Leaderboard

Welcome to the forum, @SB04! Let's cut to the chase. Did they run a tTG-IGA and a total IGA? Total IGA goes by many names but it checks for IGA deficiency. If you are IGA deficient, IGA test scores will be artificially low and it can result in false negatives. The tTG-IGA is the centerpiece of celiac disease antibody testing.  Dermatitis herpetiformis is the epidermal expression of celiac disease. Most who have dermatitis herpetiformis also have damage happening to the small bowel lining as well but a small percentage do not. But dermatitis herpetiformis has a characteristic appearance to it, with the rash bumps having pustules in the center. It is also accompanied by a very uncomfortable itch. From what you describe, your rash doesn't sound like dermatitis herpetiformis. The IGG antibody tests are not quite as specific for celiac disease as are the IGA tests but they aren't terrible either. This may be helpful:   

Hi all, about a year ago I had some blood tests done through a naturopath because I had constant hives and no idea why. They would go away for a few days with an antihistamine medicine but always come right back. Anyways, she did an igg test (which i now know is terribly unreliable) and it was pointing to gluten sensitivity. there was another test too, that tested for wheat iggs, igas and several other things, among which were Transglutaminases. The only one that came up as high for me was the tTG3 igg result, which shows an autoimmune response in the skin, commonly dermatitis herpetiformis in celiac patients. I was told it was gluten causing it but not celiac. Fast forward to now, I still have hives, I've been gluten free (although I have no reation to gluten when I accidentally have it), and I've been doing research to try and figure out what is wrong. I've heard that those initial igg tests are unreliable, and that maybe gluten isn't the issue, but from what I've read it sounds like the Transglutaminase tests are very reliable? I'm wondering if I somehow got a false positive, because I definitely don't have dermatitis herpetiformis or any typical celiac rashes. Has anyone had a similar experience?

@ohmichael, Have you tried contacting your state's Employment Services?   There should be job opportunities and training programs especially for previous service members and veterans.   Look into trade schools.  Some offer training programs which provide scholarships and housing, and possible employment after completion.  Some scholarships are funded by employers looking for specifically trained employees. Choose a career path in something you enjoy doing.   I agree with @Scott Adams.  Play your cards close to your chest.  Get your ducks in a row before discussing leaving the gluten aisle where you work now.  Managers can and will fire you really easily, like Scott said.   Prayers and Best Wishes sent.  Keep us posted on your progress!

@badastronaut, I'm so glad you got your folate and zinc up! I'm a big fan of Benfotiamine.  It's a form of thiamine that promotes intestinal healing.  I take 250 mg Benfotiamine with the first two meals of the day along with a B 50 Complex.  The B vitamins all work together so taking a B Complex with Benfotiamine is great.  I also take a form of thiamine called TTFD (tetrahydrofurfuryl disulfide) which helps immensely with brain function, anxiety and depression.  Start off with small doses (50 mg) and increase doses as long as you see improvement.     https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10682628/#:~:text=Benfotiamine (Fig.,]%2C [62]].

@nanny marley, I had great improvement by supplementing with a B Complex and extra thiamine in the form Benfotiamine which promotes intestinal healing.  I followed the AutoImmune Protocol Diet developed by a doctor with Celiac Disease herself, Dr. Sarah Ballantyne.  The AIP diet removes everything from the diet that can be irritating or hard to digest.  After a period of time to heal, other foods are slowly added back into the diet if tolerated.   For more stories of my journey, read my blogs by clicking on my name and choosing activities in the dropdown menu.