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? I Got Answered Wasn't What I Expected....

carecare

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carecare Enthusiast
carecare
Posted

I sent a question to the University of Chicago Celiac Disease Center on facebook regarding the DGP being elevated and what they thought that would mean if a child came back with a negative biopsy. I wanted to know if other tests were negative but the Deaminated gliadin IgG was flagged as HIGH and positive if that would possibly mean more of a gluten intolerance rather than celiac. I did not receive the answer I was asking for...but their response was a little surprising:

"DGP of the IgG type may be "falsely" positive, meaning they can be slightly elevated in people who do not have celiac. So, the biopsy (done after being on a gluten-containing diet for at least 12 weeks) becomes of paramount importance."

That was a first that I've read that the IgG could be falsely positive. Also, my son was not just slightly elevated...as the results, which told me it did not go to an endpoint or something like that, but was flagged as in the high range.

So I responded back asking what slightly elevated means in their eyes...and if they'd anwser my original question of "if the biopsy is negative could that possibly mean a gluten intolerance."

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mushroom Proficient
mushroom
Posted

Do they have lilttle elves sitting their choosing answers out of a standard book? That's what it sounds like.....

The Horticulturalist Apprentice
The Horticulturalist
Posted

I sent a question to the University of Chicago Celiac Disease Center on facebook regarding the DGP being elevated and what they thought that would mean if a child came back with a negative biopsy. I wanted to know if other tests were negative but the Deaminated gliadin IgG was flagged as HIGH and positive if that would possibly mean more of a gluten intolerance rather than celiac. I did not receive the answer I was asking for...but their response was a little surprising:

"DGP of the IgG type may be "falsely" positive, meaning they can be slightly elevated in people who do not have celiac. So, the biopsy (done after being on a gluten-containing diet for at least 12 weeks) becomes of paramount importance."

That was a first that I've read that the IgG could be falsely positive. Also, my son was not just slightly elevated...as the results, which told me it did not go to an endpoint or something like that, but was flagged as in the high range.

So I responded back asking what slightly elevated means in their eyes...and if they'd anwser my original question of "if the biopsy is negative could that possibly mean a gluten intolerance."

Don't have an answer really, just wondering it you had the Ttg and the EMA done as well for your son?

I take it from your post that your son did have a -ve biopsy and the postive bloods, or is this a hypothetical question?

I guess it's possible that the biopsy potentially missed any area of damage caused by celiac, do you know where the biopsies were taken and how many?

gfcolorado Newbie
gfcolorado
Posted

I have tried to do a lot of research also on the DGP test. I was diagnosed with Celiac 3 years ago. I just went for a follow-up and my TTG, DGP IGG and EMA were negative but my DGP IGA was positive. I asked numerous people (my GI, Rodney Ford, manufacturers of the test, an allergist) and everyone's answers were different. Several (my GI and test manufacturer) felt that it wasn't from a one time recent accidental gluten exposure but rather continued daily exposure.

I decided to have an endoscopy just so I know what is really happening and because I've never had a follow-up. I will get the results hopefully this week and will post and let you know. Please let me know if you find additional info. Thanks!

carecare Enthusiast
carecare
Posted
  • Author

My question was hypothetical because I was just curious. My son (just turned 12) and is getting an endoscopy in mid December. He did get a full celiac panel done...everything was negative except for the high DPG IgG. I'm happy to report that the doctor told me he would do 9+ biopsies of the small intestines because he is indeed looking for celiac...better than the 2 that the nurse originally told me. It's currently a loooong wait for that biopsy....he was gluten-free for almost 2 months and muscle pain free and canker sore free during that time...then the day after we started back on gluten so the biopsy would be accurate his symptoms came roaring back sooo much worse than before. He can't wait to become gluten-free for life once the biopsy is over with!

GFColorado...yes....report back and let us know how the biopsy turns out.

Oh...and funny...they couldn't answer my question right away because they said they would send it to their experts who answer these kinds of questions for them.

Skylark Collaborator
Skylark
Posted

In the few studies who have followed folks with positive TTG, GI symptoms, but negative biopsy, the people tend to become celiac by biopsy in a few years. DGP-IgG is considered as good if not better than TTG IgA. I'm glad he will be going gluten-free.

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Di2011 Enthusiast
Di2011
Posted

I have tried to do a lot of research also on the DGP test. I was diagnosed with Celiac 3 years ago. I just went for a follow-up and my TTG, DGP IGG and EMA were negative but my DGP IGA was positive. I asked numerous people (my GI, Rodney Ford, manufacturers of the test, an allergist) and everyone's answers were different. Several (my GI and test manufacturer) felt that it wasn't from a one time recent accidental gluten exposure but rather continued daily exposure.

I decided to have an endoscopy just so I know what is really happening and because I've never had a follow-up. I will get the results hopefully this week and will post and let you know. Please let me know if you find additional info. Thanks!

Please let us know the result of the endoscopy.. lots of us will be interested

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gfcolorado Newbie
gfcolorado
Posted

Please let us know the result of the endoscopy.. lots of us will be interested

I will post as soon as I find out. My doctor did 12 biopsies so it should give a good picture of what's going on. This forum has been so helpful and glad I can provide info to help others. I think it's such a new test that there aren't all the answers we want.

  • 3 weeks later...
carecare Enthusiast
carecare
Posted
  • Author

So either the University of Chicago Celiac people are flakes or they just misinterpreted my question. I asked about my son's deamidated IGg being strong positive and if they would think that would indicate more of an sensitivity/intolerance and not celiac if his biopsy was negative (which hasn't been done yet). I know I've read research saying it's very specific and highly indicative of celiac disease but curiosity got the better of me and I posted the question. The last response to me stated: "Elevated IgG (for tTG, I presume) are notoriously unspecific and should be simply disregarded."

Skylark Collaborator
Skylark
Posted

Wow. They don't read very carefully, do they?

  • 10 months later...
gfcolorado Newbie
gfcolorado
Posted

I will post as soon as I find out. My doctor did 12 biopsies so it should give a good picture of what's going on. This forum has been so helpful and glad I can provide info to help others. I think it's such a new test that there aren't all the answers we want.

I just realized I never wrote in with answers on my biopsy after testing positive for DGP IGA. It was negative. But, it's now a year later and I just did yearly bloodwork and my TTG IGA is still negative but DGP IGA is 31 (moderate to strong positive is 30+). I have no idea why this is. I have contacted several Celiac specialists in hopes of an answer.

vtphd Newbie
vtphd
Posted

I just realized I never wrote in with answers on my biopsy after testing positive for DGP IGA. It was negative. But, it's now a year later and I just did yearly bloodwork and my TTG IGA is still negative but DGP IGA is 31 (moderate to strong positive is 30+). I have no idea why this is. I have contacted several Celiac specialists in hopes of an answer.

GfColorado, I also only have a positive IGA but mine is 20.9 (only .9) into the "equivocal" range.

What have the other people you've consulted said? Both my GI and my PCP say it does not mean I have Celiac...but maybe intolerance. They also claim false positives happen....

Immunoglobulin A -- 229 (range 68-378)

Endomysial IgA- negative

tTG-IgG Ab -- 3.9 (range under 20 negative)

tTG-IgA Ab -- 8.9 (range under 20 negative)

Gliadin Peptide Ab IgG --7.0 (range under 20 negative)

Gliadin Peptide Ab IgA -- 20.9 (range under 20 negative, 20-25 equivocal, 25+ positive)

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