Hi -- I finally got my results from Enterolab:

Fecal Antigliadin IgA 23 (Normal Range <10 Units)

Fecal Antitissue Transglutaminase IgA 16 Units (Normal Range <10 Units)

Quantitative Microscopic Fecal Fat Score <300 Units (Normal Range <300 Units)

Ok -- question -- I have a GI appointment next week and was going to ask that I get an endoscopy to test for Celiac (my blood came back negative, but the whole panel was not run) -- since the fecal fat score was normal from Enterolab -- does that mean than I have no intestinal damage and that it would not show up on an endoscopy if he did it? I do have anemia and I figured that had something to do w/ not absorbing nutrients, but they say I am absorbing ok.

Any ideas?
Thanks a bunch!!!!

Which of the test did they run threw blood?

I would think there wont be any damage, but i am not 100 percent sure on this. I would just ask for the scope and see what they say, it wont hurt to ask, none the less im sure the dr will label you gluten intolerant.

Did you get your genes tested also?

paula

i didn't get the gene test from Enterolab -- i probably should've, but I couldn't bear the extra $120!
My primary doc just ran Gliadin antibody -- IGA and IGG

What did your Enterolab test result interpretation say? Not having a high fecal fat score does NOT rule out celiac. Actually your positive antitissue transglutaminase score does suggest you have intestinal damage. My naturopath considers that score plus empirical evidence (abstaining eliminates symptoms) enough to indicate celiac disease.

I'm sorry you did not get the celiac gene test or take the Elab complete panel which includes the gene test and a milk test as well as what you took. The gene test would provide even more evidence that you have celiac disease without your having to endure an endoscopy. However I wonder how much you will pay for an endoscopy from your GI?? Would that be less than $120?

You could have anemia, because flattened intestinal villi (from gluten reactions) don't absorb iron. The fecal fat score only indicates you didn't have a huge amount of fat in your stool. That doesn't say anything about how well your body absorbs iron, calcium or other vitamins and minerals from what you eat.

BURDEE

thanks for the reply -- in hindsight, I realize I should've coughed up the extra cash -- my insurance should cover the endoscopy procedure -- I went through Enterolab b/c I had been "diagnosed" w/ IBS for 18 years -- I've been reading so much on this board about Celiac and everybodys wonderful information I have gotten here that I really started to think my symptoms (which are many) sound so much like Celiac -- when I approached my new doctor w/ it, she said that I probably just do have IBS b/c I don't get severe abdominal pain (my pain is actually usually in my back) and thus said I probably don't have Celiac -- it really bummed me out b/c I was thinking, for once, I may actually have a REAL reason I feel so miserable all the time -- I made an appointment w/ a GI doctor by my primary's referral and of course had to wait a few months for the appointment. I started getting some anxiety about seeing the doctor and him not believing me -- I've had such horrible luck w/ doctors (not saying they are all bad, just my luck has been bad) -- that I decided to give Enterolab a try to see if I was on the right track. Anyways. . . I just went on and on . . . . sorry -- I just wanted to say thanks for the answers -- when I read the reply from enterolab, it sounded as though the malabsorption test tested for damage to the intestine, so that's where the confusion came. I'm glad to have found out that that may not be the case.
Thank You so much again and sorry for the ramble!

Yes, the fecal fat score is not specific at all for celiac as I understand.

I do think you should persist for more testing, because you didn't have the most specific of the blood tests. Also there are people with negative blood and positive biopsy. Then if all of that is negative, based on the enterolab do a dietary trial being very strict off gluten. The dietary response is enough to tell you yourself what you need to do, regardless of the doctors give you a label, IMHO.