Blood Test Results...i'm Confused!

[Baddfrog]

Hello,

My GP Doc doesn't have much experience with Celiac, so he ran a blood test for me, but when I got confusing results he wasn't sure what was up. Can anyone help me with this please?

These were my test results

Gliadin IgG Antibodies <10 U/ml

Gliadin IgG Antibodies <5 U/ml

tTg IgA Auto = 62.5 U/ml

tTg IgG Auto < 6 U/ml

I'm confused...I've heard you can have false positives with tTg-IgA but 62.5 seems a bit high for a false positive...any thoughts?

Also, if it isn't Celiac is this symptomatic of Crohn's or Liver issues or....anything.

Thank you so much for your help,

Thanks,

Scott

[ShayFL]

Hi Scott,

We need to see "references ranges" to help you. There is always a possibility of a false POS and a false NEG with ANY test. Why? Individual biochemical makeup and proficiency of the lab technician running your labs.

Depending on the range, that is a high number from the ranges I have seen.

With those results, you should request to see a GI doctor and inquire about a biopsy.

Your doctor seems receptive.....so ask if he will run a Celiac genetic test. It doesnt dx Celiac, but is a piece to the puzzle.

[Baddfrog]

Sorry about that.

the reference ranges are

AGA IgA < 5 U/ml

AGA IgG < 10 U/ml

tTg IgA < 4 U/ml

So my AGA numbers seem Negative...but my tTg IgA seems strongly positive.

What is the Celiac genetic test...I'm not familiar with that.

[ShayFL]

They take either blood or a cheek cell swab and then test for DQ2 and DQ8 genes. Those are the two genes associated with Celiac.

You really should see a specialist next (GI Doctor).

I am assuming you have symptoms and that led you to the doctor and a Celiac test to begin with.

Even if EVERYTHING came back NEG (which yours didnt) a trial of a gluten-free diet can give startling results (as it did for me). I am not Celiac, but I AM gluten intolerant. No doubt about it. My bi-monthly migraines that plagued me for years went away within 2 weeks of the diet and have never come back. My trips to the bathroom are fewer and perfectly normal. And other symptoms are improving as well.

[mftnchn]

Scott, this is a positive, so yes, biopsy is next. Dom't go gluten free until after the biopst though. You might do some research on GI's, not all are this best with celiac.

[happygirl]

The tTG is one of the best tests out there for Celiac....if that's positive, there is a very, very high likelihood that you have Celiac. You don't have to be positive on all of them to have Celiac. Having a positive tTG is more diagnostic (Celiac wise) than only a positive AGA IgA or AGA IgG.

Some good, reputable websites, besides this one are:

www.celiacdisease.net

www.celiacdiseasecenter.columbia.edu

www.celiac.org

www.celiaccentral.org

They all have info on testing, as well. Good luck.

[Baddfrog]

Thank you all for your input.

I thankfully got an appt with a GI, based on a cancellation, for tomorrow morning!!...and he is the only one in Akron listed on celiac.com!! I can't help but speculate on some Divine intervention there.

I want to make sure that I ask the right questions.

Any thoughts?

[mom4life]

Hi

i am new to Celiacs and blogging! So please be patient with me. I went into doc after a month of being sick for no reason. I tested positive on one of the blood tests(waiting for call back from doc to tell me which one). I was wondering why the advice was to wait to go gluten free until after the biopsy? Won't the damage be done already? My appt with GI specialist is not until nov. 11!! I don't really want to wait that long to feel better! Any advice? I am spending my day surfing these sights for information. Thank goodness for technology!!

[leadmeastray88]

Hi

i am new to Celiacs and blogging! So please be patient with me. I went into doc after a month of being sick for no reason. I tested positive on one of the blood tests(waiting for call back from doc to tell me which one). I was wondering why the advice was to wait to go gluten free until after the biopsy? Won't the damage be done already? My appt with GI specialist is not until nov. 11!! I don't really want to wait that long to feel better! Any advice? I am spending my day surfing these sights for information. Thank goodness for technology!!

Hi mom4life,

Being gluten free for even a few days can make your biopsy turn out to be a false negative. The villi in many people's intestines can heal quickly so I wouldn't take any chances. The biopsy is the 'gold standard' for a Celiac diagnosis so I would urge you to keep eating gluten until the biopsy - trust me, it'll be worth it! That way, you'll never have a doubt in your mind years later that you're doing the right thing.

Hang in there! You're on the right track.

Good luck!

-Kim

[cat3883]

Is that Akron Ohio you are from? If so I am from that area and am newly diagnosed. There is a 4 hour seminar at the Mustard Seed this Saturday from noon-4 in Fairlawn. I am curious to see who you doc is. Mine is Dr Vencat.

[Baddfrog]

Is that Akron Ohio you are from? If so I am from that area and am newly diagnosed. There is a 4 hour seminar at the Mustard Seed this Saturday from noon-4 in Fairlawn. I am curious to see who you doc is. Mine is Dr Vencat.

Hey Cat

Dr. Vencat is my Doc and I just met him today....I'm going in for a biopsy on Wednesday to confirm Celiac. I'm planning on going to the Mustard Seed on Saturday. How fortuitous (pretty sure I've never written that word before) is the timing on that!

I just read an article in the Beacon regarding a restaurant called the Bistro of Green that is serving gluten free dishes. I'm going to check that out once the biopsy is done.

What do you think of Dr. Vencat? Has he done a good job for you?...and how long have you been diagnosed? biopsy?

-Scott

[cat3883]

OMG My biopsy is Wednesday!! I was diagnosed about 3 weeks ago. He could tell by my bloodwork and then did the genetic test and it came back positive. He is a wonderful easy to talk to doctor. My husband and friends have gone to them for their colonoscopy. I am also having one of those done on Wed. since I am 49. I am the "overweight" celiac patient. I gained about 30 pounds over the last few years and it wont come off. I strength train and do cardio 5 days a week and my weight just wont budge. I also have depression, migraines, and fatigue. My family physician ran all kinds of bloodwork on me and that is where this celiac diagnosis began. You are in very good hands. I hope the seminar at the Mustard Seed is very informative because as you know I must start the gluten free diet on Wed!!!

There is also a place on Cleveland Ave in North Canton called the Rasin Rack that has alot of gluten free products. Good luck on Wednesday. And maybe we will meet on Saturday.

Cheryl