Flattened villi?: I had a biopsy for... - Gluten Free Guerr...

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Flattened villi?

Brendabrad profile image
11 Replies

I had a biopsy for celiac and it came back ok although I have flattened villi. Does anyone know what the biopsy is and what can be shown from it?

Incidentally, the cause from the flattened villi is most probably Bile Salt Absorption which I have been diagnosed since with. But I have gone gluten free again and am so much better

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Brendabrad profile image
Brendabrad
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11 Replies
Penel profile image
Penel

This is a good explanation of a biopsy and what may be found.

celiac.org/celiac-disease/d...

Have you been given any medication or advice on what to eat?

Brendabrad profile image
Brendabrad in reply toPenel

No because they say it isn't celiac

Brendabrad profile image
Brendabrad in reply toBrendabrad

So they haven't given any advice as to what to eat

Penel profile image
Penel

If your villi are flattened then I guess your body will not have been absorbing all the nutrients you need. If eating gluten free is helping, that's a good thing.

Brendabrad profile image
Brendabrad

Seems to be working

tassie profile image
tassie

The villi get flattened when the gut lining is damaged and this is often due to coeliac disorder

Brendabrad profile image
Brendabrad

Hi Tassie, although the report of the endoscopy said flattened villi, when the biopsy results came back they said not coelic. I really dont understand that. Thank you both for replying x

Poshpenny profile image
Poshpenny

I think I would be going back asking them what marsh stage it was and if they are flattened, why isn't it coeliac, and what is it then? Maybe your GP could ask these questions for you?

Jacks profile image
Jacks

Coeliac disease is only one cause of villous atrophy. There are quite a few. A colleague had all the symptoms I had and it was eventually discovered he had giardiasis - a nasty parasite that can flatten villi.

Here's some other causes:

cureceliacdisease.org/archi...

Ramonalisa1 profile image
Ramonalisa1

the flattened villi will seriously cause problems with your nutrient uptake. read my post on celiac b12 and more to help you build your gut flora back to normal. I wish you well.

regards Ramona

Jacks profile image
Jacks

You can have flattened villi from many things, it isn't just CD. Is your gastroenterologist checking the "other end" for crohns, colitis especially if you have been diagnosed with bile acid malabsorption AND flattened villi?

There are (and I understand, successful) steroid treatments. Ask your gastroenterologist for more info on what they are going to do.

PS Any success with a GF diet may just be coincidental.

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