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Celiac (Sprue) Disease Community
This patient support community is for discussions relating to Celiac (Sprue) disease, anemia, behavioral changes and neurological issues, bones and osteoporosis, dental issues, diet and nutrition, infertility, gastrointestinal issues, gluten-free recipes, growth issues, infants and children with Celiac, pain management, and skin and dermatology issues.
Blood and Biopsy Testing Not Always Accurate
by lcarter6, Feb 27, 2008 09:21PM
Blood and biopsy tests for celiac are not fool proof! If you happen to be IgA deficient, the blood tests for celiac will be negative. In other words, the blood tests are irrelevant if you have low or insufficient IgA--especially if the doctor doesn't bother to find out first. Also, endoscopic biopsies are not 100% accurate because areas affected in the bowel tend to be spotty. So, it depends a bit on luck, that test biopsies are taken from an area showing disease. But, if you go on the gluten free diet and experience relief from symptoms, then obviously you have discovered the cause of your problems. On the other hand, if you go on the gluten free diet before testing then you can not get a "medical label," (For some people that can be a problem to not have the formal diagnosis). For me, it was a catch 22 situation. After many years of frustration and getting the run around from doctors, I finally gave up trying to get a medical diagnosis and went on the diet by myself. I decided that being healthy and symptom free was more important than having a doctor say, "Oh, yes, you have celiac." The diet is 100% accurate if it cures you. It worked for me!
Member Comments (2)
by beentrying2quit, Feb 27, 2008 09:30PM
GREAT POST! You are correct in the fact that if you purge gluten from your diet and you see improvement...BINGO...you just diagnosed yourself.
by agirlnamedsuess, Feb 27, 2008 09:46PM
Bingo is right on the diet issue. Please e-mail me at ***@**** (because I do not come here regularly) and let me know some more informatuion on the IGa deal, PLEASE! My son does have a lowered immune system; HOWEVER, the allergist still SWEARS he is not allergic to Gluten, nor does he have an intolerance for it. I flat out told him that he would not convince me to give my son gluten for anything. We learned the hard way from an elimination diet. Come to find out, we are a little sensitive to Gluten also and the gluten-free diet makes all of us feel better.
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