2 questions regarding test results...

[elykoj]

My 9 year old daughter had the screen, and had it as part of a panel for totally different issue. She has zero symptoms but her Transglutaminase IGA was moderate to high. How does this test result differentiate between celiac or gluten sensitivity? I am assuming my daughter is "silent celiac", but will this test be high if there is a sensitivity or are celaiac and a sensitivity two totally separate things in regards to this test??

also, for those of you without any symptoms, what made you get the blood screen? and if you are an adult, do you think you had a positive screen throughout childhood if no symptoms? I just wonder if she has no symptoms and never had the blood screen, how would we have know about this?, and what if she went years continuing to eat gluten with no symptoms?

[PinkyGurl]

The blood panel is only for celiac.  They do not yet have a blood test for gluten sensitivity.  Many people with silent celiac eventually get tested because they pop up with anemia or vitamin deficiencies like vitamin D.  Unfortunately by that time the person has likely had the disease so long and are at higher risk of future auto immune diseases.  Silent celiac is tough.  I really depend on my Symptoms to let me know when I mess up.  Many people with silent celiac who go gluten free realize that they infact had other symptoms just not GI ones.  Others develop symptoms after being gluten free because sensitivity increases after you've gotten the gluten out.

[Caroles]

I had diarrhea for about 2 years, it was just like water pretty much. I went to my doctor and he recommended an endoscopy. The test came back DEFINITE celiac. I have always been deficient in vitamin D. I am pretty much a vegetarian and gave up eating meat 30 years ago. I do eat seafood and chicken. So yes it's been tough, but I can do this. I really never lost any weight over it which is odd. I have been using a product called Intestinew by Renew Life. It helps. I also take Magnesium (glycinate) 120 mg 4 times a day and I use a probiotic called Thrive at night time. I also drink green tea and I add a few drops of Frankincense to it and I feel really good. Look up Frankincense oil, it literally takes away inflammation. I don't think I could go with out it.

I know my daughter has it but she is a hard head, All of her hair is thinning and falling out. We must eat whole foods and stay away from processed foods that we cannot pronounce the ingredients. The food manufacturers are killing us off with this crap. I do know that Celiac disease comes from European descent. My whole family is European descent. To tell you the truth, I think mostly all people have this problem but don't recognize it.

[cyclinglady]

The elevated  Ttg could be related to another autoimmune disorder (not common, but possible), so requesting the full panel to include DGP and the EMA, might help you to form a diagnosis since you can not afford the endoscopy.  The DGP is also considered better for dietary compliance.  It would be helpful to have a good baseline for future comparisons.

I was anemic my entire life.  It was blamed on a genetic anemia and the fact that I was a menstrating woman!  I went for a routine colonoscopy (am over 50).  During my GI consult, he suggested an endoscopy because he suspected celiac disease.  He ordered the complete panel and I had one positive on the DGP IGA.  Biopsies revealed moderate to severe damage.  My anemia (ferritin/iron stores) improved within months.  Two months into my diagnosis and I fractured two vertebrae doing NOTHING!  (Osteoporosis).  So, damage can be done and you don't realize it.  Once off gluten though, I now get traditional celiac disease gut symptoms.  Actually my symptoms change with each glutening and i have yet to figure out the source of my two glutenings.  It is not like I ate something with wheat on purpose!