Here's What We Got (Blood Test Results)

[youwillrise]

the tests show a big negatory. i had extensive blood testing done, so they didnt only test for possible celiac, but many other things. i'll just focus on the celiac-related stuff here.

i hope i do this right! (let me know if any results are missing and i'll look for them on my work up)

GLIADIN AB (IGA) 7 (<11, negative)

GLIADIN AB (IGG) < 3 (<11, in range)

tTG AB (IGG) < 3 (<7, negative)

tTG AB (IGA) < 3 (<5, negative)

did i miss anything?

i DID, however, test positive for h. pylori...hmmmmmm...i'm thinking i'm still going to try gluten free because i'm sure that eating gluten contributed to my lame feelings. i was prescribed prevpac. i'm also going to be taking a probiotic (that i got a few days ago and started taking already) so i can recolonize my poor gut with some good bacteria. any tips on taking antibiotics and probiotics? i'm guessing i shouldnt take them at the same time...how long should i wait after taking the antibiotic meds to take my probiotic (i have fivelac, by the way...only been going a few days with it). is there any reason i should NOT take the probiotic while taking the antibiotic (and just wait until i'm done with the medication)?

in addition, they're going to give me iron intravenously because that was low...which we knew was probably the case from my first appointment

thanks for your help, people. you're all full of helpfulnessisms.

[Skylark]

Yep, negative.

You could still be gluten intolerant or even have a false negative celiac panel. Is your Dr. considering an endoscopy/biopsy with an iron deficiency that severe? H. pylori infection is also starting to be associated with celiac.

I do take probiotics during a round of antibiotics, and I've had doctors tell me to do it. Live culture yogurt is good as well. I usually stagger the probiotic and antibiotic as far apart as possible in the hopes that some of the probiotic bacteria will make it. I haven't tried Fivelac but Threelac has been a probiotic that has worked for me.

[youwillrise]

Thanks for your reply.

He said he was going to refer me to a gastroenterologist, but really only to do a breath test to make sure the h. pylori is gone once I finish the medication. I could definitely talk to the gastro about a possible endoscopy.

I did find some stuff on a connection between celiac and h pylori...I decided to look it up when I got home from my appt yesterday. it's interesting to read that a lot of people get the h pylori when they are children and it just kind of sleeps away for years, waiting for it's moment to wreak havoc. Not sure if that's how it worked in my case...but man, it's been a crazy, scary, annoying, tiring 3 months. It's great to finally have some type of answer as to what's been happening and a solution to go with it.

I'm not ruling out the possibility of a gluten intolerance just yet...like I said, I'm going to try a gluten free lifestyle for a while and see if there are any changes or improvements.

Dairy also gives me issues. So ill probably have to chuck that...which shouldn't be toooooooo hard, I've led a vegan diet before.

[Skylark]

Yeah, dairy gives a lot of us issues. I seem to tolerate a little butter but that's about it.

You need to make your decision about asking for a biopsy before you go gluten-free. If you are gluten-free for a while any damage will go away. You'll always wonder about a negative biopsy if you go gluten-free before the test.

It is OK to decide not to have one, but you really won't know for sure whether or not you're celiac so you have to be ready to stick to a strict celiac diet if you feel a lot better off gluten.

[youwillrise]

Yeah...I know the whole deal on having to stay on gluten til all the tests are done (I haven't gone off it yet). I'm not sure I'm completely comfortable with the idea of an endoscopy. I'm more worried about the procedure itself, I guess ...the having to be sedated thing freaks me out. I've always been horrified of doctors and tests and procedures...However, id rather be sure about the celiac so I don't have issues down the line. For me, it just getting up the courage. If I had gotten a positive blood test, I most likely would have proceded without the endoscopy...but since I got a negative I think I want one more.

Thanks for your advice/suggestions. Appreciate it mucho.