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

Can iGa Show Improvements but Villi Still Blunted?

vvicin02
 Share

Recommended Posts

vvicin02 Enthusiast
vvicin02
Posted

Is it possibly to have improved iGa numbers after being on GFD for 6 weeks but still have blunted villi? I am asking because I had an endoscopy for my esophagus two weeks ago and the Doc said he could see issues with my small intestines and active celiac disease. I was disappointed since I was on a GFD for a month. Next week I am going in for blood work to see if my numbers improved. I was just wondering if my villi are still blunted will the antibodies still be active without Gluten present? 

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


tessa25 Rising Star
tessa25
Posted

It can take many months for your IGA numbers to go down. And it can take many months for your villi damage to heal. On top of that the gluten-free diet is not as easy as it initially seems. There can be hidden gluten hidden in many things.

Ennis-TX Grand Master
Ennis-TX
Posted

You villi are blunted from the disease, it can take up to 6 weeks for your body to stop attacking them and up to 6-12 months for test to read normal, it varies from person to person. BUT it can take UP to 24 months on a gluten free diet for your villi to COMPLETELY heal according to some studies. And the diet is life long or it can start all over again. 

"You should see your physician 3-6 months after your initial diagnosis and annually thereafter to identify nutritional deficiencies, address symptoms you may still be experiencing, and confirm your adherence to the gluten-free diet. Patients on a strict gluten-free diet should have a negative anti-tTg IgA test at the 6-12 month mark"

cyclinglady Grand Master
cyclinglady
Posted

Sure.  The antibodies testing for celiac disease was developed to help in diagnosing celiac disease.  It was not intended as a follow-up test to determine dietary compliance or a measurement of healing.  However, it is the “only tool in the toolbox”, so it is being used.  

In theory, the small intestine can heal fast.  Unfortunately, most people do not master the gluten free diet for months or longer.  Each gluten exposure can set off an antibodies reaction.  How long it lasts or how much damage it can cause is unknown.  Let’s facing it, studies require money.  Celiac disease is certainly underfunded by the government and it is not a very glamorous topic (the GI tract).  Luckily, the cure is a gluten-free diet.  Other autoimmune suffers are not so fortunate.  

That said, I will share my personal experience.  My DGP antibodies were still greatly elevated when I had a repeat endoscopy that revealed healthy villi (and my GI went in pretty deep).   I kept beating myself up on my diet even though I have been gluten free for five years and my hubby has been for 17 years.  If anyone knows this diet, it would be me!  

Since you still have intestinal damage, look to your diet.  Consider avoiding processed foods and do not eat out.  

vvicin02 Enthusiast
vvicin02
Posted
  • Author

Thank you all. I do not eat out and I prepare my own food (with the help from my wife...lol). I still feel I am doing something wrong but don't have any GI issues and I feel good. I guess my confidence is not so high because I don't feel cheated on what I eat. I do not eat processed foods and make most foods from scratch. I guess my concern is CC, spices or sauces. I guess we shall see next week after my blood work. I guess my dilemma is to figure out what I am dong wrong if my antibodies are still elevated. I would hope they would decrease even a little- just to give me some hope. Thank you again.

cyclinglady Grand Master
cyclinglady
Posted

Please do not get discouraged if your antibodies are still elevated.  Mine were elevated for over a year (beyond the lab ranges).  That is very common.  A month in is just too soon to heal.  Your doctor should be checking at three or six months out and not four or six weeks:

Open Original Shared Link

 

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share
Go to topic listing
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):


  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      132,558
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    Ortega
    Newest Member
    Ortega
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):



  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.5k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):

  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • Scott Adams
      gluten-free Oatmeal

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      Oats naturally contain a protein called avenin, which is similar to the gluten proteins found in wheat, barley, and rye. While avenin is generally considered safe for most people with celiac disease, some individuals, around 5-10% of celiacs, may also have sensitivity to avenin, leading to symptoms similar to gluten exposure. You may fall into this category, and eliminating them is the best way to figure this out. Some people substitute gluten-free quinoa flakes for oats if they want a hot cereal substitute. If you are interested in summaries of scientific publications on the topic of oats and celiac disease, we have an entire category dedicated to it which is here: https://www.celiac.com/celiac-disease/oats-and-celiac-disease-are-they-gluten-free/   
    • knitty kitty
      My only proof

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      Well said, @Mari!
    • knitty kitty
      Shingles - Could It Be Related to Gluten/ Celiac

