6 Month Blood Test, Still Positive :(

[jennavive00]

I have been on the gluten-free diet for about 6 months, and I had the celiac blood screening done again. I still tested positive for Celiac Disease, and I have been really careful about what I eat. Is it normal for the test to remain positive, or is there some source of hidden gluten in my diet? And does it mean that I am continuously eating gluten, or did I just slip up once near the time of my test?

I really thought I was doing well! What a frustrating disease this is!!

Thanks,

~Jenna

[Darn210]

It could mean there is some hidden gluten lurking somewhere . . . old can opener, old chapstick . . . could be in a medication/vitamin . . . could be in a toiletry.

It could also mean that you are still healing. What was your beginning value? What is that value now? For some, it takes a while for the value to return to normal levels. If your value has decreased, I wouldn't worry too much but I would probably still look around and double check.

How are you feeling?

[OkieGirl]

I am newly diagnosed (Nov. 28) and new to the forum, but I just had a doctor's visit yesterday and this very subject came up. My doctor actually recommended not having a blood test done at 6 months. According to him, everyone's immune system is different and some people take longer to heal than others. So even if I am completely gluten free my levels could still be high because my body hasn't entirely healed. At which point I would only be more frustrated.

Again, I am very new to all of this as well but that is what I was told yesterday.

[jennavive00]

It could mean there is some hidden gluten lurking somewhere . . . old can opener, old chapstick . . . could be in a medication/vitamin . . . could be in a toiletry.

It could also mean that you are still healing. What was your beginning value? What is that value now? For some, it takes a while for the value to return to normal levels. If your value has decreased, I wouldn't worry too much but I would probably still look around and double check.

How are you feeling?

My Ttg went from 24.5 to 11...My doctor hadn't mentioned this the first time he called, he just said that I was still positive and that there is probably gluten in my diet. I suppose since it has decreased quite a bit, I am probably in pretty good shape.

Other question...If you get "glutened", does the number and the damage go back to the original point (24.5), or does it only do a small amount of damage that can be repaired in a short amount of time?