What Does This Mean ?

[Siobhan]

I have no celiac symtoms and why I was tested is a long story which I can tell at another time.

Results in are

Gliadin IgA 27 (0 - 33)

tTG IgA 14 (0 - 7) positive

My Dr said I could start a gluten-free diet or see a Gastroenterologist who may need a biopsy to confirm the result.

As I have no symptoms it feels a bit silly to start a diet without a definite dx. but as one test was + I feel it requires further investigation to find an answer.

So my question is if the first test IgA is o.k and only the second test + how reliable is that a celiac diagnosis ??

Would they both not need to be positive ??

Are there false positives with the tTg tests ??

How positive is 14 ? low, medium or high positive.

Thanks so much for reading this.

Siobhan

[Carriefaith]

I think that you should take your doctors advice and see the specialist. The tTg test is highly specific and sensitive to celiac disease, and your score (14) would indicate that you probably have celiac disease. I have heard of slightly elevated false positive on this test, but I believe that your score would not be considered slightly positive. A biopsy would help confirm this test; however, make sure that the doctor takes 4-5 biopsies since the intestinal damage can be patchy. If you are planning on getting a biopsy don't start the diet until after the biopsy. Being on the gluten free diet can give false negatives on celaic tests.

I have no celiac symtoms

Some people with celiac have no symptoms, but they still have intestinal damage.

[jajus100]

My guess is that you have it, too. On the other hand, I wouldn't start the diet until after you get the biopsy. It might affect the results of the biopsy if you stop eating gluten. There is still a chance you don't have it, but not a particularly good one...

[Siobhan]

Thanks for the advice and replies guys.

I had very severe symptoms when I was a started solids (38yrs ago in Ireland) was in hospital for 4 months and dx'd with Celiac disease. Went gluten-free for 4 yrs was tested again and the Drs told my Mum I was cured and could eat normal food. Mum can't remember what that last test was ??

I've wondered about it when I was doing IVF due to fertility problems and a miscarraige but then had a full term baby and forgot about it again.

My next child (2yrs old) non ivf has global developmental delays and severe epilepsy. My research is showing a connection of both to Celiac disease but neither her Pediatrician or Neuro are taking it seriously as my dd doesn't show symptoms.

So my plan was to test me, I'll do the biopsy and then they'll have to test her.

5 anti convulsive drugs were unresponsive so she was put on steroids and pyridoxal phosphate ( which is a B12 coenzyme) at the same time. Seizures stopped within days ! There's a really rare condition where a deficiency in pyrid. phos. redults in seizures but when you supplement with mega doses the seizures stop. The Neuro think its more likely to be the the steroids that are working as this condition is so rare.

Yet I've heard that C.D can lead to a deficiency in B12 ...therefore less pyridoxal phosphate ...etc. I told the Neuro and he said he'd didn't know anything about it but would be interested to read the article.

So anyway with my tTG levels a positive I feel I'm a bit further down the line to solving my little girls problems.

This is such an wonderfully informative board, I've learned so much already.

Thanks so much for your help and advice.

Siobhan