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WARNING:  Individual responses included, so this is a long message.

Thank you very much to everyone who responded!!

I had 20+ responses.  Here are the numbers: 10 said that celiac could be
related to the abnormality.  2 said celiac could not be related.  5 were
unsure.  1 had never had an abnormal pap smear, and 2 had abnormal pap
smears after having changed to a GF diet.

Many people pointed out that in untreated CD, you have malnutrition/poor
absorption of nutrients that could quite easily contribute to poor cell
formation or mutation.  One person added that epithelial cells are those
that are damaged in CD, and are the cells which are tested in pap
smears.  There were several people, as well, who pointed out that other
factors (including age, hormone fluctuations related to menopause,
smoking, etc) can contribute to abnormal pap smears.  So, essentially, I
think a lot of this depends on the individual and we can't make a
general assumption that celiac leads to abnormal pap smears.  For me,
personally, it makes sense that it was involved because I have seen
other hormonal/reproductive changes (for the better!) since changing to
a GF diet.

Thank you to everyone who suggested that I get a second opinion or have
a re-test done, seeing that false negatives are not rare and cervical
dysplasia IS a precancerous condition and thus nothing to be messed around with.

Stefanie
(Virginia, USA)

======================================================ot

I have a theory that while our immune systems are grappling with the
evil gluten, they cannot spare resources to combat other problems. So,
maybe by going gf, you freed up your immune system so it could fight off
the abnormal cells. It seems plausible, but difficult to prove, of
course.

Yes, it is very common when one switches to the gf diet.  I wish I had
known that BEFORE going to have a pap smear.  Guess what? The cells that
do a pap smear reading on are epithelial cells and that is what is
damaged from having not been on a gf diet!  Unfortunately for me and you
too, our pap smear came up right after going on the gf diet.  If one
waits for 6 months to a year, they will usually come up normal again,
because the cells have gotten repaired from being on a gf diet.

In May of 2000 I had my first abnormal pap smear, had the colposcopy in
Jan 2001 (I had cervical dysplasia but the test for HPV was negative)
then the follow up in July 2001. I go back in Jan 2002 for the next 6
mon pap, I hope it will be normal. I have been gluten free since August
1999= . The first year was really hard, I lost lots of weight and did
not know what to eat, so I attributed the abnormal pap to the
malnutrition and possibly smoking, I was a social smoker. I quit smoking
as soon as I found out about the abnormal result so that will probably
help too. My level of abnormalcy was low, like in the first stage to
second stage (can't remember) so the problem was discovered before any
real abnormal growth took hold, although it is persisting...

Yes, isn't it wonderful?  And why not relate it all back to CD?  It's gotta
be the reason.

Although I don't have celiac disease of a history of abnormal pap
smears, I have worked in a gyn office for 17 years.  In my opinion the
connection between celiac disease and abnormal pap smears, if there is
one, is that malabsorption due to non-compliance to a gluten-free diet
doesn't allow the body's immune system to fight various microorganisms
or viruses which may affect the normal flora of the vagina and in turn
have an effect on the pap smear.  Also, for the same reason a decrease
in the amount of estrogen produced by the body can lead to lack of
estrogen in the vaginal which also can lead to abnormal pap smears.
Other factors also affect pap smears such as smoking and sexual history.
A pap smear need s to be understood in the context of the individual and
should not be explained away simply.

I could have written your post.  I had a number of abnormal pap smears
and then about 10 years ago they became normal and have been normal ever
since. About 6 years ago an ultrasound (I was pregnant with me daughter)
showed fibroid tumors.  I've always thought this was related to the
abnormal paps but best I get from the doctor is possible, or maybe.  And
anyway my paps are normal now, The only difference between your
experience and mine is that I am not GF.  I have a celiac daughter but
am not (I have been tested)  This doesn't mean your change is not
related to gluten but based on my experience it may not be.

yes mine was "abnormal" too- doc thinks it was yeast- and now it comes back
ok since going gf

Oh boy.  First of all, it is still not uncommon to have a "false
negative".  If you have had abnormal paps for two years..........and
haven't had any treatments (laser, etc) I would suggest you get a second
opinion before relaxing.  I have had cervical cancer (15 years ago after
a false negative 5 months previous) before CD diagnosis (2 years ago)
and NEVER had an abnormal pap before the cancer was found, or since it
was removed.  It is really nothing to mess around with.

