Conflicting Blood Work Results

[breann6]

i had bloodwork ran over two weeks ago by my PCP and per his quote clearly indicated Celiac- I don't know which test he ran but know from the GI who also was copied on the results- that it didn't clearly indicate Celiac as much as the PCP thought/thinks. GI ran a 'celiac' panel last friday and nurse called today and said all was fine and normal with it.

Is that possible and could this still be Celiac? Two weeks ago IgG was high (don't know the number)

and the IgA was 4 (which 4 & over were positive) i believe that the pcp just ran the two blood IgA and IgG. I trust the PCP much more than the GI. Now, i am just confused.

now they all seem okay- ( i didn't get numbers today)

GI still wants the biopsy and colonoscopy next weds, is it likely to show anything if the blood tests are both confliciting? if the biopsy were to be positive, wouldn't the blood be _consistently_ postiive?

I'm confused now. I did some gluten free days a little less than a week before the second bloodtest and have been semi-gluten light since the first- enough to still feel crappy but not enough to keep me in the bathroom...

any ideas??

sorrry for all the questions, i feel like the web is getting bigger and bigger with every blood draw!!

[kelliac]

i had bloodwork ran over two weeks ago by my PCP and per his quote clearly indicated Celiac- I don't know which test he ran but know from the GI who also was copied on the results- that it didn't clearly indicate Celiac as much as the PCP thought/thinks. GI ran a 'celiac' panel last friday and nurse called today and said all was fine and normal with it.

GI still wants the biopsy and colonoscopy next weds, is it likely to show anything if the blood tests are both confliciting? if the biopsy were to be positive, wouldn't the blood be _consistently_ postiive?

I'm confused now. I did some gluten free days a little less than a week before the second bloodtest and have been semi-gluten light since the first- enough to still feel crappy but not enough to keep me in the bathroom...

any ideas??

my usual response, do the enterolab gene swab test. funny how the gi says "all was fine and normal with it." Then they still want to do the biopsy and colonoscopy next wednesday.

you can still have damage to the villi and normal blood work (I did). Just ask the doctor to take at least 15 biopsies from various spots while they're in there. I saw the recommended number of 15 biopsies on another celiac site. The reasoning being that less than that can miss the areas too often. 15 can still miss them, but your odds are greater. Best wishes.

[CarlaB]

You have a right to know your test results. I wouldn't just blindly take his word for it then go in for the endoscopy/colonoscopy!! You can't really make an informed decision without the numbers.

My feeling is that the biopsy is unnecessary ... but that's just my opinion. If your blooldwork shows you react to gluten and you feel better off gluten, why do you need another test, especially one that has a high false-negative rate. If the test came out positive, sure, you'd have the "gold standard" proving you definately have it. But if it comes back negative, you went through, time, discomfort, and expense to find out nothing ... you will still probably remain gluten-free because of dietary response and bloodwork.

[kbtoyssni]

If you're semi-gluten-lite that could easily influence the test results. I am under the impression that if you have one positive blood test, then you have celiac even if you have multiple negative blood tests or scopes. I think it just depends on what you were eating around the time of the blood tests. It doesn't seem like the testing is that accurate, so if you have one positive, I'd say you have it.l

[Guest laydirain]

hey

I agree with the other person that said no procedures until you see the results yourself. You are definitely entitled to your own blood work. As far as the procedures, I am under the impression that blood work and an endoscopy with biopsies taken from the small intestine are the ways implemented to diagnose celiac disease. A colonoscopy is more often used to diagnose lower bowel issues, and to rule those things out so they can say it is "only celiac." Colonoscopy checks for tumors, obstructions, diverticuli, colitis, among other things...Read up on the different procedures before you have anything done. I had an endoscopy and bloodwork done about 3 months after going gluten free and everything came up negative, but it probably should have because I had been gluten free, and I was not going to poison myself to have a test done.

I think all diagnoses are subjective. I think the body can heal itself, so I don't think everyone will always have "this" or "that." So I am unofficially diagnosed, and some days like when I REALLY WANT ITALIAN BREAD it is a little frustrating, but overall, I feel so much better off the gluten. When you say you still feel crappy...I remember; that's how I felt for a while until I made more changes (like the toaster & some different cooking supplies). I still get crappy for a few days each month...I guess my point is just that if you feel better, maybe it's working for you. It's not like celiac is treated with a pill, so why should a test matter? Ask the GI why he wants to do the colonoscopy. Mine still wants to do one, and maybe I will over x-mas break from school, but we'll see. Just make sure you are getting the appropriate care -- I do that by doing my own research and asking a lot of questions. It's your body - you're entitled.

Good luck!

[floridanative]

First of all you need to request a copy of all your lab work, no matter what you're being tested for. A B12 def. I had went unoticed by the doctor and due to that I have spent the last 7 months working to get my shoulder/arm back into working order after falling down my own stairs TWICE in one month. Next please consider my own test results. My first Celiac panel came back with a 10 on the tTg, positive for Celiac (barely). After knowing I could have Celiac, I subconsiously ate less gluten so two months later my next Celiac panel (run by different doc) showed a 7 on the tTg (weak positive). I ended up having the biopsy and that test showed significant damage....years of damage. My main symptom was unexplained anemia. Today I would skip the biopsy since now I have Celiac on my records and BC arleady tried to drop me because of it. Good luck, whatever you decide to do but the best test you can have it your response to the gluten free diet.