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

Help interpreting blood test results?

sunflowers
 Share

Recommended Posts

sunflowers Rookie
sunflowers
Posted

Hi there - I need some help/support in interpreting my blood test results. For some background, I have been experiencing anemia and GI issues my entire life and began investigating in 2014. I was told it was just anxiety, depression, my period, stress. Only recently did a general practitioner by chance do a B12 test but "it's probably just depression." 🙄 So, I found out I'm deficient in B12 (184) and she referred me to a GI. There, I had to press the GI to do a celiac panel because I wanted to find the cause of the B12 deficiency. 

Anyway, the results came back and I'm only elevated in DGP-IgG. My results are 204.5 when the reference range is <14.9. Everything else was negative, and I don't appear to be deficient in IgA, my results are 245 and the reference range is 81-463. 

I have all the classic symptoms of celiac disease. For example, within 15-20 minutes of consuming gluten I'm bloated beyond belief, nauseous, brain fog, fatigued, abdominal pain. I vomit every morning if I had gluten the day before. I also have all the classic loose stool/constipation symptoms for as long as I can remember. 

If it's not celiac disease because I only tested positive on one test, what's causing me to feel like crap my whole life? 

Also, I do have an endoscopy and colonoscopy scheduled for 3 weeks from now and I have not stopped eating gluten just in case. And I continue to feel like a dumpster fire. 

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


trents Grand Master
trents
Posted

Welcome to the forum, sunflowers!

We here many stories on this forum that mirror yours. That is to say, only one test in the celiac panel turns out positive. But that's why they run the multiple tests that make up the panel and not just one or the other. I do believe you have celiac disease based on the symptoms and the testing. We also get people who test positive on the celiac panel (even tTG-IGA) but have negative biopsies. And then we have people with positive biopsies but all negatives on the celiac panel. No one testing method seems to be absolutely foolproof. 

sunflowers Rookie
sunflowers
Posted
  • Author
2 minutes ago, trents said:

Welcome to the forum, sunflowers!

We here many stories on this forum that mirror yours. That is to say, only one test in the celiac panel turns out positive. But that's why they run the multiple tests that make up the panel and not just one or the other. I do believe you have celiac disease based on the symptoms and the testing. We also get people who test positive on the celiac panel (even tTG-IGA) but have negative biopsies. And then we have people with positive biopsies but all negatives on the celiac panel. No one testing method seems to be absolutely foolproof. 

Hi and thank you for the reply!! I was totally misinformed then! I thought that you had to receive a positive on multiple or all to have celiac. 

knitty kitty Grand Master
knitty kitty
Posted

@sunflowers,

Welcome to the forum!

Anemia can affect the production of white blood cells (and thus antibody production) as well as the production of red blood cells.  

We've had several members who reported as positive on only the DPG.  Don't worry, we'll still let you in the Celiac club.

Keep us posted on your endoscopy results!  

  • 4 weeks later...
sunflowers Rookie
sunflowers
Posted
  • Author

Update: recieved my endoscopy results. Doctor said she saw inflammation in my stomach and esophagus, but the biopsy was negative for celiac. I'm also positive for SIBO. So doctor is telling me that I don't have celiac disease based on the negative biopsy results. What else might cause elevated DGP levels? I've been gluten free about 2 weeks and I feel better, so diagnosis or not I'm going to stick with it. 

trents Grand Master
trents
Posted

What can mimic celiac disease: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5587842/

 

Gluten containing grains will be high in carbs and would feed into the SIBO issue.

knitty kitty Grand Master
knitty kitty
Posted

@sunflowers,

Glad you're feeling better! 

Were the biopsy samples examined by a pathologist?

How many biopsy samples were taken?

Damage to the small intestine can be patchy and the initial changes with Celiac can be microscopic.  

Have you had genetic testing done to check for the most common Celiac genes?

What recommendations did the doctor give for the SIBO?  

I went on the AIP diet (Autoimmune Paleo Protocol diet) and had great results.  The AIP diet starves out the SIBO bacteria.  Stay away from anything with high fructose corn syrup!  

Thanks for the update!

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


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

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Celiac.com:
    Join eNewsletter
    Donate
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):
    Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):



    Celiac.com Sponsors (A17-M):



  • Recent Activity

    1. lil-oly
      - lil-oly replied to Jmartes71's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      1

      Gluten tester

      Hey there, have you been tested for allergies? You may not only have celiac disease but be allergic. I have celiac disease and am allergic to Barley, wheat and rye.
    2. JudyLou
      - JudyLou replied to JudyLou's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      11

      Seeking advice on potential gluten challenge

      Thanks so much!
    3. knitty kitty
      - knitty kitty replied to JudyLou's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      11

      Seeking advice on potential gluten challenge

      I have osteopenia and have cracked three vertebrae. Niacin is connected to osteoporosis! Do talk to your nutritionist and doctor about supplementing with B vitamins. Blood tests don't reveal the amount of vitamins stored inside cells. The blood is a transportation system and can reflect vitamins absorbed from food eaten in the previous twenty-four...
    4. JudyLou
      - JudyLou replied to JudyLou's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      11

      Seeking advice on potential gluten challenge

      Thank you so much for the clarification! Yes to these questions: Have you consulted dietician? Have you been checked for nutritional deficiencies? Osteoporosis? Thyroid? Anemia? Do you take any supplements, or vitamins? I’m within healthy range for nutritional tests, thyroid and am not anemic. I do have osteopenia. I don’t take any medications, and the...
    5. knitty kitty
      - knitty kitty replied to JudyLou's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      11