Get a new doctor quick! It has NOTHING to do with Celiac disease.  I
have had A LOT of experience with this. Dysplasia are pre-cancerous
cells. Getting a "normal" means nothing at this point since most labs
barely look at each slide. Please, as some one who has been through this
call your local hospital and get the name of a great doctor and get a
second opinion.  I don't mean to scare you, if you want more info I'll
be happy to fill you in.  but in the mean time get another name.  By the
way I am a biopsy diagnosed celiac. My CD was not triggered until 10
years after I had my problem.

I had several abnormal pap smears when I was younger. (I'm 52 now.) I
was diagnosed with cervical dysplasia in 1974 and had cryosurgery. I
think all my pap smears were normal after that. (It's hard to remember
back that far!) I wasn't diagnosed with CD until this year, and I do
think many of my considerable reproductive system problems (including
infertility, amenorrhea, and miscarriages) were due to undiagnosed
celiac disease.

I have had abnormal paps, in the same class as yours, and then have had
normal ones after that.  I am following a GF diet now, but only for the
past month or so.  My last several paps have been normal even tho I was
ingesting gluten.  It is an interesting thought, though.  I will look
forward to the summary.  So many things can affect the appearance of the
cells, which is why the lower class of paps don't cause a lot of alarm,
just require follow up to be sure the cells don't progress to a more
serious form. So much to learn about this CD, eh?

Twice in the past 4 years, I've had to have a re-test for abnormal pap
smear results.  In both cases, nothing abnormal/unusual was ultimately
concluded.= I'm going in for my annual next week so we'll see what
happens now that I'= ve been GF for a year.  I've been told that what
happens is that their resolution on their results is getting better, but
the definitions of where good and bad lie haven't changed.  So
generally, when you go in for a re-test, they're more careful and use a
more precise test to pinpoint what may have caused the abnormality of
the first test -- not related to CD at all if this is the case.

No sorry, I have never had an abnormal pap test. Diagnosed with CD two
years ago.

I had the same problem for about a 2-3 years time frame in the early
80's. The docs kept saying, we just need to watch it.  Finally, I asked
my gyn if this was precancer and if they were waiting for it to turn
into cancer.  She said bluntly that that was about it.  I asked if there
was anything that she had heard of, proven or not, that might make the
abnormality go away.  She said there was some research being done
(unproven in the late 80') that a prenatal dose of folic acid could
repair damage.  A prenatal dose is 800 mcg of folic acid a day. My multi
already contained 400 mcg so I added a 400 mcg folic acid daily
supplement.  Went back in 3 months - and no problem ever since.  I still
take 800 mcg daily. There is nothing else to which I can attribute the
cure. Good luck.  800 mcg's of folic acid can't hurt you.

Well, Celiac's is an autoimmune disorder and responsible for a
disruptive immune system. Your immune system is very important and can
effect your body in such away it be responsible for the development of
cancer. I am sure you know that, so why is it so difficult to except
that maybe just maybe it was the Celiac's??? I have ovarian cyst and I
believe the Celiac's is responsible for this reason with Celiac's you do
not absorb vital nutrients which can lead to chronic deficiencies I
think I am correct in saying that it can fowl up a person's hormonal
balance and cause the development of many disorders?  I had to many
woman respond to my subject about ovarian cyst and Celiac's.  If you
think on it as a whole what all Celiac can do to your body it will not
be difficult for you to see what I am saying.

This may not be a similar experience, but it's sort of relevant.  I am now 4=
4, was diagnosed last April with celiac.  When I was about 27 my pap smears
started being different, to the point I had to have a cone biopsy to remove
the dysplastic stuff from my cervix.  There has been no recurrence of
any different readings.  We're all different, yet somehow similar?   I
hope this helps.

My wife (who might have CD but I doubt it) went thru the same experience.  (=
I have CD/DH).

Yes, I have. I think it was just a fluke. I had a hyst 20 yrs ago. Have
pap tests every year. Last year, it came back abnormal and I had to have
a biopsy. Ouch, that hurts....all was clear again. I have been gl/f over
25 yrs so it could not have anything to do with it.

I started having abnormal paps AFTER going GF so I'm just the opposite--
I was wondering if the CD CAUSED my abnormal ones, but they say there is
no connection, but who knows!