Jump to content

  • 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

Celiac Test Results - 2 Doctors Are Stumped!

A**T

Recommended Posts

A**T Newbie
A**T
Posted

I was hoping that you could help me understand my test results. I have been to two different doctors and they are not sure if I actually have Celiac or not. The 2nd doctor that I did go to is a Gastroenterologist and he was stumped. Here are the results:

Tissue Transglutaminase Antibody, IGA - my result is <3

Explination of the test results

<5 is negative

5-8 is Equivocal

>8 is positive

Immunoglobulin A - my result is 491

The reference range is 81-463

Gliadin Antibody (IGA) - my result is 12

Explination of the test results

<11 is Negative

11-17 is Equvocal

>17 is Positive

If anyone has any thoughts or ideas please do let me know I am very confused and frustrated. The Gastroenterologist wants to do more blood work and also the genetic testing. The only symptoms that I have are I do get rashes on my arms and legs - not bad they just flare up occasionally with certain foods. I have not been able to isolate when they flare up and if wheat/gluten is to blame. I am wondering if it is an allergy or perhaps in fact Celiac. The Gastroenterologist thought possibly I may be in the early stages of Celiac or he said I may not have it. Can Celiacs have different stages? I thought it was an all or noting thing either you have it or you don't? He said based on my test results he doesn't think I have Celiac but he is not 100% sure. Please let me know if you understand my blood work and what your thoughts are or if you think I should get additonal testing and if so which ones?

Thank you in advance!

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


nora-n Rookie
nora-n
Posted

Hi, you can get an explanation about the antiglidin test at Dr. Ford's website (just type in ford gluten into google)

If your tests are negative for the ttg and positive for the antigliadin, you are currently gluten-sensitive and most doctors think you are not celiac (unless you happen to have a positive biopsy)

The gut heals very quickly and in those who do not tolerate gluten, the gut mi just manage to repair as quickly as it is damaged from gluten.

But, in times of stress, the body might not catch up and full-blown celiac is the result.

You might be in-between somewhere, but positive antigliadin test does mean something, namely gluten-sensitivity (but the gastroenterologist does not think such a thing exists)

Are you in Europe or the US?

nora

A**T Newbie
A**T
Posted
  • Author
I was hoping that you could help me understand my test results. I have been to two different doctors and they are not sure if I actually have Celiac or not. The 2nd doctor that I did go to is a Gastroenterologist and he was stumped. Here are the results:

Tissue Transglutaminase Antibody, IGA - my result is <3

Explination of the test results

<5 is negative

5-8 is Equivocal

>8 is positive

Immunoglobulin A - my result is 491

The reference range is 81-463

Gliadin Antibody (IGA) - my result is 12

Explination of the test results

<11 is Negative

11-17 is Equvocal

>17 is Positive

If anyone has any thoughts or ideas please do let me know I am very confused and frustrated. The Gastroenterologist wants to do more blood work and also the genetic testing. The only symptoms that I have are I do get rashes on my arms and legs - not bad they just flare up occasionally with certain foods. I have not been able to isolate when they flare up and if wheat/gluten is to blame. I am wondering if it is an allergy or perhaps in fact Celiac. The Gastroenterologist thought possibly I may be in the early stages of Celiac or he said I may not have it. Can Celiacs have different stages? I thought it was an all or noting thing either you have it or you don't? He said based on my test results he doesn't think I have Celiac but he is not 100% sure. Please let me know if you understand my blood work and what your thoughts are or if you think I should get additonal testing and if so which ones?

Thank you in advance!

Hi Nora,

Thank you for getting back to me. I am in the US. What is the difference between Celiac and gluten sensitivity? Do I need to avoid gluten? Should I follow a gluten free diet?

fedora Enthusiast
fedora
Posted

If you are gluten sensitive you should avoid gluten. Eventually it could pass the "threshold" of antibodies produced and cause full blown celiac. There is a threshold and sometimes people without the celiac genes pass it. But even if you don't, your reaction could just keep getting worse and worse. Good luck. I had rashes too that are from wheat. I know how frustrating it can be not knowing.

nora-n Rookie
nora-n
Posted

Here in Europe you would definitely try to get an official diagnosis, but not neccessarily in the US.

The most specific of the tests, the ttg test, was negative, but a biopsy might still show that the villi in the small intestine are damaged. I read today that the damage can be anywhere in the intestines but they only scope to the first part of the intestine so they miss a lot of cases....

Just read on Dr. Ford's site, and here too. Dr. Ford has some articles here on celiac.com too.

