Just Got More Test Results Back - Need Reassurance

[Guest Kathy Ann]

My diagnosis was from a stool/genetic test from enterolab.

I have been faithfully gluten free to the best of my ability since then. I've also eliminated all the dairy, soy and eggs.

One week ago I went into the hospital to get a celiac blood test they were offering for $20 without doctor involvement. I called for the results today. They are both negative.

I should have been ready for this after all the conversation on this board. But as foolish as it may sound I was almost hoping it would come back positive.

I realize that one way to look at it is that maybe I've actually improved that much by now. But I don't feel any better yet.

[mythreesuns]

I'm sure others who are more knowledgable than I am, however, I believe that the blood tests only show up positive when you have ACTIVE uncontrolled celiac, where there is damage happening to your intestines at the moment. The blood tests are not sensitive enough to pick up celiac until it is in the later stages.

My blood tests came out negative as well, but I got confirmation through EnteroLab. I would say that since your blood test was "negative" you may actually have healed a little from the malapsorption and the damage done to your intestines by the celiac.

I'm sure I didn't explain this very well, but hopefully someone will come along and do a better job.

[gf4life]

You have been gluten free for 4 months, and that is more than enough time to heal enough to show negative on a blood test, yet not quite long enough for most to feel symptom free. I know it is frustrating, but after years of damage you have to cut your body a little slack and give it time to feel better.

What are your symptoms now? I would like to help you figure out if there is another reason why you might feel bad still.

BTW, I was gluten free for 2 weeks and that was long enough to cause my blood tests to be negative.

[CarlaB]

I had negative blood tests and positive Enterolab.

You might just do the $99 test from Enterolab on your other family members just so you know who's reacting to gluten and who is not.