I am not sure which part of the small intestine can be tested for celiac. The duodenum, jejunum and ileum are all somewhat different. I have only heard of it done via EGD.

 

But, the first diagnostic step is not a biopsy, but an antibody blood test. If you suspect celiac, I suggest you ask for that first.

 

https://celiac.org/celiac-dise...sing-celiac-disease/

 

Jan

 

We did the blood panel to test for it for me. It's truly a panel of tests, not just one, though. I can tell you which tests if you want, just have to access my chart, if interested.

I had 2 come back positive, so because of that, my GI added an upper scope (EGD) to biopsy the duodenum. It is, I do believe, the duodenum they want biopsies of to test for Celiac. My biopsies were clear, but because of my 2 positive tests, he said I likely have a gluten sensitivity or intolerance, similar to my lactose intolerance. And it's true; too much of, say, bread or noodles, and I'm bloating and miserable.

panel of tests ?? i would like to know which ones you had.. I too have only heard of the IgA test which is the one my daughter had.  The test says 0-20 is the standard range and my daughter tested a 26 which is a weak positive. Her endocrine doctor stated its just a screen so it does not confirm but needs to have the biopsy to confirm. She has no symptoms of celiac, never has. Only reason she was tested is because of her mosaic Turners syndrome, and they are more prone to get it for whaetver reason. It was just part of all the blood screens.

If someone tolerates gluten just fine then it seems like a questionable idea to chase a diagnosis they clearly don't have. Poucho, it might be worth asking them what they are trying to accomplish with the biopsy.

 

If poorly explained digestive problems are going on, that's a completely different story, and well worth getting a diagnosis.

Scott, are you asking about me or my daughter ? I always have pain in my abdomin. I have had UC so long before my surgeries, and now I just chalk it up to multiple surgeries. I just wonder if its a gluten issue. I am going to get a blood screen for it when i get my preop blood work done.

Here are the ones my GI performed on me, these are my results, too.  So there were 5 tests in the panel. This was copy and pasted from the "Celiac Panel."  My tests were + for (1) and (5).

(1)  Evaluation of Transglutaminase Ab (IgA)
titer results:

Negative: Less than 20
Weak positive: 20 to 30
Positive: Greater than 30

Transglutaminase Ab is present in
approximately 95% to 100% of patients
with celiac disease and 80% of patients
with dermatitis herpetiformis.The
antibody is rarely found in other
conditions. Transglutaminase Ab levels
will decrease or increase depending on
the removal or reintroduction of gluten
into the diet. Patients who are IgA
deficient develop celiac disease more
frequently than individuals who have an
intact IgA system. Therefore, gliadin
and transglutaminase IgA antibodies may
be absent in patients with celiac
disease. IgG antibodies to gliadin are
especially helpful in IgA deficient
patients.
Gliadin Ab IgA <20 AU

MY Result:  30 H


(2)  Evaluation of Gliadin Abs (IgG,IgA)
results:

Negative: Less than 20
Weak positive: 20 to 30
Positive: Greater than 30

Both IgG and IgA antibodies to gliadin
are present in most patients with celiac
disease (CD). However, the antibodies
are not specific for CD. Antibody to
gliadin may be present in Crohn's
disease, dermatitis herpetiformis or in
subjects with no clinical evidence of
intestinal disease. In healthy
individuals with a family history of CD
the antibodies may precede the clinical
onset of disease in approximately 25% of
the subjects.
Gliadin antibody levels will decrease or
increase depending on the removal or
reintroduction of gluten into the diet.
Patients who are IgA deficient develop
celiac disease more frequently than
individuals who have an intact IgA
system. Therefore, gliadin and
transglutaminase IgA antibodies may be
absent in patients with celiac disease.
IgG antibodies to gliadin are especially
helpful in IgA deficient patients.
Gliadin Ab IgG <20

MY result:  AU 2


(3) IGG, SERUM 751-1560 mg/dL 1230

(4)  IGA 82-453 mg/dL 377


(5)  IGM 40-274 mg/dL 276 H
General Information

Poucho, I was talking about your daughter. Sorry for any confusion.

I just found out that I was tested for Celiac in 2008 before my surgery and it was negative. Not that I think I have it but I was told just because you test negative for it once does not mean you cant come down with it years later? true?

Gluten intolerance can develop over time, so if you think you have developed new symptoms since you were last tested, it makes sense to have the screening bloodwork done.

 

Jan

I'm pretty sure it was a blood screen in 2008.  Jan, you say gluten "intolerance" can develope over time, cant Celiac as well? If you have the scope and biopsy done and it does not show celiac, cant it show up later in life still?

 

and who knows if i have symptoms? lol. with all my surgeries and on and off pain, I would not be able to tell if it was from something i ate or just my normal aches and pains..lol

Celiac disease is gluten intolerance. What sets it apart from a gluten sensitivity is that there is damage to the intenstinal villi from the inflammatory response. A non-celiac sensitivity is much more common and does not damage the intestines.

http://www.celiaccentral.org/n...ion-and-definitions/

 

Either way, intolerance or sensitivity can develop over time. Of course, you can self test by going gluten free to see if that improves your symptoms. You just can't do that shortly before testing or you can get a false negative.

 

Jan