Blood Test Results

[Burnie294]

Hi

To cut a long story short, I’m currently in month 9 of long Covid having been ill since the end of March.

I’m under the care of the local NHS post Covid rehab team and being seen regularly. My GP has run a latest set of blood tests and one result is (apparently) indicating I’m coeliac. This was mentioned by the GP almost as an aside and with no follow up other than a mention of me also having a ‘deranged’ liver - I’ve never had any symptoms of either condition pre Covid and was unaware that coeliac disease could be diagnosed by blood test.

I’m suffering with long Covid and crippling fatigue that has prevented me working - and functioning some days - since March. I’m unsure whether the multitude of medications that I’ve been on for 9 months could impact on the results of my bloods.

Thankfully I’ve not had any stomach issues during Covid, if anything Ive put weight on and apart from a raised cholesterol level, my blood screens appear ok.

Confused and concerned!

[liver-bird]

Dear Burnie, so sorry you have been suffering this horrible virus and hope it will clear soon. If you have coeliac disease your blood can contain antibodies indicating you have reacted to gluten. However they do not diagnose you on the strength of this because it is just an indicator. To diagnose coeliac you have to have an endoscopy looking for damage to the villi in your intestine. I was told I had so many antibodies that it was most likely to be coeliac but I still had to have the endoscopy. Hope that clears it for you. All the best. Diane 🙂

[Hidden]

Hi

If your blood test shows coeliac, there is a pathway that now needs to be followed. If you GP has not followed up on that pathway, that is of major concern and you need to lodge that with the GP as a matter of complaint. If blood test shows coeliac result, you have coeliac, but you will need referral for a biopsy to confirm the blood test, and need to remain on a gluten containing diet until that happens. You will also need referring to a dietician and to look at other health issues that coeliac can lead to, e.g. bone density issues, low mineral/vitamin levels, depending on how long you have had coeliac for. Please do complain immediately to that GP regarding lack of intervention/pathway.

There is possibility that the symptoms you list for long covid could also be down to coeliac. It's common for undiagnosed coeliac to result in fatigue, weight issues, neurological issues, etc, so once you are diagnosed and on the gluten free pathway, many of the long covid issues may resolve. You'll find helpful threads on here for those recently diagnosed. It is very important you keep gluten in your diet if being referred for biopsy as you need damage to show in the biopsy and the gut starts to heal once gluten removed.

Liver issues can be side issue for those with undiagnosed coeliac, or may be the covid, I'm no expert on that, but it's my understanding that the liver is a 'forgiving' organ that can repair quite well once circumstances improve.

Seems generally you have been cast adrift with all this, so I would suggest book a long appointment with your GP (some surgeries offer 20 minute appointments on request), write down your concerns, requests and make a nuisance of yourself.

Good luck