--for neurological symptoms to be a presenting symptom of autoimmune reaction to gluten.

Peripheral neuropathy is one of these (gluten ataxia and seizures are others), and it is prevalent enough that the researchers who have done the work in this area (mostly Latov,Chin, Green, Fasano and Alessio in the US, and most importantly, Hadijvassiliou in Finland) recommend a test for the antibodies in anyone with an otherwise unexplained neuropathy. In fact, there is some evidence that people who present first with neurological symptoms may have a different genetic profile than the "typical" celiac who presents with gastrointestinal issues (the Gluten File details Hadijvassiliou's work in this area).

There are no appreciable villi in the large intestine--was the colonoscopy otherwise unremarkable? (I just had a screening one--no polyps or inflammation found, so I'm good for five years.)

The thyroid issues can make you feel tired/lethargic by themselves. There is a tendency for people with one autoimmune issue to have others, though, so if there is evidence of autoimmunity to the thyroid (with the antibody markers) that's another reason to get the gluten/celiac testing (there are numerous people with both).

Thanks Glenntaj!

The result of my colonoscopy was unremarkable - no polyps or inflammation. Just a segue, my insurance (or most insurance I know) has this guideline on how often to take colonoscopy - if you are at risk, you will be allowed to have another colonoscopy for 3 years or 5 years, depending on your age and other medical conditions. Otherwise, 10 years is the next follow-up.

The tests I will get for Celiac are : IGg/IGa Gliadin Antibodies and Tissue Transglutaminase Antibodies. Are these the tests that I should get for an accurate diagnosis of Celiac/Gluten Intolerant?

I already had taken the antibodies for my thyroid and it was normal. Thank God.

Mary

--are the standard celiac/gluten panel--but they should also measure total IgA, as low total IgA--a common finding--can skew the results of the IgA gliadin and IgA tranglutaminase tests.

There are people who have negative serology who do show villious atrophy on biopsy (some correspondents who are represented in the Gluten File say this may happen into up to 20% of biopsy-proven celiacs). Generally, the anit-transglutaminase assay is more closely correlated with extent of intestinal damage, but there are exceptions.

A number of pharmaceutical companies have been working on "next generation" celiac testing that would be more specific, but none have reached the market yet.

Thanks Glenntaj.
Do you mean the total IGa should be a test in addition to IGg/IGA Gliadin and transglutaminase? Should the doctor add this on the request or is it something that I could ask from the lab?

I am going to have my test tomorrow morning.

Thanks again.

Mary

--see if you can get the doctor to add that total IgA test--if it comes out low, results from the other tests may be skewed.

Thanks. I will try to get the total IGa test from my primary care physician when i get the results of the IGa/IGg Gliadin and Transglutaminase.

it doesn't work that way, it has to have been ordered. See if you can get the doc to call the lab and have them add that test, if they still have your blood speciman