[ryan7193]

Hi all,

Long story short, I was diagnosed with IBS 4 years ago following a stomach virus. Celiac blood testing/endoscopy and colonoscopy all negative back then. Over the years my symptoms havn't improved so I went to a new specialist.

New blood test results are;

Deamidated Glaidin IgA - 34 u/ml (normal <15)
Deamidated Glaidin IgG - 71 u/ml (normal <15)
Tissue Transglutamunase IgA - 98 u/ml (normal <15)
Tissue Transglutamunase IgG - <1 (normal <15)

I am going in for a biopsy in a few weeks.

Can anyone tell me if these results are normal levels for someone with celiac disease? Obviously 3 positive results point towards something.

I have never been on a gluten free diet for more than 2 weeks

Thanks

[glenntaj]

--you likely have celiac. In particular, the transglutaminase IgA result is the most specific for villious damage in the small intestine.

Though the finding of atrophy of intestinal villi is the gold standard for celiac diagnosis, often when samples are taken during endoscopy doctors unfamiliar with the protocols don't take enough samples from enough places. The damage caused by celiac is not uniform and is often patchy. The protocols cal for taken 8-12 samples from many different segments of the intestine, not just 1-2 fro the area below the duodenum, which often happens in a "standard" endoscopic biopsy.

Nevertheless, looks like it's time for that gluten-free diet.

[mrsD]

Given that new alarming information is surfacing that up to 30% of endoscopes are not cleaned properly and therefore introduce
bacteria into the patient (some are the superbug incurable type),
I'd accept the blood work at this time, and not have the endoscope. You could always have it done down the line, if need be.

You have enough evidence for Celiac now... and you should start the gluten free life ASAP.

Get some nutrient tests instead. B12, zinc, magnesium, folate to start. See how much you have been malabsorbing nutrients.
Most Celiacs have combinations of nutrient deficiencies due to the disturbed mucosa of the GI tract.