Did My Doc Do Okay?

[LIS-Guy]

Hi all,

I stopped by my doctor's office today to pick up my lab orders for the hospital tomorrow. I gotta tell you this guy is a sweetheart as doctors go. Younger guy, seems to be up on his research, spent a lot of time listening to me, and gave me a very thorough hands-on exam. It looks like he just ordered three Celiac tests for me, but there's a bunch of stuff I don't recognize so have a look if you will.

Anti-Nuclear Antibody (ANA)

Creatine Kinase (CPK)

C-Reactive Protein, quant (CRPQ)

Comprehensive Metabolic (CMP)

Rheumatoid Factor (RF)

Sedimentation Rate (ESR)

TSH reflex to FT4 if TSH is depressed (TSH FLEX)

Anti-gliadin Antibodies

Tissue Transglutaminase IgA

Anti-endomysial Antibodies

He also ordered a CT scan of the neck to look at my thyroid.

I'll be going tomorrow afternoon to have all of these.

Comments/advice are welcome.

LIS

[ShayFL]

There really should be a TOTAL IgA to make sure you arent deficient as most tests are IgA and if you are deficient then IgG should be use. But otherwise, he is being comprehensive looking for "inflammation", "heart health", "autoimmune markers" and "blood suger".

[ShayFL]

Oh and for the thyroid it should be:

TSH

Free T3

Free T4

And both antibodies

You can ask for this next time. I have never even heard of that weird TSH test he is using on you and I have studied thyroid (wrote my dissertation on it) and have read countless books on thyroid. It is likely some obsolete test.

[LIS-Guy]

Hi Shay and thanks so much for your input!

Like I said, this guy was a real prince with me today. When he handed me the lab sheet he said 'let's see how these come out, and in the meantime do some research and if there's anything else you'd like me to order for you we'll discuss it at our next meeting'. So he is VERY open to me requesting additional testing. And to think I was afraid to approach him about this? Also regarding the thyroid, he had already ordered all the normal thyroid panels, but added this one today as an extra measure. So I think he is being very thorough.

If I may ask several more questions:

Did he at least order some of the more important Celiac tests?

Unless I'm mistaken, didn't he order a Lupus screening as well?

Thanks again,

LIS

[cat3883]

I just looked over the tests my doctor did and it looks like he is being very thorough. The TTG IGA is what really helped my GI diagnose me. After the results from all the tests he then did the genetic test on me and it came back positive for both genes. I certainly am no expert but I think you are in good hands.

[LIS-Guy]

Thanks cat, that's always good to hear.

[LIS-Guy]

Just to be certain... I should NOT go on a gluten-free diet after my lab work tomorrow... just in case my doc wants to order additional tests? This is so hard! I want to go gluten-free right now so bad, and it kills me to stay on a heavy gluten diet just for these tests!

[ShayFL]

That is correct.

[Nancym]

Yeah, the ANA test is one they use to check for Lupus. I think there are followup tests if it is positive.

[happygirl]

Your doctor did well regarding the Celiac bloodwork - just ask him to order the total IgA, particularly if your Celiac tests are negative.

Keep eating gluten until testing is complete.

[MinMin]

Your doctor did well regarding the Celiac bloodwork - just ask him to order the total IgA, particularly if your Celiac tests are negative.

Keep eating gluten until testing is complete.

I too have just had blood work done to look for celiacs.

I am not sure if all possible indicators were tested but those that were suggest a strong negative to me having celiacs. This is what was printed on my report

Gliadin IgA 4 U/mL (0 - 20)

tTG IgA & IgG 3 U/mL (0 - 20)

Has everything been covered?? I should be happy I don't have it but I've struggled with the exact symptoms for almost my entire life and I was finally hopeful there could be an answer for all the random things I experience. Back down the IBS path...

[happygirl]

Minimin,

Call your doctor and ask for the total IgA test.

If you are IgA deficient and have Celiac, you can't test positive on the IgA based tests.

It may be worth it to try the diet and see if your symptoms improve.

[ShayFL]

MinMin,

My scores look like yours. I am not considered IgA deficient, but I am at the bottom of the range. I had a POS response to the diet. You may have still found your answer, so dont give up!!

You may have to try a gluten-free diet to see like me.

[MinMin]

Thank you both for your responses, I have renewed hope!

My family and friends think I'm crazy for wanting to be diagnosed with something like celiacs but after reading the forum, I realize I'm not alone. Doctors keep looking at my ailments all separately instead of stepping back and seeing if they are possibly all connected. I've had about 15 -20 different medications prescribed over the last 2 years targeting individual problems which are all strong symptoms or are tied with Celiac disease.

I will ask my GI for that blood test, then I'm going to take in upon myself to explore food intolerance/allergies as doctors have never suggested or looked into this. Do I go to a nutritionist or dietician?

[ravenwoodglass]

I too have just had blood work done to look for celiacs.

I am not sure if all possible indicators were tested but those that were suggest a strong negative to me having celiacs. This is what was printed on my report

Gliadin IgA 4 U/mL (0 - 20)

tTG IgA & IgG 3 U/mL (0 - 20)

Has everything been covered?? I should be happy I don't have it but I've struggled with the exact symptoms for almost my entire life and I was finally hopeful there could be an answer for all the random things I experience. Back down the IBS path...

Do not assume that just because blood tests or biopsy are negative that you are definately not celiac. That assumption by my doctors led to 15 very miserable years of deteriorating health for me. The diet itself is the truest test when followed strictly. There are false negatives in celiac blood screening so no matter what the testing results do try the diet.

[LIS-Guy]

About how long does it take to get Celiac blood work back? From what I understand they are not done locally and must be shipped off to another lab. Am I looking at a couple days? Weeks? Just wanna know how impatient to get.