Newbie With Questions About Tests

[snowflake]

Hello,

I'm new to this forum and needed to ask a couple of questions. While trying to determine what is causing my health problems I found a doctor who would order a salvia test to check my cortisol levels (I suspected adrenal fatigue and hypothyroid). My cortisol levels came back definately depressed, so we are treating that. Once I get that where it should be I'll move on to the thyroid. Anyway, when my results came back the doctor told me I was also gluten intolerant. This wasn't even on my radar, so I decided to pretty much ignore it over the holidays. I still do not feel up to dealing with it, but I must be feeling a tad better because I decided to post here and start getting some information. My lab results state: "Gliadin Ab, SIgA 22 Positive (ranges are Borderline: 13-15 U/ml and Positive >15 U/ml.) Patient shows mild intolerance or reactivity to Gliadin and may be clinically asymptomatic, however an ongoing low-grade intestinal inflammation following Gliadin intake has been demonstrated."

On a somewhat positive note, I already have a GI doctor that I like and trust. Of course, that is because I also have Chron's disease. I was diagnosed with in January 1994 during emergency surgery. They thought it was my appendix but it was my small intestine that had ruptured and abcessed. I also had a second surgery 2 1/2 years ago due to a stricture that had formed from scarring from the previous surgery and subsequent flare ups of Chron's. So I'm wondering, would Celiac have been noticeable at either of those surgies? Is it something that can develop at any point in time or would it likely have been something I've been dealing with unknowingly for awhile? I've had 2 or 3 endoscopies and at least 3 or 4 colonoscopies. Also, what things should I ask my GI when I see him specifically? What tests should I request? I'd REALLY like to have as few visits to the doctor as possible. I'm having to see a different doctor for the adrenal/thyroid stuff plus my regular GP. In addition, I am my 90yo mother's primary caregiver and have to work her doctor's visits in. Then I have my 2 children to take care of. Sorry this is so long and whiny! I'm just REALLY tired of new stuff going wrong with me! There should definately be a limit to the number of major medical problems a person is allowed to have! Thanks for any and all advice.....

Cherie

[nikki-uk]

Hi Cherie

Looks like you didn't have the full 'Coeliac Panel'

This is

Antigliadin (AGA) IgA

Antigliadin (AGA) IgG

Anti-Endomysial (EMA) IgA

Anti - tissue Transglutiminase (tTg) Iga

Total serum IgA

The ones underlined are the most important ones.

Damage by celiac disease cannot be seen by the naked eye (e.g during your previous surgery) - only under a microscope.

You mention that you've had many endoscopies - were any biopsies taken??? Damage caused by celiac disease (villous atrophy) should have been picked up on any biopsies.

Having said all that - a number of people suffering with Crohn's find a gluten-free diet does help their gut - without them actually being a coeliac.

Hope that hopes

[snowflake]

Thanks Nicki! I will ask my GI to do the tests you posted. I'm not sure why they did the one they did, but it must have been part of the testing panel they were doing. Who knows. So the one test isn't conclusive even though it was positive?

It makes sense that they wouldn't have noticed it if it isn't visible to the naked eye. I'm not sure why I was thinking it would be... I know that a biopsy was taken of some ulcers during one endoscopy, but that wouldn't have shown anything about celiac. Thanks for the info! It gives me a starting point.

Cherie

Hi Cherie

Looks like you didn't have the full 'Coeliac Panel'

This is

Antigliadin (AGA) IgA

Antigliadin (AGA) IgG

Anti-Endomysial (EMA) IgA

Anti - tissue Transglutiminase (tTg) Iga

Total serum IgA

The ones underlined are the most important ones.

Damage by celiac disease cannot be seen by the naked eye (e.g during your previous surgery) - only under a microscope.

You mention that you've had many endoscopies - were any biopsies taken??? Damage caused by celiac disease (villous atrophy) should have been picked up on any biopsies.

Having said all that - a number of people suffering with Crohn's find a gluten-free diet does help their gut - without them actually being a coeliac.

Hope that hopes