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Blood Test Positive...100% Accurate?

amcouch

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amcouch Newbie
amcouch
Posted

Hello, last week I had a blood test for celiacs and got a letter today stating that "according to the blood work you do have celiac disease". It also said they scheduled a follow up appt with a GI specialist for a treatment plan.

I have 2 questions: is it possible to have a false blood test? Or does this confirm I have the disease? Second, I've been on a gluten free diet for 1 week. It seems like from what I've read that the GI doctor will want to do a biopsy? Am I correct that this is the next step or is the blood work enough to confirm? My appointment isn't until the end of November. Should I go back to eating gluten in case more testing is needed? Thank you!

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psawyer Proficient
psawyer
Posted

False negatives are common. False positives are rare.

If a biopsy is planned, you need to continue to eat gluten on a daily basis until after the procedure.

Some doctors will now diagnose based on positive blood results alone; others won't until a biopsy shows damage to the villi.

It seems that in the early stages of the disease, the blood will show the antibodies before the damage to the small intestine shows up.

amcouch Newbie
amcouch
Posted
  • Author

Thank you! I'm so glad I found this forum! Of course I get the blood results in the mail on a Saturday morning and have no idea what they mean. Anyone know how to interpret this?

T-Transglutaminase IGA AB >100.0 (H)

Help!

Roda Rising Star
Roda
Posted

Thank you! I'm so glad I found this forum! Of course I get the blood results in the mail on a Saturday morning and have no idea what they mean. Anyone know how to interpret this?

T-Transglutaminase IGA AB >100.0 (H)

Help!

The reference range would help, but given that it is flagged "H" means it is high. You got a positive blood test. What you need to decide now is if you want to have a scope and biopsy next. If you are then keep on eating gluten until you finish all your testing.

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