Jump to content
  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.




  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):



    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):


  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

Test Results.....worrying?


ButtercupSarah

Recommended Posts

ButtercupSarah Rookie

Hi ya'll

 

I got some new blood work back yesterday and I am not comforted by the results, obviously something is wrong...and I'm not getting any answers.

I am Hypothyroid but non hashimotos and have been gluten free for almost a year

 

I have a couple of off the charts results in inflammation and cortisol:

 

Cortisol 36.4 ug/dl      Range: 2.3-19.4

hs-CRP 6.7                 Range: <1.0

 

Also my TSH is UP from my last bloodwork from 2.5 to 3.09 I finally convinced her to up my armor by 15mcg after she let me sit on the same dose for 9 months.

 

My coritsol is up from my last bloodwork from 34. Adrenal fatigue? My C reactive protein (inflammation) is silly high and I know this can be indicative of celiac. My body has been in so much pain lately that I worry about fibromyalgia. I should get the results of my testing for whether I have the Celiac gene soon. A little family history: Great grandmother, and grandmother diagnosed hypothyroid, uncle has MS, grandma is allergic to gluten (refuses to admit it, but does say she feels better when she doesn't eat bread) surprise surprise she is schizophrenic, manic depressive, and bipolar. Great grandmother also has stomach cancer and diverticulitis. I'm afraid they are all killing themselves with this protein!!!

 

Thank you for your insight! My Dr. (just found out she is an ARNP) has been of little assistance.

 

 


Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):



Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):



pricklypear1971 Community Regular

TSH is useless for thyroid diagnosis and treatment , apparently, in your case. You need free t3, free t4, reverse t3 labs. And run ALL thyroid antibodies, again.

How are your vitamin levels? If you are low in iron, b's, d3, selenium, chromium your thyroid may be underperforming because of deficiencies. Deficiencies go with celiac and thyroid....they say thyroid because hypo people produce less stomach acid so food doesn't break down well. I've never been able to understand if those people are also celiac....sigh.

ButtercupSarah Rookie

She refuses to run my antibodies again (because my insurace won't cover them), they haven't been tested in 9 months. I am going to a new Dr. on the 30th. I just want some answers...I'm sick of being told to take fish oil and sleep more.

 

My D3 is low and my tests basically indicate I'm at high risk for cardiac episodes, which makes zero sense...I am a 26 year old female fitness instructor who eats VERY well 90% of the time.

pricklypear1971 Community Regular

You can order tests online (they send you the order, you go to lab for draw)...same labs doctors use. You pay cash but it's an option.

Yeah. New doctor.

pricklypear1971 Community Regular

You can take liquid d3, which may be more easily absorbed if you have low stomach acid or celiac.

ravenwoodglass Mentor

Are you still eating gluten? Do start the diet trial as soon as all celiac related testing is finished. Do keep in mind that the gene test can be helpful but even if you are negative for the two most common genes you can still be celiac.

NoGlutenCooties Contributor

If I understand you correctly, you've been gluten-free for a year and your doctor refuses to retest your antibody levels?  Were they down when they tested you 9 months ago?  If so, there's no reason to test them again because the tests for antibodies is useless if you're not consuming gluten.

 

It is good to get all of the other testing done (thyroid, etc.) but I found I felt tremendously better by taking an adrenal support supplement along with a thyroid supplement.  These are the ones I use:

Adrenal support:  Open Original Shared Link

Thyroid support:  Open Original Shared Link


Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):



Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):



ButtercupSarah Rookie

The last time my antibodies were tested I had been gluten free for almost 3 months, so, it seems as though they are useless. I will look into the adrenal support supplement, I did a spit test for adrenal function and should know the results of that very soon.

 

My only antibody test was 9 months ago: Gluten free for a little over 3 months at the time

 

Thyroglobulin abs <10 IU/ml  Range < 115 IU/ml

 

I am concerned about the level of inflammation on my current test...could that indicate fibromyalgia? I always thought my pain was due to my job as an aerialist. I also read it could be an indication of celiac.

hs-CRP 6.7                 Range: <1.0

 

Thank ya'll for helping me sort this craziness out!!

pricklypear1971 Community Regular

Did they test thyroglobulin or TPOAb?

Thyroglobulin is not used to dx Hashis.... Open Original Shared Link

The TPOab is used to dx Hashis Hypothyroidism. Open Original Shared Link

You need to understand if they ran the correct thyroid antibody test.

You can have inflammation from ANY autoimmune disease. Since you know you are hypothyroid, I'd pursue that AND your gluten intolerance....

