Figuring Out The Tests

[windspirit]

My son is two and has had chronic diarrhea for most of his life. As an infant, he had blood and mucus in his stool and anemia. He also had a great deal of respitory issues from RSV. The Dr. had me taken off soy and milk and it improved. After a year, he was put on pediasure becaue of his low weight. He was labeled failure to thrive. He is now 22lbs. About 6 mo ago he began having mucus in the stool again and constant diarrhea. We just finished with testing and he showed malabsorption, fat present in stool and high on his endomysial ab (iGA) results. (24-121 was the range and he was 251). His Gliadin Ab (IGG) was normal. He had an endoscopy with biopsy which came back normal. Anyone have any ideas??? My daughter who is four also shows fat in her stools and is underweight. She however does not have any abnormal blood work. Thanks so much for any insight.

[cassP]

when u say 251- is that his TTG Iga ?? that's a pretty damning number- ttg can also be related to other illnesses- but his symptoms & those you've mentioned for your daughter are classic celiac symptoms.

im not your doc, but i would say your children are at least gluten intolerant and possibly lactose intolerant too...

(also- false negatives on the blood &/or the BIOPSIES is quite common! he's only 2- maybe there's not enough widespread damage yet in his small intestine- OR maybe the doc only took 1 or 2 biopsies and missed it)

*i would explore testing yourself AND your daughter (while still consuming enough gluten)... and then explore going gluten free- possibly all of you

good luck

[windspirit]

I am not sure what TTG is. The test says Endomysial S IGA and it is at 251 where the range is 25-125. The Dr. mentioned it may be his pancreas??? We are looking into the gluten free diet but as you say, we need to wait until all testing is done. Thanks for the advice

[cassP]

your test result said: Endomysial Antibody S ???

its confusing to me-

TTG is Tissue Transglutamase (usually this is the most common test the doctors order- sometimes the ONLY test-> when there is SO MANY tests that should be ordered)... nevertheless- if your result of 251 was actually TTG- that is pretty dang high enough to be a sure thing

PS- now im confused- if your test result said EMA "S" Iga... with a range of 24- 100 something... maybe that's the IGA Serum levels????

i dont know how to read your post sorry :/

[lizard00]

I would suggest calling the doc back and asking if he did a full celiac panel. If not, that is what needs to be run, and this panel includes more than one test. My heart breaks for you and your little guy!!! I hope you can get this sorted out soon.

[mushroom]

Did they take plenty of biopsy samples? The damage can be very hit or miss. Also, did they run a total serum IGA, because if this was low it would negate his Ttg score if they did a Ttg. Can you get copies of his test results? I am sorry your wee fellow is having such a tough time.