1.9K Reviews | 4.7 Star Rating | 20+ years of experience | 72k+ Patients Treated
Top Celiac Disease Doctor
Dr. Scott works as a specialist in diagnosis and treatment of celiac disease at GastroDoxs in Houston through individual care plan. His testing and professional level of advice on diets and help enable patients to live a gluten free based lifestyle and manage the symptoms, achieving intestinal recovery and health.
Dr. Scott Liu, MD, is a board-certified gastroenterologist with over six years of experience and a background in military medicine. He earned his medical degree from the University of Maryland, Baltimore, completed his Internal Medicine residency at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth, and finished his Gastroenterology fellowship through the National Capital Consortium. Dr. Liu provides comprehensive care for a broad range of digestive conditions, including abdominal pain, acid reflux, liver disease, chronic diarrhea, and colon cancer screening. He is a member of the American College of Gastroenterology and is known for his disciplined, patient-focused approach and clear communication.
Common Causes and Risk Factors
Celiac disease in the family.
HLA-DQ2 or HLA-DQ8 gene.
Other autoimmune diseases (e.g., Type 1 diabetes, thyroid disease).
Previous history of gastrointestinal infections or great disease.
Age over 30 years
Signs and Symptoms
Persistent diarrhea, gases or swellings.
Feeling of being tired or weak.
Unexplained weight loss
Iron-deficiency anemia
Dermatitis herpetiformis (itchy and blistering skin rash)
How Dr. Scott Diagnoses This Condition?
Dr. Scott uses a step-by-step approach:
Medical History and Exam
He checks your bellyache or stomachache, or the existence of a pain in the upper-abdomen, legs swelling, fatigue, and history of your heart-failure and contributing circumstances.
Blood Tests
To rule out the other causes of liver damage, we measure liver enzymes (AST, ALT), bilirubin, albumin, and heart-failure biomarkers.
Imaging Studies
Sclerotic and venous Sclerotic and venous: Liver ultrasound or stiffness and venous elastography.
Echocardiogram to evaluate the cardiac output and the right-sided pressures and their effects on the liver.
Advanced Testing (if needed)
Rarely liver biopsy is employed to determine the degree of fibrosis. In other cases, the measurement of the pressure would be necessary and right-heart catheterization or cardiac MRI might be used.
Treatment
Our Team offers a full range of care for celiac disease.
1. Diet and Lifestyle Changes
Customized gluten-free diets which were developed by Dr. Scott and our dieticians.
Substituting the gluten grains, i.e. wheat with gluten-free grains, i.e. rice, corn and quinoa grains.
Instruction of label reading and avoidance of cross-contact either at home or in a restaurant.
2. Medications and Supplements
To counteract nutritional deficiencies, iron, vitamin D and calcium supplements.
Probiotics or anti-diarrheal medication to take temporarily to alleviate abdominal pain.
3. Minimally Invasive or Advanced Procedures
Endoscopic biopsy to establish intestinal damage and recovery.
Specialized imaging to determine inflammation or strictures of the small intestine.
Genetic testing (HLA-DQ2/DQ8) and lifelong follow-up to achieve the maximum absorption of nutrients.
Dr. Scott Liu, MD, is a board-certified gastroenterologist with over six years of experience and a background in military medicine. He earned his medical degree from the University of Maryland, Baltimore, completed his Internal Medicine residency at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth, and finished his Gastroenterology fellowship through the National Capital Consortium. Dr. Liu provides comprehensive care for a broad range of digestive conditions, including abdominal pain, acid reflux, liver disease, chronic diarrhea, and colon cancer screening. He is a member of the American College of Gastroenterology and is known for his disciplined, patient-focused approach and clear communication.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I require testing of the celiac disease?
You need to discuss with Dr. Scott testing in case you have stomach problems that fail to resolve and some family history thereof.
How is the difference between the celiac disease and gluten intolerance?
Celiac disease is caused by the destruction of the small intestine that is caused by the immune system. Gluten intolerance will cause some discomfort however no permanent gut damage.
I would like to understand whether one can avoid gluten before taking a test?
No. You must keep on consuming gluten in a period of testing- False-negative may occur due to premature gluten intolerance.
How long would it take to feel better with a gluten-free diet?
Relief in most of the patients occurs in few weeks and the intestinal recovery can be done in few months.
Is celiac an inherited disease in the family?
Yes. The risk is greater among first-degree family members and predisposition can be indicated using genetic markers (HLA-DQ2/DQ8).
Can one eat oats when having celiac disease?
No others gluten-free. Common oats tend to be mixed with wheat, and can be contaminated.
Are children treated differently?
The diagnostics is unchanged, and the diets are customized to the needs of a child with the help of pediatric dietitians.