You should probably read this about Fibro/thyroid: Open Original Shared Link

Your high cortisol may be the effect of poorly managed thyroid. You may need more, or different thyroid med. you really need free t3, free t4 and reverse t3 to see what your thyroid hormone levels are and if you are utilizing the meds properly. You may need an adrenal support supplement or lifestyle modification/change to help lower your cortisol.

And finally, if you haven't been gluten-free to Celiac standards:observing gluten-free to prevent cross contamination, etc., you could try cleaning up any remaining gluten to see if you feel better. I mention this because some people who are unsure of their status don't observe strict standards. I'm not saying you don't....

eers03 Explorer

I'm not sure so someone please chime in...  Cortisol levels can also be a metric for Addison's Disease, yes? If thyroid is checking out okay then it seems like that is what the cortisol would point to.  I'm on shaky ground here.  Not sure on this but it seems like when I was at Mayo they tested my cortisol to check for Addisons.  Mine checked out okay.

frieze Community Regular

make sure they are using the right range for the right time of day....

ButtercupSarah Rookie

make sure they are using the right range for the right time of day....

 

The peak range (morning) was Range: 2.3-19.4 and my result (taken around noon) was 36.4

nvsmom Community Regular

That reading for cortisol is super high, especially for being taken at noon - cortisol usually peaks in the morning.

 

As far as I know, high cortisol can be caused by stress (mental or physical) as well as glandular problems like Cushings (pituitary adenoma) or an adrenal adenoma. Cortisol is also a check for Addison's (when body attacks the adrenal gland), as previously mentioned, but in that case the cortisol would be too low, so it may not apply in your case. Adrenal insufficiency or fatigue probably isn't the case either because the cortisol levels would be (I believe) sub-clinically low - not almost double the normal limit as you have.

 

What did your doctor say was the cause of the high cortisol ?  Could cushings apply to you?

Open Original Shared Link

Gemini Experienced

The peak range (morning) was Range: 2.3-19.4 and my result (taken around noon) was 36.4

Sarah.....was this a blood test for cortisol or a saliva test?  Saliva testing is more accurate as they use 4 points of reference, pertaining to time of day, for measurement.  Early morning when you awaken, noon, late afternoon and late evening.  If these reference ranges were for morning, then taking your blood around noon would not be correct.  Sorry for the misunderstanding, I am just trying to figure out exactly what you mean. I also will have to look at my last test for the reference ranges because I can't remember what they are supposed to be.

 

As far as your CRP is concerned, if you have autoimmune disease, it can raise any inflammatory markers.  My ANA was off the charts with my 4 AI diseases but, over time, I have brought it down by following a strict gluten-free diet.  It is still not in the normal range but way better than it was 9 years ago.  It can be improved upon so don't let this number worry you too much, from a cardiac point of view.  Doctors are alarmists.

ButtercupSarah Rookie

Sarah.....was this a blood test for cortisol or a saliva test?  Saliva testing is more accurate as they use 4 points of reference, pertaining to time of day, for measurement.  Early morning when you awaken, noon, late afternoon and late evening.  If these reference ranges were for morning, then taking your blood around noon would not be correct.  Sorry for the misunderstanding, I am just trying to figure out exactly what you mean. I also will have to look at my last test for the reference ranges because I can't remember what they are supposed to be.

 

As far as your CRP is concerned, if you have autoimmune disease, it can raise any inflammatory markers.  My ANA was off the charts with my 4 AI diseases but, over time, I have brought it down by following a strict gluten-free diet.  It is still not in the normal range but way better than it was 9 years ago.  It can be improved upon so don't let this number worry you too much, from a cardiac point of view.  Doctors are alarmists.

 

I have been on a gluten free diet for a year now, and I my testing was all done POST gluten free diet. The original cortisol testing was done through blood.

 

I just received my spit test results back:

 

Gliadin was negative (obviously, I don't eat gluten)

 

My morning cortisol was depressed and the noon, afternnon and midnight were normal.

 

My total salivary SIgA was 6mg/dl - Normal 25-60mg/dl

 

My understanding is that total salivary SIgA has to do with your mucosal membranes, and is something that can be low in people with Celiac? Does anybody know more information on total salivary SIgA?

 

Update since my last post: My new Dr. has sent more for an MRI and evoked potentials test for Multiple Sclerosis. I have had numbness and tingling for years and have developed an obvious weakness in my left side.

Still waiting on the results of my Thyroid U/S

 

Thanks ya'll so much!

