Could Positive Serologies Be Anything Other Than Celiac?

[smjb]

I went to my very first gastroenterologist yesterday. My endocrinologist (I have Hashimoto's Thyroiditis) ordered a celiac panel several weeks ago, I came up positive and was referred to the gastroenterologist.

My results are as follows:

Endomysial Antibody IgA Positive

t-Transglutaminase IgA 12 U/mL (>10 is positive)

t-Transglutaminase IgG 7 U/mL (6-9 is weak positive, >9 is positive)

IgA, Serum 178 mg/dL (range of 70-400 is normal)

So, I have not had a biopsy to confirm celiac. The gastroenterologist said that these serologies could be false-positives, but everything I've read says that there is a greater possiblity of serologies being false-NEGATIVES.

I've been reading all over the internet about celiac for 2 weeks and I'm pretty sure I know more about the disease than this doctor does, but, in case I'm wrong...

Does anyone know if these tests can be positive for anything other than celiac?

Thanks!

[Skylark]

Your GI is being ultra-conservative, as doctors sometimes are. Endomysial is 99% specific for celiac. With the positive TTG there really isn't much question. Did you get your biopsy scheduled?

[smjb]

No. I did not schedule a biopsy. I'm not planning on having one. I don't really see the point since my serologies are positive.

[nora-n]

Agree, with the EMA being positive in this mix, this looks positive. The ttg alone could be positive with some other issues like liver disease.

[Skylark]

No. I did not schedule a biopsy. I'm not planning on having one. I don't really see the point since my serologies are positive.

Makes sense. Feel free to ask for help with the diet and I hope you get to feeling better on it!

[smjb]

Makes sense. Feel free to ask for help with the diet and I hope you get to feeling better on it!

Thanks! My plan right now is to concentrate on eating meats, veggies, fruits and staying away from processed foods. I'd really like to think of this as a way to get healthy and avoid all the preservatives and chemicals. I know I won't be perfect but at least it will be better than what I've been eating (pasta, pizza, breads, fast food, etc.).

The only thing I really need to find out is what other names gluten goes by. I mean, I know that sugar is listed as fructose, etc. in foods, but I haven't done enough research to find out about gluten.

I'm pretty lucky with the celiac though because I don't have the GI problems. I have major fatigue which is why my endocrinologist tested me in the first place. I just hope to get some energy back!! I think maybe it was caught early before too much damage was done to my poor villi.

[Skylark]

Whole foods is a great way to go! I always tell people it's easy to tell that a banana or an orange is gluten-free, and they even come with a handy built-in protective wrapper.

If you're in the US, FALCPA requires that anything that contains starch, protein, etc. derived from wheat must have the world "wheat" on the label. It can either be in parenthesis after the ingredient like: food starch (wheat), or at the end in an allergy warning so be sure you read the whole label. Rye is not hidden, as it's only used in specialty baked goods. Barley is usually used as a whole grain like pearl barley, or as barley malt. Here is an UNSAFE list you might find helpful.

https://www.celiac.com/celiac-disease/forbidden-gluten-food-list-unsafe-ingredients-r182/

Scott has also put together a SAFE list of ingredients that do not contain guten.

https://www.celiac.com/articles/181/1/Safe-Gluten-Free-Food-List-Safe-Ingredients/Page1.html

Barley is a little tricky because barley malt can legally be included in "natural flavors". Many major companies like Kraft, ConAgra, General Mills, and Unilever have all stated that they will clearly label wheat, rye, or barley in their products because they are aware it is an issue for their celiac customers. It's good to write smaller companies if you're not sure.

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[smjb]

Whole foods is a great way to go! I always tell people it's easy to tell that a banana or an orange is gluten-free, and they even come with a handy built-in protective wrapper.

If you're in the US, FALCPA requires that anything that contains starch, protein, etc. derived from wheat must have the world "wheat" on the label. It can either be in parenthesis after the ingredient like: food starch (wheat), or at the end in an allergy warning so be sure you read the whole label. Rye is not hidden, as it's only used in specialty baked goods. Barley is usually used as a whole grain like pearl barley, or as barley malt. Here is an UNSAFE list you might find helpful.

https://www.celiac.com/celiac-disease/forbidden-gluten-food-list-unsafe-ingredients-r182/

Scott has also put together a SAFE list of ingredients that do not contain guten.

https://www.celiac.com/articles/181/1/Safe-Gluten-Free-Food-List-Safe-Ingredients/Page1.html

Barley is a little tricky because barley malt can legally be included in "natural flavors". Many major companies like Kraft, ConAgra, General Mills, and Unilever have all stated that they will clearly label wheat, rye, or barley in their products because they are aware it is an issue for their celiac customers. It's good to write smaller companies if you're not sure.

Open Original Shared Link

Great sites! Thanks so much!

[1974girl]

I asked this same question a few months ago with the exact same situation! My 11 year old has Hashimotos. She was postive like you on the Ttg and endomysial antibody. Ttg can technically be false positve in people with live disease, thyroid disease like Hashimotos, and type 1 diabetics. HOWEVER....the endomysial antibody is not affected by those. I was still in denial so I had her scoped and it did show blunting. So, if you want to save $$$...just don't get scoped and accept you have it. We are still paying because I was in denial. : )

[smjb]

I asked this same question a few months ago with the exact same situation! My 11 year old has Hashimotos. She was postive like you on the Ttg and endomysial antibody. Ttg can technically be false positve in people with live disease, thyroid disease like Hashimotos, and type 1 diabetics. HOWEVER....the endomysial antibody is not affected by those. I was still in denial so I had her scoped and it did show blunting. So, if you want to save $$$...just don't get scoped and accept you have it. We are still paying because I was in denial. : )

Thank you! I don't blame you though for being in denial because celiac's got to be really hard on a child.

The doctors just want me to have endoscopy because that's what they were taught in school. Until they can explain to me WHY I need it, I'm not going to get it. (I'm a little stubborn.)

They are going to have to convince me and it's going to be hard to do I have done my research and believe I can trust the antibodies, although I might want to have them re-tested. I'd much rather have some blood drawn than be put to sleep.

I should be seeing a new GI doc soon. (Last one didn't know squat.) Lord, help him or her Here I come!