Can Someone Help Me With My Lab Results?

[Nan2N]

My lab results were done at Prometheus Celiac Plus in CA. I'm not sure what all this means, so here goes:

Anti-Gliadin IgG Elisa (AGA IgG) 12.2U/ml <10.0U/ml norm

Anti-Gliadin IgA Elisa (AGA IgA) 2.9U/ml <5.0U/ml norm

Anti-Human tissue Transglutaminase IgA Elisa (TTG IgA) 7.8 U/ml <4.0 U/ml norm

Anti-Endomysial IgA IFA (EMA IgA) Positive

Total Serum IgA by Nephelometry (Total IgA) 152 mg/dl

Alleles Detected: DQ2 heterodimer (HLS DQA1*05/DQB1*02)

DQ2 heteroqygous genotype (10x normal risk considered high)ha

results support a diagnosis of celiac disease

Serological markers for celiac disease detected

Celiac disease highly likely.

3 pieces in biopsy taken....all were normal.

few fat globules in fecal fat (no number)

Not to be gross but there was a stool specimen done and all three tests showed small numbers of irregulaar pieces of grayish-tan colored soft tissue. Whatever that means.

Both my GP and GI doctor say no malapsorbtion (I beg to differ)

And my GP says he's not sure I have Celiac from his discussion with the GI and the results she sent him.

My GI doctor told me eat Gluten Free....which I have been doing.

I'm just so confused because I'm trying to find out what's best for my body and where I might be deficient and they act like it's nothing to worry about.

Can anyone help me with this one?

Thanks a bunch!

[Worriedtodeath]

I'm sure you will have more experinced people chime in, but the Ema is very specific for Celiac disease and a positive is a sure sign of Celiac. The ttg is the "thing" that relates to intestional damage. So you have damage occuring, another yes for Celiac.

The negative biospy does not mean you are in the clear. It simply means the spot they biopsied was normal since you do not have a completely destroyed gut. Celiac is a patchy and the itty bitty samples taken from just the top of 22 feet ensures that the damage can be complelety missed. At least the dr told you to eat gluten free. THe reason is because you do have Celiac. A trial diet of gluten free with symptoms resolving supports the dx. Some drs still will not accept that without a damaged biopsy.

I've recently spoken with 3 gi pathologist who all said the same thing. THe biospy does not dx Celiac alone. Only a positive response to the diet with antibodies or positive biopsy support Celiac dx. They all said it gets tricky with blood positive and neg biopsy but response to the diet still supports Celiac dx. THe worst case are those like my family who are blood neg, biopsy neg but still have the positive response to the diet.

You may want to limit your diet in the beginning to whole frutis, veggies, and plain meat and lay off of dairy, grains and anything that you think upsets your tummy. In the healing stage, gluten free grains/dairy/soy can still cause the gut to react as if it was gluten. My daughter ate a very plain diet for a couple of months (she's under two) before we tried much with her and we still have to juggle the grains to make sure she doesn't eat too much too often or else it gives her the runs.

The diet can do wonders though adults may take several months to begin healing.

HTH

Stacie

[cruelshoes]

The bloodwork results you have posted are highly suggestive of celiac disease. You are not IgA Deficient, and the TtG and EmA (nearly 100% specific to celiac) are both positive AND you posess one of the genes for celiac. The results on the biopsy can be hit and miss unless you have severe damage. If it were me, I would be inclined to stay on a gluten-free diet regardless of what the biopsy said. I'm not a doctor, but those results would be enough for me to want to stick with it.

Open Original Shared Link

Positive serologic tests in the presence of a normal biopsy

This situation occasionally arises. The presence of a positive EMA with a normal biopsy indicates either the presence of celiac disease that was not detected in the biopsy, either because of too few pieces being taken or misinterpretation. The biopsy should be reviewed by an expert gastrointestinal pathologist. If it is considered to be truly a normal biopsy the patient may well have latent celiac disease and will probably develop the disease at a later date.

[maddycat]

I agree with PP's that it looks like it is Celiac Disease based on your serological test results. I would think your GI dr. knows more about Celiac disease than your GP- so I would trust his diagnosis more. My GP has only seen one other case of celiac disease other than me in recent years so I definitely know more about it than she does!

Have you had any vitamin levels checked? How do they "know" that you don't have any absorption issues? If you are concerned about possible absorption issues please request that you be tested for vitamin levels including Vit D, Folate, Calcium and Iron. Also you should have a bone density scan done, many celiac's have bone thinning/loss- which IS reversible if you treat it with extra supplements. You will probably want to start taking a multi v supplement right away then add to it if you find you have any deficiencies.

Please remember that you are your best advocate, you know your body best- we live in a community where we don't stand up to our dr's much, but it is ok to ask for things from them- they are working for you, think of it as you hiring them to help you with your health.

Good luck, I know it is a lot to absorb and think about! You'll get through it!

Marcia

[Ursa Major]

Listen to your GI. Your blood work shows that you have celiac disease, and if you respond positively to the gluten-free diet you have a definitive answer. The biopsy can help diagnose, but a negative one can never rule out celiac disease.