New And Unsure

[MistyRG]

I recently gave birth to my 5th child and had a horrible itchy rash break out on my elbows and arms . . . then my knees. All my research said DH, but I had no other symptoms and dismissed it. Then I read a blog about a mom who had no stomach issues but a few others and was diagnosed with celiac. I decided to get tested . . . just in case. Now, reading stories and blogs, it's like a light bulb is exploding!!!!

Here are the results I have so far:

TTG IgA - 6.6 (4-10 is a weak positive)

Gliadin AB, Deamid. IgG - 72.3 (>30 positive)

Gliadin AB, Deamid. IgA - 18.4 (<20 negative)

Endomysial IgA - 1:20 (expected range <1:10 - weak positive)

Anyone clue me in to what this all means???

I am waiting for the referral to a gastroenterologist, and I guess we'll go from there.

Honestly, it was just the rash that made the wheels start turning. Now, I realize so many other things could be linked. It will be nice to have an answer . . . even if it is life changing!!!

[Cara in Boston]

Pregnancy can be a trigger for celiac disease.

If you still have the rash, I believe they can do a biopsy on that for a diagnosis. But, with your positive blood tests, you already have your answer. The GI will probably want to do an endoscopy. Whatever the results of that, you should go gluten free after the test based on your blood tests alone.

DO NOT go gluten free (it is very tempting to experiment) until after you are done with all the tests.

Also, you should have your children tested - even if there is no symptoms. Test every few years after that - sooner if one develops symptoms. Let your family know as well. All first degree relatives (parents, siblings, children) should be tested.

Welcome to GLUTEN FREE! It is not as hard as it first seems. I got lots of help and tips from this board and a year later, I feel great.

Cara

[beachbirdie]

I recently gave birth to my 5th child and had a horrible itchy rash break out on my elbows and arms . . . then my knees. All my research said DH, but I had no other symptoms and dismissed it. Then I read a blog about a mom who had no stomach issues but a few others and was diagnosed with celiac. I decided to get tested . . . just in case. Now, reading stories and blogs, it's like a light bulb is exploding!!!!

Here are the results I have so far:

TTG IgA 6.6 4-10 weak positive

Gliadin AB, Deamid. IgG 72.3 >30 positive

Gliadin AB, Deamid. IgA 18.4 <20 negative

They also told me on the phone that my EMA was a weak positive. 1-10 is normal, I am 1-20.

Anyone clue me in to what this all means???

I am waiting for the referral to a gastroenterologist, and I guess we'll go from there.

Honestly, it was just the rash that made the wheels start turning. Now, I realize so many other things could be linked. It will be nice to have an answer . . . even if it is life changing!!!

You have some positive celiac tests. The EMA tests antibodies to a specific kind of tissue, a thin layer that covers muscle tissue. If that is positive, it indicates autoimmune damage to the lining of your intestine. The TtG test is also a test of autoimmune activity against your gut.

The positive gliadin antibodies show that your body is reacting negatively to gluten, actually seeing the gluten as an invader and attacking it...those gliadin tests are NOT about autoimmunity, but still point to a possible celiac diagnosis.

You would be fortunate indeed to have gotten an answer so quickly! Most celiac patients don't get diagnosed for years, I think average is about eleven.

Welcome to the forum!

[MistyRG]

Thank you for the replies.

I guess I'm wondering if these results can mean something else, or if I can just hang it up and call it what it is!!! I'm guessing that I will at least have to cut out gluten. As far as an official Celiac diagnosis, I will probably have to wait for the biopsy. But do these results pretty much mean Celiac or could they point to something else?

Sorry if I sound like I'm in denial or grasping at straws!!!! LOL

[squirmingitch]

They pretty much or a lot much mean Celiac. That's why everyone is saying welcome to the board which I will echo. Ask anything, anytime. And now is a good time to start reading a LOT of posts on here so you'll be ready after the endoscopy. Read the newbie 101 & everything you can read on here. You can start making lists now. That way you won't freak out in a panic & get all overwhelmed. You'll just start planning & organizing now.

[MistyRG]

Thanks . . .

I have been reading this forum (and any other website showing up in google!) all day!!

I have said that while this isn't optimum, it does explain A LOT (though I don't have a lot of symptoms), and it is good to have answers.

One part that is really getting to me is my father died from non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. I wonder if he had undiagnosed Celiac.

Now begins my push for family members to get tested.

Thanks again. I am not going to be uneducated when I walk in that office!!!

[beachbirdie]

Thanks . . .

I have been reading this forum (and any other website showing up in google!) all day!!

I have said that while this isn't optimum, it does explain A LOT (though I don't have a lot of symptoms), and it is good to have answers.

One part that is really getting to me is my father died from non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. I wonder if he had undiagnosed Celiac.

Now begins my push for family members to get tested.

Thanks again. I am not going to be uneducated when I walk in that office!!!

I'm so sorry to hear about your father. It's hard to look back and think how things might have been different with a little bit of knowledge .

My mom has early stage multiple myeloma (not yet malignant) and indications of possible non-Hodgkins lymphoma as well. Both supposedly can be related to celiac.

Hope you'll be able to get your family on board so they can protect themselves before they get any kind of sickness/damage!

[MitziG]

Your tests show you have celiac. The tests you had were specific for it, and you would not be showing positive for another reason.

The biopsy may or may not show celiac. Depending on how severe the damage is, they may not biopsy the correct spot. Unfortunately, most drs will say you don't have celiac if the biopsy is negative. Which is unfortunate because false negative biopsies are very common.

You have celiac. After the biopsy go gluten-free. And welcome to the boards!