Initial discussion with GI today

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tex
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Post by tex »

Elizabeth wrote:Can you tell me more about this staining business? I don't know anything about it, and it would be good to understand it before I schedule the sig.
Are you referring to the mast cell stain? If so, the pathologist will need to use a special tryptase-based stain, to make the mast cells more easily visible, before he or she examines your biopsy slides. The gastroenterologist needs to request a mast cell count when he or she submits the samples to the path lab, because otherwise, they won't do it, and most labs don't even stock the stain, so they have to special order it.

Tex
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It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
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Beth
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Post by Beth »

Yes, that's what I was referring to. Thanks for this info! It's really helpful. Now I know what to request. Is this a fairly definitive test, btw?
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tex
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Post by tex »

It will definitely show whether or not you have an increased mast cell count in the lamina propria of the mucosa of your intestines. Unfortunately, though, you can still have MCAS, (mast cell activation syndrome), even if the count is normal. With MCAS, even normal numbers of mast cells tend to degranulate inappropriately, (releasing inflammatory modulators, when they shouldn't). IOW, the mast cell count can confirm that mast cells are a problem, but a normal count can't rule out mast cell issues.

Tex
:cowboy:

It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
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