Had a saliva test and it has come back as having a positive Gliadin Ab test

[WynkenBlynkenandNod]

Did a cortisol saliva test recently, mainly to humour my brother, who kindly paid for it. It has come back as positive for Gliadin Ab with a value of 28 (borderline 13-15, positive over 15), saying that I may be asymptomatic but an ongoing low grade intestinal inflammation following Gliadin intake has been demonstrated.

I was a bit taken a back and just wanted to check if anyone had any info as to how accurate these sort of saliva tests are ? Reading up on gluten intolerance has been interesting. I was ill when I was 17 with chronic UTI's showing no histopathology, stomach bloating that was put down to Candida at the time. Improved and was not too bad for years.

Following DS's birth 8 years ago I haven't been particularly well. I have a gallstone and fibroids. Hair started falling out (it does regrow) a few years ago but put that down to stress . I've always had abdominal bloating that feels like trapped wind on and off but just dismissed it.

Have always struggled with my weight as am always tired and fond I want to eat . I've put most of symptoms down to mix of stress and being overweight. Started losing weight summer 2010 and lost nearly 5 stone by this summer. Slipped badly and am struggling to get back on it. Without meaning to, looking back, I had cut out most gluten as cut right back on carbs and in the spring felt really well. Now gluten is back I feel really bad again and have put back on over a stone.

My brother has been diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis do we have autoimmune issues in family. Beginning to wonder if I could have Celiac's disease but not relishing idea of going to doctor and saying I spat in little vials and test results say etc . Sorry to go on so much, wanted to give as much info as possible. Any thoughts would be very welcome, if just to say those saliva tests are a waste of time and completely unreliable!

Sorry no idea about the tests but wanted to reply!

If cutting out the carbs/gluten helped so much I'd just stick to that, sounds like you might have an intolerance rather than a full blown disease.

Your GP (if worth anything) would not judge you for taking an independant test, but if it's worrying you go & ask to put your mind at rest & then get back on your low carb diet!

You can buy over the counter blood test kits for Coeliacs from Boots. They are pretty accurate these days.

Thank you for replying . I didn't realise you could get one in Boots, I think I'll try that. I've just been talking to my Dad and it sounds as if my cousin has Celiac Disease since childhood. Dad said my Aunt and Uncle never used the words but he had prescriptions for gluten free flour etc.

My brother has Ulcerative Colitis, another cousin has type1 diabetes and the sister of the one with probable CD just diagnosed with Non Hodgkins Lymphoma (siblings of people with CD are twice as likely to get it have just been reading ). Healthy lot aren't we ! Clearly there are autoimmune issues going on though. Will try to get hold of test from Boots and try that.

Right, have done the Boots test, which was negative .That's great apart from the bit at the bottom where it says you can get a false negative with low IGa levels.

Saliva test also measured IGa levels. Normal value 25-60, borderline 20-25. My result was 10. My Mum's was also done and was 18. So now I'm wondering whether my IGa level could have affected the test. And more importantly, DS had blood test back in Spring for various things, including Celiac disease as he developed stomach pain, joint pain hair loss not long after having really bad bout of swine flu. And he doesn't half remind me of my cousin at his age now I think about it. If Mum and I are both low in IGa, am worried that his test could have been affected by this . Although he is lots better than he was, he's always been pretty low in energy, thin and pale etc.

Am thinking I am going to have to go to doctor and wave these things at her and see what she says after all. I guess the worse she can say us don't be ridiculous but I am worried, especially as DH is type 1 diabetic so my children have history of autoimmune related disease on both sides of family potentially .

Good luck. I hope you get sorted out.

Sadly false negatives are quite common with the coeliac blood test (whereas false positives are virtually unheard of). Also, you need to have eaten significant amounts of gluten for at least 6 weeks before the test. The only way to be sure is a biopsy and given your symptoms and family history, I think it might be worth pushing for this if at all possible. Might not be easy though, you'll need to find a sympathetic doctor!