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cocoa smurf
Joined: 03 May 2006
Posts: 4
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 Posted: Wed May 03, 2006 8:33 pm Post subject: Is the blood test enough? |
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Hi everyone. I'm new here and I live in Australia (where we put an 'o' in celiac).
I was diagnosed just the other day through a blood test. According to my doctor my results were through the roof and he and no problems diagnosing it.
Over here our coeliac society states that a proper diagnosis cannot be determined without a biopsy. My doctor said that they have a new blood test that is more sensitive (in think it is transglut..... something like that) so according to him my blood test was conclusive.
What do you guys thinks? |
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cocoa smurf
Joined: 03 May 2006
Posts: 4
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| Posted: Wed May 03, 2006 8:36 pm Post subject: |
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I just found the name of the new test:
transglutaminase test |
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cocoa smurf
Joined: 03 May 2006
Posts: 4
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| Posted: Wed May 03, 2006 8:41 pm Post subject: |
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Ok, sorry about all the posts. I have my results here:
Gliadin IgA (EIA): this reading was >100 units when the normal range is <20
Transglutaminase IgA Ab: This reading was also >100 AU/ml when the normal range is <7.
My total IgA was 2.43
Does anyone know what this means? |
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aklap
Joined: 02 Oct 2004
Posts: 8614
Location: WI, USA
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| Posted: Wed May 03, 2006 9:40 pm Post subject: Re: Is the blood test enough? |
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| cocoa smurf wrote: | Hi everyone. I'm new here and I live in Australia (where we put an 'o' in celiac).
I was diagnosed just the other day through a blood test. According to my doctor my results were through the roof and he and no problems diagnosing it.
Over here our coeliac society states that a proper diagnosis cannot be determined without a biopsy. My doctor said that they have a new blood test that is more sensitive (in think it is transglut..... something like that) so according to him my blood test was conclusive.
What do you guys thinks? |
G'Day Cocoa Smurf,
Welcome to the board!
Sorry to hear of your diagnosis. But at least now you know and can get yourself healthy!
Sometimes it depends on the docs in what they'll accep as an "offical" CD dx (dx is shorthand for diagnosis). The gold standard dx still is biospy with damaged villi. Some will say blood test is enough, some will say blood test with improvement on GF diet, some will add the biopsy to all that. It just really depends.
_________________
Al
“We cannot all do great things, but we can do small things with great love.” Mother Teresa |
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cocoa smurf
Joined: 03 May 2006
Posts: 4
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| Posted: Wed May 03, 2006 9:48 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks Al,
I am looking forward to feeling much better over the next couple of months. |
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aklap
Joined: 02 Oct 2004
Posts: 8614
Location: WI, USA
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| Posted: Wed May 03, 2006 9:51 pm Post subject: |
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| cocoa smurf wrote: | Ok, sorry about all the posts. I have my results here:
Gliadin IgA (EIA): this reading was >100 units when the normal range is <20
Transglutaminase IgA Ab: This reading was also >100 AU/ml when the normal range is <7.
My total IgA was 2.43
Does anyone know what this means? |
Most labs will use their own reference ranges, so it's good that you included the "normal" figures.
The Anti-Gliadin IgA is an anti-body that your body produces as a reaction to gluten (and other things too if I remember correctly). This is a old test by today's standard. It's consider not specific or sensitive enough. BUT...it can show if a person is gluten sensitive without necessarily having CD.
The TtG IgA is looking for villi damage, or specifically a result of villi damage. This is one of the latest/greatest tests for CD. It's highly specific and sensitive for CD.
The Total IgA will tell if you are IgA Deficient. Some people will not produce IgA. If that is the case, your IgA test could be inaccurate because you're not able to produce those antibodies anyway.
It looks like your doc covered all the bases. He/She tested for Gluten Sensitvity, Villi Damage & IgA deficiency. Well done!!
I hope that explains things a bit. Don't be afraid to ask more questions. We'll do our best to answer them for you.
I ran across the reasons why there are 2 different ways to spell celiac - but I don't remember what they are. I'll have to try to find it again. 
Take care! Good luck in your GF Journey. From what I've seen, the Land of Oz seems to be a fairly GF friendly place.
_________________
Al
“We cannot all do great things, but we can do small things with great love.” Mother Teresa |
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Noatak
Joined: 13 Nov 2005
Posts: 492
Location: Massachusetts
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| Posted: Thu May 04, 2006 9:41 am Post subject: |
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G'day, cocoa smurf!
I was in the same boat as yourself. Although you did not say if you suffered any symptoms of CD, I am assuming you did because you were tested. My bloodwork was through the roof like yours...almost the same numbers. At the time of testing, I was very sick with CD and losing weight daily. I went and had the bloodwork and as I felt I could not wait for an appointment with a GI doctor, I went GF. My symptoms dramatically improved after only 3 days and now I wouldn't intentionally eat gluten if you paid me. I guess I fall into the camp of those that trust what their body is telling them and don't require a picture of damaged villi to prove to me what I already know.
Everyone has to make their own choices in life but if you decide for the procedure, keep one thing in mind. You can still have CD but throw a negative biopsy. You have to have damaged villi for it show and some celiac's haven't reached that point yet or their doctor's don't take enough samples on the test. A friend of mine recently went through this and regrets her decision for the biopsy. Her bloodwork and biopsy were negative but she definitely cannot tolerate gluten....gets very sick. However, her family are not supportive and think she is a hypochondriac
as there isn't any paper proof of damage. Luckily, her doctor has classified her as "Celiac sensitive" and supports her going GF.
You have to do whatever makes you comfortable but judging from your bloodwork, sounds like you have it. Have you gone GF and if so, how are you feeling? |
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ostrich
Joined: 30 Mar 2006
Posts: 4176
Location: Nebraska
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| Posted: Thu May 04, 2006 9:57 am Post subject: |
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| Noatak wrote: | A friend of mine recently went through this and regrets her decision for the biopsy. Her bloodwork and biopsy were negative but she definitely cannot tolerate gluten....gets very sick. However, her family are not supportive and think she is a hypochondriac
as there isn't any paper proof of damage. Luckily, her doctor has classified her as "Celiac sensitive" and supports her going GF. |
That's the problem...most people aren't willing to accept something unless an expert "certifies" it. Otherwise it's all in your head.
_________________
Ostrich :>--O==={
I lie below, you float above
In the pretty white ships that I am dreaming of |
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Noatak
Joined: 13 Nov 2005
Posts: 492
Location: Massachusetts
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| Posted: Thu May 04, 2006 11:11 am Post subject: |
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It is a huge problem...people aren't willing to trust their own bodies anymore and the medical community generally puts out the message it has to come from a doctor with a report in his hand to be true! My friend was really having a hard time with it and her family are horrible to her. I have continually given her support and links to food so she is happier and more content with it. I told her point blank I believe her and she does have a form of CD or sensitivity to gluten so she should trust her judgement. Plus, is it really normal to take a daily dose of Immodium?  |
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