Negative Blood Tests

[Holydiver]

Hello to all. Even if I don't have celiac disease, I have learned quite a lot about it and I understand how much frustrating (even health-threatening considering cc issues etc) the ignorance of other people (and doctors ) about this condition can be to many of you.

I just got the following blood tests :

=========Test======= Result======Normal Values

Anti-endomysial IgG------Negative-------------Neg <1/10

Anti-endomysial IgA------Negative-------------Neg <1/10

Anti-gliadin-------IgG--------9.8----------------Neg <25

Anti-gliadin-------IgA--------7.9----------------Neg <25

I have no insurance at the moment (I live in Greece by the way, national insurance is mostly useless here,unless you have a traffic accident(they treat u first) or you have cancer = no insurance needed- free care), so I just asked a specialist for a celiac blood test (she did the above). I have gi issues for the last 3-4 years but my main concern is some neurological and muscle issues I have since I was a teenager ( I was told I was fine at the time?). I am going to visit both a GI and Neurology specialist, but I would like to ask you if the above tests are sufficient and definitive in ruling out celiac disease. Going gluten-free for a week certainly had an improvement, but I can't be sure If it was a placebo effect or not. Also, if there is possibility of wheat intolerance (never really liked pasta, just the sauce on top), are the above tests any useful at all? Thanks in advance

[GlutenFreeManna]

Did you go gluten free before or after tests? The blood tests could be false negatives if you went gluten free before testing. Also, if you want to get more testing (like a biospy) you need to keep eating gluten until the tests are done or the results could be wrong. Even if you keep eating gluten and have the tests and they all turn up negative you may still have gluten intolerance. Unfortunately, the tests are not very sensitive and many get false negatives. If you eat gluten free and your symptoms go away you have found your answer. You alone can decide if you really need a medical diagnosis to stick to the gluten free lifestyle. The only "follow-up" doctor visits a person eating gluten free needs are for other conditions that are common with celiac (thyroid issues, etc.) and to check for extreme vitamin and mineral deficiencies (Low iron, Vitamin D, Vitamin B, Vitamin K, etc). You can get those tests later even if you go gluten free. Also I don't know about Greece, but I know some countries give reimbursements for gluten free food if you have a medical diagnosis of celiac. So you will want to research that and take it in to consideration if it is important to you.

[Holydiver]

Thanks for the input. I went gluten-free after the tests

[WheatChef]

No tests are technically sufficient enough to rule out celiac disease, there are only tests that are capable of ruling in the disease.

[ravenwoodglass]

No tests are technically sufficient enough to rule out celiac disease, there are only tests that are capable of ruling in the disease.

I agree. There are many instances of false negatives with blood and biopsy. Even gene tests can't firmly rule it out.

Your body can give you the answer though. If you got relief after just a one week trial it is highly unlikely IMHO that was a placebo effect. After you have had all the testing you choose to do give the diet a good strict try for a couple of months. Then if you still have doubt do a gluten challenge. Start eating it again. If your body needs the gluten-free diet it will tell you in no uncertain terms that it doesn't want gluten by making you sick within a week at the most.

[Holydiver]

I agree. There are many instances of false negatives with blood and biopsy. Even gene tests can't firmly rule it out.

Your body can give you the answer though. If you got relief after just a one week trial it is highly unlikely IMHO that was a placebo effect. After you have had all the testing you choose to do give the diet a good strict try for a couple of months. Then if you still have doubt do a gluten challenge. Start eating it again. If your body needs the gluten-free diet it will tell you in no uncertain terms that it doesn't want gluten by making you sick within a week at the most.

Thank you both for your advice, very helpful .