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Celiac.com:
    Donate

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):
    Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):





    Celiac.com Sponsors (A17-M):




  • Recent Activity

    1. - tiffanygosci replied to tiffanygosci's topic in Coping with Celiac Disease
      12

      New Celiac Mama in My 30s

    2. - RMJ replied to Riley.'s topic in Introduce Yourself / Share Stuff
      4

      Outgrow celiac?

    3. - knitty kitty replied to Riley.'s topic in Introduce Yourself / Share Stuff
      4

      Outgrow celiac?

    4. - knitty kitty replied to tiffanygosci's topic in Coping with Celiac Disease
      12

      New Celiac Mama in My 30s

    5. - trents replied to Riley.'s topic in Introduce Yourself / Share Stuff
      4

      Outgrow celiac?


  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):



  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      131,979
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748

    volivier
    Newest Member
    volivier
    Joined

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):


  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.5k
    • Total Posts
      1m

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):





  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):



  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • tiffanygosci
      Thank you for sharing all of this, Knitty Kitty! I did just want someone to share some commonality with. I did not know This one Deficiency was a thing and that it's common for Celiac Disease. It makes sense since this is a disorder that causes malabsorption. I will have to keep this in mind for my next appointments. You also just spurred me on to make that Dietician appointment. There's a lot of information online but I do need to see a professional. There is too much to juggle on my own with this condition.<3
    • RMJ
      I think your initial idea, eat gluten and be tested, was excellent. Now you have fear of that testing, but isn’t there also a fear each time you eat gluten that you’re injuring your body? Possibly affecting future fertility, bone health and more? Wouldn’t it be better to know for sure one way or the other? If you test negative, then you celebrate and get tested occasionally to make sure the tests don’t turn positive again. If you test positive, of course the recommendation from me and others is to stop gluten entirely.  But if you’re unable to convince yourself to do that, could a positive test at least convince you to minimize your gluten consumption?  Immune reactions are generally what is called dose response, the bigger the dose, the bigger the response (in this case, damage to your intestines and body). So while I am NOT saying you should eat any gluten with a positive test, the less the better.  
    • knitty kitty
      @Riley., Welcome to the forum, but don't do it!  Don't continue to eat gluten!  The health problems that will come if you continue to eat gluten are not worth it.  Problems may not show up for years, but the constant inflammation and nutritional losses will manifest eventually.  There's many of us oldsters on the forum who wish they'd been diagnosed as early.    Fertility problems, gallbladder removal, diabetes, osteoporosis and mental health challenges are future health issues you are toying with.   To dispel fear, learn more about what you are afraid of.  Be proactive.  Start or join a Celiac group in your area.  Learn about vitamins and nutrition.   Has your mother been checked for Celiac?  It's inherited.  She may be influencing you to eat gluten as a denial of her own symptoms.  Don't let friends and family sway you away from the gluten-free diet.  You know your path.  Stick to it.  Be brave. 
    • knitty kitty
      @tiffanygosci, Hello.  I apologize for your thread being hijacked.   I recognize your symptoms as being similar to what I experienced, the migraines, food and chemical sensitivities, hives, nausea, the numbness and tingling, joint pain, tummy problems, sleep problems, emotional lability, and the mom brain.  My cycle returned early after I had my son, and I became pregnant again with all my symptoms worsening.  Unfortunately, I lost that baby.  In hindsight, I recognized that I was suffering so much from Thiamine deficiency and other nutritional deficiencies that I was not able to carry it.   Celiac Disease affects the absorption of nutrients from our food.  There's eight B vitamins that must be replenished every day.  Thiamine Vitamin B1 becomes depleted first because it cannot be stored very long, less than two weeks.  Other B vitamins can be stored for two months or so.  But Thiamine can get low enough to produce symptoms in as little as three days.  As the thiamine level gets lower, symptoms worsen.  Early symptoms like fatigue and anxiety are often attributed to life situations, and so frequently go unrecognized by medical professionals who "have a pill for that".   I used to get severe migraines and vomiting after gluten consumption.  Thiamine and the other B vitamins are needed to turn carbohydrates, fats and proteins into fuel for our bodies.  With a large influx of carbohydrates from gluten containing foods, the demand for Thiamine increases greatly.  Available thiamine can be depleted quickly, resulting in suddenly worsening symptoms.  Emotional stress or trauma, physical activity (athletes and laborers) and physiological stresses like pregnancy or injury (even surgery or infection) increase the need for Thiamine and can precipitate a thiamine insufficiency. Pregnancy requires more thiamine, not just for the mother, but for the child as well.  The mother's Thiamine stores are often depleted trying to meet the higher demand of a growing fetus.  