I am 58 years old. I have had chronic constipation, forever really, and yesterday the doctor suggested that I may have coeliac disease. Last year it was discovered I had a tortuous (extra bit) of colon and needed to ensure I took adequate fibre. I just can't manage the constipation, but turning point came when I said to the doctor that I had mouth ulcers and a yellow, sore tongue, which I put down to not getting rid of toxins. Dr said my bloods, tested a few months ago are fine. I thought that coeliac was always linked with diarrhoea, but now realise this isn't the case. I also always thought that that problems with iron and b12 were already in place before other symptoms arose. I do have a vitamin d deficiency and am hypothyroid. I have itchy skin, but no rash. Again I put that down to my body not getting rid of toxins. When I'm badly constipated, I don't have abdominal pain, but when that clears, I have lots of pain to make up for it. Can anyone advise if it's likely I'll have coeliac if my bloods at present are okay? I think I'm trying to clutch at straws before blood test for antibodies, I think, comes back. Thank you so much for any advice received. Eileen
From what i can make out, you haven't had the blood test yet for antibodies. Whatever the result, it may be worth pressing for an endoscopy anyway and ask if they can take some biopsies.
If that fails, you can always try a gluten-free diet anyway.
Thank you very much Rachael for such a prompt response. I had a blood sample taken yesterday, which the dr said was for coeliac and she made a referral for an endoscopy. I am afraid I have a hearing disability which often means I don't pick up a details in conversation. The previous blood samples referred to were taken a few months ago, and I think they were of the routine nature. Anyway the dr advised maintaining my diet as normal until endoscopy is done.
Oh yes! If you have an endoscopy, keep a normal diet, yes very important. You're on the right road and what I meant was even if the diagnosis is negative, you can still try a gluten-free diet and see if things improve. Gluten attacks the gut of coeliacs but you could still have a gluten allergy which is a different thing.
Now, it's just a waiting game for your endoscopy. Take the sedative! I may have to have another endoscopy if my antibodies haven't altered in 6 months and I will definitely go for the sedative next time. Good luck!
Thank you very much Rachael for advice about sedative. I had a sigmoidoscopy many years ago, minus sedative, and it was dreadful beyond belief. I agree about gut damage. I think I'd need to try gluten free in any case. Good luck with your follow up and thank you very much.
I agree. Sometimes you get false negatives with the blood tests, so an endoscopy with biopsy is the only definitive way to diagnose coeliac disease. Even if you don't have it, it sounds like you've had these unpleasant symptoms for an awfully long time, and I'm sure an endoscopy will shine more light on it!