Need to understand geno test

[Gmombutterfly]

Please someone knowledgeable, explain why my doc says I'm not celiac, but have severe gluten allergy as celiac patient has without intestinal issues? These results are confusing & ive cut all gluten out 5wks now but am questioning her interpretation. I feel worse than ever!! Been sick all my life, even anemic at 6yrs old, but that changed. Too many weird symptoms in my 52yrs to not understand this as much as possible. Thank you!!

IgE, surum 137.0 HI

Gluten 0.24 HI

ANTI-TPO Ab 44 HI

CMV Ab.IgG (reflex) 4.4 HI

 

 

 

[cyclinglady]

Welcome!  

These are the blood tests specific for celiac disease:

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I am not sure your doctor actually ran a celiac test.  Not sure what "gluten" means.  Can you write out the actual test name and lab ranges?  I am guessing that the Anti TPO test is for thyroid antibodies (autoimmune thyroiditis).  This autoimmune disorder is commonly linked the the autoimmune disorder -- celiac disease (I have both).

It is possible to have an allergy to wheat which is separate from celiac disease.  In celiac disease you must avoid wheat, gluten, rye and often oats.  This could explain why you are not seeing any improvement and the famct it can a few months or years to feel well.  

Finally, celiac disease damages the small intestine causing malabsorption issues (like absorbing iron and causing anemia) no can affect many parts of the body.

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I had no intestinal symptoms at all, but suffered from anemia.  A GI caught it when I went in for a colonoscopy when I hit the "over 50 club".  He suspected celiac disease.  He ordered the complete blood panel to check for celiac antibodies and an endoscopy to obtain intestinal biopsies.  Had the colonoscopy too, but that was just a cancer check.

 

[Gmombutterfly]

It's a geno Lab who did bloodwork.

Allergens IgE:

IgE, serum 137.0 HI & ref is <or=114.0 kU/L

Gluten is listed under it.. 0.24 HI ref is <.10 kUA/L

 

The ANTI-TPO Ab is within the thyroid panel results & is 44HI ref is <35 IU/mL

CMV Ab IgG (reflux) is 4.4HI ref is Neg=<0.9

 

[kareng]

28 minutes ago, Gmombutterfly said:

It's a geno Lab who did bloodwork.

Allergens IgE:

IgE, serum 137.0 HI & ref is <or=114.0 kU/L

Gluten is listed under it.. 0.24 HI ref is <.10 kUA/L

 

The ANTI-TPO Ab is within the thyroid panel results & is 44HI ref is <35 IU/mL

CMV Ab IgG (reflux) is 4.4HI ref is Neg=<0.9

 

I am not sure what "a geno Lab" is?  Did you go to an actual MD?  Maybe we just aren't seeing the complete thing?  But an allergen test is not a Celiac test as Celiac is not an allergy.

[Gmombutterfly]

I get it. So according to these results, am I as allergic to gluten as she told me? Says severe allergy to gluten & to cut it completely out of my life. That's really what I'm questioning.

[kareng]

36 minutes ago, Gmombutterfly said:

I get it. So according to these results, am I as allergic to gluten as she told me? Says severe allergy to gluten & to cut it completely out of my life. That's really what I'm questioning.

Sorry.  But there really isn't such a thing as a "gluten allergy".  You might want to research allergy blood testing - from reputable sites, not companies that sell the tests or " natural" doctors that make thier living spreading this stuff. Sounds like you didn't go to an actual medical doctor?  

 

You can be allergic to the protein in wheat or to barley or to rye - that is what is considered " gluten" when speaking of Celiac.  In which case, you might not be " allergic" to all of them.  And , from my limited understanding of allergies, you would probably need an epi pen and have an anaphylactic reaction to wheat.

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[cyclinglady]

I think your doctor told you that you do not have celiac disease because he did not test you for celiac disease?  Instead, it looks like he tested you for allergies.  An allergic reaction can cause stomach pain, nausea, swelling, hives, itchy rash, breathing issues, fainting, and throat swelling and even death.  If severe, you should carry an EPI pen.  

Why he ordered thyroid antibodies test and not celiac antibodies is odd.  How is he treating your possible autoimmune thyroiditis?  

I guess (this is not medical advice), you should avoid all wheat products, as recommended by your doctor (what kind is he?) , but if you have celiac disease or Non-celiac gluten intolerance, you should avoid eating all forms of gluten: wheat, rye and barley (some oats).  

Consider a second opinion and ask for a dietician referral if possible.  

[Gmombutterfly]

She is general practitioner. Says all my symptoms & sickness is gluten allergy. Guess I'm about to find out how severe it is cause I've been 5 wks only trace gluten & accidentally ate a small gluten croissant tonight. Thought it was gluten-free :-( Anyway,  I was very sick when we went over results & since then I got copy of this. Now I'm wishing I had recorded our appointment because I seriously don't remember the thyroid stuff. Was hoping someone could make sense of it. Thanks 

[TexasJen]

Hi-

I'm wondering what your symptoms are that prompted her testing?

There are several different types of immunoglobulins: IgA, IgG, IgM, IgE, IgD. Each one plays a different role in our immune systems. In very simple terms, IgE is typically what you find in your nasal passages, lungs etc and is involved in allergic reactions (think runny nose, sneezing, breathing trouble, lip swelling). However, many people have IgE reactions in the intestines which don't show the classic symptoms.

IgA is often related to the GI system.

IgG are long term immune system things (think chickenpox - even though you had chicken pox as a kid, your IgG will still protect you from getting chicken pox again years later).

SO, you were not tested for celiac (unless there are some other tests that you did not put on this board). Those tests are IgA, DPG gliadin IgA and IgG, endomysial antibodies and anti-transglutaminase IgA. 

The positive IgE to gluten indicates a possible allergy, but often times there is further testing done through an allergist to prove it.

Since celiac has 300+ different symptoms, is it possible that you also have celiac and should be properly tested? 

Personally I would. It looks like you have another autoimmune condition. The anti-TPO antibody is anti-thyroperoxidase - often found in Hashimoto's. But often times it's silent. The treatment is based on several other tests - TSH, Free T4 and possibly a thyroid ultrasound. 

It sounds like you've only had part of the workup for some complicated symptoms. Ask your doctor lots of questions and don't give up until you feel confident that you have the right answers!

Good luck!

 

[Gmombutterfly]

Thank you!!

[ironictruth]

Celiac panel is TTG, DGP, EMA. A overall IGA should be run to make sure you are not deficient. 

You have positive thyroid antibodies, and, I learned this the hard way, there is a second thyroid antibody test. Although, your one is already positive. You should have all of your thyroid levels done to see how it is functioning and possibly an ultrasound.

You have had in the past, or recently have, the CMV virus. It can resurface and cause symptoms or it can not. 

You need a celiac knowledgable GI and an endocrinologist. Do not waste time, it can take awhile to get into one. 

Unfortunately, you have to be on gluten for the testing. 

Is this your primary care doc? Because you may want a new one of those as well.