What Does My Blood Work Mean?

[MyHandful]

I am currently going to a rheumatologist for some heath problems. He has been running all kinds of blood tests on me to see if he can figure out what is wrong with me. He ran a Celiac Disease Ab Eval on me. I got a call from a nurse saying I tested postive for the IGA class reticulin antibody. She said it didn't mean I had Celiac for sure, but that it was probable and told me the doctor wanted me to go on a gluten free diet immediately. I started doing research on the Internet and found that I should not be going gluten free until after we had ruled out celiac disease. I called back to get a referral to the GI specialist and the nurse said the doctor wanted to talk to me first. Now I am wanting to see if I can get into to see the doctor before my next appointment in June.

I have been trying to research what my results mean and I just don't see how the rheumatologist can say that I probably have celiac. The one test I tested postive for looks like an outdated test to me. And the most important tests were negative. And yet he wants me to go completely gluten free immediately??? What????

Here are my results:

Celiac Disease Ab Eval

GLIGA 12.2 H U/mL 0.0 - 10.0

GLIGG 1.5 U/mL 0.0 - 10.0

RETICA Neg Titer Neg: <1:20

RETICG Neg Titer Neg: <1:20

TRGLUTA 3 U/mL Neg: 0-3, Weak Positive 4-10, Positve > 10

ENDIGA Neg Negative

The only one I tested positive for was the first one - Gliadin Abs,IgA.

What does this mean? Am I even gluten sensitive? I am going to visit a GI doctor, but I am sure it will take a few months to get in.

Thanks!

Kim

[wendstress]

Can you share some of your symptoms?

[MyHandful]

Sure. The reason I went to the doctor was because I was having pain all over my body like joint and muscle pain. I have IBS so I have diarhea sometimes, but definitely not all the time. I have abdominal cramps all the time that hardly ever go away and I feel bloated. I am completely exhausted all the time. I use to run and I can't run anymore mainly because it's too tiring for my body. The doctor originally thought maybe some type of arthritis or fibromyalgia. I think he just did the celiac tests to cover all possibilities. I am just wondering what the test I tested positive for means, if anything.

[Nancym]

Not sure about all those tests but I believe IGG means you're having a response to gluten. It may not be Celiac disease but you're creating autobodies to it. Many of us are in that boat and just find we're a hell of a lot healthier without gluten in the diet.

[MyHandful]

Not sure about all those tests but I believe IGG means you're having a response to gluten. It may not be Celiac disease but you're creating autobodies to it. Many of us are in that boat and just find we're a hell of a lot healthier without gluten in the diet.

It was the IGA I tested postive for. The IGG was negative. What does the IGA class mean?

[ravenwoodglass]

Sure. The reason I went to the doctor was because I was having pain all over my body like joint and muscle pain. I have IBS so I have diarhea sometimes, but definitely not all the time. I have abdominal cramps all the time that hardly ever go away and I feel bloated. I am completely exhausted all the time. I use to run and I can't run anymore mainly because it's too tiring for my body. The doctor originally thought maybe some type of arthritis or fibromyalgia. I think he just did the celiac tests to cover all possibilities. I am just wondering what the test I tested positive for means, if anything.

The postive test combined with all your other issues makes it likely that you are indeed one of us. I wish my rheumy had been as inteligent as yours. My hands would sure look a lot nicer. The good news is that if you do have celiac there is a good chance that your arthritis and your other issues will resolve or go into remission. The choice of whether to stay on gluten and get into a GI doctor or to go gluten free is up to you. You do need to be aware though that even with negative biopsy you will still need to do the diet for a while strictly to be sure. Sometimes our bodies tell us what tests can not.

[ang1e0251]

If your dr puts you off, take your test results to your PCP and ask for his help to see a GI. The sooner you can be diagnosed, the sooner you can start the diet and feel relief. None of us can say for sure your symtoms are from celiac disease or gluten intolerance but they sure sound like they might be.

[MyHandful]

The rheumatologist referred me to the GI doctor, so I have an appointment set up for April 29th. I am anxious to go and find out what is going on with me!