Simple Testing Question

[apertures]

Hi everyone!

 

Well, it seems as though my doctor is on maternity leave and completely MIA and it is impossible to reach anyone and get any help interpreting my results. It took 3 weeks for her to get the results to me, and that was only after I called 4 times! So I'm wondering if anyone can take a second to give me their thoughts.

 

 

I tested completely negative for all antibodies, but DID test positive for DQ2 on my HLA test. A day or two before my blood was drawn, I hadn't had any gluten, however I did have it right before I went in to get tested. Is there any way this could skew the results? I know that sounds ridiculous, but I have to ask. Second, Is it worth it to do an elimination diet to see if that helps, or am I just chasing the wrong thing? Does anyone know if DQ2 could point to anything else in terms of gastrointestinal issues?

 

I know an endoscopy is the gold standard in terms of diagnosis, but I unfortunately just moved to a different state where I am not eligible for a credit towards health insurance. I'd love to hear everyone's thoughts!

 

 

 

[RMJ]

Two days without gluten should not affect your tests results. Antibodies stay in the bloodstream for much longer than that.

[cyclinglady]

Welcome!

Were you eating luten daily for at least 12 weeks prior to the blood draw (except for the day or so that you went gluten free?

Can you type and post your results?

There are the tests:

-tTG IgA and tTG IgG

-DGP IgA and DGP IgG

-EMA IgA

-total serum IgA and IgG (control test)

-AGA IGA and AGA IgG - older and less reliable tests largely replace by the DGP tests

-endoscopic biopsy - make sure at least 6 samples are taken

(Source: NVSMOM -- )

The genetic test just rules out celiac disease since about 30% of the population carries the genes for celiac disease. Just about 1% go in to get celiac disease.

Finally, you could go gluten free to see if it helps. You could consider a FODMAP diet too. Do you just have GI issues? Anyone else with autoimmune disorders like lupus, MS, etc.?

[apertures]

Wow guys, thanks for the quick responses! My test results were as follows: 

 

GLIADIN IGA ANTIBODY: Result was <10, reference <20

GLIADIN IGG AB, SERUM: Result was <10, reference <20

TISSUE TRANSGLUTAMINASE IGA AB, SERUM:  Result was <10, reference <20

ENDOMYSIAL IGA AB, QUANTITATIVE, SERUM: All it said was negative for this one

IMMUNOGLOBULIN IGA: result 342, reference range 40-350

 

DQ2 was positive, DQ8 was negative. 

 

I've had plenty of symptoms over the past few years: tons of bloating and unpleasant BM's, constant exhaustion/fatigue/brain fog, and within the past year I've started to develop rashes and depression/anxiety. These could all be completely related or completely unrelated. Doctors seem to think that I'm fine simply because I've somehow found a way to be pleasant and smile despite the horrible fatigue and symptoms i'm experiencing, and I'm getting frustrated that I haven't the slightest clue about what direction to go in. There is history of thyroid issues in my family that I have tested negative for (for now). 

[cyclinglady]

It looks like you do not have celiac disease (you were eating gluten for up to 12 weeks prior to the test, right?). No deficiencies, parasites, bacterial infections, anemia, etc?

You could try a gluten free diet and see if it helps, consider a FODMAP diet, or keep a journal to help you determine if any foods are suspect.

I wish you well!

[nvsmom]

It looks to me like you are most likely not a celiac, too.  If you want to double check it, you could request the remaining celiac disease tests which are DGP IgA and DGP IgG (deaminated gliadin peptides), and tTG IgG (tissue transglutaminase).  You already had the anti-gliadin antibodies (AGA IgA and AGA IgG) tests done, but they are not very sensitive and can miss a lot of celiacs.  The EMA IgA and tTG IgA tests you had done are pretty good tests that catch most celiacs (over 75% of celiacs) so chances are that you do not have celiac disease, or if you do it is in the very early (and undetectable) stages.

 

With symptoms of celiac disease, and a family history of thyroiditis, I think it is a good idea to retest in the future (if you are eating a normal diet) if symptoms persist.  You could always give the gluten-free diet a try for 6 months and see what it does for you now.  You could have early celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS), but you may need to stay gluten-free for many months for your symptoms to improve.  Some symptoms like bloating tend to resolve fairly quickly on the gluten-free diet but others, like anxiety, can take a good 6 months or more before things really turn around.  If you do go gluten-free, give it half a year before you judge it's effectiveness.

 

Best wishes.