[Carrie]

Thanks, Carla. And don't worry about starting on one subject and then going off on another. I do it all the time!

I think I need to educate myself on just what is, and what is not, included with a CBC. I had one in April and "everything" was ok. Trouble is I don't know what "everythings" means. I'm pretty sure my iron was ok but don't recall anything about B-12 or calcium.

Sigh...

Love, Carrie

[peanut]

Don't feel bad, I don't know what all is included in a CBC either ! The best thing I have found is to get copies of all tests, etc., that way you know ! After all, it is your body we are talking about here !

And, the b-12 & iron are specific tests besides the CBC.

Hope that helps !

Love,
Carla