Testing Question

[rjshill]

I have been having symptoms of gas bloating diarrhea and constipation alternating fatigue headache low vit. d (extremely) boarder line low b12 and depression for the past 2 years. Last summer I had a celiac lab panel completed and the doctor said it was negative. I then had an upper endoscopy. The GI doc said that my bowel had a very smooth appearance and he suspected celiac. However, he only took one biopsy and then said the result came back negative. The pathologist never commented on the villi on his report. I am trying to decide whether just to go ahead and try going gluten free and seeing if it helps or if I need to push for more testing to get a valid negative test result. Any opinions?

[mushroom]

Do you have a copy of the results of the celiac panel that was run?  Sometimes this can provide some clues, especially if he went on to do the endo with biopsy.  If you don't have a copy it is always a good idea to get one, and if you would care to share we might be able to comment.  One sample is certainly not diagnostic on the endo because celiac often has a very patchy presentation and it is easy to miss damaged areas.  A minimum of 6 is recommended. 

[rjshill]

so it says ttg antibody, iga < 3 was my results and < 5 is what they refrence as negative my immunoglobulin a was was 155 81-463 normal. These are the only labs she ran to say my celiac labs were negative. Can anyone help me with these?

[mushroom]

That tTG is definitely negative, and is validated by your normal immunoglobulin result.  BUT, the tTG was the onlly test run.  I would try to have a doctor order the DGP (Deamidated Gliadin Peptide) in both IgA and IgG versions.  This is a newer test and more sensitive and specific to celiac than any of the other tests.  If this is also negative then you may well be non-celiac gluten intolerant.  You would need to be gluten free either way and once all testing is completed give the diet a good 4-6 month trial.