Igg Gliadin Antibodies

[Guest Loribop]

Hi,

What does it mean if my IgG gliadin antibodies are positive, but the tTG came out negative? I have been sick all of my 37 years, have autoimmune Hashimoto's Thyroid disease, Pernicious Anemia, Reflux, Asthma, and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/EBV? I have the classic symptoms...diarhea, fatigue, etc.

If the tTG is negative can I have Celiac or am I just gluten sensitive? I've been gluten free for 6 weeks and I have a biopsy coming up in two weeks. Will the gluten-free diet screw up the biopsy?

Thanks for any information.

Lori

[tarnalberry]

you know, that exactly the boat I'm in. Do you know the _numbers_ on your tests? I only have a "negative" on the tTg (where <20 counts as negative, but I don't know HOW less than 20 I am) and 1.4 on the gliandin IgG (where ... 1.2 is normal). My doc told me that she interpretted the test as inconclusive, and advised me to do a dietary challenge and see how I felt going off gluten for a while, then trying it again for a week. Based on that, I call myself celiac. (I posted on the general issue board noting I might look into more detailed testing in the future though...) Anyway, the results from the lab I have note that a positive on the gliandin occurs in 20% of celiacs... So, you've got a 1 in 5 chance of having it.

But the important question is how do you FEEL on a gluten-free diet? (Of course, I wouldn't do the gluten-free diet until the biopsy! :-) )

(BTW, were you gluten-free when you did the blood tests?)

[seeking-wholeness]

Lori,

You MAY have a condition known as "selective IgA deficiency," which would cause all of your IgA-based test results (including the tTG test) to fall in the normal range even if you do have celiac disease. I forget how common this deficiency is in the healthy population, but it is definitely more common among celiacs. If your doctor did not run a "total IgA" test, there is really no valid way to interpret your test results (because your doctor's automatic assumption that you have normal levels of IgA antibodies may be incorrect).

Unfortunately, being gluten-free for 6 weeks MAY cause a false-negative biopsy result--or it may not. It most likely depends on exactly how much damage there was to begin with. You might want to go back on gluten until the biopsy is over, if you can stand it. If not, well, there's your final answer! The third "prong" of the gold standard for diagnosing celiac disease is "improvement on a gluten-free diet"!

If it turns out that the biopsy is inconclusive (which is to say, anything other than positive!), there are always the Open Original Shared Link tests, which can reportedly still detect celiac disease-related antibodies in a stool specimen for a significant time after a patient goes gluten-free. Conventional doctors may or may not accept the results, but the tests might help you put your own mind at ease.

I wish you the best of luck as you pursue some answers!

[Guest Loribop]

Thanks so much for writing, Tarnalberry and Sarah!

My IgG number was 36 (where anything over 20 is positive, and anything over 30 is a strong positive)

The Dr did not test for total IgA.

I felt much better on the gluten-free diet, although I had a hard time with it mentally. As soon as I went back on Gluten, my fatigue level shot up, and I have stomach trouble. I hope the test results of the biopsy are not affected by the 6 weeks of gluten-free living.

I just can't believe I went from Dr to Dr my whole life, felt lousy, and was so often referred to a shrink and given antidepressants. I'm still on them, but maybe after a few months I can cut down or go off of them. The daily B12 shots for pernicious anemia, and thyroid meds probably have to continue.

Thanks again,

Lori

[JsBaby-G]

Lori

Just thought I'd let ya know that I too was on antidepressants and after 2 years gluten free I am no longer on them. I was also taking folic acid for anemia and had a thyroid condition, although maybe not the same as yours I am no longer in need of either med. I hope you are as fortunate as I have been.

Wish you the best!

[Guest Loribop]

Wow, Crystal, that's wonderful. Congrats on the reduction in drugs and better health being gluten-free.

I am taking Leucovorin; a drug they give cancer patients to build their blood up after chemo. I think it has Folic Acid in it. I would love to give up my Celexa, Wellbutrin XL, Trazadone, Synthroid, Cytomel, Singulair, Allegra, Proventil, and Acifex. It's just too many drugs to take for someone whose illness is all in her head!

Thanks for the post.

[Susan123]

I am in the same boat too. IgA was 114 and Tranglutimase was 0. Biopsy normal. Who knows for sure right? I agree being gluten-free for 6 weeks will probably give you a false reading on the biospy.

[kvogt]

It is not uncommon for some individuals to suffer all the symptoms of celiac disease, but fail to produce TtG or a positive biopsy. Dr. Kenneth Fine says he has observed this. Your doctor is trying to prove a "classic" case, where he requires you to have TtG and villous atrophy. You are in the gray area. Since you are producing antibodies, I would suggest you try the gluten-free diet for 3 months and see if you feel better.

[dclark519]

Hi to everybody. I had one test come back neg. and one pos. My biopsy is next week. I was advised to consume gluten products the day before the biopsy. Your intestinal lining rebuilds in 3 days. I've been on a gluten free diet for 3 weeks and have no doubt regardless of any test that I am gluten intolerant. I have been miserable most of my life. (I;m 35) and had progressive joint pain , stomach aches, Gerd, esophagitis, frequent bathroom trips, mild depression, thinning hair, now I feel better than I have in years and years. gluten intolerance is totally different than celiac sprue. My old doctor just wanted to push the pills and cover up all symptoms. Thank God my new Dr. suspected celiac. It's a lifelong committment to the diet and my dietician said it's the 2nd hardest diet in the world. But considering the improvement in health it's sooo worth it. From my understanding, the trouble with mental disturbances comes from malabsorption of vital nutrients and toxins building up in the system from the wheat products. Keep a food diary everyday and write down everything you eat and drink, and if you have any symptoms, (including emotional) and my dietician said we can tell by looking over the diary what we're allergic to. she has been right so far. Apparently one gram of a wheat product can trigger symptoms. Bye for now, and good luck to all.

[gf4life]

Hi everyone, I was out of town for a week and totally missed this string of posts. I just wanted to say something about the biopsy.

dclark, if you have been gluten free for more than three weeks, one day on gluten will not cause enough damage to show on the biopsy. I assume you are going in this week and I hope that if it comes back negative that you will consider the fact that you have been gluten-free for a while. I go for my biopsy tomorrow and I have been consuming gluten for two months in preparation of the biopsy. It is recommended that you eat gluten regluarly for at least 3-6 weeks, depending on who you talk to about it. I wanted to wish you luck.

God bless,

Mariann

[granny]

. I go for my biopsy tomorrow and I have been consuming gluten for two months in preparation of the biopsy.

Hi Mariann, Good luck on the biopsi tomorrow. I've followed your journey back on gluten thru your writting and my heart goes out to you and I'm so glad it's almost over. Granny

[gf4life]

Thank you Granny,

I am so glad that today is my last day (voluntarily) eating gluten!

I really appreciate your support.

God bless,

Mariann