Jump to content

  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):

    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

Is It Common To Have False Positive Test Results?

beebee07

Recommended Posts

beebee07 Rookie
beebee07
Posted

I have just had my EMA and tTG come back positive a week ago. I am scheduled for an endoscopy at the end of this week. How likely is it that my two test results are false positives? I asked the hospital physician if that could be the case and he said no, there is a 90 something percent accurate result with those two tests. However, when my GP received the report from the hospital physician it said that it is possible to have a false positive because there are other diseases/conditions that mimic Celiacs. I am a bit confused. I have read that it is common to have false negatives and a negative biopsy result. Any thoughts much appreciated.

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


psawyer Proficient
psawyer
Posted

False negatives are common on both blood tests and biopsies, but false positives are rare. When a positive is "false" it does not mean there is nothing wrong, it means that something other than celiac disease is the root cause of the problem. Two false positives are quite unlikely.

The EMA test is the most accurate blood test for celiac disease, and false positives on that test are very rare.

beebee07 Rookie
beebee07
Posted
  • Author

False negatives are common on both blood tests and biopsies, but false positives are rare. When a positive is "false" it does not mean there is nothing wrong, it means that something other than celiac disease is the root cause of the problem. Two false positives are quite unlikely.

The EMA test is the most accurate blood test for celiac disease, and false positives on that test are very rare.

Thanks for your response. From what I understand a false tTG positive could be due to other auto immune conditions or heart and liver issues. Given I had all my thyroid bloods done, liver (plus three scans of the liver: ct, mri and ultra sound) and pretty much every blood test under then sun, I would find it hard to believe the false positive for the tTG is correct. Of course I am no doctor so I guess I will have to wait and see ;)

Thanks again for your response. Much appreciated.

MitziG Enthusiast
MitziG
Posted

EMA is specific for celiac. You have celiac disease. Welcome to the board!

squirmingitch Veteran
squirmingitch
Posted

Welcome to the board Beebee.

MistyRG Apprentice
MistyRG
Posted

I posted a similar question a couple weeks ago . . . my version of grasping at straws!!! I was told by my doctor that with the EMA positive, he would be shocked if I don't have a positive biopsy. It is Celiac specific test (as others mentioned).

Welcome . . .

beebee07 Rookie
beebee07
Posted
  • Author

I posted a similar question a couple weeks ago . . . my version of grasping at straws!!! I was told by my doctor that with the EMA positive, he would be shocked if I don't have a positive biopsy. It is Celiac specific test (as others mentioned).

Welcome . . .

Thanks for the welcomes ;)

I think I very well may be grasping at straws too MistyRG. I don't know wether mine are strong or weak positives. I asked the doctor for the numbers and he fobbed me off. I have my endoscopy this Friday but have been gluten free for a week on the recommendation of the doctor who gave me my test results. I am very conflicted about this as I know that it is much better to be on gluten when you have the biopsy but the gastroenterologist said I would be fine as it will only have been 10 days gluten free. I am wondering if I am having some gluten withdrawl. Today I felt so depressed and anxious and cried all day which is not common for me.

Thanks for the feedback.

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


squirmingitch Veteran
squirmingitch
Posted

That's gluten withdrawal starting to show beebee.

beebee07 Rookie
beebee07
Posted
  • Author

That's gluten withdrawal starting to show beebee.

Can the withdrawl flare old symptoms? Thanks squirmingitch.

squirmingitch Veteran
squirmingitch
Posted

Can the withdrawl flare old symptoms? Thanks squirmingitch.

Well, yes, sort of. When you go through the w/d you get all kinds of weird stuff happening to you. When I went through it, it was like everything I had been experiencing before going gluten-free got more pronounced. But I didn't have much in the way of GI symptoms as I have dh & we often have little to no or much milder GI symptoms. But others say their GI symptoms go all over the place. And it does take a while for your body to settle down. It's been going through years of abuse. It doesn't heal overnight. Many people take a good 6 months for things to really settle down. I mean the GI stuff will be there & then not & then start up again. The body has to go through a whole re-setting process.

