Gluten sensativity

[timbalou]

I have been told that I might have gluten sensativity issues.

I have been tested for Celiac disease and the following are the results.

IgA serum (82-454) result of 66
tTgAb, Iga - less than 20 - result less than 20.

Even with these number, I have been told that I have Gluten sensability and I should start a gluten free diet.  

That being said, my primary care does not believe this.

What is your thoughts.

[earthtonegrrl]

It looks like your total IgA is below the normal range. If you are IgA deficient, you will NOT test positive on the tTG IgA antibodies. You may want to point this out to your doctor and request that they run the rest of the Celiac panel ( tTG Antibody, IgG and EMA).  (See http://www.questdiagnostics.com/hcp/topics/gastroent/celiac.html - "tTG Antibody, IgG-performed ... when total IgA is low").  

Note that if you're already gluten-free or gluten-lite, the test will likely come out negative anyway. (the antibodies are your body's reaction to gluten, so if you're not ingesting it, you may not show signs of a reaction).

Many people will tell you you absolutely must have a confirmed diagnosis before you go GF. It is harder to not cheat when you don't have a definitive diagnosis, but to me, if you know gluten makes you sick and avoid it diligently, it doesn't make TOO much of a difference if you know whether it's Celiac or "just" a sensitivity.  (I'm "just" sensitive, no CD, but if I have just a little I don't feel right for weeks and I'm definitely not a happy camper for several days - no cheating for me.)

I hope that explained more than it confused. Sorry, it's late and I'm a little incoherent :)  I'd be happy to clarify if you have any questions.  Best of luck!!

[Renee Radenberg]

Suggest further testing of the disease - blood work and small intestine scope so you get the correct/confirmed diagnosis. There is a major Celiac Center at Columbia Medical Center, NY which you can access it on the web. Celiac disease affects the "villi" on the small intestine walls. The villi are small finger shaped projections on the intestine walls to increase absorption of nutrients into our body. The villi become shortened from intake of gluten. Gluten is in numerous products that are not "starches" because wheat is used as a thickener. Food labels have to be read for ALL products regardless if you think it does not have wheat in it or not. Suggest a Gluten free diet until the MD has confirmed a diagnosis. Suggest seeing a dietitian, if you have the disease, to learn more about the celiac diet. www.celiac.org is an excellent resource for information of the disease and food products with gluten.