Trying To Figure Out If My Daughter Should Have Further Testing

[lisaberkow]

I was diagnosed with Celiacs several months ago. I then had both my daughters tested since I also was positive for both Celiac genes. DQ2 and DQ8. My older daughters results showed >100 on t-Transglutaminase (tTg) IgA (o-3 is normal). She is now on a gluten free diet. Neither myself or my daughters have or had GI issues associated with Celiacs.

My younger daughter got a 4 on the same test, which is considered Weak positive. She also got the following results on Deamidated Gliadin test:

IgA 8 (0-19 normal)

IgG 15 (0-19 normal)

Her pediatrician said she does not have Celiac.

Do you agree with this? What does weak positive mean? I just wondering if I should pursue this further for her.

Thanks!

[Jen-1984]

So she got a weak positive on the Transglutaminase (tTg) IgA test right?

[lisaberkow]

  On 1/31/2013 at 11:28 PM, Jen_1984 said:

So she got a weak positive on the Transglutaminase (tTg) IgA test right?

Yes. That is correct

[nvsmom]

I think if I was in your shoes, I would consider making her gluten-free too. You could pursue and endoscopy but what if the damage is patchy because she is so young and they miss it? She'll continue eating food that is damaging her. If she goes gluten-free, you've got it covered and she'll be healthy. Even if the doctor is right, and she is not a celiac, going gluten-free will not harm her in anyway and since you already have one child eating gluten-free, it should be an easier transition for you all.

My kids tested negative but I suspected gluten was a cause to some bathroom issues, and stomach aches and head aches that resembled my own. I made all three of my boys gluten-free and I honestly think it has helped two of them tremendously. One son does not appear to be affected by gluten but going gluten-free, and eating more whole foods is a good thing so we're sticking with it.

Best of luck in whatever you decide to do.

[lisaberkow]

  On 2/1/2013 at 2:18 AM, nvsmom said:

I think if I was in your shoes, I would consider making her gluten-free too. You could pursue and endoscopy but what if the damage is patchy because she is so young and they miss it? She'll continue eating food that is damaging her. If she goes gluten-free, you've got it covered and she'll be healthy. Even if the doctor is right, and she is not a celiac, going gluten-free will not harm her in anyway and since you already have one child eating gluten-free, it should be an easier transition for you all.

My kids tested negative but I suspected gluten was a cause to some bathroom issues, and stomach aches and head aches that resembled my own. I made all three of my boys gluten-free and I honestly think it has helped two of them tremendously. One son does not appear to be affected by gluten but going gluten-free, and eating more whole foods is a good thing so we're sticking with it.

Best of luck in whatever you decide to do.

My younger daughter is 18 and leaving for college in September. I would hate to have her gluten free if she is not celiac. Does anyone know what "weak positive" means and if I should get more testing.

[shadowicewolf]

  On 2/5/2013 at 12:32 PM, lisaberkow said:

My younger daughter is 18 and leaving for college in September. I would hate to have her gluten free if she is not celiac. Does anyone know what "weak positive" means and if I should get more testing.

Yes, she should. If the TTG IGA comes back positive, more testing should be done. As of right now, its better to get it done, then it is to wait.

[nvsmom]

  On 2/5/2013 at 12:32 PM, lisaberkow said:

My younger daughter is 18 and leaving for college in September. I would hate to have her gluten free if she is not celiac. Does anyone know what "weak positive" means and if I should get more testing.

Usually a weak positive is a positive celiac test. There are some other diseases like Hashimoto's or e.coli that can cause a positive ttg IgA but it's usually celiac. I think of it like a pregnancy test; if you had a weak positive, chances are that is 9 months you'll have a baby but it could indicate hormonal problems or an ectopic preganacy... it's just not likely. KWIM?

I would get your 18 year old further testing and then encourage her go gluten-free anyways. If you consider that there is almost a 25% false negative rate in the blood tests, a weak positive is fairly significant and should be taken seriously.

Best wishes to her and your family.

[shadowicewolf]

As a college student, there is nothing worse than getting really sick in the middle of a busy semester and then having to adjust to a new diet. If she were to get it done, and to find out she may indeed have celiac, she then has the time to be able to get accomodations (if she is in the dorms) for it. That is if she is going to school in the U.S. i'm not sure how it works outside of the States.

[lisaberkow]

  On 1/31/2013 at 10:45 PM, lisaberkow said:

I was diagnosed with Celiacs several months ago. I then had both my daughters tested since I also was positive for both Celiac genes. DQ2 and DQ8. My older daughters results showed >100 on t-Transglutaminase (tTg) IgA (o-3 is normal). She is now on a gluten free diet. Neither myself or my daughters have or had GI issues associated with Celiacs.

My younger daughter got a 4 on the same test, which is considered Weak positive. She also got the following results on Deamidated Gliadin test:

IgA 8 (0-19 normal)

IgG 15 (0-19 normal)

Her pediatrician said she does not have Celiac.

Do you agree with this? What does weak positive mean? I just wondering if I should pursue this further for her.

Thanks!

I wanted to add that my younger daughter started eating gluten free at home since I had been diagnosed and changed over our house. Most of her meals (but not all) were gluten free prior to being tested 2 months later. I am thinking to get her retested, but How much and for how long does she need to eat gluten to get an accurate blood test?