Jump to content
This site uses cookies. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. More Info... ×
  • 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

Help! Test Results...


beansmom

Recommended Posts

beansmom Newbie

If anyone can shed some light here... I don't think I have typical celiac symptoms. I have occasional GI symptoms but I was tested because I was researching why I have a very painful and annoying problem. I get blisters in my mouth - inside my cheeks, on my palate, even on my tongue. They pop within 12-24 hours and leave a sore that heals in a few days. I have talked to my dentist, an oral surgeon, and an ENT, all with no real help.

My searching led to a possibility of celiac so I had a blood test - celiac panel done. I just got the results:

IGA, serum = 216 (normal 81-463)

Gliadin AB (IGA) = 26 (normal <11)

tTG AB (IGA) <3 (normal <5)

The doc that ordered them wasn't sure what they meant and spoke to the lab (Quest). They said b/c a "comprehensive" celiac panel wasn't ordered they didn't do the tTG IGG or the antiendomysial antibody. Furthermore, the lab said the Gliadin AB is not a reliable test for celiac - I'm so glad I get to pay for it :huh: . So now before I spend anymore money I want to know if A) I need to do anymore tests and B)what tests!

Has anyone known any celiacs with mouth blisters?! My only GI symptoms are frequent bloating and occasional diarrhea within an hour of eating. I have also been lactose intolerant for the last 5 years and was diagnosed with autoimmune thyroiditis (hypothyroid) last year. Thanks for your help!!


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



Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):



leadmeastray88 Contributor

Hi there,

I would say that YES, you need more tests. The thing about the ones you got is that they didn't do an IgG or Total IgA. What the total IgA does is it tells you if you're "deficient" in those antibodies (and if so, those IgA tests you got mean nothing!) and then thats where the IgG comes into play instead. Before going gluten free, I would suggest re-doing the entire panel, ask for ALL of these:

Anti-Gliadin (AGA) IgA

Anti-Gliadin (AGA) IgG

Anti-Endomysial (EMA) IgA

Anti-Tissue Transglutaminase (tTG) IgA

Total Serum IgA

As for the mouth sores, I get them immediately following a glutening. It's how I know I've eaten something I shouldn't have. If it was a bad glutening, it's followed by an extreme GERD attack. So you could say that they could be attributed to Celiac. I should also add that thyroid issues (and other autoimmune conditions) are very commonly related to Celiac, as if you have one autoimmune condition it predisposes you to others.

I hope that helps, good luck! :)

happygirl Collaborator

They did run the total IgA - that is the serum IgA. Based on these lab results, she is not IgA deficient.

The tTG IgG is typically run when you are IgA deficient (since the IgA based tests will not be accurate).

No one test is perfect, and sometimes people are only positive on the 'older' tests and not the newer tests. You may want to follow up with a biopsy since you have symptoms and an inconclusive serology.

leadmeastray88 Contributor
They did run the total IgA - that is the serum IgA. Based on these lab results, she is not IgA deficient.

The tTG IgG is typically run when you are IgA deficient (since the IgA based tests will not be accurate).

No one test is perfect, and sometimes people are only positive on the 'older' tests and not the newer tests. You may want to follow up with a biopsy since you have symptoms and an inconclusive serology.

My bad, I missed that one number - forget what I said :D

What happygirl said is right though - an endoscopy biopsy may be useful for two reasons:

1-to test for Celiac

2-to explore and make sure everything else is okay

beansmom Newbie

Thanks for the replies. I'm still at a loss for what to do. Should I schedule an appt with a GI doc? I don't really feel like I have a lot of GI symptoms. I have tried eating what I think causes the occasional D but sometimes it happens but sometimes it doesnt'. I also had a normal blood count and various vitamin and mineral levels come back normal. I don't really want to go throught a biopsy - I'm a chicken - if I'm just fishing in a large ocean of possibilities...

sbj Rookie

There's no need to be scared of an endoscopy!

beansmom Newbie

Well I guess I don't have to worry anyway... I just spoke with the doc that ran the tests. He spoke to a GI doc who said she only runs a total IgA and the tTG IgA. If those are normal she doesn't pursue anything more. Those tests were normal for me. No one can explain why the antigliadin is abnormal only that it should not have been done. So I'm left thinking I'm a lunatic for going down this path in the first place. I just want to stop having a sore mouth, please.


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



Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):



Gemini Experienced
Thanks for the replies. I'm still at a loss for what to do. Should I schedule an appt with a GI doc? I don't really feel like I have a lot of GI symptoms. I have tried eating what I think causes the occasional D but sometimes it happens but sometimes it doesnt'. I also had a normal blood count and various vitamin and mineral levels come back normal. I don't really want to go throught a biopsy - I'm a chicken - if I'm just fishing in a large ocean of possibilities...

Canker sores or blisters are very common with celiac disease and are a definite link. Some companies that do gene or blood testing for celiac disease will ask you this on questionnaires. I had canker sores for years on my mouth and tongue, plus I have autoimmune thyroid disease. You also do not have to have flaming GI symptoms with celiac disease.....it's an autoimmune disease and can affect people very differently. My canker sores went away completely and have not come back after 4 years gluten-free.

