What Is The Test For Celiacs Please?

Hi!

I have recently had some blood tests done at my GP surgery, as requested by my endocrinologist (I have Turner Syndrome and have to have annual blood tests including to monitor my thyroid - no issues or medications needed for that so far although my TSH levels have gone from in the 1s up to nearly 4, waiting for the rest of results to come in).

When I had the tests done I believe a Celiac screen should have been done, however I don’t have all of my blood results in yet as some are missing and some weren’t able to be done, so will be repeated once I’ve recovered from Covid, and I just wanted to know if anyone could tell me what the specific name of the test is for Celiacs please? A quick Google and looking back through old NHS app results don’t seem to give me much of an answer, particularly as the majority of the tests pre pandemic were always done at the hospital via my endocrinologist and I am still waiting to have access to all of these!

Thank you!

Edited to add: These are the results I can see

Se thyroid peroxidase Ab conc - 6 (range -35)

Serum TSH level - 3.47 (range 0.27 - 4.30)

Serum calcium - 2.15 (range 2.10 - 2.55)

Serum adjusted calcium conc - 2.15 (range 2.15 - 2.55)

Serum inorganic phosphate - 1.17 (range 0.8 - 1.43)

Serum alkaline phosphatase - 132 (range 30-130)

Serum total protein - 67 (range 60-80)

Serum albumin - 43 (range 35-50)

IgA - 2.29 (range 0.80-2.80)

HbA1c - 36 (range 26-41)

Tissu Transglutaminase IgA - 0.6 (range 0.0-6.9)

AST serum - 37 (range -32)

Serum ALT - 25 (range -33)

Serum gamma GT - 67 (range 1-40)

Serum total bilirubin - 14 (range -21)

Serum LDH - Unsuitable due to haemolysis

Serum urea - 2.9 (range 2.5-7.8)

Serum sodium - 135 (range 133-146)

Serum potassium - 4.6 (range 3.5 - 5.3)

Serum cretinine - 74 (range 45-87)

GFR calculated abbreviatd MDRD - 79 (range 60-150)

[Hidden]

I have edited the post to add in what tests I can see via my NHS App, thank you!

[Hidden]

Tissu Transglutaminase IgA - 0.6 (range 0.0-6.9)

This is the coeliac screening and it's come back negative.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Ahh perfect thank you, I did wonder if it was that one but was getting a bit confused!

[SlowDragon Administrator]

just testing TSH is inadequate

You need TSH, Ft4 and Ft3 tested together

ALWAYS test thyroid levels early morning, ideally just before 9am for highest TSH levels

You need vitamin D tested

Calcium level is low, very common with low vitamin D

There’s no iron, ferritin, folate or B12 results either

What vitamin supplements are you currently taking

[Hidden in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you! There was an issue with the blood they took I think, plus the lab took too long, and I don’t think they had enough of a sample to complete all the requested tests so they’re repeating them. There was a note on my thyroid test from the lab saying that it’s recommended to check T4 to query pituitary function, so this has been added and GP said he’d requested T3 too…

Thanks for tip re timing too! I usually have them done in hospital outpatients and it’s usually mid afternoon as that’s when my endocrinologist does his clinic, when I book in for these tests to be repeated at the GPs though I’ll make sure I request an early morning one!

I know I should have had a full blood count done too but I believe there wasn’t enough blood sent to the lab so this will be done, I specifically asked about iron/ferritin and anaemia screen and I was assured that that would be included. As for Vit D, I am on the 3000 Better You spray (was on 1000) as I have been Vit D deficient in the past that was picked up due to low calcium and high alkaline phosphatase and those readings above are showing as exactly the same as when that was detected. I have queried this but my GP refused to add it to the tests and suggested supplements so wasn’t very helpful! I will mention this to my endocrinologist though when I get all the results, and I’ll look into getting private testing once I know exactly what these next results have shown and tested!

Thank you for your advice, it’s so helpful!

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Hidden]

if never had Thyroglobulin antibodies tested, these need testing too

NHS won’t test TG antibodies unless TPO antibodies are over range

Your TPO antibodies are low

TSH would be higher if tested in morning

Possibly even over 5

Low vitamin levels tend to lower TSH …..so it’s important to retest vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 at least annually

With two thyroid tests with TSH over 5 ….and symptoms you should be offered trial on levothyroxine

[Hidden in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you so much for that! I’m waiting for copies of previous blood results from the hospital to come through so I can see exactly what has and hasn’t been tested in the past.

I will ask about those antibodies. I know antibodies were requested by endo but I’m not sure the specific test.

What does low TPO antibodies mean, does that mean all fine? I get so confused trying to work out what it all means!

Ooh that’s useful to know to re when I should be trialled with meds! Thank you!

Thank you again!

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Hidden]

About 90% of primary hypothyroidism is autoimmune thyroid disease, usually diagnosed by high thyroid antibodies.

With Hashimoto’s common to have high TPO antibodies or high TPO antibodies and high TG antibodies…….but significant minority of Hashimoto’s patients only have high TG antibodies…..therefore as NHS doesn’t test TG antibodies if TPO antibodies are not high …..they struggle to get diagnosed

Autoimmune thyroid disease with goitre is Hashimoto’s

Autoimmune thyroid disease without goitre is Ord’s thyroiditis. 

Both are autoimmune and generally called Hashimoto’s.

Low vitamin levels are extremely common when hypothyroid, especially with autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto’s or Ord’s thyroiditis)

especially vitamin D

20% of autoimmune thyroid patients never have high thyroid antibodies and ultrasound scan of thyroid can get diagnosis 

In U.K. medics hardly ever refer to autoimmune thyroid disease as Hashimoto’s (or Ord’s thyroiditis)

Link about thyroid blood tests

thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

Link about Hashimoto’s

thyroiduk.org/hypothyroid-b...

Symptoms of hypothyroidism 

thyroiduk.org/wp-content/up...

Recommended on here that all thyroid blood tests early morning, ideally just before 9am

This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip)

Private tests are available as NHS currently rarely tests Ft3 or all relevant vitamins

List of private testing options and money off codes

thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

Medichecks Thyroid plus antibodies and vitamins

medichecks.com/products/adv...

Blue Horizon Thyroid Premium Gold includes antibodies, cortisol and vitamins

bluehorizonbloodtests.co.uk...

If you can get GP to test vitamins then cheapest option for just TSH, FT4 and FT3

£29 (via NHS private service ) and 10% off down to £26.10 if go on thyroid uk for code

thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

monitormyhealth.org.uk/

Monitor My Health also now offer thyroid and vitamin testing, plus cholesterol and HBA1C for £65 

(But doesn’t include antibodies)

monitormyhealth.org.uk/full...

NHS easy postal kit vitamin D test £29 via

vitamindtest.org.uk

Only do private testing early Monday or Tuesday morning. 

Watch out for postal strikes, probably want to pay for guaranteed 24 hours delivery 

[Hidden in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you so so much for all your help and really useful links and information, it’s massively helpful and appreciated!