Which Test?

[chrismikayla]

Good morning everyone. I’m brand new to the Forum and strongly suspect I have at the very least a gluten intolerance. I’ve had general fatigue, sinus issues and post nasal drip, severe reflux, and skin rashes. I initially thought it was a lactose or milk allergy as I was a serial “cereal” eater haha. I cut out all milk but my symptoms haven’t improved but I still eat bread, fried foods almost daily. I now believe it wasn’t the milk causing my issues but the gluten in the cereal itself. Would either the basic wheat allergy test or the gluten ige test help me with a diagnosis? Or is it best to eliminate gluten for a while to see if it helps? Thanks and I look forward to learning from all the posters here.

[GFinDC]

Hi,

The testing for celiac disease is a two part-er.  They do a blood test for DGP (deamidated gliaden protein) antibodies in IgA or IgG form.  Also an EMA IgA antibodies and total serum IgA.  Then if there is a positive on any one of the different types of antibodies, an endoscopy is performed.  During the endoscopy they take 4 to 6 small biopsy samples of the small intestine lining.  These are checked under a microscope for celiac type damage.

An IgE test is an allergy test and does not tell anything about celiac disease, which is IgA or IgG.  You need to stay on gluten until all celiac testing is completed.  Or we will tell your mom!   No, seriously, if you don't stay on gluten the test results won't be accurate.

Welcome to the forum!

[chrismikayla]

5 hours ago, GFinDC said:

Hi,

The testing for celiac disease is a two part-er.  They do a blood test for DGP (deamidated gliaden protein) antibodies in IgA or IgG form.  Also an EMA IgA antibodies and total serum IgA.  Then if there is a positive on any one of the different types of antibodies, an endoscopy is performed.  During the endoscopy they take 4 to 6 small biopsy samples of the small intestine lining.  These are checked under a microscope for celiac type damage.

An IgE test is an allergy test and does not tell anything about celiac disease, which is IgA or IgG.  You need to stay on gluten until all celiac testing is completed.  Or we will tell your mom!   No, seriously, if you don't stay on gluten the test results won't be accurate.

Welcome to the forum!

Thanks. I think in the meantime I’ll eliminate gluten for a month or two to see if I feel better.

[kareng]

Just now, chrismikayla said:

Thanks. I think in the meantime I’ll eliminate gluten for a month or two to see if I feel better.

Just remember, if you want to know if you actually have Celiac, you will have to go back on a regular gluten diet for a few months before you can be tested.  It is usually easier to get the blood test before you go gluten-free.  If you are feeling better, you might not want to eat gluten again.  But if you do not know if you actually have Celiac, you may not be as careful as you need to be or be treating things that Celiac causes.