Test results.. help

[P.d]

So, i am new here!
I am European,. I live in Portugal.

 

I started having daily diarrhea when i was 18 years old (I am 28 now), it all started one day, after breakfast and 10 years later i still have to deal with it every day..

My main symptoms are diarrhea and flatulence.. but over the years i started having some other symptoms and complications like.. An ultrasound showed that my gallblader is not working (non-functional)..  for the past 4/5 years my Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) has been very high (Triple the max value) suggesting hypothyroidism (Never been "officialy" diagnosed with it)

and an ultrasound showed 2 nodules on my thyroid

I fell very tired all the time.. my knee makes noises and hurts

 

So i eard of celiac disease (Not well known in Portugal) and i decided to get tested

These were the results:

 

HLA-DQ2 -- Negative

 

HLA-DQ8 -- Positive

 

Immunoglobulin A (IgA) -- 313 mg/dl                           reference value 70 - 400

 

Anti-Gliadin IgA -- 3 U/ml                                              reference value  < 8

 

Anti-Gliadin IgG -- 3 U/ml                                              reference value  < 8

 

Endomysial antibody (EMA)

Result    --  Negative

Title     --    <1/10                                                            reference value <1/10

 

Anti-transglutaminase IgA       --   6 U/ml                   reference value < 10

 

  Anti-Reticulin IgA

Result    --  Negative

Title     --    <1/10                                                            reference value <1/10

 

 

 

 

So, it suggests i don't have celiac disease...
But i tested positive for the HLA-DQ8 gene..
I know that up to 40% of people test positive for this genes.

But in my case, i have the genetic predisposition and i have all the symptoms

 

Is it possible that it is a false negative?
Should i get tested again??

 

 

Thanks for your help

[GFinDC]

Hi P.d,

Some people never show up on the blood tests.  The blood testing is good but not perfect.  So you may still have celiac disease but not show it in your bloodstream yet.  There is another condition called NCGS (non-celiac gluten sensitivity) that can also cause symptoms when eating gluten.  But there are no tests for it yet.  Actually, NCGS is more common than celiac disease.  NCGS may be linked to FODMAPs in foods.

People with DH (dermatitis herpetiformis and those with gluten ataxia also may test negative but still have celiac disease.  Celiac testing just needs some improvement IMHO.

But, you can try the gluten-free diet without a doctor's suggestion.   If you feel better in a few weeks that is a good reason to stay on the gluten-free diet.  It doesn't matter what a test says, it matters how you feel.

Once you start the gluten-free diet it may take several months or more to get better.  Some things take time to heal.

[P.d]

GFinDC. thank you so much for your reply.

I think you're right, a gluten free diet may be a good thing to try.