And, if you google Hadjivassiliou, you find that the antigliadin antibodies attack the brain and the central nervous system, so they are not harmless.

nora

Archived

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

Go to topic listing

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Celiac.com:
    Join eNewsletter
    Donate
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):
    Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):



    Celiac.com Sponsors (A17-M):



  • Recent Activity

    1. trents
      - trents replied to mamaof7's topic in Parents, Friends and Loved Ones of Celiacs
      7

      Help understand results

      Actually, it would be more correct to say that the genetic potential to develop celiac disease is passed down from parents to children. About 40% of the general population has the genetic potential to develop celiac disease but only about 1% of the general population actually do. But it is also true that the offspring of those who do have active celiac disease...
    2. Jordan Carlson
      - Jordan Carlson posted a topic in Post Diagnosis, Recovery & Treatment of Celiac Disease
      0

      Fruits & Veggies

      Hello everyone! Been a while since I posted. The past few moths have been the best by for recovery for myself. I have been the least bloated I have ever been, my constant throat clearing is almost gone, I have stopped almost all medication I was prevously taking (was taking vyvanse for adhd, pristiq for anxiety,fomotadine/blexten for histamine...
    3. wellthatsfun
      - wellthatsfun posted a topic in Gluten-Free Recipes & Cooking Tips
      0

      heaps of hope!

      i know i've been rather cynical and sad about being fully diagnosed in june 2025, but my boyfriend has been consistently showing me the wonderful world that is gluten free cooking and baking. in the past couple of days he's made me a gluten free rice paper-wrapped spanakopita "pastry", plus a wonderful mac and cheese bechamel-ish sauce with gluten free...
    4. Tanisha L
      - Tanisha L commented on Scott Adams's article in Kids and Celiac Disease
      1

      New Study Reveals Age and Racial Gaps in Pediatric Celiac Testing

      I am a 47yr old African American woman and did not receive a celiac diagnosis until 2yrs ago. This late diagnosis proved to be challenging to me because it was a culture shock to me. I have a cultural background of Hispanic and West Indian and a lot of our foods are heavy flour based. I was told be my dietician that unfortunately African American families...
    5. knitty kitty
      - knitty kitty replied to mamaof7's topic in Parents, Friends and Loved Ones of Celiacs
      7

      Help understand results

      That test is saying that your daughter is not making normal amounts of any IGA antibodies. She's not making normal amounts of antibodies against gliadin, not against bacteria, not against viruses. She is deficient in total IGA, so the test for antigliadin antibodies is not valid. The test was a failure. The test only works if all different kinds of antibodies...
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):

  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      132,997
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    IwannabHealthy
    Newest Member
    IwannabHealthy
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.5k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):

  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • trents
      Help understand results

      By trents · Posted

      Actually, it would be more correct to say that the genetic potential to develop celiac disease is passed down from parents to children. About 40% of the general population has the genetic potential to develop celiac disease but only about 1% of the general population actually do. But it is also true that the offspring of those who do have active celiac disease are at a considerably higher risk of developing active celiac disease than those of parents who have the genes but don't develop the disease. Some recent, larger studies put the risk at near 50% for the first degree relatives of those who have active celiac disease.
    • Jordan Carlson
      Fruits & Veggies

      By Jordan Carlson · Posted

      Hello everyone! Been a while since I posted. The past few moths have been the best by for recovery for myself. I have been the least bloated I have ever been, my constant throat clearing is almost gone, I have stopped almost all medication I was prevously taking (was taking vyvanse for adhd, pristiq for anxiety,fomotadine/blexten for histamine blockers and singulair). Only thing I take now is Tecta. I also no longer get any rashes after eating. Things are going very well. Most success came actually once I upped my B12 daily dose to 5,000 mcg. I do have one thing I am un able to figure out and want to see if anyone else has this issue or has experience working around it. Ever since I was born I have always had a issue getting fruits and veggies down. No matter how hard I tried, it would always result in gagging or throwing up. Always just thought I was a picky eater. Now that my stomach and system has healed enough that I can feel when something is off almost istantly, I notice that after eating most fruits (sometimes I am ok with bananas) and veggies, my stomach instantly starts burning and my heart starts to pound and I get really anxious as if my body doesnt know what to do with what just enetered it. So I am thinking now that this is what probably was going on when I was born and my body started rejecting it before which caused this weird sensory issue with it causing the gagging. Hoping someone has some exprience with this as well because I would love to be able to enjoy a nice fruit smoothie once in a while haha. Thanks everyone!
    • wellthatsfun
      heaps of hope!

