Jump to content
This site uses cookies. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. More Info... ×

  • 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

Blood Test Question

Lillyth

Recommended Posts

Lillyth Explorer
Lillyth
Posted
  • Author

Okay - I've tried to post a new topic & it doesn't seem to show up - so I'm posting it here too...

I got my tTG test results back - they say I'm negative, but I've been gluten free.

She (the doc) only did the tTG because she said the celiac would show up on that one, regardless of my consumption of gluten.

She also reiterated that the rash I have does not look like DH - if I had that it would be in little red clumps (which it was before I went off gluten), and that if I had DH it would be on my elbows.

"Good News!" she said, "It doesn't look like you have celiac."

That doesn't sound so good to me, because if it's not celiac, then I need to figure out what else out there could possibly give me all the symptoms of it - weight gain, distended tummy, excessive gas & bowel activity, extreme fatigue, and major break-outs on my back any time I use shampoo or conditiner with wheat in them.

I guess my questions are 1) do I need to be consuming gluten for the tTG to come back positive, and 2) if I don't have celiac, what the hell IS wrong with me?

TYIA

Lil

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):


  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      130,233
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    JGBJ
    Newest Member
    JGBJ
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.3k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):


  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • nataliallano
      Inflammation and Menier’s disease link?

      By nataliallano · Posted

      Thanks Trents I'm strict with my gluten-free diet now. I just don't feel any better. I'm going to get tested for vitamins and minerals to see if I need some supplements. For sure I got some damage that doctors call Menier's and the only way they treat it is with medicine that does damage my body more than it helps.   
    • Zuma888
      Hypothetical question about antibodies

      By Zuma888 · Posted

      Thank you Scott for your helpful response! Based on this, would you say someone who is on a gluten-free diet - but not strict about cross-contamination and occasional cheating - and tests negative for tTg-IgA while having normal total IgA is not likely to have celiac, even if they have been 'gluten-free' for years?
    • Scott Adams
      Hypothetical question about antibodies

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      That’s a really insightful observation about antibody testing and the gluten challenge! You’re absolutely right that antibody levels can remain elevated for months or even years after going gluten-free, especially if there’s ongoing cross-contamination or occasional slip-ups. The immune system doesn’t reset overnight—it can take time for antibodies like tTG-IgA to normalize, which is why many doctors recommend waiting at least 6–12 months of strict gluten-free eating before retesting. For someone who’s been gluten-free for less than two years or hasn’t been meticulous about avoiding cross-contact, there’s absolutely a chance they’d still test positive, since even small amounts of gluten can keep antibodies elevated. This is partly why the gluten challenge (where you eat gluten before testing) exists—it’s designed to provoke a measurable immune response in people who’ve been gluten-free long enough for antibodies to drop. But you raise a great point: the challenge isn’t perfect, and false negatives can happen if the timing or amount of gluten isn’t sufficient to trigger a strong antibody response. This is why diagnosis often combines antibody tests with other tools like genetic testing or endoscopy. Your question highlights just how nuanced celiac testing can be! For people with celiac disease hidden gluten in their diets is the main cause of elevated Tissue Transglutaminase IgA Antibodies (tTG-IgA), but there are other conditions, including cow's milk/casein intolerance, that can also cause this, and here is an article about the other possible causes:      
    • Betsy Crum
      Chest pain from celiac

      By Betsy Crum · Posted

      Thank you for your response! I have considered starting a food diary in the past, I suppose this is as good a time as any to start.  
    • Betsy Crum
      Chest pain from celiac

      By Betsy Crum · Posted

      I don't have health insurance so I have never had any testing done. I always thought if I stay away from gluten Ill be fine but I suppose that isn't enough anymore. I will look into getting an allergy test. Thank you for your input! 
×
×
  • Create New...