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

Lindsay GFMom

Recommended Posts

Lindsay GFMom Apprentice
Lindsay GFMom
Posted

I appreciate (so much!) the feedback I've gotten on my earlier post. I made my husband just sit down and read it all.

We have not decided whether or not to do a Celiac blood test for our 4.5yo. (You'll recall that he has gluten & dairy intolerance as well as a gluten sensitive gene and the Celiac gene, per the Enterolab test.) I think I want to call my doctor tomorrow and ask some questions.

I was told by a friend that the standard blood tests used in doctors offices are not very accurate for Celiac and that I should insist on a particular test. She didn't tell me what it's called, only said that Prometheus Lab is the place to send it.

Can anyone explain to me the difference in blood tests and the name of the test I want to ask about? I'd like to ask our doctor if he uses the test and whether he would be willing to send it to Prometheus.

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


rez Apprentice
rez
Posted
I appreciate (so much!) the feedback I've gotten on my earlier post. I made my husband just sit down and read it all.

We have not decided whether or not to do a Celiac blood test for our 4.5yo. (You'll recall that he has gluten & dairy intolerance as well as a gluten sensitive gene and the Celiac gene, per the Enterolab test.) I think I want to call my doctor tomorrow and ask some questions.

I was told by a friend that the standard blood tests used in doctors offices are not very accurate for Celiac and that I should insist on a particular test. She didn't tell me what it's called, only said that Prometheus Lab is the place to send it.

Can anyone explain to me the difference in blood tests and the name of the test I want to ask about? I'd like to ask our doctor if he uses the test and whether he would be willing to send it to Prometheus.

The tests they usually use to screen for Celiac are the tTG and total IgA. They usually always send these to either Prometheus or Mayo. Other tests to include on the screen are the EMA and AGA, antigliadin Igg and Iga. Good luck. Not sure if you got my email regarding the genes of your son. But you may want to look a little closer. According to what I saw I think he does not have a Celiac gene and unfortunately in the medical community they will tell you he could never have Celiac. They are still researching this, but right now the thought is you need to have those genes to have full blown Celiac. I strongly believe in gluten intolerance, which might best describe your little guy. I could be wrong, but check out his genes again. I think his genes were DQ1 and DQ3. Again, I'm not sure how accurate Enterolab is for gene testing, but that's what I got from your post. You could even give Enterolab a call. Good luck!

rez Apprentice
rez
Posted

Again, I'm not sure how to read the Enterolab results. It says DQ 1,3 (subtype 6,8). I'm not sure which numbers go directly with the DQ. Is it the 1, 3, 6, or 8? My son's genetics were DQ 2,2 (subtype 2,2) so I knew it was a two. I apologize if I misread the results, but they seem confusing. I would give them a call. Good luck again!

rez Apprentice
rez
Posted

Good luck. I think I read the results wrong. Hope you have good luck w/ your doc! :):)

Lindsay GFMom Apprentice
Lindsay GFMom
Posted
  • Author
Again, I'm not sure how to read the Enterolab results. It says DQ 1,3 (subtype 6,8). I'm not sure which numbers go directly with the DQ. Is it the 1, 3, 6, or 8? My son's genetics were DQ 2,2 (subtype 2,2) so I knew it was a two. I apologize if I misread the results, but they seem confusing. I would give them a call. Good luck again!

I don't understand the number line either, but it looks like the subtypes are what count. I'm mostly going by the interpretation which they included on the same paper. Here's what it said. I bolded the part about Celiac:

Serologic equivalent: HLA-DQ 3,1 (Subtype 8,6)

Interpretation Of HLA-DQ Testing: HLA gene analysis reveals that you have one of the main genes that predisposes to gluten sensitivity and celiac sprue, HLA-DQ2 or HLA-DQ8. Each of your offspring has a 50% chance of receiving this gene from you, and at least one of your parents passed it to you. You also have a non-celiac gene predisposing to gluten sensitivity (DQ1 or DQ3 not subtype 8). Having one celiac gene and one gluten sensitive gene, means that each of your parents, and all of your children (if you have them) will possess at least one copy of a gluten sensitive gene. Having two copies also means there is an even stronger predisposition to gluten sensitivity than having one gene and the resultant immunologic gluten sensitivity or celiac disease may be more severe.

