Positive Gliadin, Negative Endomysial

[bscarter46]

I am new here and I have a few questions. I went almost 2 weeks ago for a colonoscopy to test for Crohn's Disease but the GI said before the procedure began that she bets I have Celiac and wanted blood work done. The colonoscopy came out fine, no Crohn's. I just got my blood work back...which was sent to Quest this time and not Promethus like my IBD blood tests were. There were:

GLIADIN AB IgA - <20 H REFERENCE RANGE (0-5) UNITS

GLIADIN IGG - 33 <20 units Negative, 20-30 units Weak Positive

>30 units Moderate to Strong Positive

Antiendomysial - Negative

I know the endomysial is the best test for Celiac Disease but I also though that with both high levels of Gliadin could also mean you have it. My symptoms have been some diarrhea but not daily, constipation, stomach cramps, bloating, some rectal bleeding but bright red and not very often, painful bowel movements, iron-deficiency anemia which is currently down to 9.8, stomach tenderness (no one can put any pressure on my lower abdomen) and loud stomach grumbling. I honestly was expecting the endomysial to come back positive because of the other two high levels but in a way I am glad it didn't, but also I'm kind of upset that it didn't because now I may be back to square one of not knowing what is going on. I was dying that the thought of the diet and giving up my favorite foods but at least I would have finally known what is causing my problems. I don't see the GI again until May 25th. Anyone know if there is anything else that causes the positive Gliadins other than Celiac? I know its still possible that I have it but just curious. Thanks!

[Tasha2004]

Ive been asking the same questions. My IgA was the only positive test last year, but I am having lots of stomach rumblings, and now show a slight bit of anemia. So, I have this question posted all over the place.

One thing, my endo ordered the IgA, IgG and Endomysial last year. The IgA was positive. This year he order the Ttg, which was negative.

I finally discussed this with my Mom who has Celiac, and we decided I had better ask to repeat the Ig A and Ig G so I have a comparision.

You might ask for the Ttg (Transglutaminase) since that is the one you didnt have.

I feel like you do. I dont want to give up wheat, but I would at least like to know what is going on!

[bscarter46]

Sorry but I forgot the major symptom...weight loss. My normal weight was always around 135-139lbs and my last doctor appointment I was 117lbs, 2 lbs less than the month before. Thanks again!

[Karina]

Sounds like you may want to consider an endoscopy. It is the only sure way of knowing, although many here have just diagnosed it themselves by going gluten-free and seeing major improvements. You definately have some of the classic celiac disease symptoms, and suggestive bloodwork, so what does your doc say about the results?

[bscarter46]

Thanks for your replies. The doctor hasn't said anything. My husband got the results himself because he works in the hospital and has to pull patients labs all the time for their records. The doctor or her office has not called to let me know the results are back or what they are. I do not see the doctor again until May 25 which is a long time away for me. I may give her office a call tomorrow or Wednesday if they do not call me and ask if the results are back and what they mean. I just don't understand that if I have Celiac and it is bad enough for the antibodies to leak into my blood stream and be detected that the endomysial didn't detect anything. I guess it happens but it definately has thrown things off. I read that if its not the disease but just a food allergy then usually your Globulin will be high (or low, can't remember which for sure) but she had mine tested and it is within normal range, as is my albumin. Everything on my blood work is fine other than the anemia, and the Gliadin IgA and IGG. Thanks again for your replies...I just hate the wait when the appointments are so far way, its silly. Hope you are all doing well!

[Guest gillian502]

Your situation sounds so similar to mine-I too weigh 138 or so normally, and dropped within 2 months to weighing 117. I also have occasional but not constant diarrhea and a swollen, very tender abdomen. I was officially diagnosed with celiac disease last year, through blood work and biopsy, and have been gluten-free for 8 months. I have gained all my weight back on the diet and can eat twice as much as I used to, however, many symptoms are still there and things still aren't great for me. It sounds like you do have celiac disease, and probably have damage to the villi in the small intestine, but you would need an endoscopy to confirm that. I'm really surprised your dr. didn't automatically suggest that to be done at the same time as the colonoscopy, especially if she suspected celiac disease strongly enough to order the blood work. I, too, have wondered many times if positive blood results could mean something besides celiac disease but have never really gotten the answer on that one. My dr. is very vague about it, too. My understanding from the medical journals I've read on this subject are that if your IgA and tTg are both positive, then there's a 95% chance it is Celiac and not a different disease. I still don't fully understand it all, though. If I were you I wouldn't wait until the end of May, I'd call and insist on being bumped up to a sooner appointment date based on your diarrhea and weight loss. A month is a long time!