Blood Test Results Opinions?

[Markscura]

Hi everyone been reading these posts for a while. Just need some opinions on my situation.

( I have posted this on another Celiac forum as well)

53 yr old male no health problems in my life until August 2011 I suddenly became very ill with racing heart,Ab pains,Nausea and Anxiety. Rushed to ER they did a barrage of tests given all clear. They said that I had a panic attack and referred me to my GP for follow up.

Over the next few weeks more blood tests, urine, Xray and a Cat scan. All came up normal given a breath test which discovered I had a HP infection. That was eradicated and confirmed with another breath test.

Over the next few months felt a lot better but still had mild Ab pains loose stool and anxiety. I also developed several skin rashes that were very itchy that would come and go.

Further tests were conducted for Diabetes but was given all clear. I then did tests for Celiac disease. My Dr informed me that my numbers were only slightly elevated but I also have the Dq2 gene.

Dr wants me to have the Endo which I'm not keen on unless I have no choice which I'm leaning towards as Im worried is something else going on. I have no problem sticking to the Gluten free diet for life. My Dr is not that concerned as I dont have any red flag signs that indicate something more sinister. But surely I would be feeling a lot better. I have been on the diet for 4 months and I'm very strict with it and aware of CC. The first week I felt great and thought I had found my answer now I'm not so sure.

These are my blood test results conducted in Australia if that makes any difference I'm not sure.

I mmunoglobulin A. 5.3 g/l (0.60-396)

Gliadin IgA Abs 14 uml (0- 20)

tTg IgA/IgG 50 u/ml. (0-24)

Dq2 gene detected

Thanks very much in advance for any opinions. Mark.

[nvsmom]

I'm sorry you've been feeling so poorly. It's hard to go through all the testing when not feeling up to snuff.

Is your Immunoglobulin A reference range correct? If it is, I would say that you look to be deficient in IgA; you are in the bottom 2% of the range. If it is correct, I would say it's quite amazing that you managed to test positive for ttg IgA at all. I am not an educated health care provider but I would guess that if your IgA levels had been higher, then your ttg IgA levels would have been very high. As it is, your ttg IgA is still a positive test. Those levels don't often rise unless gut damage is going on...You most likely are celiac.

Some symptoms of celiac will clear up quickly, within days, but others seem to linger for months. Unhealed Celiac damage could still be responsible for your ongoing health problems.

Your ongoing symptoms are also the same as what would appear in a hyperthyroid state. If you google those symptoms you'll see what I mean. Many celiacs end up with hashimotos which is an autoimmune attack on the thyroid. Normally this causes an individual to become hypothyroid where their metabolism slows but in some, it causes periods where it can swing hyper and then hypo; it's called has$#&oxicosis. Graves disease is another AI disease but this just causes a hyper state and is not quite as common with celiacs.

If you want to look into testing of thyroid problems , these tests are a good start:

• TPO Ab - Thyroid Peroxidase Antibody will indicate an attack on the thyroid
  
• TSH - Thyroid Stimulating Hormone will most likely be low if hyper but could be normal so be sure to check TPO Ab which if present will indicate treatment is needed.
  
• Free T4 - will probably be high is hyper, this is the hormone the thyroid mainly releases
  
• Free T3 - Will probably be high if hyper, this is the active form of the hormone
  

Good luck!

[GottaSki]

Hi Mark-

I'd say welcome to the club - you have Celiac Disease.

Nicole is right. It is amazing that your body has managed to produce enough IgA antibodies considering you have EXTREMELY low Total Serum IgA. I can't imagine what your result would have been had you had normal IgA levels.

Since you have been gluten-free for four months, more blood tests along with endoscopic biopsy will likely be negative. That being said, an endoscopy after removing gluten can be useful to determine the amount of damage to your small intestine and does look at other parts of the digestive system. The procedure is quite simple and has very little risk. Sedating meds are used and many of us don't remember any part of the procedure afterward - full anesthesia is not used for endoscopy.

Your experience since removing gluten is common. It can take months, even years to heal the celiac damage. You are doing the best thing you can - live gluten free. Is it possible you are ingesting small amounts of gluten? Do you share a kitchen with someone that prepares items with gluten? Do you eat gluten free items at restaurants?

