Q & A

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QUESTION: My 15 year old daughter went to her pediatrician with lightheadedness and dizziness. The doctor wanted blood work done and she included antigliadin IgA and IgG as well as endomysial IgA. Her antigliadin IgA was normal (1 - the lab reported 0-4 being normal), her antigliadin IgG was high (12 - the lab reported 0-9 being normal). Her endomysial antibody IgA just states the test was positive (no numerical value was given). She has had absolutely no gastrointestinal symptoms, and the lightheadedness and dizziness has stopped. We have not changed her diet because this has all taken place in the last two weeks and we are waiting for our appointment with a gastrointerologist. Her pediatrician was upset with us for requesting to see a gastrointerologist, she feels we are doubting her diagnosis. She is adamant that the lab results prove my daughter has celiacs disease. Does it sound like we are looking at a teen with celiacs or could there possibly be other reasons for the results listed above. (All other lab were completely normal.)

DR. LEWIS: I think it is quite reasonable to seek a second opinion from a gastroenterologist and would not be certain with these lab values that your child has celiac disease. Biopsy is still considered the gold standard to prove celiac disease.

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