Do stomach cramps and diarrhea indicate celiac disease?

Question

Hello doctor,

I have been experiencing stomach cramps and diarrhea for the past three months. I am worried that this might be coeliac disease as my grandmother had the same. Moreover, I took an anti-ttg test twice two years back and it was 4.0. After two months it rose to 5.6. Do these values indicate coeliac disease? Kindly suggest.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I can understand your concern.

An anti-tTG (Anti-Tissue Transglutaminase Antibody) test is a blood test used to screen for celiac disease. A result of 4.0 or higher is considered weakly positive, and a result of 5.6 or higher is considered strongly positive. However, a weakly positive result does not necessarily mean that you have celiac disease. It is important to note that the anti-tTG test is a screening test, and it should be followed up with further testing, such as an endoscopy and biopsy, to confirm the diagnosis of celiac disease. In your case, since you have had a weakly positive anti-tTG result twice, you may have celiac disease. However, without further testing, it is difficult to confirm this diagnosis.

I suggest you follow the below-mentioned instructions:

Avoid foods that contain gluten (a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye) until you get further testing done. This can help alleviate your symptoms and potentially prevent further damage to your intestine if you do have celiac disease.
Get an endoscopy and biopsy done to confirm the diagnosis. During an endoscopy, a small camera is inserted into the stomach to examine the lining of the intestine. Biopsies are then taken from the intestine to look for signs of celiac disease, such as inflammation and damage to the villi (the tiny finger-like projections that line the intestine).
Kindly consult a specialist, and talk to them as they can guide you with a complete treatment plan.

I hope this information will help you.

Thank you.