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Preparing for your appointment

By Mayo Clinic staff

Digestive Health

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You may be referred to a doctor who treats digestive diseases (gastroenterologist).

Here's some information to help you prepare for your appointment and know what to expect from your doctor.

What you can do

  • Continue eating a normal diet. If you stop eating gluten before you're tested for celiac disease, you may change the test results.
  • Write down your symptoms, including when they started and how they may have changed over time.
  • Write down key personal information, including any major stresses or recent life changes.
  • Make a list of all medications, vitamins or supplements that you're taking.
  • Write down questions to ask your doctor.

Questions to ask your doctor
Some basic questions to ask your doctor include:

  • What's the most likely cause of my symptoms?
  • Is my condition temporary or long term?
  • What kinds of tests do I need?
  • What treatments can help?
  • Are there any dietary restrictions that I need to follow?
  • How will I learn which foods contain gluten? Should I see a dietitian?
  • If I have celiac disease, will you also test for other conditions such as vitamin or mineral deficiencies, osteoporosis or diabetes?

Don't hesitate to ask other questions during your appointment.

What to expect from your doctor
Be ready to answer questions your doctor may ask:

  • When did you first begin experiencing symptoms, and how severe are they?
  • Have your symptoms been continuous or occasional?
  • What, if anything, seems to improve your symptoms?
  • What, if anything, seems to worsen your symptoms?
  • What medications and pain relievers do you take?
  • Does anyone in your family have celiac disease?
  • Do you or does anyone in your family have an autoimmune disorder?
  • Have you had any blistering or itchy skin rashes with your symptoms?
  • Have you ever been diagnosed with anemia or osteoporosis?
Tests and diagnosis Complications
References
  1. Ludvigsson JF, et al. The Oslo definitions for coeliac disease and related terms. Gut. 2013;62:43.
  2. AskMayoExpert. What are the most common manifestations of celiac disease today? Rochester, Minn.: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; 2012.
  3. Celiac disease. National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/indigestion/index.aspx. Accessed March 20, 2013.
  4. Scanlon SA, et al. Update on celiac disease — etiology, differential diagnosis, drug targets, and management advances. Clinical and Experimental Gastroenterology. 2011;4:297.
  5. Rashtak S, et al. Review article: Coeliac disease, new approaches to therapy. Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics. 2012;35:768.
  6. Rubio-Tapia A, et al. The prevalence of celiac disease in the United States. American Journal of Gastroenterology. 2012;107:1538.
  7. Feldman M, et al. Sleisenger & Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease: Pathophysiology, Diagnosis, Management. 9th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2010. http://www.mdconsult.com/books/about.do?eid=4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-6189-2..X0001-7--TOP&isbn=978-1-4160-6189-2&about=true&uniqId=229935664-2192. Accessed March 21, 2013.
  8. Rubio-Tapia, A, et al. Prevalence of small intestine bacterial overgrowth diagnosed by quantitative culture of intestinal aspirate in celiac disease. Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology. 2009;43:157.
  9. Rubio-Tapia A, et al. Classification and management of refractory coeliac disease. Gut. 2010;59:547. Accessed March 29, 2013.
  10. Walker MM, et al. An update in the diagnosis of coeliac disease. Histopathology. 2011;59:166.
  11. Rubio-Tapia A, et al. Increased prevalence and mortality in undiagnosed celiac disease. Gastroenterology. 2009;137:88.
  12. Presutti, RJ. Celiac disease. American Family Physician. 2007;76:1795.
DS00319 May 22, 2013

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