Reading the "Newbie 101" thread can provide a lot of useful info. If you are certain you are as gluten-free as possible, just keep at it. It is very frustrating when you have improvement, to have set-backs. Sometimes the symptoms even worsen during healing. I hope that you continue to improve quickly, but also want you to be aware that it can be a very slow process.

Take a look around the forum and ask as many questions as you can think of - asking questions is the best way to speed up the transition to your new - soon to be improved- gluten-free life.

Hang in there

[GottaSki]

Forgot to ask if you had any IgG blood tests. Even if you don't decide to have an endo, I'd make sure you have the IgG tests. My own IgA tests were weakly positive and my IgG were higher.

tTG IgG

DGP IgG

Also, if they haven't been run - blood tests for nutrient deficiencies. Celiac Disease damages the villi of the small intestine thus preventing proper absorption of nutrients. Supplementation is often needed when newly diagnosed. My celiac doc tested me at dx and annually for the following:

All Bs, D, K, Iron, Ferritin, Copper and Zinc.

Others have suggested: A, Calcium, Magnesium and Potassium

Good Luck!

[Markscura]

Tks very much for the quick replys. I will certainly look into more blood tests. By the way when I my other general blood tests were done they we're all in the reference range with no nasty surprises. When I had the celiac ones I had already been partly gluten free for about 3 weeks to see how I would feel. Then completely free after the tests were done.

I was originally so sick that I could not believe that it was not something really sinister going on. It's been over a year since I got sick so I guess if it was something really bad I would be bed ridden at the least!

My appetite is great I'm not losing weight and I don't look sick that's why I think it's hard to get people to believe that you are ill.

It's so awful to go from a healthy life to an awful existence.

I fo have good days where I feel great then sometimes in the same day I start to feel awful. Eg mild upper ab pain with nausea and anxiousness. I believe I'm not getting glutened but you never know. Tks for listening to me moaning I think my partner is sick of it God bless her. I guess im a member of the club. Mark.

[GottaSki]

I don't look sick that's why I think it's hard to get people to believe that you are ill.

It's so awful to go from a healthy life to an awful existence.

I fo have good days where I feel great then sometimes in the same day I start to feel awful. Eg mild upper ab pain with nausea and anxiousness. I believe I'm not getting glutened but you never know. Tks for listening to me moaning I think my partner is sick of it God bless her. I guess im a member of the club. Mark.

All very true - you have found a place with others that have walked and sometimes crawled the same path. This is the place to vent - we've all done it - there is always someone popping on that can help.

[IrishHeart]

It's so awful to go from a healthy life to an awful existence.

I believe I'm not getting glutened but you never know. Tks for listening to me moaning I think my partner is sick of it God bless her. I guess im a member of the club. Mark.

Hi Mark,

Yes, it is horrible to go from healthy to an "awful" existence. I can relate. But, it can also improve!

You said: "My Dr informed me that my numbers were only slightly elevated but I also have the Dq2 gene. "

FWIW, I think you have celiac, hon.

Welcome to the club.

It takes many months (6-24) for most of us to feel better, so please, hang in there.

How else can we help?

IH

[Markscura]

Tks for the kind reply I guess I will be a regular here as it's helpful to share experiences when you have an illness, I was a police officer for 20 yrs and developed PTSD. Was diagnosed 2 yrs ago. Then physically sick with HP infection and now this it's sort of a domino effect which all appears related. Tks again if I think of any questions I will let you know. Here's to feeling better!

[Markscura]

Hi again everyone I just made an appointment with a gastro Dr for more tests but I can't see him until the end of next month. Just a question has anyone been gluttened by pool water? I went for a swim in my local pool that contains chlorine and I accidentally swollowed a small amount of water. In half an hour I felt very sick with ab pain and diarrhea. It took several hours to feel better.

Has anyone had experience with this? I notice with this illness I have become a bit of a hypochondriac sort of

reacting with anxiety to everything. Thanks.

[IrishHeart]

Hi again everyone I just made an appointment with a gastro Dr for more tests but I can't see him until the end of next month. Just a question has anyone been gluttened by pool water?

Never. Not possible, hon.

How can gluten be in water? It cannot.

Please, try to relax.

FWIW, I had some PTSD from being deathly ill and not DXed for 3 years. It helps to learn coping mechanisms, being strictly gluten-free and addressing any nutritional and vitamin deficiencies. Anxiety comes from gluten and multiple vitamin and mineral deficiencies.

Learn all you can about celiac and why it is not possible to be glutened by pool water or other "urban myths" about this disease... and take deep, slow breaths.

You're going to be okay.

[Markscura]

Tks Irish heart for the quick reply. I didn't think that was possible. It's funny with battling illness over the last year has changed me. I use to consider my self as being pretty tough but this has really knocked my self confidence out the window it's hard to do anything when you don't know how you are going to feel. I guess in the back of iyour mind you feel there must be something else going on how can celiac make you feel so ill. It's very unnerving.

Friends think it's all in your head I hope next year will be better for everyone. Tks again.

[Lisa]

Hi again everyone I just made an appointment with a gastro Dr for more tests but I can't see him until the end of next month. Just a question has anyone been gluttened by pool water? I went for a swim in my local pool that contains chlorine and I accidentally swollowed a small amount of water. In half an hour I felt very sick with ab pain and diarrhea. It took several hours to feel better.

Has anyone had experience with this? I notice with this illness I have become a bit of a hypochondriac sort of

reacting with anxiety to everything. Thanks.

Gluten, probably not, but bacteria could be a likely issue. Public pools are iky. Not all roads lead to gluten.

Please check in after your doctor's appointment.

[frieze]

I mmunoglobulin A. 5.3 g/l (0.60-396)

Gliadin IgA Abs 14 uml (0- 20)

tTg IgA/IgG 50 u/ml. (0-24)

Dq2 gene detected

If that is the ref range next to your IgA, you arent low, but have you typed it in correctly? "0.60" is just weird. It seems they have covered that issue, the third line is tTg IgA/IgG so could be IgG and not IgA.

The pool, tech possible, but not probable.

[Markscura]

Tks guys those tests are exactly as what's typed in the report. I don't really understand it myself the more I read these things the more confused I get! Anyway I will wait until I see the Gastro Dr late next month I'm sick of stressing myself about it all. I actually don't mind the gluten free diet at all and I intend to stick to it for life regardless.

I don't feel to bad today it's weird considering I felt fairly awful yesterday with no change in diet.

I hope it's just healing I have more good days than bad. I'm glad I found this place.

[IrishHeart]

Tks Irish heart for the quick reply. I didn't think that was possible. It's funny with battling illness over the last year has changed me. I use to consider my self as being pretty tough but this has really knocked my self confidence out the window it's hard to do anything when you don't know how you are going to feel. I guess in the back of iyour mind you feel there must be something else going on how can celiac make you feel so ill. It's very unnerving.

Friends think it's all in your head I hope next year will be better for everyone. Tks again.

People who say "it's all in your head" are usually people who have never been seriously ill. Just blow that off. It's not in your head. But you can make yourself crazy with worry that anytime you feel "off" that somehow, gluten got you.

You're pretty tough, believe me!

It is very hard to function day after day after day when you do not feel well and still be positive.

You know what I say? "Celiac--it ain't for sissies."

Celiac is a head to toe disease, hon--affecting multiple body systems and organs. It's not just a "gut" issue, so it is understandable that you still feel pretty icky.

You are going to feel lousy some days--for a while --until you heal some more. My doc calls each year post-DX a "healing year".

I did more physically this second year gluten-free than I could manage since 2007. I am coming back from the walking dead. I get impatient, too because I want to be all better right now. Gemini and so many other veterans have told me from the beginning---don't do that to yourself. This is a process and each year gets better and better.

I did not really start to absorb nutrients or feel a lot better until 15 months--but this was MY experience and everyone heals at different rates. You may heal a lot faster.

What I suggest is: tell yourself this is a slow, steady progress and try not to get upset every time you feel like crap. If you can swim, you are in decent physical shape! (which speaks volumes about the fact that you are healing well.IMHO )

Okay, that was the "pep talk"

Let's get to why you may feel so yucky.

Regardless of the usual blood test results that say you are "normal", you could have any number of deficiencies that do not show up on a CMP or CBC.

Have your thyroid, vit.K, D, B-12 and folate also been checked?

Has your GI doc ruled out other gastro problems?

