Jump to content
  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.




  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):



    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):


  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

Doc only tested for TTG - should I press for more?


samplemomof3

Recommended Posts

samplemomof3 Rookie

I’ve been having diarrhea and headaches, daily for 18 days now. I have had many of the common celiac symptoms for most of my life, as well. 

I asked the doc to check for celiac. He ordered the tTG-IgA and nothing else. It finally came back and my results for 3.48 (which according to the <20 range for my test, is obviously a very strong negative). I’ve read that ttg could give a false negative of you are IgA deficient. 

I don’t want to annoy the doc and make him think I’m the queen of the internet, lol, but should I push for a full celiac panel and remind him that the ttg alone could give a false negative? 

Did any of you get a negative tTG-IgA, but actually still have celiac? Also, I should mention on my blood work, my hemoglobin is fine and not showing anemia (not sure if that’s what causes the immunoglobulin A deficiency or not.. I don’t know enough about that deficiency.)


Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):



Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):



ravenwoodglass Mentor

Yes you should get the full panel done. Maybe ask for a referral to a GI doctor since this has been going on for over 2 weeks. It might also be a good idea to get a stool sample tested for food borne illness if they haven't done it already.  I had salmonella for over 2 weeks once before the doctor tested. Doc kept insisting it was just IBS. Got an apology and some antibiotics.

cyclinglady Grand Master

Yes, I tested negative to the TTG IgA.  My only positive on the celiac panel was the DGP IgA.  At the time of my diagnosis, I was very anemic.   But the Immunoglobulin A (IgA) test should have been run with the TTG IgA.  In celiac disease testing, it confirms if the celiac IgA tests actually work.  Without it, who knows if the TTG IgA test results are valid as some celiacs are Immunoglobulin A deficient?  

Do you have any of the risk factors?  It might make it easier to get the rest of the panel ordered.

Open Original Shared Link

Ravenwoodglass gave some excellent advice too.  In any case, keep persisting as the IgA deficiency y test should have been run.  

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.


  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):



  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      131,995
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748

    Naner4
    Newest Member
    Naner4
    Joined

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):


  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.5k
    • Total Posts
      1m

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):





  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):



  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • knitty kitty
      @sleuth, Has your son been checked for nutritional deficiencies?  All of those symptoms can be caused by malnutrition.  I had severe malnutrition that went unrecognized by my doctors.  Intense fatigue, brain fog, depression, anxiety, and gastrointestinal distress are symptoms of deficiencies in the eight essential B vitamins, especially Thiamine B1, which becomes low first because the demand is higher when we're sick.     Celiac Disease causes inflammation and damage of the intestinal lining which inhibits absorption of essential nutrients.  Checking for nutritional deficiencies is part of proper follow up care for people with celiac disease.   Is your son taking any vitamin supplements?  Most supplements contain thiamine mononitrate which in not readily absorbed and utilized by the body.  Benfotiamine is a form of thiamine that is shown to promote intestinal healing.  Benfotiamine is available over the counter.  Benfotiamine is safe and nontoxic.   Is your son eating processed gluten-free foods?  Gluten-free processed foods are not required to be enriched with vitamins like their gluten containing counterparts.   Is your son following a low histamine diet?  Histamine is released as part of the immune response to gluten and other foods high in histamine.  High levels of histamine in the brain can cause anxiety, insomnia, and depression.  The body needs the B vitamins to make the enzyme Diamine Oxidase (DAO) to break down and clear histamine.  DAO supplements are available over the counter.  Vitamin C helps clear histamine as well.  Some people find over the counter antihistamines helpful as well, but they're not for long term use.   Nicotine has antihistamine-like properties, but can also irritate the gut.  Tobacco, from which nicotine is derived, is a nightshade (like tomatoes, potatoes, peppers and eggplant).  Nightshades contain alkaloids which affect gastrointestinal permeability, causing leaky gut syndrome.  Nicotine can cause gastrointestinal irritation and alter for the worse the microbiome. Safer alternatives to Nicotine that have antihistamine properties include Lemon Balm (Sweet Melissa),  Passion Flower, Chamomile, and Bilberry.  They can be taken as supplements, extracts, or tea.  These will help with the anxiety, insomnia and depression in a much safer way. Oolong tea is also helpful.  Oolong tea contains the amino acid L-Theanine which helps the digestive tract heal.  (L -Theanine supplements are available over the counter, if not a tea drinker.)  Tryptophan, a form of Niacin B3, also helps calm digestive symptoms.  Another amino acid, L-Lysine, can help with anxiety and depression.  I've used these for years without problems.   What ways to cope have you tried in the past?
    • Scott Adams
      They are a sponsor here, and I did noticed a free shipping coupon: GFships
    • Scott Adams
      In general if it is labelled gluten-free then it should be ok for most celiacs, however, those who are super sensitive (which is most who have dermatitis herpetiformis) may want to eat only certified gluten-free items, which are supposed to test down to 10ppm (but don't always!).
    • Wheatwacked
      Have faith, you will survive. I get mine from Pipingrock.com.  500 capsules of 10,000 IU for $22.  That is almost two years worth for me.  250 caps 5000 IU for $6.69 if you only take 5,000 a day.  It's like half the price of Walmart.
    • Wheatwacked
      Testing can't alone be trusted.  Else why would it take so many years of testing and retesting and misdiagnosis to finally be told, yes you have Celiac Disease. As to what to eat, I like pre 1950 style food.  Before the advent of TV dinners.  Fresh food is better for you, and cooking from scratch is cheaper.  Watch Rachel Ray's 30 Minute Meals for how to cook.  Keep in mind that she is not gluten free, but her techniques are awesome.  Just use something else instead of wheat, barley, rye. Dr Fuhrman is a ex cardiologist.  His book Eat to Live and Dr Davis' book Wheatbelly were instrumental in my survival.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

NOTICE: This site places This site places cookies on your device (Cookie settings). on your device. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy.