Question On Blood Tests

[Syracusegirl1999]

I've read about the specific blood tests that indicate ones issues with gluten. However, I was wondering whether anyone knows whether there are blood tests that might show results that are pre-cursors for gluten issues. For instance, if ones tests come back as low calcium then the doctor might prescribe calcium supplement to help build bone strength. Is anyone aware of other tests that might indicate a problem could be on the horizon, but not showing yet?

 

Or maybe I'm not phrasing it correctly . . . let me know if I need to clarify.

[GF Lover]

Just from reading others stories, malabsorption seems to be a problem.  Along with that comes deficiencies with vitamins.  Other AI issues also seem to be common.  There are currently no tests available to measure if Celiac will occur in the future. 

 

I hope this helps.

 

Colleen

[nvsmom]

The genetic tests are sometimes used to indicate whether a person has a higher chance of getting celiac. I don't know much about it, never having it done myself, but I believe the tests are for the DQ2 and DQ8 genes. About 30% of the population has those genes yet only a small percentage of those people will develop celiac disease - it is rare for a person to develop celiac disease who does not have the genes.

 

If you want to check the nutrient levels that celiacs are often low due to celiac disease they are D, A, B12, calcium, potassium, iron, ferritin, zinc, copper and magnesium. I personally don't believe that the levels are low due solely to damaged villi though, I think it's more to do with inflammation. This is just my (slightly educated) guess based on my own experiences. I was an undiagnosed celiac for 38 years with high blood tests results that took over a year to finally come down; I'm guessing the damage was not minimal but I was only barely low in A, on the lower end of normal for D and zinc, normal for everything else, and high in B12.... and none of that has changed yet.

 

Were tested for celiac disease yet had negative results? If you suspect gluten is an issue for you in spite of still negative tests, you might want to consider going gluten-free now - why wait for more extreme damage to emerge?  Although that's waht doctors usually suggest. 

 

Best wishes.  

[Syracusegirl1999]

Awesome - thanks to you both! I have done a lot of reading about all this, and your answers really helped. 

 

Blood test for me was negative, though prior to taking it I had been limiting my gluten intake. I have gone gluten-free in the last week, and am feeling better, so if I'm not gluten intolerant I believe I am gluten sensitive. My Vitamin D numbers are at 13 (range of 30-100), so I am taking a supplement for that (because the sun and I are NOT friends!). Also, I am in the process of changing doctors, and though I'd love to have the tests run again, I'm not sure I want to go back to eating gluten (since giving it up, less D and far less sinus congestion, but that's only the first week).

 

Thank you! 

[nvsmom]

Hope you continue to feel better!