What Are The Most Effective Blood Tests To Avoid A False Negative?

[The-Albatross]

Okay... still in the "pre diagnosis" stage but closer. My Internal Medicine doc's Nurse Practitioner has agreed to write the order for Celiac's testing if I come in. What should I ask for (as specifically as possible please) to avoid a false negative?

Also, should I hold off going out of pocket for the genetic testing?

I got one shot at this thing and I have been suffering for 12 years. Please, please help.

[cassP]

Okay... still in the "pre diagnosis" stage but closer. My Internal Medicine doc's Nurse Practitioner has agreed to write the order for Celiac's testing if I come in. What should I ask for (as specifically as possible please) to avoid a false negative?

Also, should I hold off going out of pocket for the genetic testing?

I got one shot at this thing and I have been suffering for 12 years. Please, please help.

Total Iga Serum

Tissue Transglutamase Igg & Iga

Antigliadin Antibodies Igg & Iga

Endomysial Antibodies

**if they have the newer test for: Deamidated Antigliadin, then also order that.

order ALL of these tests!!! you need a complete picture- because many of those tests could be negative or weak- and you'll need all those results cause one could be POSITIVE.

it's WELL WORTH the money- but ONLY if you have been eating enough gluten prior to testing- like 4-6 slices of bread a day for 4-6 weeks... otherwise you'll be paying for a test with possibly a false negative.

you could hold off on paying for a genetic test right now- they're not completely indicative. plus you could always get it later- it does not require any gluten consumption

[Skylark]

Total Iga Serum

Tissue Transglutamase Igg & Iga

Antigliadin Antibodies Igg & Iga

Endomysial Antibodies

**if they have the newer test for: Deamidated Antigliadin, then also order that.

The new test is called deamidated gliadin peptide or DGP. It should be IgG and it is very sensitive and specific and your best shot at avoiding a false negative. Antigliadin (AGA) is not very good, but if you want the highest shot at detecting celiac, you'll want everything available.

Unfortunately, there are inherently high false negatives with the blood tests so even if you ask for the right tests you can still get false negatives. Studies put the false negative rate at 20-30%. The problem is looking for antibodies in the wrong place. Celiac isn't in your blood, it's in your gut.

[The-Albatross]

Whew, I anticipated some gluten but not 4-6 slices of bread for that long. Ack. Glad for that info though... and it is doable... though certainly not comfortable. I had added gluten back in, though not in the amounts noted... for the additional food allergy testing... so I've got some in my system. Thank you for your replies.