Positive Blood Test Results--what Does It Mean?

[mom26boys]

Hi! Last week I saw my doctor and asked him to run a test to rule out celiac. I just received my copy in the mail and it says its positive. Here is what the result says:

ENDOMYSIAL AB SCREEN (IGA)

REFLEX TO TITER

ENDOMYSIAL AB(IGA) SCREEN Positive

ENDOMYSIAL AB TITER 1:5

Can anyone tells me what this means? My doctor is on vacation so I have no idea how long it will be before the office calls me about the results. In the meantime, I'm curious to know what this result means. Does it mean I have celiac? Thanks for your help! This is a great forum!!!

[ravenwoodglass]

A postive test result means it is likely that you do have celiac. If you plan on having a biopsy keep eating gluten. If your not having a biopsy then start the diet.

[mom26boys]

A postive test result means it is likely that you do have celiac. If you plan on having a biopsy keep eating gluten. If your not having a biopsy then start the diet.

Thank you. I was afraid of that. I have an appt. with a ge on the 19th, but I dont' know when they will schedule the endoscopy for. I've been gluten-free for about 2 weeks now, and I'm deathly afraid of eating any gluten. I'm even having dreams that I eat a little and then realize it was gluten. LOL Will being gluten-free for a few weeks still make a difference in my endoscopy results, or do you still think I should go back to eating gluten again? Thanks for your help!

[leadmeastray88]

Thank you. I was afraid of that. I have an appt. with a ge on the 19th, but I dont' know when they will schedule the endoscopy for. I've been gluten-free for about 2 weeks now, and I'm deathly afraid of eating any gluten. I'm even having dreams that I eat a little and then realize it was gluten. LOL Will being gluten-free for a few weeks still make a difference in my endoscopy results, or do you still think I should go back to eating gluten again? Thanks for your help!

Going gluten free for any period of time is not a good idea when you're planning on getting a biopsy.

The biopsy is valuable for many reasons, the most important being determining how much damage you may have, as well as ruling out any other conditions. Then if you have a negative biopsy, you may always wonder "what if I hadn't gone gluten free", and be kicking yourself in the hiney for it

If you plan on getting that biopsy, please keep eating gluten until it's done, and hopefully it won't take you too long to get in for the procedure Good luck!

[tarnalberry]

Yes, eating gluten free for a couple of weeks could affect your testing. If you plan to go through with an endoscopy, you should indeed go back to eating gluten.

[mom26boys]

Thank you everyone! I really appreciate your input! I will go back to eating gluten until my test results. You are right. If I'm going to go through the process of testing, then I might as well get the most accurate result I can.

[ravenwoodglass]

Thank you everyone! I really appreciate your input! I will go back to eating gluten until my test results. You are right. If I'm going to go through the process of testing, then I might as well get the most accurate result I can.

If you have been gluten free for a couple weeks you may have a more intense reaction when you add it back in. If you should become severely ill from the challenge do let your doctor know. Some will have you stop the challenge. A dietary challenge is another valid tool in the road to diagnosis. Some doctors recognize this and some don't.

[mom26boys]

If you have been gluten free for a couple weeks you may have a more intense reaction when you add it back in. If you should become severely ill from the challenge do let your doctor know. Some will have you stop the challenge. A dietary challenge is another valid tool in the road to diagnosis. Some doctors recognize this and some don't.

Thank you. Wow! I've learned so much here that I never would have thought of. Thank you for the time you respond to my post