Steroid Use (Even Topical) And Testing

[domesticactivist]

We got follow up testing done for our son, since he's been gluten-free for over a year now, and the lab sent us back info I'd never seen before!

We actually got this on the sample submission guidelines for celiac testing from a different lab, to which we were submitting samples for something else (instructions in the same booklet). The instruction book had this info in it. The lab results from the celiac testing (at another lab, submitted by our doctor) did not say anything about this.

Did you know that steroid use, even topical use a month prior, can cause false negatives on celiac testing?

"Immunosuppressive drugs such as oral or intranasal corticosteroids (prednisone, beclomethasone, fluticasone, triamcinolone), and topical cortisone suspensions and creams, may affect test results for antibody assessment. The suggested time period to abstain from these is 4 weeks."

[pricklypear1971]

I found out a bit ago....

Makes me not regret trying to test, because I was pumped full of them at the time I went gluten-free.

So that's another one that should be out on the list of why tests come out negative - steroid use.

[domesticactivist]

Yeah, I was shocked to learn it since I hadn't seen it mentioned here and no doctor ever said anything about that. Last year I finally convinced a friend (with family history and clear symptoms) to get her daughter tested and it came back negative... she's been on steroids for ages for her skin!

[pricklypear1971]

  On 12/19/2011 at 5:53 PM, domesticactivist said:

Yeah, I was shocked to learn it since I hadn't seen it mentioned here and no doctor ever said anything about that. Last year I finally convinced a friend (with family history and clear symptoms) to get her daughter tested and it came back negative... she's been on steroids for ages for her skin!

Yep. I'd think "rashy" people are at particular risk of testing negative.