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      Hi, @Ginger38, I've had shingles in the past.  I understand how miserable you're feeling.   Not only do i have the chickenpox virus lurking about, I also have the cold sore virus that occasionally flares with a huge cold sore on my lip when stressed or exposed to gluten.  The virus lives dormant in the nerves on the left side of my face.  It causes Bell's Palsy (resulting in drooling).  The cold sore virus is also in my eye.  My eye swells up and my vision is diminished permanently whenever I have a flare, so it's of the utmost importance to keep flares away and treat them immediately if they do happen so I don't lose any more vision.   I take the amino acid supplement L-Lysine.  Lysine messes with the replication of viruses, which helps the body fight them off.   I haven't had an outbreak for several years until this year when exceptionally stressed and contaminated, it flared up again. Lysine has been shown to be beneficial in suppression of viruses like the cold sore virus (a herpetic virus), the chickenpox virus (also a herpetic virus), as well as the HIV virus, and even the Covid virus.   I also take additional Thiamine in the form TTFD (tetrahydrofurfuryl disulfide) because Thiamine has antiviral properties as well.   For pain, a combination of Thiamine (like TTFD or Benfotiamine or Thiamine Hydrochloride), with B12 Cobalamine, and Pyridoxine B6 have been shown to have analgesic properties which relieve pain and neuropathy.    The combination of Thiamine B1, Pyridoxine B6 and Cobalamine B12 really does work to relieve pain.  I take it for back pain from crushed vertebrae in my back.  This combination also works on other pain and neuropathy.   I usually buy a supplement that combines all three and also Riboflavin B2 called EXPLUS online.  However, it's made in Japan and the price with the tariffs added makes it really expensive now.  But the combination of Thiamine B1, Pyridoxine B6 and B12 Cobalamine (and Riboflavin B2) still work even if taken separately.   I can't take Tylenol or ibuprofen because of stomach upsets.  But I can take the vitamin combination without side effects.  However, you can take the three vitamins at the same time as other pain relievers for added benefit.  The vitamins help other pain relievers work better. I hope you will try it.  Hopeful you'll feel better quickly. Interesting Reading: Thiamine, cobalamin, locally injected alone or combination for herpetic itching: a single-center randomized controlled trial https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23887347/ Mechanisms of action of vitamin B1 (thiamine), B6 (pyridoxine), and B12 (cobalamin) in pain: a narrative review https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35156556/ Analgesic and analgesia-potentiating action of B vitamins https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12799982/ A Narrative Review of Alternative Symptomatic Treatments for Herpes Simplex Virus https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10301284/
    • Mari
      My only proof

      By Mari · Posted

      I think, after reading this, that you areso traumatized by not being able yo understand what your medical advisors have been  what medical conditions are that you would like to find a group of people who also feel traumatized who would agree with you and also support you. You are on a crusade much as the way the US Cabinet  official, the Health Director of our nation is in trying to change what he considers outdated and incorrect health advisories. He does not have the education, background or experience to be in the position he occupies and is not making beneficial decisions. That man suffered a terrible trauma early in his life when his father was assonated. We see now how he developed and worked himself into a powerful position.  Unless you are willing to take some advice or  are willing to use a few of the known methods of starting on a path to better health then not many of us on this Celiac Forum will be able to join you in a continuing series of complaints about medical advisors.    I am almost 90 years old. I am strictly gluten free. I use 2 herbs to help me stay as clear minded as possible. You are not wrong in complaining about medical practitioners. You might be more effective with a clearer mind, less anger and a more comfortable life if you would just try some of the suggestions offered by our fellow celiac volunteers.  
    • Jmartes71
      My only proof

      By Jmartes71 · Posted

      Thus has got to STOP , medical bit believing us! I literally went through 31 years thinking it was just a food allergy as its downplayed by medical if THEY weren't the ones who diagnosed us! Im positive for HLA-DQ2 which is first celiac patient per Iran and Turkey. Here in the States especially in Cali its why do you feel that way? Why do you think your celiac? Your not eating gluten so its something else.Medical caused me depression. I thought I was safe with my former pcp for 25 years considering i thought everything I went through and going through will be available when I get fired again for health. Health not write-ups my health always come back when you're better.Im not and being tossed away at no fault to my own other than shitty genes.I was denied disability because person said he didn't know how to classify me! I said Im celiac, i have ibs, hernia, sciatica, high blood pressure, in constant pain have skin and eye issues and menopause intensified everything. With that my celiac nightmare began to reprove my disregarded disease to a bunch of clowns who think they are my careteam when they said I didn't have...I feel Im still breathing so I can fight this so no body else has to deal with this nightmare. Starting over with " new care team" and waisting more time on why I think I am when diagnosed in 1994 before food eliminated from my diet. P.s everything i went through I did write to medical board, so pretty sure I will continue to have a hard time.
×
×
  • 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.