Celiac diseaseis not the only condition that can cause some of these changes.
That’s why a biopsy is only one of the diagnostic tests recommended for celiac disease.
Since the intestinal lining appears normal, it’s unlikely that the person has celiac disease.
Science Picture Co. / Getty Images
The presence of too many lymphocytes indicates inflammation and the potential for damage.
If you have stage 1, your pathology report will likely read “increasedintraepitheliallymphocytes.”
Celiac disease isn’t the only condition that can cause an increase in disease-fighting lymphocytes.
© Ludvigsson et al, 2009
You may have more lymphocytes if you have inflammatory bowel disease,Sjogren’sdisease, and other food intolerances.
These depressions are called “crypts.”
Larger-than-normal crypts are called “hyperplastic.”
© Ludvigsson et al, 2009
Stage 2 is pretty rareit’s mostly seen in people who have dermatitis herpetiformis.
What Is Stage 4 Celiac?
This stage has since been removed from the Marsh Classification since it is believed to involve different disease processes.
Your Marsh score will determine whether you have celiac disease and how much it has damaged your intestinal villi.
2015;8:257265. doi:10.2147/CCID.S69127
Celiac Disease Foundation.Diagnosis.
Proposed diagnostic scheme for celiac disease (DSCNC).Arch Clin Gastroenterol.
2022;8(1):008-19. doi:10.17352/2455-2283.000106
Holmes G.No-biopsy diagnostic approach to coeliac disease.Gastroenterol Hepatol Bed Bench.
2023;16(2):112-117. doi:10.22037/ghfbb.v16i2.2706
Celiac Disease Foundation.Testing.
Celiac Disease Foundation.Treatment & follow-up.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Celiac disease.
