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Blood tests for Celiac in children

Posted , 3 users are following.

sharon7911
sharon7911

Hi

Im convinced my daughter has celiac, her symptoms are exactly the same as mine before I was diagnosed and she's so ill now. Her Dr has done a anti ttg blood test which was negative. On the celiec website it says a total Iga and Iga ttg blood test should be carried out. Are these different, should I ask for more tests? Hate seeing her so unwell. 

1 like, 4 replies

4 Replies

  • kristal9
    kristal9 sharon7911

    Posted

    Some people will have lower results of immunoglobulin A, and this will give a false result to quantitative tests for antibodies. That is hereditary, though, if memory serves.

    In any case, the only definitive test is the biopsy. Ask for that test next.

    • kristal9
      kristal9

      Posted

      Also, she might have an intolerance (which I have) as the symptoms are very similar. It just takes longer to develop in the case of non-celiac gluten intolerance, and the only test for that is to exclude gluten for a month and see whether the symptoms go away.
  • kristal9
    kristal9 sharon7911

    Posted

    Uggh, I meant lower overall amount of IgA, not results.
  • laurie99463
    laurie99463 sharon7911

    Posted

    Hi Sharon,

    Your doctor is on the right track. Keep in mind the tests only are valid if the patient is eating a normal gluten-containing diet. Although EMA and TTG are very good screening tests, neither has 100% reliability.  Therefore, if there is a very high suspicion that an individual has Celiac Sprue and the antibody tests are negative, biopsy should still be considered.

    Laurie

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