Help, Please: Second Test And Gliadin Higher Than After Gluten Challenge

[Lynayah 8]

Hi, Everyone:

I just got the results to my second round of blood work (first round taken in September). My Gliadin is higher now (88) than it was immediately after my gluten challenge (86).

Any thoughts?

I have been gluten free since September and feeling better by the minute -- really GREAT results so far, thank goodness.

I've made mistakes, but according to my doctor's nurse, they are small ones: While on vacation in October, a cookie that I thought was gluten free but was not . . . needed to change toothpaste early on . . . put hand in mouth after putting on hand lotion that had wheat germ oil in it . . . used a tiny bit of spice that "might" not have been gluten-free, things like that -- according to the nurse (who is the one who called me with the results), this is nothing that would cause my Gliadin to soar HIGHER than when I was eating gluten every day.

I'll see the doctor in January and can discuss it more at that time. In the meantime, I sure would appreciate everyone's thoughts and/or similar experiences.

I remember reading somewhere that it can take many months for Gliadin to go down -- I read that once someone's body starts to produce Gliadin, it will continue to manufacture it even after the person stops eating gluten. I don't really know more about it than that.

Is this true? Is there anyone out there who experienced the same thing?

I would love to hear from you. Thank you!

[Jestgar 716]

First, there is no difference between 86 and 88 - the tests aren't that precise.

Second, what they measure is the antibody against gliadin. Antibodies can circulate in your body for months, and every time you ingest gliadin (a specific piece of the gluten protein) you will 1) reinforce the cells that have learned to make anti-gliadin antibodies, and 2) cause more antibodies to be produced.

So, yes, your tiny slip-ups are causing something to happen in your body, even if you don't feel it, and, yes, you might never become completely gliadin negative, depending on your body, and what exposures you have to gluten.

[Lynayah 8]

Thanks. I would like to learn more. Might you have a resource or two (or more) to share? I am confused about how eating very small amounts can keep my gliadin level as has as it was previously. I really appreciate your help!

[Jestgar 716]

hmmm. I guess I don't really have references, it's just part of my education.

I did a quick google search on 'immune system' and the first three hits seem like they'd be pretty readable:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immune_system

http://www.howstuffworks.com/immune-system.htm

http://kidshealth.org/parent/general/body_basics/immune.html

This is how an ELISA works:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ELISA

If you look through all the steps you'll see that it's pretty much impossible to do the test the same way twice. You need to assume a 10% error rate unless you know differently.

Here's a quick read on how acquire immunity works:

http://babyparenting.about.com/cs/immuniza.../f/immunity.htm

it's basically what your body is doing with gluten - it's immunizing you against it.

[Lynayah 8]

Thank you very much.

Do you, or does anyone know if there is a correlation between elevated gliadin and weight issues / hunger? I am having a heck of a time losing weight, and I wonder if it will take my gliadin going down to help my metabolism return to a more normal state.

[Jestgar 716]

That's a really complex question and I doubt that anyone has ever studied it. I would guess you are hungry because your body doesn't yet feel like it's regained itself. Eat whenever you're hungry, but choose veggies and lean protein. May not help with the weight issue, but those are the best source of good nutrients.

[Lynayah 8]

I am unsubscribing to this thread. If you post a reply, please private message me. Thanks!