High Positive Test Results - Your thoughts please...

[ChiaChick]

Hi all,

My husbands test results have come back as follows:

                                                                Husband's Result                 Reference Range

Deamidated Gliadin IgA                                    144                                      <15

Deamidated Gliadin IgG                                    >250                                   <15

Tissue Transglutinase IgA                                 >250                                    <15

Tissue Transglutinase IgG                                 >250                                    <15

The test result also states that the following test/s are still pending: Celiac HLA DR/DQ. We are in Australia, so some of the terminology may be different...

Hubby is continuing a gluten diet in anticipation that a biopsy is looking likely. 

On asking about Dermatitis Herpetiformis, hubby said that when he was drinking beer, he used to get blisters in the arch of his foot (underside), and occasionally one or two between his toes, but mostly on the underside. It drove him mad, and was insanely itchy. He had put it down to the yeast, but ??? Since giving up beer (over two years ago), he has had one or two blisters, but it has pretty much resolved completely. 

I have seen a number of posts with various results (some with different test names), where people have had biopsies after positive bloodwork, and have been deemed to not have Celiac. Given this particular set of blood results, how likely are these results to lead to a Celiac diagnosis on biopsy? Are there other blood tests he should have prior to the biopsy that could rule Celiac in/out? 

We welcome your thoughts.

Thank you in advance.

[cyclinglady]

He has lots of positive results (you already know that).  No need for a genetic test.  The next step is a biopsy. That alone, and not the blood tests, can determine the amount of intestinal damage.  Continue to eat gluten and make sure at least four biopsies are taken.  The GI will also rule out other things like H. Pylori, SIBO etc., because you can have more than one thing going on.  

Then he can stop consuming gluten and start feeling better!   In the meantime, learn all that you can about being gluten free and celiac disease.  Be sure to have all first-degree relatives tested too!  

Welcome to the forum!  

[ChiaChick]

@cyclinglady,

Thank you for the super speedy reply. We are definitely continuing the gluten for him. (until a biopsy is performed)

We have been trying to learn as it seems that hubby and I are both having gluten issues (see my post about my Thrombocytopenia that I started a few days ago). My children (not hubby's biological children - but still very much his...) are also experiencing problems that we are working to get to the bottom of.

I urged hubby to get tested at the same time as me because I had noticed symptoms in him (agitated, generalised itchiness, mild stomach pain, general feeling a bit off etc) after we increased gluten intake so that I could be tested. He is also super thin and always has been.

From what I have been led to believe, the amount of Prednisone I am on would lead to false negative results, so my testing is useless, and I have gone straight to a gluten free diet after speaking to my haematologist about the situation. The haematologist said that they have exhausted other testing for causes of my Thrombocytopenia, and that Celiac would be a very plausible explanation given my other symptoms. Bloods were drawn on Thursday, and sure enough, the results are negative. I have been gluten free for 4 days since my blood test (just the beginning I know). I am hoping that I will be less short of breath soon, amongst other things! Being able to poop without laxatives and enemas would be a blessing too. lol

If you read through to the end of my other thread (sorry, it is long), you will see that there are other things at play. I am quite worried about my eldest boy in particular. I have not spelt out all his problems yet, and I may start a post about him at some point, but we are waiting on some genetic testing to come through, which is for other things like fragile x, and other genetic problems. His situation and medical history is long and complicated. 

I am tired of being tired, tired of running around in circles and getting no answers, tired of seeing my family suffer, and tired of suffering myself. All in all, just plain tired. (Oh, and did I mention confused...)

It is well past bed time here in Australia, so that is no doubt adding to the just plain tired, so I shall say good night/good day to you all wherever you may be.  

[frieze]

"hugs" to you, "down under" in Oz.

[cyclinglady]

More hugs too from Sunny California!  

It will get better!  Both hubby and I are gluten free (my celiac disease dx in 2013).  He has been for 15 years.  Went gluten-free per the poor advice of his PCP and my allergist.  It worked, but he refuses to do a gluten challenge to get tested for celiac disease.  Our one daughter has tested negative but will continue to get tested for celiac disease every few years (sooner if her health starts to fail). We maintain a gluten-free house.  She gets her gluten fix while at school or outside the house.  

Hang in there!  Ask for help from family and friends.  Even if it is just to run an errand or push the vacuum around.  

[Gemini]

With blood results like these, your husband most definitely has Celiac Disease.  The biopsy is just to check to see how much damage.  Keep in mind that even with high, high test scores like these, damage can still be patchy. Although I would be very surprised if they didn't find enough with numbers like these!  Thank goodness he was able to have a definitive diagnosis and reason for his symptoms!  Good luck!