Celiac Or Just Gluten Intolerance?

[Chelsea-Lynne]

I have been seeing a gastroenterologist since the summer because I wanted to get an actual diagnosis. I have been eating gluten free for about 6 years because I thought it made me feel better. I used to get stomach cramps and diarrhea all the time. 

 

I had bloodwork done when I was younger, and the "Tissue Transglutam AB IGA" and "Gliadin AB IGA" were negative. My total IGA was 233, which was in range. The only thing that was positive was "Gliadin AB IGG, and it was 53 (Strong Positive). Those were the only tests I had done when I was younger, and my doctor didn't think I needed further testing. 

 

I had a Celiac Disease Complete Panel several months ago, even though I have been eating gluten-free for around 5 years. My gastroenterologist ordered it just to see I guess. My total IGA was 226, which is in range. The "Deamidated Gliadin Abs IgA" was 6, which is negative. The "Deamidated Gliadin Abs, IgG" was 2, which is negative. The "tTG IgA" and "tTG IgG" were negative as well. I also had the genetic testing done. It says negative for DQ2, but it says positive, one copy also for the alpha subunit I'm guessing. It said positive overall for DQ8, and positive, one copy for both the alpha and beta subunits. So I have one copy of the alpha subunit of DQ2 (overall negative) and one copy of each of the alpha and beta subunits of DQ8 (overall positive). 

 

I then did a gluten challenge and ate gluten for around 6 weeks before having an endoscopy done. My gastro took a lot of biopsies in different areas. I also had the Celiac Panel blood work done again after eating gluten for about 7 weeks. I got all of the results today, and everything was negative. I had no damage at all in my intestines.

 

When I was eating gluten during my gluten challenge, I noticed a lot of bloating and gas, slight headaches, fatigue, and an increase in my anxiety. Could I still have symptoms like that even though I don't have Celiac?

[Marilyn R]

Test results can be "iffy" when it comes to celiac disease or gluten intolerance.  If you feel better on a gluten-free diet, it kinda makes sense to stick with it.

[NoGlutenCooties]

Could I still have symptoms like that even though I don't have Celiac?

 

In a word - yes.  Gluten intolerance can give you all of the various symptoms of Celiac, but without the villi damage.  I agree with Marilyn... if you feel better on a gluten-free diet then stick with the gluten-free diet.  It is your body's way of telling you it isn't happy with gluten.  Just make sure that you're getting enough fiber - which can be a bit more difficult if you aren't eating gluten-containing grains.

[Chelsea-Lynne]

I probably will eat a gluten free diet for the most part, but I like the idea that I could eat gluten if I wanted to if I don't actually have Celiac since it won't cause damage.