Jump to content

  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):

    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

Am I Asking For The Right Tests

Tammiejo

Recommended Posts

Tammiejo Newbie
Tammiejo
Posted

I suspect I am reacting to gluten. I have have experienced most of the symptoms listed on the site to some degree for years and just assumed it was just the way I am, deal with it. I recently woke up to a rash all over my body that looked like Chicken Pox. I have had small outbreaks that I attributed to allergies, working out..... but never like this. I have had Chicken Pox and measels before, but went to the Dr to be sure I did not have anything contagous. He ran tests for those (all negative) and added a test for Celiacs. I had never even heard of it before but after reading the site, I seemed to fit the bill. I have been gluten-free for 3 weeks and feel much better. I am an inch smaller around the middle! The blood work came in and the Dr says negative but it appears he did only the IgA? I am not sure what I am looking at or how to read this so I am hoping to get some guidance here....

Immunoglobulin A, serum 171 f 68-378 mg/dL

Tissue Transglutaminase Ab, IgA 1 f < 20 Units

I would love to order a pizza for dinner, but..... I haven't been constipated or have diarehha in 2 weeks.... My skin is almost clear...

I'd appreciate any advise I can get!!

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


happygirl Collaborator
happygirl
Posted

He ran the tTG IgA, which is probably the best screening test for Celiac. According to it, you were negative.

The other test is the total IgA, which measures your ability to produce IgA antibodies. If you were IgA deficient, and had Celiac, you couldn't test positive on any of the IgA based tests (tTG IgA, AGA IgA, EMA IgA, etc). According to your bloodwork, you are not IgA deficient.

No one blood test is perfect for every individual. You could have damage that isn't picked up by the bloodwork. Or, you may not have Celiac and still have a non Celiac gluten sensitivity. Or, you could not have a problem with gluten.

Some people prefer to keep gluten out of their diets, regardless of testing, because they feel better off of it. They don't know "what" it is. Others prefer to push for a firmer diagnosis (including biopsy) to rule in/out Celiac.

*lee-lee* Enthusiast
*lee-lee*
Posted

were you consuming gluten at the time the blood was drawn? if you had stopped eating gluten for 3 weeks and then had the blood taken, the results could be inaccurate.

Tammiejo Newbie
Tammiejo
Posted
  • Author

I was eating gluten at the time of the test. Just the 3 weeks it took to get my results. I never would have suspected it and even thought the Dr was a bit daft when he mentioned the test, but figured it couldn't hurt. He was only looking at the skin issue at the time. The stomach issues I have had for so long that I didn't consider it important at the time. It was not anything new or different. And fatigue? I am training for a marathon, of course I am fatigued.

It wasn't until I started reading the site that all the symtoms I would never have put together suddenly fit. I think I'll stay gluten-free for a bit and see if I continue to feel better.

Thanks!!

Tammiejo Newbie
Tammiejo
Posted
  • Author

Thanks for the translation! I still don't think I'll run right out and order that pizza tonight, but maybe I'll introduce some gluten back in a few weeks and see what happens.

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):


  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      131,899
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    dcarter1682
    Newest Member
    dcarter1682
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.4k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):


  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • trents
      New (possible) celiac diagnosis

