Could It Be Something Else? On Top Of Celiac?

[miss vivian]

Hey all.

Well, I had an accident where I ate gluten last Sunday. Now it's over a week later, and I still have that old burning sensation in my upper abdomen - just like before.

I have been totally gluten-free. Since I got the call from my gastro telling me that I had this, I went off gluten, except for my mistake last week....

I was looking at my blood work - and I was diagnosed due to a high anti endomysial level. However, my IGA level was normal... I had the biopsy done 5 weeks after going gluten free - and of course, the biopsy was normal. I did the biopsy just to see what damage was done, and it was good to know that things look good in there.

Anyway, here's what I'm driving at....

Do you think a high anti endomysial level is the most accurate diagnostic test?

Why is my IGA level 133 - when the normal range is 75 - 310?

What else could be causing this PAIN?? I'm beginning to think maybe I have cancer.. I know that sounds terrible, but why all of this pain for no reason? UGH! Shoot me now!

I have not strayed and I will not stray. I am a gluten free girl, just frustrated tonight....

take care and thanks for reading and helping me out.. this forum is awesome!

-V

[lizard00]

It takes me at least a week to get over being glutened. It's very frustrating how long the effects take to wear off in some of us. Hang in there, hopefully it will pass soon.

Here's some information regarding the testing. Your IgA number is a total number, which just shows that you create a normal amount of IgA antibodies. IgA is a part of our immune system that helps fight off colds, viruses, etc, but is also created abundantly in the small intestine. Which is why it plays an important part in celiac. They test the whole number to make sure you are not deficient, since the majority of the celiac panel is based on IgA.

(* I added the red to highlight the answer to your question)

Hope it helps!

Table 1: Serologic tests for celiac disease--pitfalls

Serology

Comment

AGA

Relatively non-specific

Anti-EMA

Highest overall sensitivity and specificity, but poor sensitivity in patients with partial villous atrophy

Anti-tTG

Sensitivity and specificity not equivalent to anti-endomysial antibody, Less sensitive in partial villous atrophy

Total IgA

Screens for IgA deficiency. Often present if IgA deficient and one of the following present: IgG AGA, IgG anti-endomysial antibody, IgG anti-tTG.

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[Lori T.]

Hey all.

Well, I had an accident where I ate gluten last Sunday. Now it's over a week later, and I still have that old burning sensation in my upper abdomen - just like before.

I have been totally gluten-free. Since I got the call from my gastro telling me that I had this, I went off gluten, except for my mistake last week....

I was looking at my blood work - and I was diagnosed due to a high anti endomysial level. However, my IGA level was normal... I had the biopsy done 5 weeks after going gluten free - and of course, the biopsy was normal. I did the biopsy just to see what damage was done, and it was good to know that things look good in there.

Anyway, here's what I'm driving at....

Do you think a high anti endomysial level is the most accurate diagnostic test?

Why is my IGA level 133 - when the normal range is 75 - 310?

What else could be causing this PAIN?? I'm beginning to think maybe I have cancer.. I know that sounds terrible, but why all of this pain for no reason? UGH! Shoot me now!

I have not strayed and I will not stray. I am a gluten free girl, just frustrated tonight....

take care and thanks for reading and helping me out.. this forum is awesome!

-V

left a post for someone else with this advice too: get checked for liver issues and if you still have your gallbladder, that too. I do not have mine and have just found a site that helped with the pain I was having.Thought I had been glutened but it did not go away. You need a specific diet for this area of digestion. Check out the site: gallbladderattack.com. Good info that may apply to you. I think for me, I ate something that triggered the response that had gluten. But, a glutening alone will set me up for at least a weeks worth of agony regardless. It sucks I know. Going on a very light, almost clear liquid diet for a day or so speeds things up for me. Lots of water helps to move whatever I ingested out. Hope you feel better soon. Take care.