Am I just “sensitive” to gluten?

[Margaret Walker]

I had these two tests and was told I had a sensitivity to gluten and should avoid it in order to better absorb nutrients from foods such as calcium. 
Secretory IgA  929 nl range 510- 2010 ug/g

Anti-gliadin IgA 274 nl range 0-157 U/L

I don’t really notice GI symptoms. I was not on a gluten free diet when tested. 

Does this make sense?  Thanks!

Shirley

[Wheatwacked]

Hi Shirley.  Welcome to the forum.

      Yes it is common.  Also common is deficiency in vitamins D, B1, B2, B3, B5, B12, choline and likely Iodine deficiency. They forgot to mention that Celiac Disease causes malabsorption?   Avoid Gluten religiosly, track your vitamin intakes and fortify as needed.  You will be healthier than your peers.  It make take a few monthes to heal, and the peer pressure can be overwhelming, but stick to your guns.  Your health is more important than their misunderstanding.  You have to change your and their mindsets.  

Sorry, they did mention it would help with absorption.

Why did they test you? 

There are over 200 symptoms. Perhaps your symptoms are on this list from the Mayo Clinic:

1. However, more than half the adults with celiac disease have symptoms that are not related to the digestive system, including:
2. Anemia, usually from iron deficiency due to decreased iron absorption.
3. Loss of bone density, called osteoporosis, or softening of bones, called osteomalacia.
4. Itchy, blistery skin rash, called dermatitis herpetiformis.
5. Mouth ulcers.
6. Headaches and fatigue.
7. Nervous system injury, including numbness and tingling in the feet and hands, possible problems with balance, and cognitive impairment.
8. Joint pain.
9. Reduced functioning of the spleen, known as hyposplenism.
10. Elevated liver enzymes.

 

Edited August 4, 2024 by Wheatwacked

[trents]

Who performed this testing? What kind of professional was he/she? The diagnosis of gluten "sensitivity" suggest celiac disease as since it is accompanied by the comment about eliminating gluten in order to absorb nutrients better. This would describe the effects of celiac disease which damages the villous lining of the small bowel as opposed to NCGS (Non Celiac Gluten Sensitivity) which does not and for which there is no test. It is unfortunate that the term "sensitivity" was used instead of the term "intolerance" as it confuses the two.

Stool testing for diagnosing celiac disease is a very questionable method. You need to go to a physician and request the following antibody blood tests to be run to check for celiac disease (aka, gluten intolereance):

Total IGA

TTG-IGA

DGP-IGA

DGP-IGG

But to answer your question, many celiacs are "silent". That is, they are asymptomatic, or largely so, for years before damage to the villous lining of the small bowel becomes severe enough to cause significant discomfort, noticeable symptoms or related health issues.