Thanks for the blood test info. I'm calling this morning.

Archived

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

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


  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      130,248
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    Jennimaz
    Newest Member
    Jennimaz
    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

    • Zuma888
      Hypothetical question about antibodies

      By Zuma888 · Posted

      Thank you so much.
    • knitty kitty
      Hypothetical question about antibodies

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      You have one gene for Celiac.  You have a second autoimmune disease, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, which is frequently found at a higher rate with Celiac.  HLA genes carry autoimmune disease genes like Celiac and Hashimoto's and diabetes and others.   You have Celiac symptoms of reacting after gluten.  You said "I am however still suffering from the effects of the gluten challenge (food sensitivities, slight brain fog, weird stool, fatigue, swollen thyroid, bodyaches)."  And your anti-thyroid antibodies increase after gluten exposure.  While tTg IgA does not directly attack the thyroid, gluten exposure does trigger the  immune system to produce antibodies against the thyroid in genetically predisposed individuals.  You did not eat sufficient gluten (10 grams of gluten per day for two weeks minimum) to raise the autoimmune antibodies to the point they can be measured in the blood, so your blood tests may well be inaccurate.  You could choose to continue the gluten challenge of 10 grams a day for at least two weeks and get retested.   At the very least, you know that gluten is harmful to your thyroid, and because you are genetically predisposed to Celiac disease, a strict gluten free diet would be beneficial for your overall health.  
    • Zuma888
      Hypothetical question about antibodies

      By Zuma888 · Posted

      Thanks @Scott Adams! I guess my question now is: do the celiacs who can get away with regular contamination without villi damage as you mentioned have to be strict about cross-contamination ? 
    • Zuma888
      Hypothetical question about antibodies

      By Zuma888 · Posted

      Thank you very much @knitty kitty! I'm glad you brought up the point about histamine. I have been taking an antihistamine after meals where I don't feel so good and never knew why it helped so much. At first I thought I might have a food allergy, but I recently did a food allergy test and I actually have ZERO food allergies. Regarding your last point about the stages of grief, are you saying it's likely that I have celiac? I have Hashimoto's BTW and I know for sure that gluten causes an autoimmune response to my thyroid as my anti-TPO and anti-Tg go up and my throat feels swollen. Could the symptoms be due to that autoimmune response?
    • knitty kitty
      Hypothetical question about antibodies

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      @Zuma888, The antibodies produced in response to gluten are made in the intestines.  When the body is provoked sufficiently, the antibodies overflow out of the intestines and into the blood stream.  Once in the blood stream, the antibodies can be measured with tTg IgA tests.  Three grams of gluten per day for two weeks minimum is enough gluten to make you feel the symptoms of having been glutened, but the antibodies are not in sufficient quantity to be measured in the blood. Ten grams of gluten per day for a minimum of two weeks is required to get the anti gluten antibodies at a high enough level in the blood stream to be measured by tTg IgA tests. So, no, occasional cross contamination or (heaven forbid) intentional cheat days will not be sufficient for tTg IgA testing.  You will still be making antibodies which will still be causing inflammation and damage to the intestines and body.  Histamine is released as part of the immune response to gluten.  High histamine levels lead to food sensitivities, brain fog, and body aches.   The damage done to the gastrointestinal tract affects the absorption of essential vitamins and minerals.  Malabsorption of fats can cause changes in stools.  Insufficient absorption of vitamins and minerals can cause damage to other organs like the thyroid if it can't get enough Selenium, iodine, iron, zinc, and Thiamine.  Brain fog and fatigue can be caused by low Thiamine and other B Complex vitamins.  Vitamin D is needed to regulate the immune system.  One gene is all that's needed to develop Celiac disease.  I know a Celiac diagnosis is a change that can be difficult to get your head around.  Many people go through the five stages of grief.  One stage is "bargaining".  Sounds like you're stuck there.  Every little cheat counts to your detriment.  But sticking to a gluten free diet, makes every meal a success.   Read the comments below the article... Best wishes!  Keep us posted on your progress!
×
×
  • Create New...