Will a colonoscopy detect celiac disease?
Celiac disease is an autoimmune condition that damages the small intestine. It is triggered by an immune reaction to gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley, rye, and some other grains. When someone with celiac disease eats gluten, their immune system attacks the small intestine, causing inflammation and damage. This damage can lead to a variety of symptoms, including abdominal pain, diarrhea, weight loss, and anemia.
A colonoscopy can help detect certain complications of celiac disease, such as small intestinal lymphoma, a rare type of cancer that can develop in the small intestine. However, a colonoscopy is not the preferred method for diagnosing celiac disease.
The preferred method for diagnosing celiac disease is a blood test. A blood test can measure the levels of certain antibodies in the blood that are associated with celiac disease. If the blood test results suggest celiac disease, a biopsy of the small intestine may be performed to confirm the diagnosis.