Testing Question

[raspberrylemonade]

Hi all,

I'm new here and just learning, so I apologize if this question is super basic, but I have a question about celiac testing. I've read that the blood tests check for levels of IgA, and specifically for certain forms of it - is that right? I've also read somewhere that if you're on immune-suppressing drugs, you're likely to get a false negative result, because your IgA levels will be depressed by the immune-suppressors. I currently take a medication called cellcept, which is an immune-suppressor that depresses IgA (and is used sometimes to treat IgA nephropathy). So, I'm wondering if there would be any point to my doing a blood test, since it seems that I'd wind up with a false negative due to my medication? And, if a blood test isn't a viable (or reliable) option for me, is the stool test going to be the next best thing, or should I try eating gluten-free for a while and see if that helps first? I'm concerned about going gluten-free without an actual diagnosis, because I'm worried that I'll be too lax if I don't have a hard and fast reason to keep strictly to the gluten-free diet?

On a somewhat different note, I'm on the cellcept for an autoimmune-type lung disease for which we have never found the root cause. I'm wondering if it is at all possible if gluten, or some other food allergy, could be behind it? I literally have no other leads - I have none of the known exposures whatsoever. Is it just wishful thinking to hope that it could be something as simple as a food allergy?

[adab8ca]

Hi all,

I'm new here and just learning, so I apologize if this question is super basic, but I have a question about celiac testing. I've read that the blood tests check for levels of IgA, and specifically for certain forms of it - is that right? I've also read somewhere that if you're on immune-suppressing drugs, you're likely to get a false negative result, because your IgA levels will be depressed by the immune-suppressors. I currently take a medication called cellcept, which is an immune-suppressor that depresses IgA (and is used sometimes to treat IgA nephropathy). So, I'm wondering if there would be any point to my doing a blood test, since it seems that I'd wind up with a false negative due to my medication? And, if a blood test isn't a viable (or reliable) option for me, is the stool test going to be the next best thing, or should I try eating gluten-free for a while and see if that helps first? I'm concerned about going gluten-free without an actual diagnosis, because I'm worried that I'll be too lax if I don't have a hard and fast reason to keep strictly to the gluten-free diet?

On a somewhat different note, I'm on the cellcept for an autoimmune-type lung disease for which we have never found the root cause. I'm wondering if it is at all possible if gluten, or some other food allergy, could be behind it? I literally have no other leads - I have none of the known exposures whatsoever. Is it just wishful thinking to hope that it could be something as simple as a food allergy?

hi there

i am NO expert but there is a test called TTG, where they test the IgA TTG. However, many celiacs are low in IgA and therefore, I believe there is a test for the TTG that is for the IgG. SImilarly, there are test for gliadin that are for IgA and IgG. There is another test for celiac called an EMA that I believe does not depend on IgA levels at all (although do not quote me on that). May be worthwhile asking your Dr about these if you can?

Re: lung issues, I am so sorry you are having this problem. I know the gluten can cause a WHOLE lot of problems for a whole lot of people that expand way beyond the typical gastrointestinal symtoms.

If you want to pursue the testing, you need to be on gluten. If you want to give the diet a try and it helps, that may be all the impetus you need to stay with it! Good luck!

ada

[cassP]

ive heard again and again from many- that having more than one autoimmune disease is very very common. i had a client tell me "they come in 3's"...

a lot of people on here have Celiac and Hashimotos Thyroiditis and Lupus, etc.

of course it DOESNT HAVE TO BE like that- but it definitely means that it's worth you getting the proper tests- as Celiac or Gluten Intolerance might be a real thing for you- and in turn the proper diagnosis & diet COULD alleviate your other issues

[Skylark]

Your question is not basic at all. I suspect you're right about your medication interfering with celiac testing but I've never read anything either way. You need to seek expert help here, as I don't know whether or not the IgG celiac tests would work in your case - you're not naturally low IgA and I don't know that your immune system would compensate in the same way. There isn't a celiac clinic in your area where you can ask, is there?

The stool test also looks for IgA so I don't know that it would be any more reliable than serum.

So far, gluten has been associated with GI autoimmunity, skin autoimmunity, and multiple kinds of nervous system autoimmunity. It is not inconceivable that it could cause lung autoimmunity. Tissue transglutaminase, a protein involved in celiac autoimmunity, is present in some lung diseases.

There is no harm in trying the diet, but if you want to see if it helps your lung disease you will have to be ultra-strict. If you get relief, cheating at all will make you sick again by triggering the autoimmunity, whether or not you have any sort of diagnosis.