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A bit confused about test results

festivus321

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festivus321 Rookie
festivus321
Posted

Hello,

Can someone give me (if possible) a simple explanation what the attached test results mean?  Result for (tTG) IgG is a "weak positive," but everything else was negative.  Given my circumstances, it  probably indicates Celiac's, and I guess the normal course of action is to get a biopsy or just stop eating gluten for a while/forever.  Just want to make sure I understand it all.

I am furiously Googling to figure this out since I haven't been able to talk to my Dr. yet about the results, but if anyone could help me out, I would really appreciate it.    

Thanks!!

Ed

 

 

 

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cyclinglady Grand Master
cyclinglady
Posted
On 2/28/2018 at 3:11 PM, festivus321 said:

Hello,

Can someone give me (if possible) a simple explanation what the attached test results mean?  Result for (tTG) IgG is a "weak positive," but everything else was negative.  Given my circumstances, it  probably indicates Celiac's, and I guess the normal course of action is to get a biopsy or just stop eating gluten for a while/forever.  Just want to make sure I understand it all.

I am furiously Googling to figure this out since I haven't been able to talk to my Dr. yet about the results, but if anyone could help me out, I would really appreciate it.    

Thanks!!

Ed

It only takes one positive on the panel to move forward.  I was positive only on the DGP IgA and yet I had some pretty severe small intestinal damage per my biopsies.  Even if I am exposed to gluten, only my DGP IgA is ever elevated.  Get a GI referral who is celiac-savvy.  Do not go gluten free until all testing is complete.  If everything is normal, then consider trialing the diet.  

Keep us posted!  

festivus321 Rookie
festivus321
Posted
  • Author
8 hours ago, cyclinglady said:

It only takes one positive on the panel to move forward.  I was positive only on the DGP IgA and yet I had some pretty severe small intestinal damage per my biopsies.  Even if I am exposed to gluten, only my DGP IgA is ever elevated.  Get a GI referral who is celiac-savvy.  Do not go gluten free until all testing is complete.  If everything is normal, then consider trialing the diet.  

Keep us posted!  

Thanks for the reply!   What you described for your results makes more sense to me, because what I read said that a positive for (TtG) IgA almost certainly indicates Celiac's.   What I'm a little confused about is my case, where the (tTG) IgA  in the normal range and no IgA deficiency, but the (tTG) IgG is positive.   I guess what I'm really asking:  Is there a rough estimate on the likelihood that I have Celiac's based on a "weak positive" (tTg) IgG and everything else is normal?

Thanks again,

Ed

cyclinglady Grand Master
cyclinglady
Posted

No rough estimate.  The celiac tests are good, but not perfect.  It is why, even after some years of celiac experts debating, the biopsy is still the gold standard in diagnosing celiac disease.  I am sorry that your case does not follow the norm.  

festivus321 Rookie
festivus321
Posted
  • Author
7 minutes ago, cyclinglady said:

No rough estimate.  The celiac tests are good, but not perfect.  It is why, even after some years of celiac experts debating, the biopsy is still the gold standard in diagnosing celiac disease.  I am sorry that your case does not follow the norm.  

Interesting, thanks.  My doctor just messaged me a few minutes ago: "Your serum IgA levels were normal on this test. Because your tTG is weakly positive, it is unlikely that you have celiac disease."

Not real helpful.

So looks like a biopsy is in my near future... and maybe a new doctor. :)

Thanks for the help,

Ed

 

cyclinglady Grand Master
cyclinglady
Posted

The odds are low, but you could still have celiac disease.  I am not a doctor, do not know your symptoms or other health issues you might have.  At least try to get a celiac-savvy to review your history.  

Open Original Shared Link

More from some members:

https://www.celiac.com/forums/topic/104880-thanks-for-sharing-your-thoughts-on-my-sons-test/

Did your doctor know that 10% of celiacs are seronegative?  

Open Original Shared Link

Open Original Shared Link

 So, you can not rule out celiac disease yet.  

Cara in Boston Enthusiast
Cara in Boston
Posted

A positive is a positive.  

My son was only positive on the IgG tests and negative on all IgA tests (even though he was not deficient).  I was the opposite.  He has extensive intestinal damage.  I had no damage at all.  He had zero GI symptoms, I had mostly GI symptoms.  We both have Celiac and our symptoms went away when we went gluten free.  It is different for everyone, which is why they give you a variety of tests.  

Even if your biopsy appears fine, that only means damage was not found (missed or not visible yet). It does not mean you don't have C.D.   

After all testing is done, try the diet.  Resolution of symptoms after going gluten free is, in itself, the final test.

I would find a better informed doctor also.

cara

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festivus321 Rookie
festivus321
Posted
  • Author

Thanks for all the help/suggestions.   Sounds like the only "test" is to stop eating gluten for a few months.  No wonder people are confused about this topic.

 

Thanks,

Ed

festivus321 Rookie
festivus321
Posted
  • Author

Okay, so I've been avoiding gluten and milk for a week (which I know is not enough time,) but humor me.  Because I've been avoiding cow's milk,  I have replaced it with soy milk, which I eat with (gluten-free) cereal almost every morning.    Since my bowels seem to be getting worse, it occurred to me it might be soy to which I am intolerant.   Then I did some googling, and some claim that soy intolerance could cause a positive for tTG IgG.   So maybe it's soy intolerance, not Celiac.    I am probably way off base, but maybe???

Thanks,

Ed

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