Positive Coeliac Antibodies

The Department will periodically contact patients waiting for an outpatient clinic appointment via SMS, with a link to an electronic form.  This is part of routine waitlist auditing 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