      By wellthatsfun · Posted

      i know i've been rather cynical and sad about being fully diagnosed in june 2025, but my boyfriend has been consistently showing me the wonderful world that is gluten free cooking and baking. in the past couple of days he's made me a gluten free rice paper-wrapped spanakopita "pastry", plus a wonderful mac and cheese bechamel-ish sauce with gluten free pasta (san remo brand if you're in australia/if you can get your hands on it wherever you are).  those meals are notably gluten free, but mainly he's been making me easy gluten free meals - chili mince with white rice and sour cream, chicken soup with homemade stock from the chicken remains, and roast chickens with rice flour gravy and roast veggies. i'm a bit too thankful and grateful lol. how lucky could i possibly be? and, of course, for those who don't have someone to cook for them, it's quite easy to learn to cook for yourself. i've been making a lot of meals for us too. honestly, cooking is pretty darn fun! knowing basic knife skills and sanitary practices are all you really need. experimenting with spices will help you get on track to creating some really flavourful and yummy dishes. coeliac is a pain, but you can use it to your advantage. healthier eating and having fun in the kitchen are major upsides. much luck to all of you! let's be healthy!
    • knitty kitty
      Help understand results

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      That test is saying that your daughter is not making normal amounts of any IGA antibodies.  She's not making normal amounts of antibodies against gliadin, not against bacteria, not against viruses.  She is deficient in total IGA, so the test for antigliadin antibodies is not valid.  The test was a failure.  The test only works if all different kinds of antibodies were being made.  Your daughter is not making all different kinds of antibodies, so the test results are moot.  Your daughter should have the DGP IgG and TTG IgG tests done.   The tests should be performed while she is still consuming gluten.  Stopping and restarting a gluten containing diet can make her more sick, just like you refuse to eat gluten for testing.  Call the doctor's office, request both the IGG tests. Request to be put on the cancellation list for an appointment sooner.  Ask for genetic testing.   Celiac disease is passed on from parents to children.  You and all seven children should be tested for genes for Celiac disease.  Your parents, your siblings and their children should be tested as well.  Eating gluten is not required for genetic testing because your genes don't change.  Genetic testing is not a diagnosis of Celiac disease.  Just having the genes means there is the potential of developing Celiac disease if the Celiac genes are activated.  Genetic testing helps us decide if the Celiac genes are activated when coupled with physical symptoms, antibody testing, and biopsy examination. It's frustrating when doctors get it wrong and we suffer for it.  Hang in there.  You're a good mom for pursuing this!  
    • knitty kitty
      Insomnia help

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      @hjayne19, So glad you found the information helpful.  I know how difficult my struggle with anxiety has been.  I've been finding things that helped me and sharing that with others makes my journey worthwhile. I like Life Extension Bioactive Complete B Complex.  It contains the easily activated forms of B vitamins needed by people with the MTHFR genetic variation often found with Celiac disease.   Avoid B Complex vitamins if they contain Thiamine Mononitrate if possible.  (Read the ingredients listing.)  Thiamine Mononitrate is the "shelf-stable" form of B 1 that the body can't utilize.  B vitamins breakdown when exposed to heat and light, and over time.  So "shelf-stable" forms won't breakdown sitting on a shelf in a bright store waiting to be bought.  (It's also very cheap.)  Thiamine Mononitrate is so shelf-stable that the body only absorbs about thirty percent of it, and less than that is utilized.  It takes thiamine already in the body to turn Thiamine Mononitrate into an active form.   I take MegaBenfotiamine by Life Extension.  Benfotiamine has been shown to promote intestinal healing, neuropathy, brain function, glycemic control, and athletic performance.   I take TTFD-B1 Max by Maxlife Naturals, Ecological Formulas Allthiamine (TTFD), or Thiamax by EO Nutrition.  Thiamine Tetrahydrofurfuryl Disulfide (TTFD for short) gets into the brain and makes a huge difference with the anxiety and getting the brain off the hamster wheel.  Especially when taken with Magnesium Threonate.   Any form of Thiamine needs Magnesium to make life sustaining enzymes and energy.  I like NeuroMag by Life Extension.  It contains Magnesium Threonate, a form of magnesium that easily crosses the blood brain barrier.  My brain felt like it gave a huge sigh of relief and relaxed when I started taking this and still makes a difference daily.   Other brands of supplements i like are Now Foods, Amazing Formulas, Doctor's Best, Nature's Way, Best Naturals, Thorne, EO Nutrition. Naturewise.  But I do read the ingredients labels all the time just to be sure they are gluten and dairy free. Glad to help with further questions.  
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

NOTICE: This site places This site places cookies on your device (Cookie settings). on your device. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy.