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

Blood Test Results

TruePrep

Recommended Posts

TruePrep Newbie
TruePrep
Posted

I got the results back from my celiac blood screen...

 

Immunoglobulin A:  226

 

Tissue Transglutaminase Antibody IgA: <1

<4 No antibody detected

> or = 4 Antibody Detected

 

So my doctor said it came back "completely negative" but as far as I can see they performed ONE antibody test? So frustrating, as I would like to have a complete blood panel done and now I will have to continue this process. 

 

Any insights as to what these numbers are/mean and what my next step is would be greatly appreciated :) 

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


heliosue Apprentice
heliosue
Posted

You'll find others on this forum who know and understand a whole lot more about the blood test results than I do, however, I had a full Celiac panel done and my only positive was the TTG, IgG test which came back as a strong positive.  There are definely other blood tests that would be helpful in making a realistic diagnosis.

TruePrep Newbie
TruePrep
Posted
  • Author

Thanks, that's what I thought... I actually just  got an appointment to see a gastroenterologist TODAY, so I am brining a copy of my results and I'm going to request a FULL blood screen. Any other questions I should ask or things I should know before I go??

cyclinglady Grand Master
cyclinglady
Posted

Try to get the full screen. Remember, I tested positive on the DPG IGA test only and negative on all the rest yet my biopsies revealed severe intestinal damage. Plus, you need to be eating gluten for 8 to 12 weeks. I recall that you had been gluten-free for a while and then only ate gluten for two weeks prior to the blood test. That can be an issue too.

Best of luck!

TruePrep Newbie
TruePrep
Posted
  • Author

Thank you very much; I plan to request the full blood screen... Fortunately, this doctor is listed on the Celiac Disease Foundation website so I am *hoping* he knows what to do and what the proper protocol is for testing & diagnosis  :rolleyes:

 

I will keep you posted!

nvsmom Community Regular
nvsmom
Posted

Good luck!  Many labs and doctors will only do the tTG IgA test, my doctor being one of them   :rolleyes:   I hope you find answers.

TruePrep Newbie
TruePrep
Posted
  • Author

Well, I just got back from the gastroenterologist and it went really well... He ordered a Celiac Plus panel from Prometheus Labs that tests for all the antibodies (it lists: tTG IgA recombinant antigen, EMA IgA, total serum IgA, DGP IgA, DGP IgG) and also includes genetic testing (HLA DQ2/DQ8) so I'm pretty happy! :) I think that's pretty much all you can test for, right?

 

He said to wait a few more weeks before taking the tests since I was on a fairly low gluten diet before. I am 3 week into my gluten challenge so perhaps I will wait another 3 weeks before getting this bloodwork because I want it to be as accurate as possible. 

 

This certainly isn't a fast or easy process, but I am happy to be able to thoroughly investigate this and eventually know where I stand either way...

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


nvsmom Community Regular
nvsmom
Posted

That sounds really good!  :)  I hope the last few weeks of gluten aren't too hard on you.

TruePrep Newbie
TruePrep
Posted
  • Author

Thank you! Now that I got the full panel ordered, I am obsessing about how long to continue my gluten challenge before getting tested... lol

 

I was not on a gluten-free diet before, but it was somewhat gluten-lite. I am so anxious to get the results, but I want to make sure they are accurate so I think I will aim for 6-8 weeks of this gluten challenge. I'm 3 weeks in already, and I feel better than I did initially when I was going really gluten-heavy. Now I'm just aiming for about 2 slices of bread daily which isn't nearly as bad. The waiting will be the hardest part...  :D

nvsmom Community Regular
nvsmom
Posted

LOL  Waiting is, most definitely, one of the hardest parts about getting a diagnosis. ;)

jbeilfuss Newbie
jbeilfuss
Posted

That's awesome that your GI doc ordered the complete panel - glad for you.  I'm still new here too and not officially diagnosed.  I did have two positive blood tests though and have my biopsy this Thursday.  I had gone gluten free for almost two weeks prior to the blood testing so my GI doc wanted me to do an 8 week challenge (ugh! it's been rough a few days).  I have chronicled some of what I have done over the past 8 weeks to prepare for this Thursday on my original thread here from February if you want to check out one newbie's experience.  I'll post more after the endoscopy and once I get the results.

 

Good luck!

TruePrep Newbie
TruePrep
Posted
  • Author

I will check out that thread, thanks jbeilfuss! I (think) I have decided to do 8 weeks of gluten challenge before getting my blood draw. 12 weeks just seems like an eternity, and I was not completely gluten free before so I'm thinking 8 weeks of daily consumption may be enough? I am just wanting to move the process along but I also don't want to have any doubts about the accuracy of the tests, so I change my mind daily about when to take the tests... lol In the meantime I will keep eating my sandwiches and perusing this forum :) 

frieze Community Regular
frieze
Posted

i would say your doc is a keeper.

