Barium Test?

[jajus100]

Okay, so I finally had my first meeting with my GI. Not exactly a friendly kind of guy. He said the Celiac blood test that my GP ran, ruled out Celiac. It had shown IGG as a strong postive but the IGA was 0 and the Ttg was only 1. I asked about the lack of a Total IGA serum test, but he didn't seem too concerned. I wish they would just run it to be sure...how difficult would that be? He said the Igg being high could be the result of anything and isn't a good test for Celiac at all so it should be disregarded. Wouldn't that at least point to intolerance?

So, anyway, now I have a barium test scheduled for next week. Then I have to catch and turn in three days of samples after eating a high fat diet. Sounds rather gross and disgusting to me. He didn't even tell me what he is testing for. Any ideas?

Everyone else here seems like they took the long way around to get to Celiac. My doctor thought that is what it was when I first saw her, but now they are looking for other things.

[nettiebeads]

Then I have to catch and turn in three days of samples after eating a high fat diet.  Sounds rather gross and disgusting to me.  He didn't even tell me what he is testing for.  Any ideas?

Everyone else here seems like they took the long way around to get to Celiac.  My doctor thought that is what it was when I first saw her, but now they are looking for other things.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I don't know about the bloodwork, but the catches you are turning in are to measure malabsorption issues. A very high fat in the samples points to malabsorption and rules in celiac disease. Have you just simply tried the gluten-free diet? That's what my gp did to me 9 years ago. I haven't bothered with anything else, but am thinking about the gene testing when I have money. I don't think my insurance would cover it. But then again, I suppose I could talk to the benefits coordinator at my work which happens to be - ME!

[NYCEthan]

It's a shame your doc isn't aware that IgA deficient people usually test negative for for celiac - the blood test only works on people who produce IgA. There are studies

IgA deficient people are 10 times more likely to have celiac - the two are somehow related, so it's no surprise.

You should do some research on IgA deficiency - it will help (as it did for me) explain why you're entire life you've probably had a harder time than most people shaking off upper respiratory infections and perhaps gi infections (e.g. ghiardia). Your body does not make a very common immune cell - the first line of defense - IgA. It lines the mucous membranes of most people and helps shed off pathogens. Like me, your body does not make any which is why its easier for us to get certain infections.

It also means, and your doctor should know, that the standard blood test for celiac is meaningless.