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):


  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      131,995
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    Naner4
    Newest Member
    Naner4
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.5k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):


  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • knitty kitty
      Nicotine Gum For Gluten Symptoms.. Am I Crazy?

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      @sleuth, Has your son been checked for nutritional deficiencies?  All of those symptoms can be caused by malnutrition.  I had severe malnutrition that went unrecognized by my doctors.  Intense fatigue, brain fog, depression, anxiety, and gastrointestinal distress are symptoms of deficiencies in the eight essential B vitamins, especially Thiamine B1, which becomes low first because the demand is higher when we're sick.     Celiac Disease causes inflammation and damage of the intestinal lining which inhibits absorption of essential nutrients.  Checking for nutritional deficiencies is part of proper follow up care for people with celiac disease.   Is your son taking any vitamin supplements?  Most supplements contain thiamine mononitrate which in not readily absorbed and utilized by the body.  Benfotiamine is a form of thiamine that is shown to promote intestinal healing.  Benfotiamine is available over the counter.  Benfotiamine is safe and nontoxic.   Is your son eating processed gluten-free foods?  Gluten-free processed foods are not required to be enriched with vitamins like their gluten containing counterparts.   Is your son following a low histamine diet?  Histamine is released as part of the immune response to gluten and other foods high in histamine.  High levels of histamine in the brain can cause anxiety, insomnia, and depression.  The body needs the B vitamins to make the enzyme Diamine Oxidase (DAO) to break down and clear histamine.  DAO supplements are available over the counter.  Vitamin C helps clear histamine as well.  Some people find over the counter antihistamines helpful as well, but they're not for long term use.   Nicotine has antihistamine-like properties, but can also irritate the gut.  Tobacco, from which nicotine is derived, is a nightshade (like tomatoes, potatoes, peppers and eggplant).  Nightshades contain alkaloids which affect gastrointestinal permeability, causing leaky gut syndrome.  Nicotine can cause gastrointestinal irritation and alter for the worse the microbiome. Safer alternatives to Nicotine that have antihistamine properties include Lemon Balm (Sweet Melissa),  Passion Flower, Chamomile, and Bilberry.  They can be taken as supplements, extracts, or tea.  These will help with the anxiety, insomnia and depression in a much safer way. Oolong tea is also helpful.  Oolong tea contains the amino acid L-Theanine which helps the digestive tract heal.  (L -Theanine supplements are available over the counter, if not a tea drinker.)  Tryptophan, a form of Niacin B3, also helps calm digestive symptoms.  Another amino acid, L-Lysine, can help with anxiety and depression.  I've used these for years without problems.   What ways to cope have you tried in the past?
    • Scott Adams
      Gluten free nuts

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      They are a sponsor here, and I did noticed a free shipping coupon: GFships
    • Scott Adams
      Aldi Pueblo Lindo Yellow Corn Tortillas

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      In general if it is labelled gluten-free then it should be ok for most celiacs, however, those who are super sensitive (which is most who have dermatitis herpetiformis) may want to eat only certified gluten-free items, which are supposed to test down to 10ppm (but don't always!).
    • Wheatwacked
      Celiac and dermatitis herpetiformis has taken Me from Me

      By Wheatwacked · Posted

      Have faith, you will survive. I get mine from Pipingrock.com.  500 capsules of 10,000 IU for $22.  That is almost two years worth for me.  250 caps 5000 IU for $6.69 if you only take 5,000 a day.  It's like half the price of Walmart.
    • Wheatwacked
      Outgrow celiac?

      By Wheatwacked · Posted

      Testing can't alone be trusted.  Else why would it take so many years of testing and retesting and misdiagnosis to finally be told, yes you have Celiac Disease. As to what to eat, I like pre 1950 style food.  Before the advent of TV dinners.  Fresh food is better for you, and cooking from scratch is cheaper.  Watch Rachel Ray's 30 Minute Meals for how to cook.  Keep in mind that she is not gluten free, but her techniques are awesome.  Just use something else instead of wheat, barley, rye. Dr Fuhrman is a ex cardiologist.  His book Eat to Live and Dr Davis' book Wheatbelly were instrumental in my survival.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

NOTICE: This site places This site places cookies on your device (Cookie settings). on your device. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy.