Getting Tested For Celiac

[hawkpacific]

Hello all,

 

Per the advice of another member on this forum, I am going to make an appointment with a family practice MD/nutritionist tommorow for a celiac disease test.

 

I am currently eating all the gluten/wheat stuff.

 

I need any information/tips/ and advice on what to ask/which test to get. No one in my family I know of has a diagnosed celiac disease. i am a  29 year old male.

[mushroom]

The following is the list of celiac tests:

 

Anti-Gliadin (AGA) IgA
Anti-Gliadin (AGA) IgG
Anti-Endomysial (EMA) IgA
Anti-Tissue Transglutaminase (tTG) IgA
Deamidated Gliadin Peptide (DGP) IgA and IgG
Total Serum IgA

 

That first two (AGA) are older tests and not so reliable, thus are falling into disuse.  The tests you really want are the last four.

[hawkpacific]

Should I go a primary doctor or a specialist

 

The following is the list of celiac tests:

 

Anti-Gliadin (AGA) IgA
Anti-Gliadin (AGA) IgG
Anti-Endomysial (EMA) IgA
Anti-Tissue Transglutaminase (tTG) IgA
Deamidated Gliadin Peptide (DGP) IgA and IgG
Total Serum IgA

 

That first two (AGA) are older tests and not so reliable, thus are falling into disuse.  The tests you really want are the last four.

Should I go to a primary care doctor or a specialist?

 

Do I need all four of the last tests?

[mushroom]

Your primary care can order the tests.  Make sure that your doctor uses a lab which performs all the tests; if they are not listed on the lab sheet (i.e., just read celiac panel) have him write in what tests he wants (you want ) performed.  Yes, you should have the last four tests.  Some lab protocols will run the EMA only if the tTG is positive though.  The total serum IgA is important because it acts as a control to ensure the accuracy of the other tests.

[hawkpacific]

Your primary care can order the tests.  Make sure that your doctor uses a lab which performs all the tests; if they are not listed on the lab sheet (i.e., just read celiac panel) have him write in what tests he wants (you want ) performed.  Yes, you should have the last four tests.  Some lab protocols will run the EMA only if the tTG is positive though.  The total serum IgA is important because it acts as a control to ensure the accuracy of the other tests.

I know you know what your talking about. But, since the new Dr. may not be familiar with celiac testing, do you have a link to a medical information page that tells which blood tests are most important?

[nvsmom]

Lab Tests On-line might be good enough to show him:

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