Test Result Interpretation

[alexb]

Hi - I recently had a few tests done, including Gluten sensitivity.

The doc who ordered the test claims I am Gluten sensitive because the first two values are over 16.

My GI doc claims that I am not because the third value is well within normal range.

I am confused and could really use a qualified opinion on interpreting these results:

Anti Gliadin, IgA: 18.97

Anti Gliadin, IgG: 21.36

Anti Transglutaminase, IgA: 10.07

Immunoglobulin, IgA: 158

Secretory IgA (Saliva): 15.52

Gliadin IgA (Saliva): 6.9

All but the second value are within normal range as specified on the lab test sheet.

The GI doc says if the third value is within normal range then he is confident that a patient is not Gluten sensitive and doesn't even bother looking at the first two.

Any comments would be appreciated.

Thanks!

Alex

[Mother of Jibril]

It's true that ttG (tissue transglutaminase) is more specific for celiac disease than anti-gliaden. BUT... make no mistake about it. Your immune system is definitely reacting to gluten. If you keep eating it your numbers will continue to rise and eventually go out of normal range. Or... you could stop now and save yourself from a lot of nasty complications.

You've come to a great place! If you're not convinced that you need to go on a gluten-free diet, just start doing lots of reading.

[nora-n]

I found some abstracts on pubmed with analyses of blood tests over time that were taken from relatives of diagnosed celiacs:

First the antigliadin test rises, and after a long time the ttg will go positive, and then they get a positive celiac biopsy.

In my opinio you are soon gonna be positive for ttg.

Your number is not 0, and that means something.

A lot of patients get negative ( they keep calling numbers just below positive fro negative) test results yet tehy have clearsly positive biopsies.

There was an artivle here where scientists sent out a numer of blood tests of biopsy proven celiacs out to different labs, and some labs got most of them right, and the others got about half of them....

(we would love to have that list here)

nora

[alexb]

Eeeenteresting.

A little background on my story:

About a year ago I developed intestinal problems, went to a GI doc, he diagnosed me with Ulcerative Colitis.

His solution: "We don't know what causes it, we don't know how to fix it, just take these pills. If they don't work, we'll try some other pills in two weeks."

I asked him specifically, "Do I need to change anything about my lifestyle, exercise differently, eat differently, anything?" "Nope, just take these pills and do as I say."

Of course none of the different pills worked, I was miserable for months, eventually he put me on Prednisone. While that helped and I thankfully had very little side effects, after tapering it off a few months later I was still symptomatic.

He then wanted to put me on Imuran, an anti-cancer drug with some serious possible side effects. That's where I drew the line and decided to get a second and third opinion.

A friend recommended a clinic who look at your overall health and try to find the root cause of your illness instead of just prescribing chemical sledgehammers to suppress the symptoms.

They put me on a modified elimination diet (MED - essentially Paleo without all the common food allergens such as soy, egg, dairy, shellfish, citrus, etc. etc. etc.). On my wife's suggestion I added almonds to the list which I had been eating daily as my source of healthy fat (I was following the Zone Diet).

Going on the MED didn't made any difference the first week - until I removed almonds as well. Noticeable, immediate, and consistent improvement. I reintroduced a food every three days as instructed. No reactions except for almond butter and almond milk.

While on the diet they also did a number of stool, blood, and saliva tests. Based on the results I mentioned above I was told that I was Gluten sensitive and needed to avoid it for the rest of my life.

After being symptom-free for several weeks (after a year of suffering continuously) I was cautiously optimistic. The first trial came last week when we went to a resort in Mexico on vacation. I chose Paleo foods but had no control over what went into each meal, and the cooks I talked to were completely clueless about Gluten allergy, so I just tried to make decent choices and hoped for the best. Thankfully I didn't have any problems.

Now we're back and I am continuing to eat Paleo with a touch of Zone.

At this point I think that the main reason for my UC symptoms were an almond allergy I was unaware of. There may be other nuts, haven't tried Walnuts etc. yet, but I am hesitant to try since I am doing so well now.

Gluten is apparently an issue for me based on your comments - again in contrast to what the GI doc told me when I showed him the test results - and I am taking it seriously now that I am aware, but I don't think it has played a major role so far. It sounds like there is a severity scale for Gluten intolerance. Some people never have symptoms, some have light symptoms they ignore or manage themselves, some have severe symptoms - correct?

I am slowly tapering off some of my medication and supplements. My plan is to control my health through optimal diet and a minimum of medication and supplements.

Anyway - that's my story so far

I guess the moral of the story here is this:

• don't believe everything a doctor tells you
  
• do your own research
  
• eating right can be more powerful than medication
  
• don't look for a pill as a quick fix
  
• it takes discipline and commitment but it will pay off
  

Anybody else here have a similar story or experience, and would like to offer some feedback?

[dizzygrinch]

I guess the moral of the story here is this:

don't believe everything a doctor tells you

do your own research

eating right can be more powerful than medication

don't look for a pill as a quick fix

it takes discipline and commitment but it will pay off

AMEN!!

[cmom]

and Hallelujah!!!