Jump to content
This site uses cookies. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. More Info... ×
  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.




  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):



    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):


  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Help Celiac.com:
    eNewsletter
    Donate

Positive Dgp Test While On gluten-free Diet - Should I Get Endoscopy?


Kias4

Recommended Posts

Kias4 Apprentice

Hi,

 

I went gluten-free three years ago without any celiac testing at the recommendation of an (obviously ill-informed) doctor when I was experiencing severe GI distress with no known cause after the birth of our first son.  My GI symptoms disappeared (until a few months ago, but more on that in a moment).  I always just assumed I was gluten-intolerant and told people so, and I assumed that having celiac disease was very unlikely due to the low incidence rate.  Additionally, I knew I'd have to consume gluten to get tested for celiac disease, and I wasn't willing to put myself through that.  Then within the last six months I started having recurring GI problems again.  I thought I was on a decent gluten-free diet so assumed that something else must be going on, such as a soy issue.  

 

Last week an allergist requested to run the celiac tests on my blood, and I said ok despite telling him that I knew it would come back negative regardless of my disease status since I had been on a gluten-free diet for years. Shockingly, the DGP IgA came back positive.

 

My question is, should I just assume that I have celiac disease, or should I go through with a gluten challenge and getting an endoscopy?  I get SO sick from consuming gluten, and as a result of last week's blood tests I've realized that I was obviously consuming hidden gluten and that it was likely the cause of my recent GI distress.  However, I doubt it's been enough gluten to result in a positive biopsy.  And I just can't imagine consuming large amounts of gluten for the biopsy considering how sick I've been lately with only consuming trace amounts of gluten.  Prior to starting the gluten-free diet three years ago, I was having severe bloating and cramping and diarrhea 4 to 5 times per day alternated with days of constipation.  I would imagine that my reaction would be even worse now that I've been (attempting) gluten-free for three years.

 

What are everyone's thoughts?  Label myself as celiac or try to do a gluten challenge?

 

 

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):



Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):



nvsmom Community Regular

The DGP tests are one of the fastest to turn positive if gluten is sneaking into your diet. Is it possible that you are getting some gluten in soy sauce, lotions or hair products, BBQ sauces or cross contaminated food like butter?

 

That test is pretty specific to celiac disease, so if it's positive, it is probably due to celiac disease - especially when you have gluten intolerance symptoms.  

 

Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Kias4 Apprentice

The DGP tests are one of the fastest to turn positive if gluten is sneaking into your diet. Is it possible that you are getting some gluten in soy sauce, lotions or hair products, BBQ sauces or cross contaminated food like butter?

 

That test is pretty specific to celiac disease, so if it's positive, it is probably due to celiac disease - especially when you have gluten intolerance symptoms.  

 

Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

Thank you so much for your reply.  I do not eat gluten-containing soy sauce or bbq sauce.  I check the labels on everything.  However, I haven't been watching my personal care products (shampoo, lotion) and I also haven't been careful with contaminated condiments.  I live in a house with 3 gluten eaters, and so I obviously need to be much more careful.  We are currently taking the steps to eliminate all possibilities for cross-contamination.

 

I am still up in the air on the gluten challenge and biopsy. It seems absolutely crazy to me that doctors ask you to ruin your body so that they can make sure it gets ruined.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
nvsmom Community Regular

I am still up in the air on the gluten challenge and biopsy. It seems absolutely crazy to me that doctors ask you to ruin your body so that they can make sure it gets ruined.

 

I hear you on that!  I skipped the biopsy myself after having a positive tTG IgA and EMA IgA. I feel quite a bit better gluten-free, so I think I did the right thing.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.


  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):



  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      120,156
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748

    Lisa Pieterse
    Newest Member
    Lisa Pieterse
    Joined

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):


  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      120.2k
    • Total Posts
      1m

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):





  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):



  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • CatherineWang
      I'm pretty sure that in stores, you can find plenty of gluten-free options. But they are usually a bit more expensive.
    • cristiana
      Hello @BunnyBrown and welcome to the forum. I cannot say that I have had the procedure you describe, but recently I did have general surgery and was routinely intubated.  That pain was what troubled me most after the operation, far more than the operation site.  It took a few days to really settle down, I was quite badly bruised. It was taking so long I was a bit concerned so asked the question on another forum. A few patients came back to me and said they had suffered the same.  I imagine in my own case possibly the throat got bashed about a bit,  maybe they had difficult inserting the tube?  I've suffered with a painful throat post-endoscopy too, but never as long as the intubation pain.   I hope you will be feeling better very soon.   PS BTW - love the name!  I saw this today in an Easter display in a shop and your name reminded me of it.🙂  
    • cristiana
      This wonderful, Anne. I think you have a point about why people disappear off forums.  I found the first few years post diagnosis a real struggle and frankly wondered if I would ever feel better (not to dishearten people, but just to say it can take a while longer for some folk to heal).  However, once my antibodies were back within normal range it really has made a big difference to my health.  I've chosen to stick around because I'm a Mod, otherwise I might have been one of those that disappeared, too!      
    • Exchange Students
      Yes absolutely, we work with all public schools and some private schools in all 50 states.
    • Scott Adams
      Just a quick question, can the host live in any state in the USA?
×
×
  • Create New...