Pcp Says Blood Panel Has "abnormalities"

[Bowlofjokes]

During a recent physical I requested that a panel be checked since my sister had recently been diagnosed with the Celiac Disease. I was pretty taken back when the PCP office called requesting I see a specialist because of "abnormalities".

The results were mailed to me and seem to point toward the Celiac. My appointment is a few weeks away, but I started trying to go gluten-free about 48 hours ago. So, here is my Celiac Panel results

Tissue Transglutaminase = >100 says I should be in the 5-8 range.

Immunoglobulin A = 216

Gliadin AB IGA = 68 says should be 11-17 range.

I'm feeling sort of in shock that this could be. Strangely it may explain symptoms I've had longer than I can remember- frequent 4-6 daily pale stool, body rash contact type redness, moderate anxiety/depression, always just under healthy weight for height. Even stranger is I hope it is so I can start getting better after 20 freaking years of this. At least since teenager.

I guess this is my introduction HELLO

[ShayFL]

Yes according to your bloodwork you have Celiac. BUT dont stop eating gluten yet!!! They will want to do a biopsy on you most likely and you MUST be eating gluten for it to be accurate. Otherwise is you have a biopsy on a gluten-free diet and they say you dont have Celiac because it is NEG it will be a FALSE NEG.

With your sister being Dx Celiac and your VERY POS bloodwork, you should be gluten-free for life. But wait till the specialist is done. Keep eating it now!!

[ravenwoodglass]

That is definately positive bloodwork. As Shay mentioned if you are going to have the biopsy done it is very important that you continue to eat gluten until those are done. Even on a full gluten diet there is a possibility of a false negative with biopsy so you need to do all you can to try and insure an accurate result. However no matter what the biopsies say you do definately have a diagnosis. Please go gluten free immediately after the procedure, IF you CHOOSE to have it done.

[Bowlofjokes]

Thank you for the replies.

Is the biopsy taken from the endoscopic procedure. I know they did the endoscopotomy (spelling) to my sister to look at villa.

I'm feeling the results & my life of symptoms are positive enough. Not sure why I would need a further intrusive test.

However, I would love to finish the year with my last bag of rolled oats for breakfast every morning

[ShayFL]

Yes...the endoscopy will take biopsies to look at your villi. They do make certified gluten-free oats.

[ang1e0251]

Wecome to the boards! You have pretty strong blood tests there, buddy! You've been given good advice here. Feel free to keeep us updated and ask any questions you may come up with. Good luck on any further testing you choose to have.

[Bowlofjokes]

I'm going to see a specialist and see what he says regarding further testing.

The gluten free life so far seems doable. I just bought some gluten free stuff to make pizza, bread, and oatmeal.

After 48 hours of far less to zero gluten there has already been some change in my symptoms for the better. We will see and I will keep everyone up to date. There is a plethora of knowledge here.

*looking forward to gaining some weight*

[ravenwoodglass]

I'm going to see a specialist and see what he says regarding further testing.

The gluten free life so far seems doable. I just bought some gluten free stuff to make pizza, bread, and oatmeal.

After 48 hours of far less to zero gluten there has already been some change in my symptoms for the better. We will see and I will keep everyone up to date. There is a plethora of knowledge here.

*looking forward to gaining some weight*

Just a quick warning if you are going to have the GI doctor do an endo you MUST not go gluten free until after the endo is done.

[Bowlofjokes]

Well I saw the specialist today and he confirmed my blood panel does reveal Celiacs. We talked about further testing with "the gold standard" procedure, however I was not seeing any reason to go further.

Over the past 5 weeks I have tried my best to avoid the gluten (10day vacation & holidays..not easy), in the small time frame my digestive system is almost what others would call NORMAL, also..my skin and rash and flakes have all subsided.

I'm curious what reasons others chose to have further testing for.

[happygirl]

I'm not advocating having the biopsy, or not having the biopsy, but you asked why people do (and these are just a few):

To confirm the diagnosis, to assess the level of damage so that improvement can be tracked (if necessary), so that you never are 'questioned' by other medical professionals as to if you "really" have Celiac (many doctors only accept biopsy as the true diagnosis), to look for other conditions (especially if they don't know if they have Celiac, and the endoscopy is more of an investigation, to look for the cause(s)), because their doctor recommended it, because their bloodwork wasn't conclusive, because the biopsy is the gold standard and the Celiac experts recommend it, to be included in Celiac studies - most patients have to have a positive biopsy, ...... there are lots of reasons (both ways!).

You can always talk to another GI if you want a second opinion, or have another discussion with your GI.

I hope you continue to do so well on the gluten free diet!

[rinne]

I chose not to have an endoscopy, like you I have a sister diagnosed with celiac, and I didn't see the need for invasive testing. I also have two gluten free brothers, one diagnosed and the other not.

I think it is important to understand that what they are looking for is damage and so the importance in continuing to eat it is to ensure there is the maximum damage for them to see.

I understand that there are those who need to confirm there diagnosis but I think diet alone may be the best diagnosis of all.

So glad to hear that you are seeing improvements and welcome.