Please Help Determine Salivary Test Results!

[Tarantula44]

Hello,

I recently had the basic blood tests done for celiac (Gliadin, total IGA, etc.) which came back negative. Celiac runs in my family and I have many symptoms so my Dr ordered salivary tests which she said could possibly be more conclusive. I am not doing the biopsy because of the invasiveness and my current health state, and am totally fine with eliminating gluten for several months to see if it makes a difference in my health, I began two weeks ago. However, it would really help to know what is causing my health issues. If you can help me figure out these results, I wood very much appreciate it!

Total Salivary SIgA: 5, Normal Range (25-60)

Salivary Gliadin IgA: 5, Positive range (>13)

My Dr said that because my total SIgA was really low, that this could make the gliadin a false negative. She also said that if the total SIgA was low, this means that the mucosal lining of the gut is compromised, as seen in celiacs. I also showed positive for thyroid antibodies (???), she mentioned this is common in celiacs.

Does anyone know more about these tests? Do celiacs usually have low SIgA? I am not familiar with the tests and wold love more insight as to what they mean and if they correlate with celiac. I know that ultimately how I feel is the biggest thing here, it would just give me piece of mind to know if I have celiac or not, and if I'm on the right track with the elimination diet.

Thanks for your help, t.

[Skylark]

Your doctor is half right. The low sIgA makes the salivary celiac test invalid. You can't look for something that isn't there! She is mistaken that it automatically means your mucosa is compromised. Low IgA is genetic, and it is a risk factor for celiac disease. A lot of us do have thyroid antibodies, so that's suggestive too.

Did your doctor do the IgG versions of the celiac blood panel before you went gluten-free? If you can get TTG IgG and deamidated gliadin IgG quickly (like this week) it would be good.

[Tarantula44]

Your doctor is half right. The low sIgA makes the salivary celiac test invalid. You can't look for something that isn't there! She is mistaken that it automatically means your mucosa is compromised. Low IgA is genetic, and it is a risk factor for celiac disease. A lot of us do have thyroid antibodies, so that's suggestive too.

Did your doctor do the IgG versions of the celiac blood panel before you went gluten-free? If you can get TTG IgG and deamidated gliadin IgG quickly (like this week) it would be good.

Thanks Skylark, this is helpful. I had the ELISA tests which came back negative and also total IgA which was neg for celiac, I will see if my Dr can order these other ones.

[Skylark]

Thanks Skylark, this is helpful. I had the ELISA tests which came back negative and also total IgA which was neg for celiac, I will see if my Dr can order these other ones.

What do you mean "total IgA was negative for celiac?" Was it normal?

You could try the salivary testing but it's not as well validated for celiac as blood tests. You can get a similar answer by trying the diet.

[Tarantula44]

What do you mean "total IgA was negative for celiac?" Was it normal?

You could try the salivary testing but it's not as well validated for celiac as blood tests. You can get a similar answer by trying the diet.

Yes, my blood test for total IgA was normal. I looked at my tests yesterday and also had the transglutaminase test done and that was neg for celiac too. I have been gluten free for three weeks now and dairy free for two weeks. I am noticing a big improvement in digestion, and other improvements too, like chronic swollen glands have subsided, and sinus inflammation is slowly getting better but not gone yet. This is hopeful to me! Thanks for your help, I really appreciate it!

[Skylark]

I'm so glad you're feeling better! You are probably non-celiac gluten intolerant, although with the false negatives on celiac blood tests it's always good to stay 100% off gluten if the diet really helps you. I hope you continue to feel better.