      By trents · Posted

      Welcome to the forum, @Judy M! Yes, he definitely needs to continue eating gluten until the day of the endoscopy. Not sure why the GI doc advised otherwise but it was a bum steer.  Celiac disease has a genetic component but also an "epigenetic" component. Let me explain. There are two main genes that have been identified as providing the "potential" to develop "active" celiac disease. We know them as HLA-DQ 2.5 (aka, HLA-DQ 2) and HLA-DQ8. Without one or both of these genes it is highly unlikely that a person will develop celiac disease at some point in their life. About 40% of the general population carry one or both of these two genes but only about 1% of the population develops active celiac disease. Thus, possessing the genetic potential for celiac disease is far less than deterministic. Most who have the potential never develop the disease. In order for the potential to develop celiac disease to turn into active celiac disease, some triggering stress event or events must "turn on" the latent genes. This triggering stress event can be a viral infection, some other medical event, or even prolonged psychological/emotional trauma. This part of the equation is difficult to quantify but this is the epigenetic dimension of the disease. Epigenetics has to do with the influence that environmental factors and things not coded into the DNA itself have to do in "turning on" susceptible genes. And this is why celiac disease can develop at any stage of life. Celiac disease is an autoimmune condition (not a food allergy) that causes inflammation in the lining of the small bowel. The ingestion of gluten causes the body to attack the cells of this lining which, over time, damages and destroys them, impairing the body's ability to absorb nutrients since this is the part of the intestinal track responsible for nutrient absorption and also causing numerous other food sensitivities such as dairy/lactose intolerance. There is another gluten-related disorder known as NCGS (Non Celiac Gluten Sensitivity or just, "gluten sensitivity") that is not autoimmune in nature and which does not damage the small bowel lining. However, NCGS shares many of the same symptoms with celiac disease such as gas, bloating, and diarrhea. It is also much more common than celiac disease. There is no test for NCGS so, because they share common symptoms, celiac disease must first be ruled out through formal testing for celiac disease. This is where your husband is right now. It should also be said that some experts believe NCGS can transition into celiac disease. I hope this helps.
    • Judy M
      New (possible) celiac diagnosis

      By Judy M · Posted

      My husband has had lactose intolerance for his entire life (he's 68 yo).  So, he's used to gastro issues. But for the past year he's been experiencing bouts of diarrhea that last for hours.  He finally went to his gastroenterologist ... several blood tests ruled out other maladies, but his celiac results are suspect.  He is scheduled for an endoscopy and colonoscopy in 2 weeks.  He was told to eat "gluten free" until the tests!!!  I, and he know nothing about this "diet" much less how to navigate his in daily life!! The more I read, the more my head is spinning.  So I guess I have 2 questions.  First, I read on this website that prior to testing, eat gluten so as not to compromise the testing!  Is that true? His primary care doctor told him to eat gluten free prior to testing!  I'm so confused.  Second, I read that celiac disease is genetic or caused by other ways such as surgery.  No family history but Gall bladder removal 7 years ago, maybe?  But how in God's name does something like this crop up and now is so awful he can't go a day without worrying.  He still works in Manhattan and considers himself lucky if he gets there without incident!  Advice from those who know would be appreciated!!!!!!!!!!!!
    • Scott Adams
      Patiently Waiting to See Results

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      You've done an excellent job of meticulously tracking the rash's unpredictable behavior, from its symmetrical spread and stubborn scabbing to the potential triggers you've identified, like the asthma medication and dietary changes. It's particularly telling that the rash seems to flare with wheat consumption, even though your initial blood test was negative—as you've noted, being off wheat before a test can sometimes lead to a false negative, and your description of the other symptoms—joint pain, brain fog, stomach issues—is very compelling. The symmetry of the rash is a crucial detail that often points toward an internal cause, such as an autoimmune response or a systemic reaction, rather than just an external irritant like a plant or mites. I hope your doctor tomorrow takes the time to listen carefully to all of this evidence you've gathered and works with you to find some real answers and effective relief. Don't be discouraged if the rash fluctuates; your detailed history is the most valuable tool you have for getting an accurate diagnosis.
    • Scott Adams
      Gluten free beer ?

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      In this case the beer is excellent, but for those who are super sensitive it is likely better to go the full gluten-free beer route. Lakefront Brewery (another sponsor!) has good gluten-free beer made without any gluten ingredients.
    • trents
      Patiently Waiting to See Results

      By trents · Posted

      Welcome to the forum, @catsrlife! Celiac disease can be diagnosed without committing to a full-blown "gluten challenge" if you get a skin biopsy done during an active outbreak of dermatitis herpetiformis, assuming that is what is causing the rash. There is no other known cause for dermatitis herpetiformis so it is definitive for celiac disease. You would need to find a dermatologist who is familiar with doing the biopsy correctly, however. The samples need to be taken next to the pustules, not on them . . . a mistake many dermatologists make when biopsying for dermatitis herpetiformis. 
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

NOTICE: This site places This site places cookies on your device (Cookie settings). on your device. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy.