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Confused About Test Results!

allistar77

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allistar77 Newbie
allistar77
Posted

Hello. I am a few weeks shy of turning 27. I have had stomach issues since I can remember. I have had an endoscopy performed years ago to check for ulcers, it was negative and I was put on nexium (which did nothing). I have also been told I have IBS from time to time. About 10 years ago I tried to donate blood and was told no - I was anemic. I am always tired, no matter how much I exercise or how well I eat. My main problem is TERRIBLE discomfort after I eat - MAJOR bloating and all that good stuff! Anyhow, I just moved to Houston and decided to find a PCP and get a physical. I told him my history and how I feel sick 9/10 times after I eat. He mentioned celiac disease, first time I'd heard of it and suggested we run a test. My results showed a "weak positive" for the IaG antibody. It also showed that I am still anemic. I have an appointment with a gastro. in 2 weeks. But, I am MEGA stressing b/c this is all foreign to me - I need some advice b/c 2 weeks is a lot of time to wait and all this googling is taking a toll ;) . Does the weak positive, along with my constant abdominal discomfort mean that I probably do have Celiacs? If anyone has a chance, please let me know! Thanks so much.

Allison S.

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tarnalberry Community Regular
tarnalberry
Posted

A positive is a positive. Your immune system is producing antibodies to gluten - which is what gluten intolerance is. If you're looking for a full on celiac diagnosis, you may need a biopsy, as celiac specifically tends to refer to the damage in the intestines (or inferred damage based on blood test results) caused by the gluten intolerance. The question is: does the gluten-free diet help your symptoms? (Probably not a question you can answer until yoiu see the GI and determine if you'll do any further diagnostic testing that isn't the diet.)

allistar77 Newbie
allistar77
Posted
  • Author

Thank you Tiffany. I guess I just have to be patient and see what the gastro. says in a couple of weeks. I just keep reading so much about it and I am freaking out a bit...this all came out of left field :blink: All I can do now is hope for the best.

billfl Newbie
billfl
Posted

Please don't "freak out". The good news is that you already have the answer to your problem, and the solution is simply a gluten-free diet. No medicine side effects to deal with! My celiac disease was missed by 5 (five) doctors....thanks to forums like this, I self diagnosed, and my problems are resolving.

maxwell1200 Apprentice
maxwell1200
Posted

I am new here also and it is so relieving to hear that I am not alone. I share all of your symptoms. The bloating, the IB diagnoses, the getting sick after you eat 9/10 times. My PCP is the one who caught the celiac disease. She has been treating me for IB, sent me to a gastro specialist who put me on more Rx's. 10 years later I now know the cause. YEA!!! But now am stressing because I have to change my diet and don't even know where to begin. (I got the test results in this morning saying I was positive for celiac disease)

Just wanted to let you know you are not alone!! That is something that I am just now figuring out.

Good Luck!

burdee Enthusiast
burdee
Posted

Maxwell: Anxiety (STRESS) = Degree of Unknown X Degree of Importance. It's very important that you eliminate all sources of gluten from your diet. But you can greatly reduce the degree of unknowns by learning which foods naturally contain gluten (wheat, barley, rye and oats by contamination) and which ingredients contain gluten by referring to the safe and unsafe (gluten containing) lists on this and other celiac websites. Learning which ingredients contain wheat/gluten will help you to interpret food product labels. Then go through your pantry/refrigerator to examine everything you eat which may naturally contain gluten or have gluten containing ingredients. Rather than eliminate all your favorites, look for gluten free substitutes. There are MANY other grains (besides wheat, barley, oats and rye) which are naturally gluten-free. There are many companies which produce great gluten-free breads, pastas and pastries. There are many brands of condiments and/or processed foods which make gluten-free versions of those foods. If you think SUBSTITUTE, not ELIMINATE, that will make you feel less deprived at first. Many celiacs recommend eating only naturally safe foods like fresh vegies, fruits, meats and rice. I feared a sense of deprivation which would make me 'cheat' more than I feared gluten contamination, so I focussed on gluten-free substitutes at first. After I had to also eliminate dairy and soy, my safe foods did include a LOT of fresh meats, vegies and fruits, and nuts, but I still have my gluten-free favorite breads and cookies. :D Good luck!

BURDEE

num1habsfan Rising Star
num1habsfan
Posted
Please don't "freak out". The good news is that you already have the answer to your problem, and the solution is simply a gluten-free diet. No medicine side effects to deal with! My celiac disease was missed by 5 (five) doctors....thanks to forums like this, I self diagnosed, and my problems are resolving.

yeah, I totally agree! For me, the local docs said celiac disease...the one specialist said nothing..the other specialist said IBS..

endoscopy=negative..colonoscopy=negative..bloodtest=negative.

Self diagnosis was the only way I knew I had celiac disease. Plus, I was on the diet way before I had any tests done. Since all the tests check for your reaction to gluten, obviously I couldnt have a reaction if I have no gluten in me :P

So be glad you found out as quick as you did!

~lisa~

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