Blood Test Results

[max]

Hi Fellows,

I have been reading this forum for a few months now and have found a ton of information. I would put it simply that I have been ill for last 20 years, yes, 20, gradually I found that wheat was making me worse, so I am avoiding whole wheat and bread and bakery for the last 10 years. Anyhow, been to many doctors and was told all my systems are perfect and its in my head etc. Its only very recent that I found there is such thing as Wheat allergy and Celiac disease. I finally convinced a gastroenterologist to do the blood tests. Although the results are self explanatory, but I would still like some confirmation from the experts here.

Here are results

Component Result Units Range

Anti Gliadin IgG 331.0 H U/ml 0.0 - 30.0

Anti Gliadin IgA 199.6 H U/ml 0.0 - 30.0

Transglutaminase

t-Tg IgA 163 H Units

Result is positive for tissue transglutaminase IgA antibodies.

A Biopsy for confirmation is required.

To me it sounds straight forward that the readings are way too high.

Questions.

Without the Endomysial and total serum tests, do these results show gluten sensitivity only or Celiac disease also?

At these readings and such long illness, would the villi have damage?

After these results, should I still try and get the enterolabs test?

I do not want to undergo biopsy as the ultimate therapy is going gluten free any ways.

Thanks in advance.

[Emme999]

Welcome to the forum Max

Here is a little info about the Tissue Transglutaminase (tTG) Antibody Testing (from the book "Dangerous Grains"):

In the field of blood testing for celiac disease, the tissue transglutaminase (tTG) test is currently the newest entity. It is another step toward solving the puzzle of celiac disease. Transglutaminase is an enzyme that forms a normal part of endomysium and is involved in tissue repair. It is part of endomysium that anti-endomysium antibodies attack. ... The tTG test usually identifies about 98 percent of those who have celiac disease, and it is a very specific test that can be used to rule out celiac disease in about 95 percent of cases. This test appears to be superior to endomysium antibody testing, not only because it is less costly but also because it is a little better at identifying celiac disease and because interpretive bias is reduced by the use of computer scanning.

So... to answer your questions.. I think that a positive tTG *is* indicative of celiac disease and the enterolab testing is no longer necessary - now that you have this info. As for the damage to your villi - that can only be shown through a biopsy (which is really a piece of cake, and I think you should have it done if your insurance will cover it). I would *guess* that your villi would be pretty damaged, but I don't know. The reason that a biopsy is called for in your test results is that it's the biopsy that is considered the "gold standard" for determining the absolute definitive diagnosis of celiac disease. But, it's up to you - of course

Congratulations on finally getting the tests done! Welcome to the club

- Michelle

[KaitiUSA]

Those results HIGHLY indicate celiac. The tTG is the best test for celiac. With those results I don't see think a biopsy is required. I was diagnosed by blood tests alone. The problem with biopsies is they can rule it in if it is positive but if it is negative it CAN'T rule celiac out. If there is sporadic damage they could have missed it.

I don't think an Enterolab is necessary either.

The tTG is usually indicative of damage in the intestines and the IgA and IgG are usually indicative of gluten sensitivity.

I highly recommend getting on a gluten free diet now. Unless you want further testing but in my opinion you do not need it.

[max]

Kaiti and Michelle,

I thank you for your replies and very good info.

I feel quiet relaxed and Sad at the same time. I have coped with some very bad times. I have consumed wheat for so many years to fix myself. MY main concern has always been constipation. Every doctor would suggest whole meal and I would eat whole wheat flour all the time. It was only a few years ago, it clicked in my mind that without eating whole wheat I feel better, since then I have been eating yeasted flour loaf which is less problematic than whole wheat. I had a feeling about wheat been bad for me, but only about a year ago is when I found out about gluten.

Sadly, its a puzzle for me to have celiac. I am from South Asia where wheat is consumed more than anything else. Neither of my parents or anyone else has this disease, or MAYBE gluten does bother them, but everyone sees it as a normal heartburn or whatever.

Anyhow whatever the case may be, I am just relaxed to have found at least something viable that I have been looking for the last 20 years.

I am going to get on with Gluten free diet and hope for the best. Once again thanks for the help and support, this is an excellent and resourceful forum.

God bless all.

[FaithInScienceToo]

GOOD GOD, MAX...

You are home...

Welcome.

LOVE,

Gina

[Merika]

Hi Max, and welcome

You do not need a biopsy. The blood test clearly indicates celiac. Whether or not the biopsy shows damage (and I'd bet it will) is irrelevant. You should be on a gluten free diet for life.

You say you are from SE Asia...does this mean you're asian? I ask because there was a thread here recently about an (I think?) Asian-American who was having trouble getting tested because she wasn't caucasion - the docs hadn't seen it before. It's stupid of them, but maybe (if she's still here) she will see your story.

Merika

[max]

Yes, I am Asian. From Pakistan to be specific. Since 1989, I have lived in Australia (3 years), Canada (10 years). PResently I am in Australia.

I was actually perfect until I was 18 years, my troubles starting after I held my bowl urge one day for a very very long time. Since that day, I have had very hard time. Initially, I had digestive problems, but the doctors didn't find anything, and I kept on suffering. Since then, I have been to many doctors and got every obvious tests done like ultrasounds, gastroscopy, sigmoidoscopy, barium x-rays etc, but nothing was abnormal, I had a busy 10 years in Canada, so I didn't really stress on looking and researching myself. However, over the period of years as I stated, I had found that eating wheat was causing my problems, so I was avoiding it, but didn't know about gluten and all that. It is only until a few months ago, I started searching the net and found about celiac and gluten, and finally convinced the doctor to get tested.

I would certainly say that Celiac is most likely not limited to Caucasions only.

Thanks

[julie5914]

Interesting how your symptoms started. You may have gotten a bacterial infection as a result of your holding. I had mono when I was 19 and had large intestine impaction when I was 20. I am not sure which started my symptoms. I was leaning toward mono, but it could have been the impaction I suppose.

Anyway, I agree with the others. Hopefully you can convince your doctor. Your results are very high and positive, and you deserve to start feeling better now on the gluten free diet.

[TawnyaK]

P.S. There is a Celiac society in Delhi - Open Original Shared Link

[nora-n]

You can do some searches in www.pubmed.com and there are several references to celiac , or coeliac, and India. I have even read an abstract that said that amongst refugees in a north African refugee camp, something like 35 or 45% had Ttg-antibodies. I did not bookmark it , unfortunately.

I am kinda shocked to read that doctors say celiac does not happen in Asia. I read that statement yesterday in a newsletter here: Open Original Shared Link

nora