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Two Test Questions---Any Help Please?

coryjmclaughlin

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coryjmclaughlin Newbie
coryjmclaughlin
Posted

I've had severe diahrea since March and have had a colonscopy and been put on antibiotics, Librax and Nexium. Nothing has worked. I also have Lupus and recently had my prednisone increased which slightly helped my diahrea but now that I am tapering down the diahrea is back again. My GI doctor says I need to just live with it as everything is "normal" so I decided to go for a second opinion. I picked up my records today and two things made me a little uneasy. My fecal fat test was Positive and my IgA serum was low at 73. Could either of this be indicative of Celiac's? I also get bloating and very uncomfortable after eating.

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sb2178 Enthusiast
sb2178
Posted

It could. Keep in mind that you need to be eating a full gluten diet for any testing to be valid (3-4 slices bread or equivalent per day).

Testing is generally a good idea if you have access; just make sure you go in with a list of the full panel. Often, they'll only run one or two tests on the panel and it sounds like you need to have the IgG versions of the tests run. If you have IgA levels below normal, the most common celiac tests are not valid. If your tests are positive, equivocal, or your MD thinks you likely have it, you may be referred for an endoscopy (through the mouth to the intestines).

I don't know how or if prednisone would affect any testing.

After you are done with testing, you can also try a strict elimination diet to see if that helps your symptoms. Read and ask questions!

beachbirdie Contributor
beachbirdie
Posted

I've had severe diahrea since March and have had a colonscopy and been put on antibiotics, Librax and Nexium. Nothing has worked. I also have Lupus and recently had my prednisone increased which slightly helped my diahrea but now that I am tapering down the diahrea is back again. My GI doctor says I need to just live with it as everything is "normal" so I decided to go for a second opinion. I picked up my records today and two things made me a little uneasy. My fecal fat test was Positive and my IgA serum was low at 73. Could either of this be indicative of Celiac's? I also get bloating and very uncomfortable after eating.

You have lupus. There is a genetic connection between that and other autoimmune conditions like autoimmune thyroid (Grave's and Hashimoto's) and celiac.

I would see about getting genetic test and endoscopic biopsy done, it is in the realm of possibility that you have a gluten issue. You do need to have been eating gluten for a while to get a "real" result. If they just do blood tests, you might get a skewed result as your IgA is low. Is there a possibility you could see a different GI? Do you have anyone in your family with gluten or other autoimmune conditions?

I am a Hashimoto's sufferer myself, I am making the choice to go gluten free. I think if I had lupus I would do the same. After testing you can try the gluten free diet and see if you feel better.

Best,

beachbirdie

coryjmclaughlin Newbie
coryjmclaughlin
Posted
  • Author

You have lupus. There is a genetic connection between that and other autoimmune conditions like autoimmune thyroid (Grave's and Hashimoto's) and celiac.

I would see about getting genetic test and endoscopic biopsy done, it is in the realm of possibility that you have a gluten issue. You do need to have been eating gluten for a while to get a "real" result. If they just do blood tests, you might get a skewed result as your IgA is low. Is there a possibility you could see a different GI? Do you have anyone in your family with gluten or other autoimmune conditions?

I am a Hashimoto's sufferer myself, I am making the choice to go gluten free. I think if I had lupus I would do the same. After testing you can try the gluten free diet and see if you feel better.

Best,

beachbirdie

Thanks for the info. I am seeing a new GI doctor on Friday afternoon. My colonscopy biopsy stuff also showed "chronic mucosal injury". I have been eating as normally as I can which means I haven't been limiting any food so I should have enough gluten in me.

mushroom Proficient
mushroom
Posted

If you have a low serum IgA then any IgA testing for celiac disease would be invalid. Keep up the gluten and hope that your new GI is clued in to celiac. :)

Good luck on Friday.

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