I had a salivary IgA test done last year at the behest of my chiropractor. The lab came back with a level of 50 on a test where normal was 1-12 and 13 was borderline and 15 was positive (this according the the lab report). The chiropractor did not suggest a follow up with a GI for a biopsy though my family doctor suggested it several weeks after I had gone gluten free. At the time I was told I could either have celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity and biopsy was the only way to determine which. As money was tight and going gluten free was the only viable option regardless of the outcome, I opted not to have a biopsy done. I have since read that a positive IgA test means the person has a 97% probability of having celiac disease (http://www.celiac.com/articles/57/1/Interpretation-of-Celiac-Disease-Blood-Test-Results/Page1.html). I also read in the Jump Start Your Gluten Free Diet by the Chicago Celiac Disease Center (http://www.celiacdisease.net/assets/documents/Jump_Start_Your_Gluten-Free_Diet__5_20_2011.pdf) that there is no current diagnostic test for gluten sensitivity. In addition I have seen your video about intestinal biopsy no longer being considered the “gold standard” for determining celiac disease.

I have never had the gastrointestinal problems associated with Celiac disease (which is why no one, not even me, thought to test me for gluten intolerance). My primary complaint that sent me to the chiropractor was migraine headaches. Other minor issues (that I now think may be related to gluten intake) include problems with chronic sinusitis, low iron count, fatigue, dizziness, balance problems, depression, and tooth problems. I’ve not yet had a bone density test, though my doctor recommended it due to having broken several bones in the last couple of years. I was also prone to canker sores as a child (it was a common symptom in my family–we always had a supply of kenalog in orabase on hand).

Since going gluten free, my headaches have greatly diminished and I can go weeks, if not months without a migraine requiring a dose of Zomig which is the only thing besides Imitrex that can stop one of my severe headaches. My iron levels have improved and I have been able to resume regular blood donations every couple of months.

At this stage, having been gluten free for over a year, are there any tests that I should talk to my doctor about having done? Also would it be safe to say that the likelihood that what I have is celiac disease and not non-celiac gluten sensitivity is fairly high? I am concerned in large part for the possibility that other members of my family may be undiagnosed with this condition. I know one niece also had a positive test for anti-gliadin antibodies and is also living gluten free now.

Hello Janet,

You bring up many good questions and it certainly seems that gluten intolerance has been playing a role in your health.

It is wise to find out if you have celiac disease or gluten sensitivity in order to educate your family about it. All too often gluten is insidiously and silently creating ill health with no one suspecting its role.

While you cannot do a traditional blood test since you’ve been gluten-free for so long, you certainly CAN do a genetic test. Genes will tell the tale as regards celiac vs. gluten sensitivity.

An easy and relatively inexpensive way to get it done is through Enterolab (enterolab.com). They are on-line and they will work with you directly.

They provide interpretation of the results but if you have any questions do feel free to contact me.

The test is a simple swab of the mouth so it is easy and painless.

Other tests that would be very important are testing for a leaky gut, cross reactive foods and hidden infections.

Your doctor is likely unfamiliar with these unless he or she is pretty cutting edge in this area.

It is critical for the gut to be fully healed, regardless if you have celiac or gluten sensitivity.

I would be happy to assist you in this arena as well. It is one of the reasons that we became a destination clinic – to assist those across the country and internationally who weren’t getting the help they needed.

As a final note, I would need to know a bit more specifics about the test that you take as regards IgA but unless it was for tTG, which is typically a blood test, I haven’t found that a positive IgA salivary test correlates as highly as you mentioned with celiac disease.

The genetic test will tell the tale.

To your good health,
Dr Vikki