Thiamine insufficiency can affect babies in utero and after birth (autism, ADHD).  Having babies close together doesn't allow time for the mother to replenish thiamine stores sufficiently.   Thiamine insufficiency can cause migraines, pins and needles (paresthesia), and gastrointestinal Beriberi (gas, bloating, diarrhea or constipation, back pain).   Thiamine deficiency can cause blurry vision, difficulty focusing, and affect the eyes in other ways.  Thiamine deficiency can damage the optic nerves.  I have permanent vision problems.  High histamine levels can make your brain feel like it's on fire or swelling inside your cranium.  High histamine levels can affect behavior and mood.  Histamine is released by Mast Cells as part of the immune system response to gluten.  Mast Cells need Thiamine to regulate histamine release.  Mast Cells without sufficient thiamine release histamine at the slightest provocation.  This shows up as sensitivities to foods, smelly chemicals, plants, and dust mites.  Thiamine and the other B vitamins are needed to lower histamine levels.  Vitamin D is needed to calm the immune system and to regulate our hormones.  Menstrual irregularities can be caused by low Vitamin D.   Celiac Disease is a disease if Malabsorption of Nutrients.  We must take great care to eat a nutritionally dense diet.  Our bodies cannot make vitamins.  We must get them from what we eat.  Supplementation with essential vitamins and minerals is warranted while we are healing and to ensure we don't become deficient over time.  Our bodies will not function properly without essential vitamins and minerals.  Doctors have swept their importance under the rug in favor of a pill that covers the symptoms but doesn't resolve the underlying issue of malnutrition. Do talk to your doctor and dietician about checking for nutritional deficiencies.  Most blood tests for the eight B vitamins do not reflect how much is available or stored inside cells.  Blood tests reflect how much is circulating in the blood stream, the transportation system.  Blood levels can be "normal" while a deficiency exists inside cells where the vitamins are actually used.  The best way to see if you're low in B vitamins is to take a B Complex, and additional Thiamine and look for improvement.   Most vitamin supplements contain Thiamine Mononitrate, which is not easily absorbed nor utilized by the body.  Only thirty percent of thiamine mononitrate listed on the label is absorbed, less is actually utilized.  This is because thiamine mononitrate is shelf stable, it won't breakdown sitting on a shelf in the grocery store.  It's so hard to breakdown, our bodies don't absorb it and can't turn it into a form the body can use.  Take Thiamine in the form Benfotiamine or TTFD (tetrahydrofurfuryl disulfide) which the body can utilize much better.  (Ask for an Erythrocyte Transketolace Activity test for Thiamine level.  Though not accurate, this test does better picking up on a thiamine deficiency than a blood test.) Are you keeping your babies on a gluten free diet?  This can prevent genetically susceptible children from developing Celiac Disease.   P. S. Interesting Reading  Thiamine deficiency in pregnancy and lactation: implications and present perspectives https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10158844/ Descriptive spectrum of thiamine deficiency in pregnancy: A potentially preventable condition https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37458305/ B vitamins and their combination could reduce migraine headaches: A randomized double-blind controlled trial https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9860208/
    • trents
      @Riley, on this forum we sometimes get reports from people with similar experiences as you. That is, their celiac disease seems to go into remission. Typically, that doesn't last. At age 18 you are at your physical-biological peek in life where your body is stronger than it will ever be and it is able to fight well against many threats and abuses. As Wheatwacked pointed out, absence of symptoms is not always a reliable indicator that no damage is being done to the body. I was one of those "silent" celiacs with no symptoms, or at least very minor symptoms, whose body was being slowly damaged for many years before the damage became pronounced enough to warrant investigation, leading to a diagnosis. By that time I had suffered significant bone demineralization and now I suffer with back and neck problems. Please, if you choose to continue consuming gluten, which I do not recommend, at least get tested regularly so that you won't get caught in the silent celiac trap down the road like I did. You really do not outgrow celiac disease. It is baked into the genes. Once the genes get triggered, as far as we know, they are turned on for good. Social rejection is something most celiacs struggle with. Being compliant with the gluten free diet places restrictions on what we can eat and where we can eat. Our friends usually try to work with us at first but then it gets to be a drag and we begin to get left out. We often lose some friends in the process but we also find out who really are our true friends. I think the hardest hits come at those times when friends spontaneously say, "Hey, let's go get some burgers and fries" and you know you can't safely do that. One way to cope in these situations is to have some ready made gluten-free meals packed in the fridge that you can take with you on the spot and still join them but eat safely. Most "real" friends will get used to this and so will you. Perhaps this little video will be helpful to you.  
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

NOTICE: This site places This site places cookies on your device (Cookie settings). on your device. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy.