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Recent Activity
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- Zuma888 replied to Zuma888's topic in Post Diagnosis, Recovery & Treatment of Celiac Disease3Hypothetical question about antibodies
I just got my test results after a less than 2-week gluten challenge consuming about 5 g of gluten per day on average. Anti tTG-IgA: <0.2 AU/ml (<8 is negative) IgA: 180 mg/dl (Reference range is 70-400) I previously had been on a gluten-free diet for around 3 years or so, with occasional cheating and not being strict about cross-contamination... -
- sc'Que? commented on Scott Adams's article in Latest Research1How Deamidation Changes Gliadin and Reduces Its Harm to the Intestine: A Study Summary for Patients and Families Living with Celiac Disease
I LOVE this write-up, @Scott Adams! Lots of science... and you've also disposed of the cut-and-paste intro. Please keep it coming!- celiac disease
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- trents replied to MagsM's topic in Related Issues & Disorders26Inflammation and Menier’s disease link?
How long have you been strictly gluten free? Certainly, it would be good to look into vitamin and mineral deficiencies and supplementation. The B vitamins, magnesium and D3 are all very important to neurological health. Unfortunately, it can be difficult to reverse gluten-induced neurological damage damage if it has gone on for a long time. -
- nataliallano replied to MagsM's topic in Related Issues & Disorders26Inflammation and Menier’s disease link?
Thanks Trents I'm strict with my gluten-free diet now. I just don't feel any better. I'm going to get tested for vitamins and minerals to see if I need some supplements. For sure I got some damage that doctors call Menier's and the only way they treat it is with medicine that does damage my body more than it helps. -
- Zuma888 replied to Zuma888's topic in Post Diagnosis, Recovery & Treatment of Celiac Disease3
Hypothetical question about antibodies
Thank you Scott for your helpful response! Based on this, would you say someone who is on a gluten-free diet - but not strict about cross-contamination and occasional cheating - and tests negative for tTg-IgA while having normal total IgA is not likely to have celiac, even if they have been 'gluten-free' for years?
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I just got my test results after a less than 2-week gluten challenge consuming about 5 g of gluten per day on average. Anti tTG-IgA: <0.2 AU/ml (<8 is negative) IgA: 180 mg/dl (Reference range is 70-400) I previously had been on a gluten-free diet for around 3 years or so, with occasional cheating and not being strict about cross-contamination. I am however still suffering from the effects of the gluten challenge (food sensitivities, slight brain fog, weird stool, fatigue, swollen thyroid, bodyaches). Is this likely to be NCGS rather than celiac disease given the test results and my history? Note: I have one copy of HLA-DQ8. -
How long have you been strictly gluten free? Certainly, it would be good to look into vitamin and mineral deficiencies and supplementation. The B vitamins, magnesium and D3 are all very important to neurological health. Unfortunately, it can be difficult to reverse gluten-induced neurological damage damage if it has gone on for a long time.
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By nataliallano · Posted
Thanks Trents I'm strict with my gluten-free diet now. I just don't feel any better. I'm going to get tested for vitamins and minerals to see if I need some supplements. For sure I got some damage that doctors call Menier's and the only way they treat it is with medicine that does damage my body more than it helps. -
Thank you Scott for your helpful response! Based on this, would you say someone who is on a gluten-free diet - but not strict about cross-contamination and occasional cheating - and tests negative for tTg-IgA while having normal total IgA is not likely to have celiac, even if they have been 'gluten-free' for years?
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By Scott Adams · Posted
That’s a really insightful observation about antibody testing and the gluten challenge! You’re absolutely right that antibody levels can remain elevated for months or even years after going gluten-free, especially if there’s ongoing cross-contamination or occasional slip-ups. The immune system doesn’t reset overnight—it can take time for antibodies like tTG-IgA to normalize, which is why many doctors recommend waiting at least 6–12 months of strict gluten-free eating before retesting. For someone who’s been gluten-free for less than two years or hasn’t been meticulous about avoiding cross-contact, there’s absolutely a chance they’d still test positive, since even small amounts of gluten can keep antibodies elevated. This is partly why the gluten challenge (where you eat gluten before testing) exists—it’s designed to provoke a measurable immune response in people who’ve been gluten-free long enough for antibodies to drop. But you raise a great point: the challenge isn’t perfect, and false negatives can happen if the timing or amount of gluten isn’t sufficient to trigger a strong antibody response. This is why diagnosis often combines antibody tests with other tools like genetic testing or endoscopy. Your question highlights just how nuanced celiac testing can be! For people with celiac disease hidden gluten in their diets is the main cause of elevated Tissue Transglutaminase IgA Antibodies (tTG-IgA), but there are other conditions, including cow's milk/casein intolerance, that can also cause this, and here is an article about the other possible causes:
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