Please Help Me Analyze My Test Results

[Meera]

Hi all,

I haven't had any digestion problems, but I saw a holisitic internist and she did a bunch of blood work. She said I have a gluten sensitivity and should refrain from gluten for about 6 months (or until my gut heals). She said I can reintroduce gluten after that time.

I'm trying to understand what the blood work means but I can't find any site that on the Web to analyze this. Can anyone help me?

Antigliadin Antibody, IgG : 42 (high - I think normal range is 1-19)

Antigliadin Antibody, IgA : 8 (normal)

Tissue Transglutaminase IgG (tTG-IgG Ab) : <3 (is that Positive? I think under 10 is positive?)

Tissue Transglutaminase Antibody IgA : 5 (normal)

What does this all mean? Some tests are normal, others are high. I don't think it's Celiac but does this indicate a problem? Thanks so much for any advice you can offer!!

[CarlaB]

It looks like you are having a reaction to gluten from your test results. What I don't understand is why your doctor thinks it will go away? Your intestines heal, but you can never go back to eating gluten again or they will get damaged again.

[Ursa Major]

Meera, Carla is right, if you have a gluten sensitivity, it will NOT go away. Sure, your intestines will heal, but that doesn't mean you should eat gluten again, only to damage your intestines again. Eventually, you'll end up with autoimmune diseases, severe malnutrition and even cancer. You need to eliminate gluten for life.

[chrissy]

the TTg test tells how much damage you have---since yours is normal, it doesn't appear that you have intestinal damage. you have antibiodies to the protein in gluten---which can be caused by other things than celiac disease. why did your doctor run all these blood tests----what symptoms were you having?

[Meera]

Thanks everyone for your comments! :-)

Chrissy, I originally went to see her b/c I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis in January, and I wanted complementary treatment. She tested me for everything under the sun, and her main comment was about the gluten. I know that RA may cause these results to be positive. I wasn't sure if going gluten-free is necessary or if I can just severely cut down my intake.

I am considering seeing a Celiac specialist, but in the meantime, do you have any suggestions as to what should be my next step?

Thanks again! Meera

[Matilda]

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