i have high ttg enzymes but no celiac disease, could it be crohns or colitis?

Question

ive been having prolbems with my digestive track an bowels for a long time. ive had many tests done and it came back that my ttgs are high which usually means celiac. but after having a scope of my small intestine done it says that i dont have celiac. my doctor is baffled as to why my ttgs are so high. i just had a colonoscopy done last week an i am waiting for the results. but im worried that it could be crohns or something worse. ive been feeling awful for so long now all i want to do is feel good again. i have no engery no get up and go i seem to be getting sick alot and its really hard with two kids under six. i dont think i should feel this way at 26. if anyone has any answers please let me know. tks

Answer 1

If you have a high TTG you have celiac. The damage done to the intestines is quite patchy, and the chances of them actually biopsying a spot that is damaged is only about 50/50.

I had a negative biopsy too. I went gluten-free just to see if it would help and it changed my life. I had IBS symptoms for 18 years, from ages 17 to 35. It got so bad that I could barely leave the house, and the celiac reaction had started attacking my nerves and the mobility-controlling areas of my brain. So I could barely walk, and was on my way to a wheelchair within five years.

The reason I come on yahoo answers is to help people exactly like you. Who have the symptoms, but don't have answers. Because I felt just like YOU a year ago.

I suggest you go to the best gluten-free / celiac support group on the net - There are people who have a full diagnosis of celiac (positive biopsy), people who have negative biopsies, people who are just finding out about celiac and not sure if they have it, and people who just feel better not eating wheat. So there's plenty of room for everyone. There are almost 12 THOUSAND people on this board.

http://www.glutenfreeforum.com/

Please, please, please try the gluten-free diet no matter what your tests come back as. It's more detailed than just not eating wheat, so I recommend you come to that forum for more information on how to go gluten-free effectively. Whether or not you respond to the diet is really the only valid test of whether gluten is causing your symptoms. The tests can be confusing and unreliable.

If I hadn't been encouraged to try the GF diet anyway, I can't even imagine how sick I would be by now.

Nancy

Answer 2

Find out the results of your scope 1st. If you do have Crohn's or Colitis, do not panic. Go to www.ccfa.org for great information and support. I was diagnosed with Crohn's almost 10 years ago and there are some promising studies taking place right now. The government just approved millions of $$ for GI research.

Find the best GI specialist in your area. That could mean the most to keeping you healthy.

Please do not think that it is the end of the world if you do have Crohn's or Colitis. Hang in there. Good luck.

Answer 3

My suggestion would be to visit the celiac forum at Celiac.com:

http://www.glutenfreeforum.com/index.php?&&CODE=00

Especially check out the "Pre-diagnosis, Testing, and Symptoms" section, there are a lot of knowledgeable members that will give great advice, some have been through the very same thing with inconclusive testing. You will get lots of support there.

I would say still follow a gluten free diet, if it gives you relief and results, regardless of what your tests say, then it is worth it.

Answer 4

you need a through gi eval but possibilities include tropical spue, hepatitisand biliary disease. donT be afraid and do get checked.

Answer 5

Just ask your health care professional