Hi,

My Dad has celliac. Was diagnosed more than 20 years ago.

I just did a blood test and it came back with the following POSITIVE results:

GLIADIN ANTIBODIES IGG - 92.1 H
GLIADIN ANTIBODIES IGA - 64.9 H

So I guess I need to see a specialist. How do I find the specialist in my area (Nassau county, NY)?

Can you by any chance recommend one?

TIA, Eugene

I don't know anyone to recommend, but welcome to the boards! I'm from L.I. originally... In southern Ca. now... How's the weather?

Thank you very much for the reply.

I'm not looking for a doctor for my Dad. He's gluten-free for ages and that seems to work for him. I mentioned him only to underline that I do have a family history.

My own blood test came up positive. So I need to see someone about biopsy and/or any other further testing.

I'm not sure if any reputable gastroentrologist can handle the next step or do I need "celiac specialist". That was the reason for my original post.

Eugene

You could find a gastro that's associated with Winthrop Hospital, since it's a teaching hospital, you might have better luck finding someone that's up to speed with Celiac. The program is reputible, since they're associated with SUNY Stonybrook.

Long Island Jewish has some good doctors there as well. I'm always wary of private hospitals, though.

If I go to an average gastro-enterologist for biopsy and then, if necessary, show the results to Columbia gurus, would it be much worse than going to Columbia right away?

In other words, where are expertise and experience really important: in performing the procedure or interpreting the results? Or is it truly both?

Another question. Do I understand correctly that biopsy is the logical next step after the initial positive blood test? Or do I need to do a more comprehensive blood test first?

TIA, Eugene

If you have positive bloodwork, you have Celiac disease, plain and simple. All an endoscopy would do would be to see the extent of the damage, and to have a baseline I suppose in case they want to check your progress later.

My dr told me not to do the endoscopy when seeing if the diet worked would yield the same diagnosis. Just my dr. though, she's all for minimally invasive.

If you do go to a gastro for an endo, both procedure and interpretation are important. Several samples need to be taken for a biopsy, and someone who knows what they are looking at need to see the results.

I had two positive tests: both for GLIADIN (numbers are in my original message), however, ENDOMYSIAL test result was "<1:10".

Have I jumped the gun? Should've I considered the overall result inconclusive?

What do you think?

Eugene, to be quite truthful with you, usually unless you go to the doctor's experienced in Celiacs, then usually you educate the doctor. Dr. Peter Green is an excellant doctor, at Columbia University. And, for the most part, the best education you will receive about what to do, what works, what doesn't, what's safe, what isnt---can all be found in the celiac forums. Living this disease is the best way to overcome it--talking with others who deal with it on a daily basis too. This forum is a good source, Braintalk Communiteis is an excellant source for celiac web links http://brain.hastypastry.net/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=141 . I live in Suffolk County in the Islip area and so far, the doctors I have found are very willing to learn, but really don't have any kind of a handle on this. One doctor I have seen told me that his son has celiacs, that he can't have barley--I realized in one sentence that this man had no idea what he was talking about. Good luck, Deb

Hi.
I go to a great GI doctor in Massapequa. Her name is Corina Serer.
She is very knowledgeable about celiac disease. (516)796-9000
Good luck,
Donna

I think you're best off coming into the city and going to Dr. Green or Dr. Susie Lee at Columbia. I'm sure you can find a good doctor on LI, but you are so close to the city it's silly not to go to the experts.