Antibody Test

[VeronicaTheCeliac]

I was diagnosed with celiac disease at the end of February of 2020 with blood test levels of over 250. I have been completely gluten free for about 4 months now and went to redo the blood test and my levels have decreased to 79. Is it possible  that because my levels were so high it is just taking longer for the antibody to go back to normal or could there be a hidden case of gluten. I have only been eating gluten certified foods and whole foods (meat, fruits and veggies) the only thing I'm thinking could be my birth control (i'm on YAZ). Is this normal?

[Scott Adams]

This number typically goes down after a few months, so it does make sense to double check your diet to be sure it is 100% gluten-free. Do you eat out at restaurants? I ask because this is a common source of contamination:

 

 It is also a good idea to double check any medications you take regularly, as well as lipstick, lip gloss, and cosmetic products.

[rehh05]

  On 7/22/2020 at 12:40 AM, VeronicaTheCeliac said:

I was diagnosed with celiac disease at the end of February of 2020 with blood test levels of over 250. I have been completely gluten free for about 4 months now and went to redo the blood test and my levels have decreased to 79. Is it possible  that because my levels were so high it is just taking longer for the antibody to go back to normal or could there be a hidden case of gluten. I have only been eating gluten certified foods and whole foods (meat, fruits and veggies) the only thing I'm thinking could be my birth control (i'm on YAZ). Is this normal?

Expand Quote  

Also you might be getting cross contaminated by things in your kitchen. Your cutting board, your pasta drainer, inadvertent crumbs from other people. Believe it or not, affectionate significant others who consume gluten can spread gluten to you. Gluten is very sneaky. 

[cyclinglady]

No!  Antibodies can take over a year to normalize.  You are doing just fine.  Doctors look for a downward trend.  Once normalized, if they become elevated again, it may be cause for concern.  This link for a reputable celiac research center explains it well: 
 

https://celiacdiseasecenter.columbia.edu/celiac-disease/follow-up/

The celiac antibodies tests were designed to help diagnose celiac disease and NOT really meant  to check for dietary compliance.  Why do doctors and major celiac centers recommend them for follow-up testing?  Because they are the only non-evasive tool-in-toolbox.  The best way to determine healing is a repeat endoscopy.   Most GIs will wait 3 to 5 years  to re-scope because they know it takes time for the vast majority of celiacs to master the diet.