Help Analyzing Blood Test Results

[qamel]

Hi all,

 

So, I was wondering if someone could interpret my blood test results for Celiacs.  I've just had the blood test done, after showing symptoms of GI issues.  I already have a scheduled appointment with my GI doctor as my primary care physician recommended, but would like to get an opinion on the test results and what they could mean before going to the appointment.  I don't mind getting an endoscopy to get a biopsy if necessary, as I've already had a couple in the past due to GERD/Acid Reflux.  

 

Deamidated Gliadin Abs, IgA: 4 units (0-19)

Deamidated Gliadin Abs, IgG: 5 units (0-19)

t-Transglutaminase (tTG) IgA: <2 U/mL (0-3)

t-Transglutaminase (tTG) IgG: 9 U/mL (0-5)

Endomysial Antibody IgA: Negative

Immunoglobulin A, Qn, Serum: 184 U/mL (91-414)

 

So from the tests that were run, the only one that was positive was the t-Transglutaminase (tTG) IgG test.  What does it mean that that one was positive - and a weak positive (6-9), according to the test results - while the other tests were negative?  Thanks so much!

[cyclinglady]

Welcome!  

 

In order to get the best blood tests results (meaning a positive), you need to have been consuming gluten daily (the equivalent of 1 to 2 slices a day of bread) for a period of 8 to 12 weeks.  Were you consuming adequate amounts of gluten?

 

Your results.  You got a positive.  It was weak, but I only had one weak positive and my endoscopy/biopsy revealed moderate to severe intestinal damage.  The next step for you, would be to see the GI and get scoped.  At least six biopsies should be taken since the small intestinal wall is about the size of a tennis court.  

 

Keep eating gluten until all testing is complete!

 

The good news is that you could be very well on your way to feeling good!  

[qamel]

Thanks for the reply.  Yes, I've been eating gluten for my whole life and eat at least that amount daily.  My GI doctor, before my upcoming appointment with him in May, just recommended that I start going gluten free (was called after I put up the post).  Soooo not sure quite what to do there if I'm supposed to keep eating it for a biopsy test.

[cyclinglady]

Ugh!  Please keep eating gluten until after the procedure that is what my educated GI doctor instructed me to do.    Here's a link from the University of Chicago:

 

Open Original Shared Link

 

Open Original Shared Link

 

So, let's say, you go gluten free now.   A few weeks later, your endoscopy is postponed for another month.  By then, it can be too late to get an accurate diagnosis.  Plenty of GI doctors make this mistake!  And worse, once you get off gluten, it is hard to get back on for a challenge. You could be left in diagnostic limbo land!    Please do the research!  

 

The choice is yours, but be sure your doctor takes sufficient biopsy samples even though he thinks he can not see any damage as most damage is not visible during an endoscopy.  Yep, some GI docs think this........

 

I wish you well!  

[nvsmom]

 I agree.  Keep eating a normal diet if you are planning on doing the biopsy.  The only reason I would say to go gluten-free is if the biopsy is going to be many months down the road, you only need to be eating gluten for about a month before the biopsy is done, or two weeks at the very least.

 

Generally speaking, a positive is a positive when it comes to celiac disease testing... Kind of like pregnancy testing.  Some pg tests are very faint and some are very positive but they both mean the same thing.  

 

The tTG IgG is 95% specific to celiac disease.  That means that there is a 5% chance that your positive was caused by something else.  Chances are, it is celiac disease.    

This articles discusses the tests a bit:Open Original Shared Link