My daughter was diagnosed with DH by a dermatologist five years ago, based on a 'textbook presentation'. No bloodwork, no biopsy, just put on a gluten-free diet immediately. She had lesions from between her fingers, all the way up the back of her arms, to her shoulders. Watery blisters, itchy, painful during healing. Her elbows are heavily scarred from that one bad episode five years ago.
Six weeks after her DH diagnosis (and being gluten-free), her paediatrician ran bloodwork, which was negative for celiac disease. She was borderline anemic, but that was 'her normal'. I tested strong positive for celiac disease. This was enough to confirm my daughter's diagnosis for the paediatrician. No scopes or gi biopsies for either of us. Yes, we both had life-long gi issues, which have mostly cleared up while gluten-free.
We've moved. Her new doctor decided to do a stool test, after daughter's bloodwork came back as 'slightly anemic'. She tested positive for moderate microscopic blood in her stool. She is now on a dairy elimination diet for three weeks, due to a suspected milk protein allergy. She is questioning the DH diagnosis, as there are no bloodwork or biopsy results. She's got me wondering now, too.
1. Was the physical exam and my positive blood test enough for a reliable DH diagnosis in daughter?
2. Was my strong positive even enough for a reliable celiac disease diagnosis in me?
3. What are the experiences of DH patients who have undergone a gluten challenge?
TIA
Six weeks after her DH diagnosis (and being gluten-free), her paediatrician ran bloodwork, which was negative for celiac disease. She was borderline anemic, but that was 'her normal'. I tested strong positive for celiac disease. This was enough to confirm my daughter's diagnosis for the paediatrician. No scopes or gi biopsies for either of us. Yes, we both had life-long gi issues, which have mostly cleared up while gluten-free.
We've moved. Her new doctor decided to do a stool test, after daughter's bloodwork came back as 'slightly anemic'. She tested positive for moderate microscopic blood in her stool. She is now on a dairy elimination diet for three weeks, due to a suspected milk protein allergy. She is questioning the DH diagnosis, as there are no bloodwork or biopsy results. She's got me wondering now, too.
1. Was the physical exam and my positive blood test enough for a reliable DH diagnosis in daughter?
2. Was my strong positive even enough for a reliable celiac disease diagnosis in me?
3. What are the experiences of DH patients who have undergone a gluten challenge?
TIA