Blood Tests For Celiac?

[sfm]

I am having bloodwork done to test me for gluten intolerance, malabsorption of nutrients, celiac, etc. Lucky for me, my doctor was open-minded and listened to me when I said I thought it might be an issue.

My concern is that I have been trying to maintain a gluten-free diet for almost 2 months now. I have been feeling tons better, although occasionally I have gotten some gluten a few times since, with predictable results. So I am pretty sure that this is what has been making me sick.

But from what I hear, me being off gluten might make the blood tests inaccurate. I guess my question is how long the antibodies stick around? If it's only been a couple of months, will they still show up?

The thought of going back on gluten just for an accurate diagnosis makes me ill thinking about it. I don't want to feel that way anymore if I can help it! My only reason for wanting an actual diagnosis is that my children might need to be tested, and I wouldn't want to ignore the possibility of them inheriting gluten intolerance / celiac disease if that's what I have. But I have been easing them into eating "my foods" anyway, with mixed results, so I think if I had to, I could just assume that they have the same gluten issues I do.

Any guidance, advice, answers would be greatly appreciated!

Sheryll

[happygirl]

If you have been gluten free for two months, your tests won't be very accurate. However:

if they are positive, then they are probably accurately positive.

if they are negative, it doesn't mean that they are accurately negative (since you took out the offender-gluten-that isn't triggering the reaction).

In order for the blood tests to be accurate (not a false negative), you have to be consuming gluten for an extended period of time.

Did you tell your doc you had been gluten free? What was his response?

[Budew]

Sfm -

Great answer.

happygirl-

I would suggest you have your children tested no matter what. If they are eating gluten now and have a blood test to see if they react why not do it. My mom has had celiac for 50 years, I was not tested until I was 40 years old. I never had the "typical symptoms" so I was never tested. My system was severely damaged because I had celiac disease for many years and ate gluten. This disease can be difficult to diagnose if you are looking for symptoms, ease if you check for it with a blood test while eating gluten.

As far as your test. It is a personal choice. If you are sure and don't feel like you need a blood test to confirm your suspicion, don't do it and skip feeling sick.

Good Luck

Budew

[rez]

Definitely still get the test. My son's tTG was still positive after being very strictly gluten free for over 3 months. Make sure they do a tTG and an EMA for those will stay positive longer than the other two, I think IGG and IGA. Good luck!