Being diagnosed with celiac is one thing and yes, taking gluten out will start the healing process, but we can develop any number of health issues in conjunction with it and it is wise to have a trusted doctor providing you with follow up care.

These deficiencies can cause anxiety and a sense of malaise and yes, even gut problems unrelated to celiac and once they resolve, you will feel more like yourself again.

Hope this helps!

[IrishHeart]

One more thing Mark,

I was thinking maybe if you read a book like Celiac: the Hidden Epidemic by Dr. Green, it would reassure you about what goes haywire in the body and how it makes us anxious, too.

Also, Recognizing Celiac Disease by Cleo Libonati is very informative and discusses the GI tract and other body systems that are affected as well as what vitamin deficiencies can occur.

After you read Dr. Green's book, give it to family or friends who seem to be less supportive of you. Educating others about this disease may help them understand that all this really "isn't in your head".

In the meantime, check this out:

https://www.celiac.com/articles/21927/1/Celiac-Disease-Head-to-Toe/Page1.html

[Markscura]

Tks again Irish heart your comments are very comforting. I m going to take up all those issues when I see the Gastro next. Mark.

[IrishHeart]

Tks again Irish heart your comments are very comforting. I m going to take up all those issues when I see the Gastro next. Mark.

Make a list of all your concerns and ask him/her what the test results really mean.

Hang in there. IH

[bartfull]

Just a thought - when I was a kid we had a pool. A lot of times we would have lunch around the pool. Sometimes bread crumbs from our sandwiches would drop into the pool. Sometimes we would get pool water up our noses. Far fetched I know, but it COULD happen, couldn't it?

[shadowicewolf]

My Iga TTG (37, positive was 20+) was the only one out of the panel that came back positive, that, along with both genes commonly found, and positive reaction, but negative biopsy, got me the celiac dx:)

It could also be that you caught it before it had a chance to get really going, if ya get what i mean.

[IrishHeart]

Just a thought - when I was a kid we had a pool. A lot of times we would have lunch around the pool. Sometimes bread crumbs from our sandwiches would drop into the pool. Sometimes we would get pool water up our noses. Far fetched I know, but it COULD happen, couldn't it?

Honestly, Barty...IMHO?

Those are a lot of "sometimes" ....and so unbelievably remote that if it has happened to him, then the OP should buy up all the lottery tickets he can because he is the luckiest person alive.

[bartfull]

Nah, if he was in a pool where someone dropped sandwich crumbs and those crumbs got up his nose, he would be the UNluckiest guy.

I was just trying to think of ways someone MIGHT get glutened from pool water, and seriously, we DID sometimes drop crumbs in the pool. Boy did we get in trouble for it too. The filter would take out solid bits, but the bread crumbs would kind of melt and then the water would be cloudy the next day. Time for more chemicals.

[IrishHeart]

Nah, if he was in a pool where someone dropped sandwich crumbs and those crumbs got up his nose, he would be the UNluckiest guy.

When I said "luckiest", I meant it in terms of he would be ONE IN A BAZILLION.

Seriously?

What are the odds that someone happened to be standing there the exact same day he was at the pool ...and that person was eating a sandwich ....and some odd crumb fell in.... and it happened to somehow survive the chemicals in the pool water ....and then, somehow it managed to find his nostril and he swallowed it??

Come on.

The chances of that happening---are as remote as winning the lottery.

That's what I meant when I said....buy all the damn tickets you can find.

[Markscura]

Tks Guys I had a good laugh reading the last couple of posts. In regards to swimming I was wondering if the clorine in the pool might have effected my damaged gut.

Not actually gluten! If so I might go and buy a lottery ticket if it was bread crumbs in the water. Ha ha.

[GottaSki]

Tks Guys I had a good laugh reading the last couple of posts. In regards to swimming I was wondering if the clorine in the pool might have effected my damaged gut.

Not actually gluten! If so I might go and buy a lottery ticket if it was bread crumbs in the water. Ha ha.

All this talk of lotto tix - I think were all due for a big win!

I've always disliked chlorine, but am very happy pools use it - would rather swallow a touch of chlorine than untreated pool water

Personally, I think the gains from swimming far, far outweigh any drawbacks. It is so hard to know what causes upset in the healing digestive system -- it could have been something you ate earlier in the day - not necessarily gluten.

Jump back in and let us know if it happens repeatedly.