Celiac - false negative?

lavril · May 2011

Is it possible to get a negative on a blood test but still have this disease? How likely is that? What's the difference between celiac, gluten intolerance, and gluten malabsorption? Sorry for all the questions - TIA!

ajanes · May 2011

I don't think it's very likely to have a false negative. I've heard of a false positive on the blood test. That is why the definitive dx comes with the biopsy. I'm not really sure the entire differences but my DS tested negative for Celiac's 3 times. However, he is wheat intolerant. It's not a true allergy but he has issue with wheat. He has been dx with Multiple Food Protein Intolerance. He isn't allergic to anything but can't tolerate and or absorb the nutrients from dairy, soy or wheat.

Coleslawcat · May 2011

False negatives are VERY common with celiac. Especially in children, but they happen in adults too. And getting a clean biopsy doesn't really put you in the clear either, since you can still have non-celiac gluten intolerance which wouldn't be detected with a biopsy. If both the blood test and biopsy are negative and you feel better not eating gluten then you have your answer.

Celiac is an autoimmune disease. When exposed to even the tiniest bits of gluten the immune system produces antibodies that attack your own body in many ways, most notably by destroying the villi in your intestine. This can lead to all sorts of problems from malnutrition, weight loss, weight gain, diarrhea, constipation, nausea, vomiting, cancer, Type 1 diabetes, anyway the list is huge. If you have celiac and follow a gluten free diet almost all of those issues are resolved.

Gluten intolerance is still very real, but it means your body isn't attacking the intestines and making the antibodies. But it can still make you quite sick.

I'm not sure what gluten malabsorption is.

DandelionMom · May 2011

False negatives are very common, especially in little kids or people who don't eat a lot of gluten. I know a few people who were negative on the bloodwork but positive from the endoscopy (which is definitive).

lavril · May 2011

Thanks so much for all the info! I wasn't sure if false negatives were a common thing, but I suspected it was. I also have an autoimmune issue w/ my thyroid, which is often linked w/ Celiac. I don't know if I'll have a biopsy or not, but for now I'm testing out the GF diet to see if I feel any better. Thanks again!

emaddock · May 2011

I have Celiac. It is possible to get a false negative. My bloodwork came out negative, but the biopsy was totally positive. I have been gluten free for 3.5 years and feel much better.

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