Coeliac Blood test - if you haven't eaten gluten for a few days

[BestIsWest]

Hi all

I was sent for a blood test for Coeliac by my Endocrinologist as part of investigations to find out why my vitamin D is so low. It was completely out of the blue - it had never even entered my head that I might be Coeliac but once I got home and looked up the symptoms it all sounded very likely.

However the blood test came back negative.

I went straight from his clinic to the hospital for the blood test. I had just started a diet and I hadn't eaten gluten for 3 or 4 days. Would this have been long enough to have affected the blood test? Should I ask him to repeat it?

I know that my sister was advised to feed my nephew his normal diet right up until he had his coeliac test or else it would have skewed the results. Don't know if 3 days would make the difference, perhaps you could speak to the doctor about it

It could make a difference, yes. Worth speaking to your doctor about and finding out exactly what the result was (it may have been borderline). Also, it is possible to have false negatives with this test.

They recommend having gluten daily for 6 weeks before blood tests,

Hi - 3 days off the gluten is unlikely to make a difference but you should raise this with your Dr. Many people have false negatives for the IgA test as they have IgA deficiency - you should ask for IgG to be tested as well. Also check they tested for both Tissue transglutaminase antibody (shortened to 'tTGA') and
Endomysial antibody (shortened to 'EMA'). As these are the most accurate blood tests for Coeliac Disease. Saying that - your vitamin D can be low due to many gastro problems and other auto-immune issues e.g. has your Endochrinologist also checked for Pernicious Anemia (a test to check your level of intrinsic factor), or Thyroid Function? All of these can cause v low Vitamin D. Good luck with your diagnosis.

Thanks so much. I will ask to be tested again. I have hyperparathyroidism and have had one Endo tell me that may be suppressing my absorption of Vitamin D and another one tell me different. Thyroid function is ok.