Weak Positive Blood Test Result

[cgeorge]

Hi everyone!  I am new here and have some questions regarding my son.  He is 3 years old and it was discovered at his 3 year old well visit with his pediatrician that he was falling behind in his growth, mainly his weight.  She referred us to an endocrinologist who ran a panel of blood tests (celiac screening included).  The results came back with a positive tTg of 21.  I have spoken with the endocrinologist and our pediatrician and both used the words "borderline".  We were referred to GI who made the recommendation for endoscopy.  

 

I am not really confident with the decision to do the endoscopy.  My son has no symptoms of celiac whatsoever.  Is it really necessary to put him through the scope?  The endocrinologist recommended possibly waiting 3-6 months and running the blood test again to see what his levels are.  If they continue to be elevated, then maybe do the scope then.  I'm just not really sure what to do....this is all new to me.  No one else in our family has celiac!  Thank you in advance for your help!

[cyclinglady]

Welcome to the forum!

Here is a great and reputable site that discusses celiac disease (University of Chicago's celiac website): check out the entire site.

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Did your son receive a complete celiac panel? He may have a better positive on one of the other tests. That might make you fell better about pursuing an endoscopy or waiting to see if he builds up more antibodies in six months. Here's the list:

-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 -- )

You can be symptom free. I just had anemia when I was diagnosed -- no tummy issues at all! My TTG was negative but one of the DGP was positive yet I had moderate to severe intestinal damage.

Your best bet to to arm yourself with research. Ask any questions here. We are not doctors but we have practical advice.

Let us know how it goes!

[RMJ]

You say he has no symptoms whatsoever, but celiac is associated with at least 300 symptoms, including growth retardation, which is why he was tested. Many celiacs have no digestive system symptoms. I only had migraines and was the first in my family to be diagnosed.

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