Jump to content
This site uses cookies. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. More Info... ×

  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):

    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

Celiacs False-positives For Other Things

Saoirse

Recommended Posts

Saoirse Newbie
Saoirse
Posted

Hi,

Have been newly diagnosed with celiac disease. I also had a false-positive result for Hepatitis C. Was

wondering if this is common with celiac diseas.

Saoirse

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


Lisa Mentor
Lisa
Posted

Through Celiac blood screening and an endoscopy/biopsy testing Celiac Disease can be ruled in, but not ruled out. There are no false positives, only false negatives.

Welcome to the Club! :D

Electra Enthusiast
Electra
Posted
Hi,

Have been newly diagnosed with celiac disease. I also had a false-positive result for Hepatitis C. Was

wondering if this is common with celiac diseas.

Saoirse

False positives are pretty much unheard of, but I'm sure it's happened before. I'm also sure that it's more then extremely rare, and that it's only happened with ignorant(meaning uninformed or uneducated) doctors.

Saoirse Newbie
Saoirse
Posted
  • Author
Through Celiac blood screening and an endoscopy/biopsy testing Celiac Disease can be ruled in, but not ruled out. There are no false positives, only false negatives.

Welcome to the Club! :D

Hi Momma Goose,

Thanks for the welcome. I read that something like 35% of people who do not have hepatitis C will test positive on a screening for hep c. Some of those people its because they have autoimmune diseases. Celiac disease is an autoimmune disease that can affect the liver so I was just wondering

if anybody on the forum had that happen to them. Something to think about --especially if you give blood because they test for all sorts of things that can come up "false positive"

Saoirse Newbie
Saoirse
Posted
  • Author

Hi again,

I have confused everyone. What I meant by previous post was has anyone on the forum gotten "false positive" results for other diseases because they have celiac disease. I have been told that people with autoimmune diseases like we do will test positive for diseases that they acutally do not have.

Saoirse

Lisa Mentor
Lisa
Posted

https://www.celiac.com/articles/21501/1/Cel...ders/Page1.html

I'm not sure that this will answer you question, but it's interesting.

Tim-n-VA Contributor
Tim-n-VA
Posted

from the website Open Original Shared Link

TTG false positivity has been described in patients with both type I diabetes and autoimmune hepatitis. Theoretically, it can also be falsely positive in other autoimmune disease.

Now you have two different items on websites telling you conflicting information. :)

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


melmak5 Contributor
melmak5
Posted

dr. green's book also notes that there can be false ttg positives because of other autoimmune disease/disorders

i really wish someone would do a research study on the phenomenon

Saoirse Newbie
Saoirse
Posted
  • Author
https://www.celiac.com/articles/21501/1/Cel...ders/Page1.html

I'm not sure that this will answer you question, but it's interesting.

Thanks Momma Goose

Yes that site was helpful. It looks like we are at risk for autoimmune hepatitis if we don't stay away from the gluten. So that does mean we are more likely to have a "false-positve" hepatitis c result.

Saiorse

mamaw Community Regular
mamaw
Posted

When I met Dr. Fasano , I asked that question because I was told I had a false positive. He agreed it happens......not often but it happens

WW340 Rookie
WW340
Posted

I think most people are reading your question incorrectly.

How were you tested for hepatitis C?

Was it through blood screening for blood donation?

Those tests are screenings and are more prone to false positives. Since you already know it is a false positive, I assume you have had further testing.

The test is very sensitive, but it is not very specific, so every positive test must be followed up with a more specific test.

Any autoimmune disease has the potential to cause a false positive in this test. The screening test is looking for antibodies and can react in a person that has a lot of antibodies from another disease.

I have not seen anything that specifically noted a link between celiac and a false positive hepatitis C, but given that celiac is an autoimmune disease, it makes sense that it could be the cause of your false positive.

