Celiac Disease Testing?

[Emily22]

Hello everyone!

I am new to this forum and I have been recently diagnosed with gluten sensitivity. I had a genetic test done and stool testing as well. The thing I am confused most about is what my results mean exactly. My fecal Anti-gliadin IgA was 49 units, fecal Anti-tissue Transglutaminase IgA was 11 units. My interpretation of this was that I have an autoimmune reaction to transglutaminase, secondary to dietary gluten sensitivity. What does this mean? Also, I have two copies of a gene that are turned on and they are: HLA-DQB1 Molecular analysis, Allele 1 0303 and HLA-DQB1 Molecular analysis, Allele 2 0502. So although I do not have the main HLA-DQB1 0201 or 0302, I still have two copies of a the gene, just not the main genes. My question is what does all of this mean? I don't really understand it. Recently going gluten free I have experience my period being 2 weeks late and I have not got mine this month yet (already 2 weeks late), and a lot of other problems. I was diagnosed in May with Chronic Fatigue and Lyme Disease. If anyone has any insight into any of these things I would greatly appreciate the help. Thank you.

Emily

[Skylark]

Hi, Emily and welcome.

I'm a little confused. Is your only "diagnosis" from Enterolab or was a doctor involved?

Enterolab tests are only suggestive, not diagnostic. There are antibodies to gluten in your stool, meaning that your body might recognize gluten as foreign and react. A lot of people who have the anti-gliadin antibodies feel better if they don't eat gluten, but not everyone. You also have a little anti-tTG in your stool which means a doctor should test you for celiac, but also for inflammatory bowel diseases like microscopic colitis and Crohn's if you have a lot of GI symptoms. You should get any celiac testing before you go off gluten if you want accurate results. Then give the diet a try since it might help you.

The genetic test is not for genes that are "turned on", but rather which ones you have out of a set of about 20. Everybody has two HLA-DQB1 genes, one from each parent. There are three that are very strongly associated with celiac, which you don't have. That doesn't rule out celiac at all, as either of the genes you do have sometimes turn up in celiac disease and people with gluten sensitivity.

Hope this helps a little.

[sb2178]

Yes, definitely get official testing. Blood work and/or biopsy. BUT, be aware that false negatives are pretty common, particularly if you eat a "gluten light" diet. After your testing, try eliminating gluten and dairy to see if that helps with your symptoms. Official testing is helpful in knowing how to direct your care in the future and to be sure that you take the diet seriously.

The diet is really the best test, as sensitivity doesn't necessarily show up in blood work.

[Emily22]

Hi, Emily and welcome.

I'm a little confused. Is your only "diagnosis" from Enterolab or was a doctor involved?

Enterolab tests are only suggestive, not diagnostic. There are antibodies to gluten in your stool, meaning that your body might recognize gluten as foreign and react. A lot of people who have the anti-gliadin antibodies feel better if they don't eat gluten, but not everyone. You also have a little anti-tTG in your stool which means a doctor should test you for celiac, but also for inflammatory bowel diseases like microscopic colitis and Crohn's if you have a lot of GI symptoms. You should get any celiac testing before you go off gluten if you want accurate results. Then give the diet a try since it might help you.

The genetic test is not for genes that are "turned on", but rather which ones you have out of a set of about 20. Everybody has two HLA-DQB1 genes, one from each parent. There are three that are very strongly associated with celiac, which you don't have. That doesn't rule out celiac at all, as either of the genes you do have sometimes turn up in celiac disease and people with gluten sensitivity.

Hope this helps a little.

Yes, my only diagnosis is from Enterolabs. My Lyme literate doctor had me do the test and she highly recommended me for the diet, since I have many of the symptoms. My symptoms for Lyme and gluten sensitivity mesh and sometimes it's very hard to tell which is which. With that being said I have already started the Gluten Free diet and I feel better for the most part. It's just hard getting food living in small town Iowa when you have to travel a lot. I try to eat lean meats, fruits and vegetables for the most part. Also, I have this skin condition and I'm not sure what it is. They are little red itchy bumps. I went to my dermatologist and she said it didn't look like dermatitis herpetiformis, but they took a biopsy and are testing for everything under the sun. I have no idea if you or anyone knows about this topic. Thank you for you insight it was helpful.

Emily