Archived

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

Go to topic listing

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Celiac.com:
    Join eNewsletter
    Donate
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):
    Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):



    Celiac.com Sponsors (A17-M):



  • Recent Activity

    1. trents
      - trents replied to Churro's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      1

      Celiac disease symptoms

      Welcome to the celiac.com community, @Churro! Several things need to be said here: 1. Your physician neglected to order a "total IGA" test to check for IGA deficiency. If a person is IGA deficient, the results of other IGA antibody tests specific to celiac disease will not be valid. A total IGA test should always be ordered when checking for celiac...
    2. Churro
      - Churro posted a topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      1

      Celiac disease symptoms

      Last month I got blood tests done. My iron level was at 205 ug/dL and 141 ug/dL iron binding capacity unsaturated, 346 ug/dl total iron binding capacity, 59 transferrin % saturation. My ferritin level was at 13 so I got tested for celiac disease last week. My tTG-IgA is <.05, DGP IgA is 4.9 and ferritin level is 9. My doctor didn't order other celiac disease...
    3. tiffanygosci
      - tiffanygosci replied to tiffanygosci's topic in Introduce Yourself / Share Stuff
      4

      Celiac support is hard to find

      Hi Cristiana! It's so nice to meet you! Thank you for the kind reply I am glad I live in a time where you can connect with others through the Internet. That is a mercy I am grateful for.
    4. Scott Adams
      0

      Gluten-Free Stir-Fried Chinese Eggplant With Garlic Sauce

    5. pweidema
      - pweidema commented on Scott Adams's article in Latest Research
      1

      How the Gut Microbiome Shapes Celiac Disease Risk (+Video)

      Very interesting! Thank you Scott!
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):

  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      133,051
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    Rima
    Newest Member
    Rima
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.5k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):

  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • trents
      Celiac disease symptoms

      By trents · Posted

      Welcome to the celiac.com community, @Churro! Several things need to be said here: 1. Your physician neglected to order a "total IGA" test to check for IGA deficiency. If a person is IGA deficient, the results of other IGA antibody tests specific to celiac disease will not be valid. A total IGA test should always be ordered when checking for celiac disease with blood IGA antibody test. You should ask your physician to order a total IGA test. 2. Iron deficiency anemia can also give distorted IGA celiac disease blood antibody tests. 3. If you were already on a gluten-free diet or had been restricting gluten consumption for weeks/months prior to the antibody testing blood draw, then the test results would not be valid. Accurate celiac disease blood antibody testing requires you to have been consuming significant amounts of gluten for a significant time period leading up to the blood draw. It takes time for the antibody levels in the blood to build up to detectable levels. 4. Your low iron levels and other symptoms could be due to celiac disease but could also be caused by lots of other medical issues.
    • Churro
      Celiac disease symptoms

      By Churro · Posted

      Last month I got blood tests done. My iron level was at 205 ug/dL and 141 ug/dL iron binding capacity unsaturated, 346 ug/dl total iron binding capacity, 59 transferrin % saturation. My ferritin level was at 13 so I got tested for celiac disease last week. My tTG-IgA is <.05, DGP IgA is 4.9 and ferritin level is 9. My doctor didn't order other celiac disease tests. In 2021 I was dealing with severe constipation and hemorrhoids. I'm no longer dealing with constipation. I still deal with hemorrhoids but only about once a week. Also, I've been dealing with very pale skin for at least 5 years. Do you think I have celiac disease? 
    • tiffanygosci
      Celiac support is hard to find

      By tiffanygosci · Posted

      Hi Cristiana! It's so nice to meet you! Thank you for the kind reply I am glad I live in a time where you can connect with others through the Internet. That is a mercy I am grateful for.
    • knitty kitty
      Positive biopsy

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      In the study linked above, the little girl switched to a gluten free diet and gained enough weight that that fat pad was replenished and surgery was not needed.   Here's the full article link... Superior Mesenteric Artery Syndrome in a 6-Year-Old Girl with Final Diagnosis of Celiac Disease https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6476019/
    • knitty kitty
      Fruits & Veggies

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      Hello, @Jordan Carlson, So glad you're feeling better.   Tecta is a proton pump inhibitor.  PPI's also interfere with the production of the intrinsic factor needed to absorb Vitamin B12.  Increasing the amount of B12 you supplement has helped overcome the lack of intrinsic factor needed to absorb B12. Proton pump inhibitors also reduce the production of digestive juices (stomach acids).  This results in foods not being digested thoroughly.  If foods are not digested sufficiently, the vitamins and other nutrients aren't released from the food, and the body cannot absorb them.  This sets up a vicious cycle. Acid reflux and Gerd are actually symptoms of producing too little stomach acid.  Insufficient stomach acid production is seen with Thiamine and Niacin deficiencies.  PPI's like Tecta also block the transporters that pull Thiamine into cells, preventing absorption of thiamine.  Other symptoms of Thiamine deficiency are difficulty swallowing, gagging, problems with food texture, dysphagia. Other symptoms of Thiamine deficiency are symptoms of ADHD and anxiety.  Vyvanse also blocks thiamine transporters contributing further to Thiamine deficiency.  Pristiq has been shown to work better if thiamine is supplemented at the same time because thiamine is needed to make serotonin.  Doctors don't recognize anxiety and depression and adult onset ADHD as early symptoms of Thiamine deficiency. Stomach acid is needed to digest Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) in fruits and vegetables.  Ascorbic acid left undigested can cause intestinal upsets, anxiety, and heart palpitations.   Yes, a child can be born with nutritional deficiencies if the parents were deficient.  Parents who are thiamine deficient have offspring with fewer thiamine transporters on cell surfaces, making thiamine deficiency easier to develop in the children.  A person can struggle along for years with subclinical vitamin deficiencies.  Been here, done this.  Please consider supplementing with Thiamine in the form TTFD (tetrahydrofurfuryl disulfide) which helps immensely with dysphagia and neurological symptoms like anxiety, depression, and ADHD symptoms.  Benfotiamine helps with improving intestinal health.  A B Complex and NeuroMag (a magnesium supplement), and Vitamin D are needed also.
×
×
  • 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.