Betty in Texas Newbie
Betty in Texas
Posted

My GI also thought I had hepatitis after he did the scope and when he read the lads reports He ask me if I had ever had hepatitis I said no. He said my liver counts were off the charts and said he was going to run some more test. I had no ideal what he was running and when he call me in and told me it was celiac I had no ideal what that was I thought it was some kind of cancer but he was so good and really took a lot of time and explain every thing to me and told me to read a lot of book on it and learn . He said this is for life and no turning back.

Saoirse Newbie
Saoirse
Posted
  • Author
I think most people are reading your question incorrectly.

How were you tested for hepatitis C?

Was it through blood screening for blood donation?

Those tests are screenings and are more prone to false positives. Since you already know it is a false positive, I assume you have had further testing.

The test is very sensitive, but it is not very specific, so every positive test must be followed up with a more specific test.

Any autoimmune disease has the potential to cause a false positive in this test. The screening test is looking for antibodies and can react in a person that has a lot of antibodies from another disease.

I have not seen anything that specifically noted a link between celiac and a false positive hepatitis C, but given that celiac is an autoimmune disease, it makes sense that it could be the cause of your false positive.

Yes I am quite convinced that the screening test was positive because of celiac. I was quite sick with allergy symptoms and had been eating a lot of wheat products. When I was retested I had been gluten free. If there are so many of us out there its possible they are being misdiagnosed with other things if

their doctor doesn't think of celiac. My nurse practioner never even heard of it. It is a shame so many peole don't know about celiac

Thanks

cruelshoes Enthusiast
cruelshoes
Posted

All the links people have posted thus far have to do with autoimmune hepatitis. Autoimmune hepatitis and hepatitis C are not the same thing. Hep C is caused by a virus that you get from blood-to-blood contact. It may seem like splitting hairs, but I believe the distinction is important, both as it relates to the diagnosis and treatment of Hep C.

It is possible to have a false positive for hepatitis C (Open Original Shared Link), but is does not necessarily have anything to do with Celiac Disease. Anyone in the general population can have a false-positive because of the nature of the blood tests.

Glad you got to the bottom of things on your diagnosis.

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):


  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      127,861
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    Farca
    Newest Member
    Farca
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121k
    • Total Posts
      70.5k
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):


  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • Scott Adams
      Opinions on my test results/symptoms

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      Villi damage is caused by celiac disease, which does not happen in NCGS, although some people with NCGS do have elevated antibody levels. Some people with NCGS who have the genes for celiac disease may end up developing celiac disease, so in some people NCGS may be a precursor to celiac disease, but more research needs to be done on NCGS. Both low iron and vitamin D are common symptoms of celiac disease. Also, regarding beer:  
    • Scott Adams
      Vaccines

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      It’s true that some vaccines contain small amounts of preservatives, stabilizers, or adjuvants to ensure their safety and effectiveness. For example: Thimerosal: A preservative that contains ethylmercury (not to be confused with methylmercury, which is toxic). Most routine vaccines no longer contain thimerosal, except for some flu vaccines in multi-dose vials. Aluminum: Used in very small amounts as an adjuvant to boost the immune response. The amount is far below levels considered harmful, but if you suspect an aluminum allergy, it’s worth discussing with your doctor. Sugar alcohols: These are sometimes used as stabilizers, but they are generally well-tolerated. If you have a known intolerance, you can ask about specific ingredients in each vaccine. Since you mentioned an intolerance to metals and jewelry, it’s a good idea to follow up with allergy testing, as you planned. This can help identify specific metals (e.g., nickel, aluminum) to avoid. Your doctor can then guide you on whether any vaccine ingredients might be a concern. Since the Mayo Clinic has already identified potential allergies, it might be helpful to consult an allergist or immunologist. They can review your medical history, perform tests, and provide personalized advice on vaccines and their ingredients. While it’s important to address your intolerances, it’s also worth considering the risks of not being vaccinated. Many vaccine-preventable diseases can have serious consequences, especially for those with underlying health conditions. 
    • knitty kitty
      Hidden Gluten in distilled vinegar

