Positive Tissue Transglutaminase Iga Test

[oogachick]

I am so confused. I have just been diagnosed with Celiac via the tissue transglutaminase IGA test & having symptoms for years that have gotten much worse in the past several months. I asked my Dr about doing the endoscopy biopsy for confirmation and he said it was not necessary since i tested positive high for antibodies and am having symptoms. The nutritionist also told me i didn't need biopsy. But, then other people have said biopsy is required and a lot of the websites i have been reading.... I did my first gluten free shopping trip and was all mentally set to start the diet Monday.

I just want to see what others say about biopsy and if it is really necessary at this point? I feel confused about all of this.

THANKS

[ShayFL]

Biopsy is NOT necessary. The only real way to tell if you have a gluten problem (when you have symptoms) is to go on a gluten free diet. For the lucky (like yourself) you can get a Dx with just bloodwork. Biopsies are often neg. because damage can be spotty. If they dont take samples from the right places, it wont show villa damage.

You are SMART and RIGHT ON to start the diet right away.

[psawyer]

If your tTG IgA is positive, then that is conclusive for celiac as I understand it. The full panel includes other tests which are required to rule out a false negative if the tTG IgA is low because of another problem causing all IgA levels to be low.

Many doctors still want to do the biopsy which was the only tool before the current blood tests for antibodies became available.

Unless you have a specific need to have a documented diagnosis, I would skip the biopsy and just start the gluten free diet.

In some circumstances, a documented medically proven diagnosis may be useful. It may be needed to convince a school, camp, hospital, or other care facility that the need for a completely gluten free diet is genuine. One day, we hope that all doctors will accept the tTG IgA as proof. For now, many don't.

[tom]

  oogachick said:

I have just been diagnosed with Celiac .. ... .

I say diagnosed is diagnosed.

Don't know your symptoms, but once gluten-free chances are, before long, you'll feel better than you have in many years.

[jerseyangel]

I'm thinking if your doctor dignosed you, then that's the end of it--you have been diagnosed. I don't think anyone is going to dig deeper and see exactly how he came to that conclusion--unless I'm missing something....

[ravenwoodglass]

You have a great doctor there. You have been diagnosed and now you can start healing. You found the right place for any guidance and support you may need.

The Celiac Sprue Association is also a good source for a starting point on the diet. I really like that they give a starting diet and an 'expanding' one for after you heal. Here is a link.

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