Grrrr.......blood Test Results

[ohsotired]

Yesterday I got a call from my GI's office, saying that all my blood work was "normal".

Today, I stopped by to pick up a copy for my own records, and so that I could see for myself.

They ran a CBC w/differential/platelet - shows high hemoglobin, hematocrit, and MCV. (Should I be concerned about this?)

They also rn C-Reactive Protein and a Comp. Metabolic Panel, where my results seem to be on the higher end of normal.

Then I see on the bottom of all the test results

t-Transglutaminase (tTG) IgA 1 (reference interval: negative 0-3)

Tissue Transglutaminase (tTG) has been identified as the endomysial antigen. Studies have demonstrated that endomysial IgA antibodies have over 99% specificity for gluten sensitive enteropathy.

So.......do I call them and ask that they run the other tests in the Celiac Panel as well?

Or should I wait and see what other testing reveals? (Stool sample and colonoscopy)

Shame on me. I assumed when the GI said he was running a 'celiac panel' that it would be all the tests.

[Amyleigh0007]

My doctor did the EXACT same thing! The office called to tell me my tests were "normal" and when I got a copy of the results found out he hadn't run all the tests, only two. I called him back to see if he would do the other tests and he said there was no reason (even though my son has Celiac and I have all the classic symptoms- I'd say those are two huge reasons right there!). He didn't want anything else to do with me. It is so frustrating! I have an appointment with an allergist and I hope she can help me more than my ignorant doctor.

[ohsotired]

Ugh. So frustrating! What more do they need from you? If your son has been dx'd with it, then I just don't get why they wouldn't run the whole stinking panel. I hope your allergist can help you figure it out.

So from what I've gleaned after doing some research on the hemoglobin, hematocrit, and MCV "high" results.....

• High hemoglobin and hematocrit are most likely due to the fact that I am a smoker (yes, I know.....no lectures please)
  
• The high MCV seems to point to macrocytic anemia, likely from a b12 and/or folic acid deficiency. So I'm guessing this means that either I'm not ingesting enough of these, or my body isn't absorbing them properly.
  

Although I'm also reading that these three things could be interrelated.

Ugh. I'm just frustrated. I didn't go see this 'specialist' to have to educate him. I figured he'd already done that, and that's how he got his medical degree.

[jerseyangel]

That is really frustrating....the same thing happened to my mom. I sent a list of the complete panel for her to take to her doctor and he still only did the one test.

She was negative on it and chose to believe that that's all there was to it.

Family history and symptoms don't seem to mean a thing to some of these "professionals".....

[tipnpat]

They also rn C-Reactive Protein and a Comp. Metabolic Panel, where my results seem to be on the higher end of normal.

On my last panel of "routine" blood work I had an elevated CRP. I had had a recent gluten exposure and was in the middle of a migraine. I told my PA this but she didn't seem to think there was an inflammation connection and talked me out of doing a Celiac panel. Her words were, "I think your health care dollars could be better spent."

Also, I had a similar problem with my two children recently. The pediatric GI only ran a total IgA and a ttG. I really wanted the EMA. I think I'll just ask my pediatrician for it. Can an allergist order these things?

[Jenny (AZ via TX)]

Crystal,

My CRP was very high right before I was diagnosed. I had infection and inflammation in the small intestine. After antibiotics and another CT scan, by CRP came way down. Keep pursuing this!

PS Hope the colonoscopy went well this morning.

[Gutbomb]

Her words were, "I think your health care dollars could be better spent."

OMG...First of all I would be finding another PA/doc, secondly I would have told her that my health care dollars pay part of her salary so if she wants to continue to be paid by you then do the flippin test. I feel so fortunate to have a wonderfully amazing, understanding and trusting doctor. When I told her I wanted a celiac test she said just said ok and ordered it up.

[ohsotired]

I haven't had the opportunity to ask about any of the lab results yet with the doctor, but plan to either when they call with the rest of my lab results or at my follow up.

The colonoscopy went well, although I'm still paying the price from the prep. (Will post more on this later.)

The doc said everything looked good but took two biopsies to have the pathologist check for micro-colitis. I should know about that by early next week, and the results from my stool samples should be back any day now.

[jewlesD]

I am so glad I found your post...I had NO idea there was more than one test for celiac....my doctor just did the same thing to me. Do any of you know if being on an antibiotic would interfere with results? looks like its back to the doctor for the 2 tests I never had.