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      @Manaan2, I was on Miralax for several months after I crushed three vertebrae and fractured my hip.  The compression fractures of my vertebrae affected the Vagus nerve that stimulates digestion and intestinal movement, peristalsis. Miralax just didn't relieve the constipation I was experiencing at all.  Nothing budged.  I tried Milk of Magnesia (magnesium oxide) which pulls water into the digestive tract, and found that rather harsh and dehydrating.   Bad idea. I was already taking thiamine in various forms, Benfotiamine, TTFD (tetrahydrofurfuryl  disulfude), Lipothiamine and Allithiamine.  Click on my name, then Activities in the pull down menu to get to my blog to learn more about my journey with thiamine.   Since we need more thiamine when we are physically ill and emotionally stressed, I decided to focus on TTFD,  Benfotiamine, and magnesium l-threonate.  Within a week of increasing my doses a bit, my constipation was gone.  It took several more months to heal the compressed nerve damage.  For pain, I take a combination of TTFD, Pyridoxine B 6, and  Cobalamine B12 which together have an analgesic effect.  I can't function with pharmaceutical pain killers, besides they cause constipation.   Mechanisms of action of vitamin B1 (thiamine), B6 (pyridoxine), and B12 (cobalamin) in pain: a narrative review https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35156556/ Yes, I did just stop the Miralax, but I wasn't on it as long as your daughter.  Yes, there's a difference between adults and children.  Yes, my circumstances were different than your daughter's, but thiamine deficiency does affect the nerves and the brain.  A twenty percent increase in dietary thiamine causes an eighty percent increase in brain function (which activates the Vagus nerve and controls digestion).   I recommend you visit Dr. Chandler Marrs' website, hormonesmatter.com.  Dr. Marrs worked with Dr. Derrick Longsdale, a pioneer in thiamine research, specifically with children and autism spectrum disorders.  She has been very helpful to me when I reached out to her.  She would be better able to guide you about your daughter's care. https://hormonesmatter.com/sibo-ibs-constipation-thiamine-deficiency/#google_vignette Do stay in touch, please.  You can start another thread or personal message me any time.  My heart goes out to you, your husband, and especially your daughter.   Namaste
    • Manaan2
      Hidden Gluten in distilled vinegar

      By Manaan2 · Posted

      @knitty kitty  The information you've provided is invaluable!  I have a lot more homework to do before we make the official switch but you have significantly increased my hope that we can get her off Miralax (she started at 3 years old and is almost 8!).  This weekend my husband and I plan to solidify all the details for a start point, then adjust as we go along.  I realize that everyone's body is different, then there's also the fact that she's a child but just out of curiosity if you don't mind sharing and if you'd rather not, no problem at all-how long did you take Miralax before switching and when you switched, did you just completely stop the Miralax or was there a period where you did Miralax and the supplements?  I plan to research that piece this weekend but just curious what you did.  
    • BIg Nodge
      Opinions on my test results/symptoms

      By BIg Nodge · Posted

      Scott, thanks so much for the thoughtful replies. My doctor did actually just re-order thyroid labs to see what is going on with my TPOs. I agree that will be interesting information.  I think I know the answer to this, but as far as the biopsy . . .. that would be quite conclusive as far as celiac goes, but a negative result would not rule out NCGS, correct? Does NCGS also cause damage to the lower intestine/leaky gut?  I appreciate the thought that I should be open-minded to other causes. I did not have dysautonomia on my radar, so I will look into that. From a quick scan at the potential symptoms it seems like almost anyone could convince themselves they have it, very broad! I can see why that is a tricky one to diagnose. I did also show low vitamin D, I'm in New England so that is somewhat common. I have a memory of low iron on some lab result as well but I can't find it, so I'll look into that. My cholesterol is high too, so working on that.  While the initial adjustment was tough, I have actually adapted fairly well to going gluten-free at home. The tough part for me is I love eating out and traveling, so that has been a challenge. I suppose if the answer ends up being NCGS then I could maintain a mostly gluten-free diet but also experiment with the occasional splurges. Snowboarding just doesn't feel right without a beer in the lodge . . ... cider is just not the same!  Thanks again.  
×
×
  • Create New...