You may just be gluten sensitive and that can give you all the same symptoms as someone with full blown celiac disease. The fact that your blood and vitamin levels are fine may point to that as opposed to having celiac disease, which would cause intestinal damage with resultant deficiencies. Some also do not show deficiencies until damage gets really bad.

You have one autoimmune disease connected to celiac disease and mouth sores, plus lactose intolerance. You could see a GI doctor and ask them to do a full panel on the blood work to see what that shows. However, most GI docs will want to do an endoscopy and that's a decision for you to make. Other than that a trial gluten-free diet could be tried to see if some of your symptoms are alleviated. It all depends on how far you want to take it but you most certainly have symptoms of celiac disease. Good luck to you....I hope you find some answers!

sbj Rookie

I certainly hope you find some relief. Perhaps a second opinion on the blood test results?

The mouth sores could definitely be related to celiac, but there are other possibilities you may want to investigate. HFMD (coxsackie virus), pemphigus, herpes virus, Crohn's disease, A reaction to medication, and other food allergies.

nikki-uk Enthusiast

Just to point out that you CAN have negative blood results and still have celiac disease.

My husband had neg bloods/positive biopsy.

beansmom Newbie

Thanks for all the replies. How can the biopsy be positive if the blood tests are negative? I'll have to think about that one... As for the other possibilities, yes, they are possible. I don't think the blisters are infectious (coxackie or herpes). Coxackie goes away and herpes looks like clusters of small blisters. I have had some blisters up to 0.5cm. I also have tried a steroid mouth rinse with no relief and remember having some when I was on oral steroids for a pinched nerve. Anyway, I think I will go ahead with a biopsy of my mouth before going to see GI. I don't want to go and be told nothing's wrong, why are you here...

Rachel Newbie

Beans mum, how frustrating! I've been through your dilema and my doctor thought i was a bit of a nut lol But what I did was ask to see a dietitian. I told her my symptoms, she promptly wrote a letter and presto doctor now agrees to an endoscopy.

I don't care if the results are negative at least I know that I checked. I've been diagnosed with IBS, blood tests for celiacs were negative but they are not reliable tests.

Colonoscopy ruled out other major diseases. In my case it is probably as simple as having in tolerances but I'd rather know theres nothing major happening first before going down the elimination diet route.

Anyway good luck

ravenwoodglass Mentor
Just to point out that you CAN have negative blood results and still have celiac disease.

My husband had neg bloods/positive biopsy.

You can also have neg bloods and biopsy and still be celiac. After you have done all the testing YOU choose to do be sure to try the diet strictly for a couple of months. Your body may give you the answer that the doctors couldn't.

Archived

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

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Celiac.com:
    Donate

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):
    Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):





    Celiac.com Sponsors (A17-M):




  • Recent Activity

    1. - Scott Adams replied to Den Copper's topic in Gluten-Free Restaurants
      1

      Chili's Gluten-Free Dining Experience – What’s Your Take?

    2. 0

      Tampere, Finland Celiac Disease Symposium 2025

    3. - Nicbent35 replied to Nicbent35's topic in Related Issues & Disorders
      7

      3 year old gluten intolerance?

    4. - trents replied to Nicbent35's topic in Related Issues & Disorders
      7

      3 year old gluten intolerance?

    5. - Nicbent35 replied to Nicbent35's topic in Related Issues & Disorders
      7

      3 year old gluten intolerance?


  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):



  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      127,939
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748

    Pamela Colby
    Newest Member
    Pamela Colby
    Joined

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):


  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121k
    • Total Posts
      70.5k

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):





  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):



  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • Scott Adams
      You had the wrong link to the menu, so I fixed that for you 😉. Trying to eat gluten-free at Chili's is risky due to cross-contamination, even if you go with items marked gluten-free on their menu. Every person with celiac disease has a different level of sensitivity, and you've not mentioned anything about your situation in that regard. Whenever I eat out I take GliadinX (a sponsor here), but of course, the best option would be to avoid eating out. 
    • Nicbent35
      She has had problems with constipation, they actually prescribed miralax for her but I have changed some other things about her diet that seemed to have helped, so I never gave it to her..but she still doesn’t always go daily 
    • trents
      @Nicbent35, are there any other symptoms besides altered mood when your daughter gets "glutened"? Behavior like that in children often belies physical discomfort of some kind. Does she complain of stomach aches? Is she constipated?
    • Nicbent35
      Well I had a moment yesterday morning where I accidentally gave her gluten. She wanted what I was eating and I forgot and let her have a few bites of toast. It was a really bad night last night with her behavior. Will a few bites of bread influence their behavior that much or could it just be a coincidence?
    • Den Copper
      Hi everyone, I'm exploring gluten-free options at various restaurants and recently came across some chatter about Chili's offering gluten-free dishes. I'm curious if anyone has tried their gluten-free options or has any insights into how safe and tasty they are. Questions to Discuss: Which dishes at Chili's are truly gluten-free? Have you experienced any issues with cross-contamination? Do you have any tips or recommendations when ordering from Chili's menu? How does the taste and portion size compare to other gluten-free restaurants? Looking forward to hearing your experiences and any advice you might have! Thanks,
×
×
  • Create New...