Celiac Testing

[J Hawk]

Hello, I recently had a celiac serology panel done but my primary care doc's staff hasn't done the greatest job of explaining things. I have an appt with a GI doc next week but I was hoping to get some insight on my results. 

 

Tissue Transglutaminase IgG was 5 

Transglutaminase IgA autoantibodies is 12

Gliadin IgG antibody is 3 

These 3 were considered negative. 

Gliadin IgA antibody was 154 and my labs say it's considered a moderate to strong positive.  

 

Does this mean I have celiac? Or do I need more than one positive before it's confirmed? I've tried to do some reading on my own but I'm feeling very overwhelmed. 

 

Thanks in advance for any help! 

[cyclinglady]

Okay, it usually is best to post the lab ranges as they tend to vary.  But what caught my eye was that the Gliadin IGA test was positive.  That is an uncommon result, but that is exactly how I test out (and continue to test in follow-up testing when I get glutened!).  My TTG tests were negative as well as the DGP IGg (like you).  My GI doc has no idea why I test out the way small children can as the TTG is the most popular tests and often the DGP tests are not given.  Why?  Cost.  You were lucky the doctor gave you both all four. 

The next step is an endoscopy where they should take four to six samples.  Even with my one positive (and you only need one positive and many doctors get this wrong), my biopsy revealed a Marsh Stage IIIB for celiac disease (moderate to severe small intestinal damage.

KEEP EATING GLUTEN UNTIL ALL TESTING IS COMPLETE!  This is critical because by eliminating gluten at this stage you can mess up biopsy results.

Go to the University of Chicago's celiac website to learn more.  You can take time to learn about going gluten free but DO NOT go gluten free yet (and I know you really want to start improving your health, but do not do it).

Some folks have to wait to long for an endoscopy or finances are an issue, so talk to your doctor about a diagnosis.  

Welcome to the club!  

Oh, I am not a doctor.....but I think you have celiac disease based on your test results!    Oh, that shouldn't be a happy face, but from my perspective it is.  It is good to have a diagnosis so you can focus on getting better!

[J Hawk]

My reference range for testing was <20. Is that what you meant for ranges? 

 

My my primary doc said to go gluten free so I have been for 4 days. Have I messed up? I can resume normal diet tomorrow. I've gotten such mixed responses from my pcp I requested the referral to a GI doc. 

Thanks for the response! 

 

[Darren]

Keep eating gluten until you have a biopsy or it will impact the results.  Don't worry about the past 4 days and don't bother trying to figure out the results. Talk to your gi next week and go from there. Biopsy will confirm and also assess extent of "damage" which is good to know. It makes things much more clear once you have that done. Hang in there!

[squirmingitch]

I'm going to repeat it like a broken record......

KEEP EATING GLUTEN UNTIL THE BIOPSY IS DONE.

As Darren says, don't worry about the past 4 days but start back up eating gluten NOW. You've probably been getting cross contaminated like crazy anyway.

To get ready to go gluten free when the biopsies are done, you can read the Newbie 101 at the top of the Coping section.

Welcome to the club.
 

[cyclinglady]

Read this and share with our GP/PCP doctor.  He/She was misinformed (aka wrong)!  Don't be mad at your doctor.  I think that currently medical students get a one hour lecture on celiac disease.  Somebody can correct me if I am wrong.

You need to be consuming gluten until all testing is done.

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[J Hawk]

Thanks everyone!