Positive Coeliac Antibodies

From April – August 2022, the Department will contact patients waiting for an outpatient clinic appointment via SMS, with a link to an electronic form. This forms part of a routine audit to ensure patient details are up to date. If you receive this SMS, please update your details.

Availability

North South North West Statewide

Pre-referral work-up

History

All referrals should comply with referral standards and specifically include:

  • Family history
  • Duration of symptoms
  • Pattern and severity of symptoms

Tests

Initial work up:

  • FBE and ESR
  • U&Es
  • LFTs
  • Anti-transglutaminase IgA, Total IgA level
  • Iron studies
  • B12
  • Red cell folate

Interim/GP management

To refer a patient with this condition, please see the Gastroenterology clinic page for the full referral process and templates.

Note: Please do not start on gluten-free diet until after biopsy has been performed.

For more information please see the Tasmanian Health Pathways website.

Semi-urgent / category 2

Coeliac antibodies strongly suggestive of coeliac disease.

When combined with at least one of the    following symptoms:

  • Progressive weight loss
  • Abdominal pain
  • Severe diarrhoea

Routine / category 3

Clinical suspicion of coeliac disease and/ or equivocal antibody results

Red flags are clinical indicators of possible serious underlying conditions requiring further medical intervention. They may or may not indicate an emergency.

GESA Guideline:Coeliac Disease (2007)

Emergency:

Proceed to Emergency Department (ED).
LGH ED Reception  – Phone: (03) 6777 6405  Fax: (03) 6777 5201
MCH ED* – Phone: (03) 6478 5120  Fax: (03) 6441 5923
NWRH ED* – Phone: (03) 6493 6351 Fax: (03) 6464 1926
RHH ED Reception – Phone: (03) 6166 6100  Fax: (03) 6173 0489

Advice for medical practitioners can be given by the Medical Officer In Charge (MOIC) - see HealthPathways Tasmania for contact information.
*MCH and NWRH MOICs request GPs call them prior to referring a patient to ensure the patient is being sent appropriately to a safe destination.

Urgent:

We will endeavour to see these patients within four weeks

Urgent referrals should be accompanied by a phone call to the clinic and the relevant doctor for urgent assessment, or patient should be directed immediately to the Emergency Department.

Semi-urgent:

We will endeavour to see these patients within 12 weeks

Routine:

Next available appointment