Diagnosis using celiac screener while gluten free

[Touche]

I gave up gluten 10 years ago due to lower stomach problems. It really helped. Last year I started having upper stomach problems so I went to a gastro doctor. He sent me over for a celiac screener immediately.  The test came back with one item elevated. Since then, I've read that you should eat gluten before the test and I hadn't. I want guidance on questions I should ask the doctor when he calls back to discuss the results this week. Does one elevated marker mean anything? 

[trents]

One elevated celiac "marker" can indeed mean something! We call them antibody tests, by the way. But it is also important to know which one it was that was elevated because some are more specific to celiac disease than others and also to know how high the score was on that marker. So, can you give more information please. Which antibody test was high? What was the actual score and what is the reference range for negative vs. positive for that antibody test? Were there other celiac antibody tests run at this same time? Many doctors will only run one antibody test and that is the tTG-IGA. Do you have access to the actual results and can you post them?

Yes, it is true that you must have been consuming gluten in significant amounts for weeks to months before testing in order to get valid test results when seeking a diagnosis. Current protocols for the pretest "gluten challenge" are the daily consumption of 3-6 slices of bread (or the gluten equivalent) for at least two weeks prior to the testing. 

[Touche]

TY for your response..

The score was not very high. 

Deaminated Gliadin Ab IgG - the range wS 0-19 and mine score was only 21. The other markers were negative. 

 

Gliadin Deamidated Peptide Ab, Iga - range 0-19. My score 4

Tissue Transglutaminase Iga 0-3. My score less than 2

Tissue Transglutaminase IgG - range 0-5.  My score less than 2.

Endomhsial Iga - negative

[trents]

Celiac disease damages the lining of the small bowel  . . . the part of the intestines immediately below the outlet of the stomach. You describe your problems as being in the "upper stomach". To me, your issues seem to fit better with GERD or a hiatal hernia or perhaps an ulcer. Has anyone done an upper GI scoping on you recently?

[Touche]

I do have GERD. I had an upper scope 2 years ago.  Last fall I had a CT scan and an MRI to make sure it wasn't the pancreas. My family has a strong history of pancreatic cancer. The pain seems to be more pronounced with food. When I went on a 20 hour liquid diet, it got better. I thought it might be fodmap related. It is currently mild. Last year I had a 3 month episode and then it eased up. It started again the end of January.  I would just like to know why so I can treat it.  I diagnosed myself with wheat problems after 50 years of lower intestine problems. It gave me wonderful relief.  

[Touche]

Thank you! Both of these were helpful.  They said my test indicated some sensitivity to gluten and put me on a strict gluten free diet for 4 weeks to see if I had symptoms.  I've already been basically gluten free for 10 years but I didn't worry about crossover contamination.  So far no recurrence of symptoms with the strict diet.  The last time I went 3 months before having another attack so in my mind, the jury is out for 3 months.