      Seeking advice on potential gluten challenge

      @JudyLou, I have dermatitis herpetiformis, too! And...big drum roll... Niacin improves dermatitis herpetiformis! Niacin is very important to skin health and intestinal health. You're correct. dermatitis herpetiformis usually occurs on extensor muscles, but dermatitis herpetiformis is also pressure sensitive, so blisters can form...
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):

  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      133,156
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    mike101020
    Newest Member
    mike101020
    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

    • lil-oly
      Gluten tester

      By lil-oly · Posted

      Hey there, have you been tested for allergies? You may not only have celiac disease but be allergic. I have celiac disease and am allergic to Barley, wheat and rye. 
    • JudyLou
      Seeking advice on potential gluten challenge

      By JudyLou · Posted

      Thanks so much! 
    • knitty kitty
      Seeking advice on potential gluten challenge

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      I have osteopenia and have cracked three vertebrae.  Niacin is connected to osteoporosis! Do talk to your nutritionist and doctor about supplementing with B vitamins.  Blood tests don't reveal the amount of vitamins stored inside cells.  The blood is a transportation system and can reflect vitamins absorbed from food eaten in the previous twenty-four to forty-eight hours.  Those "normal limits" are based on minimum amounts required to prevent disease, not levels for optimal health.   Keep us posted on your progress.   B Vitamins: Functions and Uses in Medicine https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9662251/ Association of dietary niacin intake with osteoporosis in the postmenopausal women in the US: NHANES 2007–2018 https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11835798/ Clinical trial: B vitamins improve health in patients with coeliac disease living on a gluten-free diet https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19154566/   Nutritional Imbalances in Adult Celiac Patients Following a Gluten-Free Diet https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8398893/ Nutritional Consequences of Celiac Disease and Gluten-Free Diet https://www.mdpi.com/2036-7422/15/4/61 Simplifying the B Complex: How Vitamins B6 and B9 Modulate One Carbon Metabolism in Cancer and Beyond https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9609401/
    • JudyLou
      Seeking advice on potential gluten challenge

      By JudyLou · Posted

      Thank you so much for the clarification! Yes to these questions: Have you consulted dietician?  Have you been checked for nutritional deficiencies?  Osteoporosis? Thyroid? Anemia?  Do you take any supplements, or vitamins? I’m within healthy range for nutritional tests, thyroid and am not anemic. I do have osteopenia. I don’t take any medications, and the dietician was actually a nutritionist (not sure if that is the same thing) recommended by my physician at the time to better understand gluten free eating.    I almost wish the gluten exposure had triggered something, so at least I’d know what’s going on. So confusing!    Many thanks! 
    • knitty kitty
      Seeking advice on potential gluten challenge

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      @JudyLou,  I have dermatitis herpetiformis, too!  And...big drum roll... Niacin improves dermatitis herpetiformis!   Niacin is very important to skin health and intestinal health.   You're correct.  dermatitis herpetiformis usually occurs on extensor muscles, but dermatitis herpetiformis is also pressure sensitive, so blisters can form where clothing puts pressure on the skin. Elastic waist bands, bulky seams on clothing, watch bands, hats.  Rolled up sleeves or my purse hanging on my arm would make me break out on the insides of my elbows.  I have had a blister on my finger where my pen rested as I write.  Foods high in Iodine can cause an outbreak and exacerbate dermatitis herpetiformis. You've been on the gluten free diet for a long time.  Our gluten free diet can be low in vitamins and minerals, especially if processed gluten free foods are consumed.  Those aren't fortified with vitamins like gluten containing products are.  Have you consulted dietician?  Have you been checked for nutritional deficiencies?  Osteoporosis? Thyroid? Anemia?  Do you take any supplements, medicine, or vitamins? Niacin deficiency is connected to anemia.  Anemia can cause false negatives on tTg IgA tests.  A person can be on that borderline where symptoms wax and wane for years, surviving, but not thriving.  We have a higher metabolic need for more nutrients when we're sick or emotionally stressed which can deplete the small amount of vitamins we can store in our bodies and symptoms reappear.   Exposure to gluten (and casein in those sensitive to it) can cause an increased immune response and inflammation for months afterwards. The immune cells that make tTg IgA antibodies which are triggered today are going to live for about two years. During that time, inflammation is heightened.  Those immune cells only replicate when triggered.  If those immune cells don't get triggered again for about two years, they die without leaving any descendents programmed to trigger on gluten and casein.  The immune system forgets gluten and casein need to be attacked.  The Celiac genes turn off.  This is remission.    Some people in remission report being able to consume gluten again without consequence.   However, another triggering event can turn the Celiac genes on again.   Celiac genes are turned on by a triggering event (physical or emotional stress).  There's some evidence that thiamine insufficiency contributes to the turning on of autoimmune genes.  There is an increased biological need for thiamine when we are physically or emotionally stressed.  Thiamine cannot be stored for more than twenty-one days and may be depleted in as little as three during physical and emotional stresses. Mitochondria without sufficient thiamine become damaged and don't function properly.  This gets relayed to the genes and autoimmune disease genes turn on.  Thiamine and other B vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients are needed to replace the dysfunctional mitochondria and repair the damage to the body.   I recommend getting checked for vitamin and mineral deficiencies.  More than just Vitamin D and B12.  A gluten challenge would definitely be a stressor capable of precipitating further vitamin deficiencies and health consequences.   Best wishes!    
×
×
  • 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.