Please help - Do I have celiacs??

[marysummer]

I am a 43 year old female who is very iron deficient and vitamin deficient. Because I'm not absorbing vitamins and minerals, my doctor ran some labs. My doctor is VERY wary of saying ANYONE has celiac disease, and basically has told me that my health issues are in my head. A vitamin D lab came bag with a level 6ng, and she finally started believing me.

I have received the results below from the labs she ran. I have been reading as much as I can because I want to have some knowledge before she calls me. Do these results tell you anything? Any input is very appreciated?
 

TT IgG result is 0.21 (Kaiser says <= .90 is normal)

TT IgA result is 0.98 (Kaiser says <= .90 is normal)

IgA result is 182 (Kaiser normal is 40-375)

The doctor said my TT IgA was out of range, but ran the IgA test to "put it into context" (whatever that means!)

		Thank you! Mary

[squirmingitch]

You need to be referred to a GI & have a complete celiac panel done on you. KEEP eating gluten or you will get false negative results!!!

Your TTg IgA is high period. There is no "putting it into context" with a total IgA. 

We have a member who has Kaiser. I'm sure she will be on soon to answer you. I know from reading her posts that Kaiser does not allow a full panel to be run except by a GI doc. 

[marysummer]

Thank you for your response. I know my doctor will likely tell me everything is fine.  I had to beg for iron infusions a year ago when my iron was sooo low.

 

Interesting that you said to keep eating gluten. Im not eating any now. I'd gone off gluten for about two weeks prior to this workup...

 

Thanks again,

Mary

[squirmingitch]

Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh noooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You likely would have had higher numbers or perhaps another positive if you had been eating gluten & not gone off of it.

WHEN you see the GI, it's very important to tell him/her that you had stopped eating gluten 2 weeks prior!

See:

Open Original Shared Link

[GFinDC]

Right, 8 weeks of eating gluten before tests is what they usually say is needed.  It's best not to stop eating gluten until all tests are done and test results received.

[cyclinglady]

My folks have Kaiser.   Here is my suggestion....get back on gluten and ask for a GI referral since you had a slight positive and were gluten-free for two weeks prior to the blood draw.  The GI can order then order the entire celiac disease panel (kaiser prohibits the full panel ordered by PCP docs probably to control costs.) 

Why?  I test normal on the TTG test even on follow-up testing.  

Email  all doctors.  They will have to respond (not blow you off) if it is in writing.  Heck, you can send a certified letter.  Be nice, but express your concerns and include (cite research).  

Keep eating gluten until all testing is complete and research!!!!!!!

[marysummer]

Thank you all! When you say keep eating gluten...I saw on the gluten challenge link that a couple of crackers a day is sufficient...is that your experience?

[squirmingitch]

A couple crackers per day or slice of bread...whatever floats your boat. You might want to do it before bed --- some find that helps to keep the worst of the effects while you sleep so you're a bit better during the day time.