Trying To Make Sense Out Of My Test. Dr Says Celiac For Sure?

[scratchdent2003]

Here are my test results, I see only one high, but dr. Says I have celiac for sure. Can some one tell me if this makes sense and if this test shows positive?

Deamidated Gliadin Abs, IgA 33 units 0-19 Final Above Normal High

Deamidated Gliadin Abs, IgG 3 units 0-19 Final

t-Transglutaminase (tTG) IgA< 2 U/mL 0-3 Final

t-Transglutaminase (tTG) IgG< 2 U/mL 0-5 Final

Endomysial Antibody IgA Negative Negative Final

Immunoglobulin A, Qn, Serum351 mg/dL91-414 Final

[powerofpositivethinking]

welcome!

 

did you get your panel run by Labcorp?  My panel looked very similar except that my only positive value was on the DGP IgG test.  I ended up getting a strong positive on it three times, so it wasn't a lab error.  DGP, like the TTG, tests detect intestinal damage.  What were your doctor's recommendations after the test?  Endoscopy with biopsies?  Repeat blood test?  

 

I had vitamin/mineral deficiencies, but because I didn't get a positive biopsy my GI wouldn't diagnose me with celiac.  He took 8 biopsies but even admitted he could have missed the damage.  A lot of my symptoms have resolved on the gluten-free diet, so I tell people I have celiac disease because DGP IgG is the most specific test for celiac at 99%.  What else can it be  

 

What prompted you to get tested in the first place?

 

Don't stop eating gluten until you are positive all your testing is complete 

[scratchdent2003]

Yes, my main problem is left side pian I get dull pain that is always there. It does seam to move around a bit but is always there. Is more painful some days than other. I am 2 months gluten free and pain is still there.... better most days but some days it still comes back worse... Also have lose stool for years.... but the pain is what got me to the dr. In the first place and then yes I found out more symptoms such as a bit dizzy once and a while... that I awalys just took as I was tired and over working... also my finger nails are dented and not from me damaging them.... also the lack of energy always I lived off redbulls....lol....also high blood presure that now is normal again after 2 months gluten free....... also have muscle twitching all over my body that I just thought was normal. ....now those have also gone away.....

My primary Dr. Has not asked for anyother testing. Said the blood test and my symptoms are enough and gave me the celiac tag...lol said I had it for sure.... I did have 2 moths before blood test a scope down my throat and looked for ulcers and any other problems down there since I was having this pain.... the scope came back all clear but for a very small hihetal hernia that the dr said was nothing and very small.... this was a diff dr. A gi dr.they took only 3 biopsys when they where in with scope. Again this was done before celiac was really brought up and before blood test was done.

So I was not sure how to read the blood test and if that was a real positive or not?

[mamafish]

Here are my test results, I see only one high, but dr. Says I have celiac for sure. Can some one tell me if this makes sense and if this test shows positive?

Deamidated Gliadin Abs, IgA 33 units 0-19 Final Above Normal High

Deamidated Gliadin Abs, IgG 3 units 0-19 Final

t-Transglutaminase (tTG) IgA< 2 U/mL 0-3 Final

t-Transglutaminase (tTG) IgG< 2 U/mL 0-5 Final

Endomysial Antibody IgA Negative Negative Final

Immunoglobulin A, Qn, Serum351 mg/dL91-414 Final

 

Definitely not conclusive.  Your first two tests are the IgA-DGP (positive) and the IgG-DGP - you might find it easier to learn about them online with those names.  Anyhow, Open Original Shared Link gives an example of the sensitivity and specificity of those tests, which means how likely are you to get false negative or false positive readings.  For the IgA-DGP, which is the only one you have an abnormal level on, there's about a 20% chance that is a wrong answer.  Combined with negative results on all the other blood screens and normal IgA levels, and I have no idea how your doc thinks you have celiac "for sure"?

[mamafish]

I am 2 months gluten free and pain is still there.... 

 

Wait - you've been off gluten for two months?  And the blood tests were just done?  I'm new to celiac stuff, but I know the testing needs to be done while you're still consuming gluten.  

Will wait for more experienced people to chime in!

[scratchdent2003]

No at the time of the blood test I was still eating gluten.

[GottaSki]

I agree with the doctor - very few are willing to diagnose based on positive blood along with symptom resolution.

 

At 43, I was only weakly positive on all antibodies except the DGP-IgG was much higher.  I had severe intestinal damage and had symptoms now known to be associated with Celiac Disease since childhood.  My children (adult and teens at the time) all had symptoms and only positive DGP-IgG -- they all had symptom improvement &/or resolution gluten-free.

 

For me - I would never suggest anyone wait until all the antibody tests are positive to remove gluten, but it is a shame samples were not taken during your endoscopy - unfortunately not all GIs are looking for Celiac Disease.

 

I do suggest you have your panel redone at six months and perhaps as your doctor for a gene test? 

 

Only other option would be a gluten challenge to have another endoscopy performed which really depends on your ability to consume gluten now that it has been removed.

[powerofpositivethinking]

I agree with Lisa.  Your doctor is being proactive.  You didn't score a 20 on the test right above the mark, but a 33, which is a definite positive.  

 

Someone made a comment once that I think of often...if you had high cholesterol would the doctor let it go until you had a heart attack...no.  Unfortunately a lot of doctors think that one positive isn't a big deal, but it is in my opinion.  Your body is responding negatively to gluten, so be proactive and remove it before worse things happen.  

 

Take a look at p.12 of this link for more specifics regarding the DGP IgA test.

 

Open Original Shared Link

 

I agree with the doctor - very few are willing to diagnose based on positive blood along with symptom resolution.

 

 

The things we accept as normal    My nails have gotten stronger gluten free, and I can relate to the muscle twitches and dizziness.  The muscle twitching mostly happened when I was laying in bed.  Sometimes I would watch my toes move all by themselves even though I wasn't making them move on purpose...weird.  Every so often I would get a full on body twitch, but since going gluten free they have gone away.  I also got diagnosed with a medium sized hiatal hernia during my EGD.  

 

Have you tried giving up dairy for awhile also to see if it eases up the left side pain more and helps with loose stools?  Have you ever been tested for lactose intolerance?

 

 

Yes, my main problem is left side pian I get dull pain that is always there. It does seam to move around a bit but is always there. Is more painful some days than other. I am 2 months gluten free and pain is still there.... better most days but some days it still comes back worse... Also have lose stool for years.... but the pain is what got me to the dr. In the first place and then yes I found out more symptoms such as a bit dizzy once and a while... that I awalys just took as I was tired and over working... also my finger nails are dented and not from me damaging them.... also the lack of energy always I lived off redbulls....lol....also high blood presure that now is normal again after 2 months gluten free....... also have muscle twitching all over my body that I just thought was normal. ....now those have also gone away.....



My primary Dr. Has not asked for anyother testing. Said the blood test and my symptoms are enough and gave me the celiac tag...lol said I had it for sure.... I did have 2 moths before blood test a scope down my throat and looked for ulcers and any other problems down there since I was having this pain.... the scope came back all clear but for a very small hihetal hernia that the dr said was nothing and very small.... this was a diff dr. A gi dr.they took only 3 biopsys when they where in with scope. Again this was done before celiac was really brought up and before blood test was done.

So I was not sure how to read the blood test and if that was a real positive or not?