What Should I Do?

[Brainfog]

Well, here we go. I have been wondering what my next step should be. I have been having different symptoms for a long time. I was tested for celiac at least 8 years ago but was negative. (blood test) My sister has celiac and she still thinks that i might have it, because the blood test can be negative. Also, when I was tested I may have been on a gluten free diet, but cant remember. Problems that i have are occasional diarreah, constipation, heartburn, dyspesia, constant post nasal drip, recurrent sinus infections anxiety, depression, ocd, Never been able to gain weight, frequent mouth sores, palpatations after eating, Muscle twitches for several years everyday, concentration problems, and have dupuytrens contracure . I have dismissed celiac disease for a long time as a source for the problems because I tested negative. Now I'm starting to wonder a little because I am not improving on my conditions. Like I said my sister really has a strong feeling i have celiac but not sure where to begin now. I still feel all these symptoms are just coincidental,

but am willing to explore further to rule celiac out completely. Would hate to go through rest of my life and find out celiac was present. I am a 33 yr/old male and no other known celiac relatives except my sister. Sorry to hear what so many with celiacs have to go through, ecpecially when there is a solution. Any advice is appreciated.

[Lisa]

Welcome!

You may already know that 20% of first degree relatives can be predisposed to Celiac Disease.

Celiac may not be the answer for everything, but it certainly would be worth exploring easily. You could retest and be certain you maintain a full gluten diet. The blood panel may be a bit more specific than they were eight years ago. Or, you can try the diet for serveral weeks and if you have a positivie dietary response, you either have a gluten allergy, a sensitivity/intolerance or Celiac.

This is the panel to request from your Doctor:

Anti-gliadin antibodies (AGA) both IgA and IgG

Anti-endomysial antibodies (EMA) - IgA

Anti-tissue transglutaminase antibodies (tTG) - IgA

Total IgA level.

[ravenwoodglass]

I agree with the previous poster. I would go ahead and get the full panel run and then give the diet a good strict try for a few months. You have nothing to lose by trying the diet even if the panel is negative. I relied on blood tests for years with no doctors ever telling me of the risk of a false negative or suggesting that I give the diet a try. The results of that are clear in my signature.

[Brainfog]

Thankyou for the advice, I was wondering what blood tests should be ran. Hopefully my doctor understands.

[ravenwoodglass]

Thankyou for the advice, I was wondering what blood tests should be ran. Hopefully my doctor understands.

These tests are the full celiac panel. A total IgA should also be run to make sure you are not IgA defiecient as this will cause a false negative

Serologic Tests

EMA (Immunoglobulin A anti-endomysium antibodies)

AGA (IgA anti-gliadin antibodies)

AGG (IgG anti-gliadin antibodies)

tTGA (IgA anti-tissue transglutaminase)

[Brainfog]

I just had a retest ran yesterday. My doctor is doing the full celiac panel. Let you know the results!

He said he would call, so i dont know if i will have a copy of the results.

[Brainfog]

The test was negative.

[ravenwoodglass]

The test was negative.

Make sure you get an actual copy of the results. There are times when doctors will call a low positive a negative. Even on point into positive is a positive result.

That said now that you are done with the testing you should do the best test of all. The diet followed strictly.